Christmas Fishing Report

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL…

Sorry for the late well wishes. Time has been a bit tight in CT, but fun none the less…

FISHING! Well things haven’t been outstanding, but it’s been a very insightful trip…from watching great hatches, to being very frustrated with not having the right patterns…

Thursday was by far the most amazing day on the water. The winter caddis started popping at about 9:30, and I watched probably 500 rises all day. I broke one off of a winter caddis pattern, though I was able to grab a nice healthy 15” brown on a caddis nymph.

Being as it was a holiday, and we have afternoon/evening plans, I was off the water a lot earlier then I wanted to be, though I’m sure that the afternoon brought on hatches of BWO’s and midges…

Christmas day was a wash fishing wise…

Saturday was another decent day on the water. With the father in law along for the ride, we spent a fair amount of time exploring, and looking for bugs. The hatches were not anywhere near the same as Thursday’s, but there were a few rises in the belly of pools. Mid way through the morning though, the rains began to pretty much end the fishing for the weekend. We spent some more time exploring, but finished the day without a fish.

Sunday was a complete loss. I ended up traveling to the river anyways, but arrived to find it brown and full of ice chunks. I did end up finding some high but, fishable water, and managed to hook one fish in a back eddy…but none landed for the day…

Monday Finn and I explored some more local water, but found less then ideal conditions. We did fish a bit, but it was not with any real expectations.

None the less, it was an amazing trip. Lots of entomology learned, and some amazing fishing spectacles seen…

Now we bring you the photography…

Winter Caddis Hatch...Farmy Style...

Riser...Winter Caddis...

Christmas Eve Trout...

mmm.....Caddis....

Finn vs. my dry fly hackles...damn bird dog...

Fucking Bird Dog...chewer...

Reservoir Tower...

Money Shot...

Swinging Water...

Back Eddy...

River Road...

Up River Sunday...

Down River Sunday...

Monday...exploration...

Finn Fishing Trip...

Potential Striper Record

20 pound Tippet Fly Rod Class

Striped Bass 51lbs, 5oz
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Full article from Hampton Roads (Dr. Julie Ball) HERE (Note the name Rockfish)

Steelhead Season 2009 - Week 12

I'm becoming lazy apparently...

I didn't make it out once this week, despite some very fishable conditions. Between a holiday blizzard of food in our kitchen (thanks Amy), family visits, and tying for Connecticut...I fell behind this week...

To the report...the fishing has improved quite a bit this week. The temps increased enough to open some flows, and we were even blessed with a fresh wave of fish...

Smaller nymphs...stones and copper johns were the tickets, though Justin was also able to con a few takers with some large headed flies...

This pig, was rewarded to one of CRO's clients this week...estimated between 17-18 lbs...

Make sure to check out their blog for updated reports and updates...

http://www.chagrinriveroutfitters.blogspot.com/

Next week we'll be reporting from Connecticut with hopefully some rather large brown trout pictures...the boxes are stocked, the presents are kinda wrapped, and we're out of here Wednesday...

Pictures of the trip will be up soon!

Film Review: No Sports Allowed: Vol. I

We picked up the film this evening and spent some time tying flies and watching the crew lang BIG ass trout while I spun some small soft hackle copper johns...

Great film, big fish, some amazing footage of small creeks, bad ass kids, and some beautiful fish...

Great job guys...

Trailer:

T-Minus One Week...

Connecticut Trout...I'm coming!

Sick Fucks?!

Not directly related to fly fishing, but humorous none the less...

Found on http://www.troutunderground.com/ - from 12/10/09 - (Thanks for all the great shit)...

"What Kind Of Sick Fuck Would Put A Hook In A Juicy Squid Where A Fish Could Easily Eat It?"
- By YELLOWFIN TUNA

"Perhaps most chilling, the squid was alive. Now, if I were a complete fucking sociopath and I wanted to trick a yellowfin tuna into ripping its face off, the best way to do it would be to lure it in with a live squid. It's like he knew we think dead squid tastes like shit. "

LINK TO THE ENTIRE ARTICLE - HILARIOUS
-via The Onion...

T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CADDIS

BY RICHARD FRANK

Twas the night before Christmas when down by the stream
The full moon looked out on a chill winter scene.
A lone trout was sipping a midge in his brook,
Untroubled by worries of fishers with hooks.

Then from above a small sleigh did appear
Pulled by a brace of eight tiny reindeer.
It swerved of a sudden and down it did glide,
Settling its runners along the streamside.

The fat, jolly driver dove into his sled
And emerged with his three weight held high over head.
"Thank you my elves for this wand smooth as silk.
This break will be better than cookies and milk."

So saying, he jumped from his sleigh with a chuckle,
Hiked up his boots and cinched up his belt buckle.
Santa meant business that cold winter's eve.
A fish he would catch - that you'd better believe.

Looking upstream and down, he spotted that trout,
Then he open his flybox and took something out -
"Size 32 midges are only for faddists
I'll go with my favorite tan reindeer caddis."

So he cast out his line with a magical ease
And his fly floated down just as light as you please.
And it drifted drag free down the trout's feeding lane,
But the fish merely wiggled a fin of disdain.

"Oh Adams, oh Cahill, oh Sulphur, oh Pupa,
Oh Hopper, oh Coachman, oh Olive Matuka!
I've seen every fly in the book and the box.
I'm old and I'm wary and sly as a fox.

To catch me you'll need an unusual gift,
For a present this common no fin will I lift."
Old Nick scratched his head for his time it grew short
The reindeer behind him did shuffle and snort.

He looked once again in his box for a fly
When a pattern compelling attracted his eye.
"The Rudolph!" he muttered and grinned ear to ear
"Far better to give than receive, so I hear."

So he cast once again and his magic was true,
And the trout it looked up and knew not what to do.
"This fly has a body of bells don't you know,
And if that's not enough there's a shining red nose!

I know it's fraud and I know it's a fake,
But I can't help myself. It's I gift I must take!"
So he rose in swirl and captured that thing,
Flew off down the stream. Santa's reel it did sing.

"Ho!" shouted Santa, "You're making my day.
If the heavens were water, you'd be pulling my sleigh."
So, Santa prevailed and released his great rival
First taking great care to ensure its survival.

He then mounted his sled and he flew out of sight
Shouting, "Merry Caddis to trout and to all a good night!"

New Love...

In preparation for the Christmas trip to CT this year, I'm starting the tying a bit early. With fishing getting rained out today, I kept up with the typical nymphs, streamers, etc...However after a phone call with Schmidt, and some research, I began tying some of the smaller flies I've ever attempted...20's...


Sorry for the crap photos...

12 on a dime...

Midge...

BWO Nymph...

Ghost variations...

I'm officially digging the tiny hooks. I'm looking forward to some willing trout in CT over the holiday...

Updates on the tying to come...

*Thanks to Mike for the direction. Be sure to check out his fly selection at www.anglerschoiceflies.com

Steelhead Season 2009 - Week 11

We can't win all the time...

The week was littered with rain/snow/wind/ice...but there were some fish to be had. Justin was able to swing up a few mid week, but it with rain on and off all week, action was definitely scattered...

Thursday - Saturday brought extreme cold, and the ice began it's yearly showing on the rivers. Saturday afternoon, the temps jumped up a bit, and melted alot of the ice...but did muddy up the water.

Some fishing was had, and I missed one taker, but other then that, it was a nice Saturday on the water. Tried everything from swinging big uglies, to nymphing bright eggs and large stones...

Sunday the rains came and ruined an outting with Conklin. Hopefully we're making plans to reschedule soon!

Here's a few scenery pics...

Last of the day's shelf ice...

Winter fishing is here...

Down Stream...

Hopefully we've got better stories and fish for next weekend!

All Star Bill Dance...

Sent from my lovely wife...

Schmidt's Adventures...

The day after we go 7 for 12 of chrome, he pushes off on his home waters for some fall run brownies...

Despite missing a few large tails...he was able to bring some gorgeous trout to hand...

Some pictures from his journey...

Stalking The Jam...

num-num-num...

Nothing like a few browns to finish off a weekend...

Thanks for sharing...we're digging the fish porn...

Great Story...

"Since 1983, the United Anglers of Casa Grande High School have made it their business to clean up what others leave behind. This group of ordinary high school students have set themselves an extraordinary goal: to heal a stream, repair its habitat, and save a species from extinction.


In 1983, the United Anglers adopted a “dead” creek in an attempt to bring it back to life. They have planted over 1,200 trees annually to rebuild Adobe Creek's wildlife habitat. They raised over $500,000 and built a state-of-the-art on-campus fish facility.

In an effort to educate others, the United Anglers have opened their facility to the public, to share their experiences as they happen. The students who run the facility give tours to those interested in learning more about the environment and how to preserve it.

Please contact us if you are interested in a tour or would like to receive more information regarding the United Anglers of Casa Grande High School."

LINK TO SITE - http://www.uacg.org/index.html

Finn's Ice Cream Cone...

So while visions of sugar plums dance in our heads…Finn’s outside trying to lick the driveway clean. I figure that with 2 pairs of kids boots and a fleece shirt, I won’t need to have the driveway plowed this year…

Little Bastard...wondering why mom and dad are laughing outside @ 11PM...

Steelhead Season 2009 - Week 10

FINALLY -

A day to write home about...

The Rain Gods finally gave us our christmas wish, and sent us a rising river earlier in the week...

Not quite sure what to expect, I was aprehensive to travel further from the home waters, which I knew would be fishable...just not stellar...

I'm glad I let Mike get into my head. We decided to leave the house earlier and travel to some more familiar water further East...and were rewarded with CHROME. It was everything we could've hopes for...fresh fish looking for eggs and bugs...

Yeah, I broke the tradiation of swinging up a fish each week, but had you seen this run, you would've as well...

PICTURES:

Mike showing Finn how to tie his secret pattern...

TMT with Chrome...

Gorgeous Hen...

Schmidt with his first....shouldered buck...

Another fishy...

Hello Mr....

Little Sweetie...

Money Shot Of The Day...

Egg Special...

Meet my friend Spot...

TMT Release...

Schmidt Chrome to end the morning...

Don't ask why, but we decided to try our fortunes on some fish closer to home...only to find crowds and unwilling fish...

None-the-less, the morning was a super success, and we were very happy with the results. The problem not mentioned was the 23 degree temps @ 7:00AM, and action not taking place until 9:30AM. For a while there, we thought the fish weren't in the hole at all...

Anyways...we're glad to see a fresh group of fish into the rivers. Precipitation is scheduled to arrive this week, so we're looking forward to keeping some higher flows for the coming weeks...until we hit the CT waters for some Christmas trout and salmon...

Game on...

I Want In...

Recently Added To The Bucket List...

Deschutes River...

NEW STEELHEAD BLOG

Found:

Osprey Steelhead Blog

LINK

Makes Stocked Rainbow Trout Seem A Bit...Hmmmm...

Finally...'Tis the season

Home
The Junkie
By Feelio Babar
Friday, 25 September 2009 10:20
An Addiction to Streamer Fishing

He has a serious problem, this man. Some would call it a sickness. He's a junkie of the worst kind and he knows it, lying and cheating to get what he needs, reckless in the pursuit of his much-needed fix.

He is the Streamer Addict. Bunny fur and Marabou drive him wild. River. Lake. Crappy urban pond. Anytime, anywhere—when he needs it, he needs it. Casting like he's shooting a 12-gauge, his presentation is anything but delicate. Stuffing it into the rocks on the far bank. Flipping it out there. His flies hit the water like depth charges, sending feeble specimens fleeing in terror.

He serves it up simple and the fish respond like any well-evolved creature: fight or flight. You've seen him, fishing by himself, laughing, screaming, and leering at you on the water. Moving quickly around your position, you can't help but wonder what he's up to. Stripping wildly, cursing, all the while that smug-ass grin spread across his face.

The junkie covers lots of water, while you stand in the same hole for three hours. The afflicted tosses a middle finger to tradition. Sunny? Midday? Hatch? The junkie doesn't care. All day, every day, chump. His box of flies looks like a truck hit the Muppet band. He talks in tongues about "applying the voodoo," "street-fighter flashes," and "30-foot handshakes." And who wears a stripping basket on a trout river anyway?

But it's not easy, being a dedicated fiend. There are slow days, too. Tough days. Frustration. Stripping till the arm hurts. Crazy action with no hook-ups. Sticking to the guns is sometimes difficult. But then there are the other days, where the junkie's as high as a Georgia pine. He's kind of a dick, really, laughing at the sad faces you make as he strips one through the run you just flogged and then lifts the local thug out of the water to show what you missed. You ask what he's throwing, and can only muster a confused gaze when you see the size of it. "Is that a saltwater hook?" you stammer. "And what's with the fighting butt?" The junkie just smiles, eyes glazing.

To many, he makes no sense. Breaks all the rules. A step away from spin fishing, some say. They just don't get it. But perhaps it's better that way. Many just don't have the fortitude for the charms of streamer fishing. Best you just stick to your little bugs and 6x. As you part ways with the junkie, he flips you a five-inch fly with huge red eyes like his own. He staggers off, and with a booming laugh says, "First one's free kid, now shorten up that leader and get in there!"

-Feelio Babar lives in a cave outside Aspen. (Taken from The Drake)

Game-Set-Match for the weekend...Hopefully...

Kayak Review...

After seeing these 'yaks a few months ago online, I've been waiting for a "fishy" review...

Kayak Angler Online has one...

Freedom Hawk Kayaks

"For handling, and I’m talking about a fly-fishing ‘yak when I say this, I give the 12 a score of 10 out of 10. The 14 gets an 8 out of 10."

FULL REVIEW (Rickey Noel Mitchell)

Also, Check out Rickey's site http://www.paddleandflies.com/

Perfect for the fly flinging paddler...

It's Like An Early Christmas...Kinda...

And we've got another half in due in tomorrow night!