Wild Browns, New Water, and Early Spring Weather

A buddy and I had the opportunity to fish a couple beautiful streams Monday and Tuesday. Since both streams are over two hours away, we stayed at his camp very close to one of them. I had been watching the weather for a few days before we left, and it was looking great for our two days. I tied up a bunch of small blue-winged olive nymphs and dries in sz 18 and 20 since there were many reports of them hatching already. The excitement was building by the day.
Sunday, two friends of mine fished one of the streams we planned to hit, and did very well on both BWO nymphs and dries. This was a promising report for both of us heading up. The only issue was low and clear water conditions. This did not stop them on Sunday, so it wasn't going to stop us...
We got to the stream around 8 AM and were pleasantly surprised to see only a few cars. The other good thing was that not all of these people were fishing. Some were hiking and running the trails, which made it even better. The stream holds wild Brown Trout and some Rainbows here and there and this particular stretch of water is incredibly aesthetically pleasing, and serene as ever. It was going to be a good day...
As we walked dowstream on the trail, we scanned every piece of water for movement, and holding water. After about a quarter of a mile we found what we were looking for... There were fish moving, and from what we could see, plenty of great holding water to nymph. We stayed back as not to spook them, and watched for a minute or two before sneaking into the water downstream of where we planned to drift. We crossed, and moved upstream like ninjas each to our own run. Within the first few drifts, I was into fish. Too bad the first few were all suckers! I laughed it off, and kept drifting there because I knew there had to be some Trout there as well. It paid off a few minutes later with a couple nice wild Browns brought to hand.
A half-hour or so later, we moved on, walking down the trail, and fishing upstream when we found a good run. There were many more fish brought to hand throughout the entire day, and nearly no one around. I walked a good bit down into the canyon and took a few minutes to taste an awesome new local IPA and have a bite to eat while taking in the scenery, no one in sight. The rest of the day was filled with great sights, and many laughs between us and the folks we met in the parking lot while waiting for some dry fly action.
The fish started taking BWO's, so we rigged up the dries. As soon as we got setup, and I got into the water, the wind kicked up fiercely. This completely shut everything down on the top. We nymphed for an hour or so more before calling it a day... And a great day at that. We spent the rest of the night at the fire with food and more IPA's, discussing the days events.
The next morning we got up (not too early) and went to another stream to check it out. It is a beautiful stream, and a large one at that. The section we went to was back in the middle of the woods, down a dirt road, near only camps and cabins. Another awesome place for peace and scenery. We fished for about an hour or two with no action, until I got into one very nice Rainbow drifting near a large boulder in the stream. We then both decided to finish up the trip at this point, and make the 3 hour trek home, considering we were both pretty beat tired. Regardless of the fish caught, this trip was a full out success. Met some new great people, including a new fishig buddy that I look forward to sharing water with much more in the future. We saw a ton of great sights as well as some new territory that looked very promising for future trips. It's trips like this that draw me back time and again to search both water and my soul, and get down to what really matters in fishing. Commraderie, laughing, good food, and good people sharing great times...

This fish was missing a piece of its gill plate. It was completely healed and the fish still hit and fought well, and was released unharmed.

Wednesday 3-31-10

I had a buddy from about an hour away meet me at a home stream to chase some stockies. When I got to the stream it was Nestle Quik, and yet lower than it has been in a while. I put one in hand in an hour of drifts before my friends arrival. My fishin' pal finally showed up, after I missed 3 or 4 more, and we began to cover some ground. We headed back to the car around 1, with me landing 3. So we headed to my home waters. (forgot to add the midge hatch)


I knew it would be low and clear where we were going, but I knew I could get us on some aquatic beings at the same time. Within the first ten minutes, I casted to this brownie that I saw in the riffles.....BAM! great fight, and released quickly.

They were smashing these midges, I could not get them to hit any of my dries, except for my indicator. Twice I may add.


After that beautiful brownie, I thought my life could not get any better. Until I took a few more drifts, and then I felt it............................./ I set the hook immediately. I had hooked into the biggest Trout on a fly rod (besides a Steelhead) in my life! It jumped up and cleared the water like Shamu! I fought it for about 5 full minutes, to receive one of my two flies back at me in a whiplash.
After a dash of profanities, I had at it again, not knowing, yet caring less if I caught another fish this day. Drift. drift, drift........... It's not going to be the same after you miss a fish of that caliber. Then, out of nowhere, there it was! The same fish again, hammered my fly! I was shaking in disbelief, while trying to keep my composure and land the fish at the same time. REDEMPTION!


A picture perfect day

Gettin' Stoned

Went to my home waters today for a little messing around. I had no Idea what I was in store for. I had non-stop action for at least 5 hours. It was a beautiful day, and over 30 fish brought to hand made it even better. As usual, the wiggle stones provided most of the action.

This could've been why...



These Mayfly Nymphs were on the bottoms of just about every big rock I flipped over. Also, the adult Stonefly landed on my knee while I was sitting on the bank.
And now a couple of fish...

Saturday 1/23/10

I figured the weather was going to be pretty nice from the forecast, so I headed out. I went to the further of my two local streams with plans to walk as far as possible. So, as soon as I got there, me and my dog walked about a half mile downstream, and got in the water at a spot I knew was holding some fish. Mad a couple of casts, and on about the 3rd one, I had a nice fish on. I proceeded to land it and get back to it. Then, about 10 casts later, I had another fish on. I caught one more there, and moved on. I walked, and fished, and walked and fished some more. Along my travels I picked up one two more, and lost at least 5 or 6. You wouldn't believe the fight in these fish. I had one come 2 feet out of the water, like steel! It was nuts! Also, the fact that 4 out of 5 fish I landed were at least 12 inches. With 2 15+. Great day, weather, and fishing. I even ran into a couple of buddies towards the end of the day.


Looks like something had a hold of this one...




Joe

1/19/10 in DHALO

I woke up expecting the best of conditions on my home waters, and found out I was wrong. First of all, it was a lot colder than the weather called for. Second, the stream was high, and very cloudy. I didn't expect much, but I still gave 'er a go. Walked down to the first spot, and left quickly because it was too fast and I didn't have much confidence in it. So, me and the dog cruised downstream to another good spot. I was happy to see that it was flowing moderately fast, but not too fast to get a good drift. So, I casted out the same nymph (can't help it, the thing works), and within the first 10 casts, I had a small bow. I proceeded to get 2 more very quickly following the first, and that was it for the day. Of course I didn't expect to be shut off for the next 4 hours. But, it was fun regardless. I was pretty happy to even have landed 3 fish, given the conditions. And as always, being outside on the stream cures some of the cabin fever. Even if it isn't Steel.

Saturday in DHALO

Went to a local stream about 10 min from my house to check out the flows and color yesterday. Upon arrival, I was pleasatly surprised with green-tinted water and a great flow. The visibility was somewhere around a foot. Me and my dog walked and walked, and walked some more. Along the way I picked up a couple here and there. I then proceeded to make the journey upstream, to a favorite spot of mine out of DHALO. I landed, and lost one there. I then kept walking and missed a couple, before ending my trek at about the 5 mile mark. This was the point where my pelvis was getting too sore. (I fractured it last Nov.) Great day to be out. Perfect water and temps. And the fish that were left were pretty eager to take that same nymph. I couldn't belive it. All fish came from the same fly, not pattern, but actually the first rig I had tied on that morning. Enjoy.

A meeting of the minds...

Ducks.


Dog Stalking Ducks..

Dog Chasing Ducks...

All-terrain Wolf Spider


The fish






Joe