Monday the Ok was still dropping and got to just below 1000 cfs and the temperature was going back up from 34 to 38 degrees. I fished on Tuesday for a short time with just a short tug. on Wednesday. the fishing was better the water warmer I was out for just over two and a half hours with a nice tug and hook up that lasted just about 5 minutes, but didn't get to see it. Thursday I made it out for just a short while and nothing. Today I headed below Okanogan and worked some water that I haven't worked since last year.Oh now the river has changed at this spot. With the water level at 953cfs. last year I could almost walk across.this year not even 1/2 way now there is a deep channel well over six feet deep.so I didn't stay around long to fish it.
Also in my news.................
Monday night I went to the PUD meeting about the Enlo Dam up on the Similkameen River. From 2006 it has already cost just over 11 million dollars to see about the permits and that it will cost another 39-42 million to complete to generate power and it will not be paid off until some time in 2035. with a rate increase to be picked up by the rate holder by a 3% or more increase for the next 6 or 7 years.
I'm still in for removal that will cost now close to 33 million and give us the free flowing water to help lower the Summer temperatures if only by a few degrees.
Tuesday I when to see the movie Return of the River. This movie is about the removal of the 100 year old dams on the Ewha River by Port Angles. If you get a chance to see it GO. It well change your mind about what can be done to help save the future.
Wednesday Gary and I did a fly tying class for the Webelos of pack 60/20 at the Eastside school and we will return in January to do more. We had 7 Webelo's and the class went very well for them being so young. some of the fathers wanted more info and I gave them my # to call me later. I wish to give my good friend Gary a much need THANK YOU for the help and rounding up the much needed vices for the class.
Friday while I was standing in the water up to my chest swinging a fly it started snowing. It's here turning the landscape that beautiful white.
If you get a chance get out and fish take someone with you to enjoy that magic
Friday, November 21, 2014
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Call me Crazy, Loco, Hardcore, Dedicated, or whatever you like
Somewhere on the Okanogan River between here and there 8:30ish AM
20 degrees Wind is blowing from the north 3-5 mph, with gust upwards around 10+ Sun is bright and coming over the ridge behind me and the river is dropping the color looks good, I'm dress for the cold weather.
With three layers, polypropylene base, Smartwool socks, heavy weight polar fleece pants and top, Patagonia DAS pants, and of course my Nano Puff pullover. Latex gloves to shield the wind, taped on the first two knuckles left hand so I can strip in line under my finger-less wool gloves, I wearing a polar fleece half Buff on my head and neck with a hat.
When I get to the water and have my rod rigged up, then I'll put on my waders, boots and my wading jacket to cut the wind.
I suggest don't put all is on until you get to the water and have your rod rigged up unless you want to sweat to death before you get there. I've done it in the past.
At first I felt like the Michelin Tire Man, but it soon all went away while I was standing in the water.
I walked up above the top of the run, waded out just below waste deep, striped out enough line to cover the top with a sixty foot cast to swing. The water only 35 degrees. Started my descent down river every third or forth cast I took two steps. At this pace it should take me close to three hours to work the run complete.
On my sixth or seventh step and second or third cast I get a tickle about halfway thru the swing just behind a boulder in the water. Not much but a tickle. I let it swing to the end with some hang time. Cast just above the boulder and just before strip in about six inches, just as my line goes over I let the loop go. BAM set the hook FISH ON!
He turns and headed towards me I strip in about 30 feet of line to keep it snug and rod bent, then the turn down river. Before I knew it the line I stripped in was gone and I was into my reel the drag set just about right I lay my rod to the right to the left to get it to turn and out of the water with a three foot back flip and splash my line goes limp. Just for a split second I lift the rod and he is still there and heading cross water jumping and peeling line, half ways across he starts to slow down. I'm able to pick up line on the reel slowly closer and closer to me there not much left in him I slowly work my way to closer to shore and after maybe twenty or thirty minutes he is less than forty feet from me. As I slowly pull him thru some faster water he gets that last burst of energy and does an short flip and head shake then comes right to me. A big beautiful strong wild Buck about 30 inches long still chrome and the color hue on cheeks gill plates are describable. As I grab him by the tail he gets that little bit of slack the hook falls out of the side his mouth.
I spent the next few minutes making sure he was strong and ready to continue his journey looking for that mate in the spring, and the long trek back to the sea.
I walked down river and found a place to set for awhile and reflect on what just happened have a drink and chew down a Cliff bar before I go back at it. CHASING THE NEXT TUG
After being out until shortly after noon the only thing I could say that was cold and not really that bad were my toes. My face was a bit numb at times. The wind stayed at my back it was hard to cast at times with the wind gust. I had on another fish, but didn't land it (got the rush) from the tug.
If you were to ask me if it was worth it?
Absolutely Awesome Time and heading back out tomorrow!!!
hook: Gama T10-6H sz 1 with the end cut off
body :Dyed UV polar chenille (uv purple) 5 wraps
then Dyed UV polar chenille ( uv fl.Fuchsia) 5 wraps
Collar 3 waps of Fuchsia UVGuinea
trailing hook: Gama octopus circle # 4 held on with 20 Dacron
20 degrees Wind is blowing from the north 3-5 mph, with gust upwards around 10+ Sun is bright and coming over the ridge behind me and the river is dropping the color looks good, I'm dress for the cold weather.
With three layers, polypropylene base, Smartwool socks, heavy weight polar fleece pants and top, Patagonia DAS pants, and of course my Nano Puff pullover. Latex gloves to shield the wind, taped on the first two knuckles left hand so I can strip in line under my finger-less wool gloves, I wearing a polar fleece half Buff on my head and neck with a hat.
When I get to the water and have my rod rigged up, then I'll put on my waders, boots and my wading jacket to cut the wind.
I suggest don't put all is on until you get to the water and have your rod rigged up unless you want to sweat to death before you get there. I've done it in the past.
At first I felt like the Michelin Tire Man, but it soon all went away while I was standing in the water.
I walked up above the top of the run, waded out just below waste deep, striped out enough line to cover the top with a sixty foot cast to swing. The water only 35 degrees. Started my descent down river every third or forth cast I took two steps. At this pace it should take me close to three hours to work the run complete.
On my sixth or seventh step and second or third cast I get a tickle about halfway thru the swing just behind a boulder in the water. Not much but a tickle. I let it swing to the end with some hang time. Cast just above the boulder and just before strip in about six inches, just as my line goes over I let the loop go. BAM set the hook FISH ON!
He turns and headed towards me I strip in about 30 feet of line to keep it snug and rod bent, then the turn down river. Before I knew it the line I stripped in was gone and I was into my reel the drag set just about right I lay my rod to the right to the left to get it to turn and out of the water with a three foot back flip and splash my line goes limp. Just for a split second I lift the rod and he is still there and heading cross water jumping and peeling line, half ways across he starts to slow down. I'm able to pick up line on the reel slowly closer and closer to me there not much left in him I slowly work my way to closer to shore and after maybe twenty or thirty minutes he is less than forty feet from me. As I slowly pull him thru some faster water he gets that last burst of energy and does an short flip and head shake then comes right to me. A big beautiful strong wild Buck about 30 inches long still chrome and the color hue on cheeks gill plates are describable. As I grab him by the tail he gets that little bit of slack the hook falls out of the side his mouth.
I spent the next few minutes making sure he was strong and ready to continue his journey looking for that mate in the spring, and the long trek back to the sea.
I walked down river and found a place to set for awhile and reflect on what just happened have a drink and chew down a Cliff bar before I go back at it. CHASING THE NEXT TUG
After being out until shortly after noon the only thing I could say that was cold and not really that bad were my toes. My face was a bit numb at times. The wind stayed at my back it was hard to cast at times with the wind gust. I had on another fish, but didn't land it (got the rush) from the tug.
If you were to ask me if it was worth it?
Absolutely Awesome Time and heading back out tomorrow!!!
 |
| todays SH fly |
hook: Gama T10-6H sz 1 with the end cut off
body :Dyed UV polar chenille (uv purple) 5 wraps
then Dyed UV polar chenille ( uv fl.Fuchsia) 5 wraps
Collar 3 waps of Fuchsia UVGuinea
trailing hook: Gama octopus circle # 4 held on with 20 Dacron
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Fish Hard
Ya know it's hard to get out and Steelhead when:
*The last few time the river is chest hi deep when in the norm standing in the same place its only just above the knees.
*The moon is almost full.
*You cast thru a run three or four time without a tug, using either nymphs or swinging.
*You get to one of your favorite spot only to see gear Slingers working the water from the middle of the run and not moving.
*You get to the water and can't find your Ice Off Paste
*The water finally drops to safely wade out but its only 20 degrees and the wind is blowing up river at 20 plus mile per hour.
Well yesterday was just a little different:
*The river drop to a safe manageable wading level below 1890cfs.
*The temperature in the water has really dropped into the mid 40s.
*The air temperature also dropped into the mid teens.
*Nobody is in your spot.
*I have my ICE OFF PASTE,
*While striping in line to go home in the dark you get a tug and pull. even tho I didn't land it it was hopeful.
Today the weather is much different it's rite now 13 degrees but suppose to warn up to mid 20s. slightly overcast, and the forecast call for snow this afternoon.
The river has dropped even more now 1400cfs.
Water temp. is a chilly 39 degrees.
Just a slight wind from the north 3mph.
I meet up with my good Buddy Gary the only one I know crazy enough to go out in the arctic vortex and fish with me. 8:30AM somewhere close to Tonasket, Air temp. 13. and the sun is breaking thru.
With the wind on our backs to start out soon changed directions. Mild to begin with but by 9:30 blowin at a pretty good clip and littering the water with Golden leaves.
I gota pretty good tug mid way thru the top of the run. and only being after out for a short while. I pulled in my fly and took a look at it and all the feathers were striped off. (DAMN STORE BOUGHT FLIES) Changed it out and continued with one of my own close to the same pattern, down river thru the run.
Gary had been hung up on some rocks a few times with nothing and by 10:30 he started heading back up to where I was still swings the same fly. I hooked a few leaves that were now all over the river. The wind was blowin harder and the snot from my nose was freezing, guides needed more ICE OFF PASTE, fingers numb, a good cup of hot coffee sounded good.
We bagged it in. Stripped off the waders and headed out of the wind and cold for some HOT COFFEE and Breakfast. By the time we finished eatin the wind was blowin even harder. Our fishin day was over.
.
*The last few time the river is chest hi deep when in the norm standing in the same place its only just above the knees.
*The moon is almost full.
*You cast thru a run three or four time without a tug, using either nymphs or swinging.
*You get to one of your favorite spot only to see gear Slingers working the water from the middle of the run and not moving.
*You get to the water and can't find your Ice Off Paste
*The water finally drops to safely wade out but its only 20 degrees and the wind is blowing up river at 20 plus mile per hour.
Well yesterday was just a little different:
*The river drop to a safe manageable wading level below 1890cfs.
*The temperature in the water has really dropped into the mid 40s.
*The air temperature also dropped into the mid teens.
*Nobody is in your spot.
*I have my ICE OFF PASTE,
*While striping in line to go home in the dark you get a tug and pull. even tho I didn't land it it was hopeful.
Today the weather is much different it's rite now 13 degrees but suppose to warn up to mid 20s. slightly overcast, and the forecast call for snow this afternoon.
The river has dropped even more now 1400cfs.
Water temp. is a chilly 39 degrees.
Just a slight wind from the north 3mph.
I meet up with my good Buddy Gary the only one I know crazy enough to go out in the arctic vortex and fish with me. 8:30AM somewhere close to Tonasket, Air temp. 13. and the sun is breaking thru.
With the wind on our backs to start out soon changed directions. Mild to begin with but by 9:30 blowin at a pretty good clip and littering the water with Golden leaves.
I gota pretty good tug mid way thru the top of the run. and only being after out for a short while. I pulled in my fly and took a look at it and all the feathers were striped off. (DAMN STORE BOUGHT FLIES) Changed it out and continued with one of my own close to the same pattern, down river thru the run.
Gary had been hung up on some rocks a few times with nothing and by 10:30 he started heading back up to where I was still swings the same fly. I hooked a few leaves that were now all over the river. The wind was blowin harder and the snot from my nose was freezing, guides needed more ICE OFF PASTE, fingers numb, a good cup of hot coffee sounded good.
We bagged it in. Stripped off the waders and headed out of the wind and cold for some HOT COFFEE and Breakfast. By the time we finished eatin the wind was blowin even harder. Our fishin day was over.
.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Tuesday 10/28 Damn phones anyway
I have suited up twice now to go hit the water and both times I've been called away to do something else.
I decided to turn off my phone, before I hit the water from now on or at least the ringer!!!!
It started raining early this morning and hasn't let up much the Okanogan has risen from 1190 cfs to 1440. That's still fish-able for me but i'm sure that it will keep alot of others away, but that A-O-K with me. I'll call, Glen, Pat, Doc, Gary and maybe a few others tonite to see if they want to head out tomorrow at sunup. My guess the only taker I get will be Gary.
I did get out around noon. made it to my local hole just as the sun came out for a short while. Got my first keeper of the day shortly after I got there. and just a few cast later bang my next one was a keeper too. less than a hour.and i have to call it quites for the day. With a smile on my face and two for the freezer and lader for the smoker. Homeward bound.
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Maybe I was called away from the water for a reason.The good Lord only knows and the Fish Gods blessed me when I got there. Tomorrow is another day. I'll check the river flow at 7am. Just heard back from Gary and he's in if the river doesn't come up to much.
"TREAT OTHER ANGLERS AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED"
Tight lines Brothers & Sisters
I decided to turn off my phone, before I hit the water from now on or at least the ringer!!!!
It started raining early this morning and hasn't let up much the Okanogan has risen from 1190 cfs to 1440. That's still fish-able for me but i'm sure that it will keep alot of others away, but that A-O-K with me. I'll call, Glen, Pat, Doc, Gary and maybe a few others tonite to see if they want to head out tomorrow at sunup. My guess the only taker I get will be Gary.
I did get out around noon. made it to my local hole just as the sun came out for a short while. Got my first keeper of the day shortly after I got there. and just a few cast later bang my next one was a keeper too. less than a hour.and i have to call it quites for the day. With a smile on my face and two for the freezer and lader for the smoker. Homeward bound.
Maybe I was called away from the water for a reason.The good Lord only knows and the Fish Gods blessed me when I got there. Tomorrow is another day. I'll check the river flow at 7am. Just heard back from Gary and he's in if the river doesn't come up to much.
"TREAT OTHER ANGLERS AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED"
Tight lines Brothers & Sisters
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Saturday 10/25 Awsome day
Saturday 10/25/14
Okanogan River somewhere between Omak and Riverside, 45 degrees overcast @ 7:30 am- noon
With the cold front that pasted through last night, I didn't really think I'd get much action. I started at the top of the run and it took me close to hour to make my way through with two wild Steelhead and one hatchery. At the bottom of the run I check out my fly and tried it again. Nothing. Changed out and headed back to the top. This time just before the bottom of the run I get a hard tug. A heavy fish I mean a heavy fish, I could tell that it wasn’t Steel so I tried to bust it loose. But every time that I could get to where I think I could bust it off it would turn and come at me. That 8 pound Maxima is tough. So after 30-40 minutes of me fighting this big ugly Brut I drug it into shore. It was so worn and spawned out it wouldn't even swim away it just laid there. I call it a day and headed home. Count as of today 13 Steelhead and only four Hatchery. I wont count the Coho, the Bull trout (Dolly- Vardden) or the Chinook.
Because It's Steelhead Season.
Tomorrow I'm taking the day off and tying some flies. Maybe
RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY, ASK FIRST,
LEAVE GATES THE WAY YOU FOUND THEM
Okanogan River somewhere between Omak and Riverside, 45 degrees overcast @ 7:30 am- noon
With the cold front that pasted through last night, I didn't really think I'd get much action. I started at the top of the run and it took me close to hour to make my way through with two wild Steelhead and one hatchery. At the bottom of the run I check out my fly and tried it again. Nothing. Changed out and headed back to the top. This time just before the bottom of the run I get a hard tug. A heavy fish I mean a heavy fish, I could tell that it wasn’t Steel so I tried to bust it loose. But every time that I could get to where I think I could bust it off it would turn and come at me. That 8 pound Maxima is tough. So after 30-40 minutes of me fighting this big ugly Brut I drug it into shore. It was so worn and spawned out it wouldn't even swim away it just laid there. I call it a day and headed home. Count as of today 13 Steelhead and only four Hatchery. I wont count the Coho, the Bull trout (Dolly- Vardden) or the Chinook.
Because It's Steelhead Season.
Tomorrow I'm taking the day off and tying some flies. Maybe
RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY, ASK FIRST,
LEAVE GATES THE WAY YOU FOUND THEM
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Friday 10/24/14
The water temp is still above 50 today its 54 so I’ll be
skating and waking or swinging just below the surface.
I sent
Tom a text early 6am. Sunrise is at 7:29. That gives me time to twist up a
couple more of my Morning Crush. 6:50 text from Tom: Going to take a rookie to two of are fishin
holes. I replied back I don’t want to crowd you two, so I’ll head north. So I
sent a text off to Gary, just before leaving to see if he could come out and
play today. Reply: Sorry!! He had things to do before he headed out of town.
Hoping now that I
could get to the upper holes, before the crowds and gear guys. When I arrived
to my surprise the parking was wide open. I suited and rigged up, just as I
started on the trail to the water the
first truck pulled in.
I took the top of
the run. I started working it, swinging my fly after 5 or 6 casts. Here they come three packing a tackle box
each they spread out and low hole me. The guy just below me is already rigged
up. He cast right to where my fly is coming to the end of its swing. Rather
than take my step down I stay and strip out another 10 to 15 feet of line and cast
again. This time he see my fly and yell
up at me “This is my section of water.”
I stayed there of about fifteen minutes and he never moved. I reeled in
and headed down below the three of them. Saying; Good morning to each as I
pasted. They stood their ground.
About twenty yards below the last guy, I step back out into
the water, strip out some line and gave it a fling and less halfway thru the
drift the smashing tug and fish on. I
landed that one bonked it, marked my card and after three more steps and cast I
had another, both Hatchery fish but the second one was less than 20 inch and I
let it go. Had to be the smallest Steelhead
I ever hooked on a river. Two more cast and into yet another. Much bigger,
stronger, and a tail walker she was out of the water at least four times. I
couldn't see if it had a fin clip or not until I was ready to land and put my
hand around her tail. I let her go and retied my fly I stayed for another fifty
yards or so without a bump, tickle, or tug.
I headed back up and all three of them had moved down to almost in each
other’s pockets where I got my first fish below them. One came up to me and
asked after saying. Wow you had a awesome day. What color are you using? I
showed him, pick up my fish and headed back to the top of the run.
I put the fish down at the entrance to the trail out and headed
to the top of the run. I made a few casts and was hooked up again, but as I was
working my take I saw an eagle, hopping around my beached fish. This was another Hatchery and I had to keep
it. When I got out and down to my first
fish the eagle had dragged it up the beach a ways and tore a hole in the side.
I let the eagle have it and didn't mark my card.
10:15am, 44 degrees, Headed somewhere between Riverside and
Omak. ???????
I broke my rod down and headed for the truck to head down
river with only my one Steelie. I got down to where I figured Tom had been thru
and left by now, but he was still there. He was alone and ready to leave as I
showed up. His rookie bailed on him, He had a nice Steelie that he had to bonk
and take home, one he had to let go and one that got loose. He had a good mourning too.
I sung flies till 1 without a tickle, the sun was hi and bright
so I packed it in and headed home.
Friday, October 24, 2014
The last Three days
Well the last three days on the Okanogan have been good to me. I didn't work much this week but did get in some quality Steelheading in.
Tuesday, I put in a short day at work, I mean a real short day less than a hour. before I was called by the fishing Gods to come visit and wet a line. I put on my waders and headed just outside of Okanogan. With the RL Winston strung up just the right fly tyed to the end, I waded out into the current just about wast deep, striped out about sixty feet of line for the swing did a snap T to let it fly, the swing the tickle, the tug, rod lifted and bent. Time for 20 plus minutes of tug-a-war.
I'm so glad the the weather has changed from being all sunny and brite to gray gloomie almost rainy days. First cast, first swing, of the day and a two salt full of fight big headed Wild Buck. I grabbed his tail keep him in the water my line went slack and the hook fell out of his mouth. that was almost to good to be true. But four or five cast later it happen again and then again. I less than two hours three.
Wednesday was a no fish day. Made to trip to the Doctors
Thursday another short day at work just a little over a hour then to the river. I worked the water the same way as I did on Tuesday but nothing. Headed up towards the house but had to stop at the park hole for awhile with just one little tickle and no tug. after an hour I packed it in and headed to another place across from Omak and above. Tom and I fish here from time to time. I took the trail down to the water it's changed quite a bit but maybe for the better.
Swapped out flies, hiked up river stripped out line and gave it a fling My line hadded even straighten out complety before the big tug and game on Ispent the better part of the afternoon there and pick up three Metalheads .
Tuesday, I put in a short day at work, I mean a real short day less than a hour. before I was called by the fishing Gods to come visit and wet a line. I put on my waders and headed just outside of Okanogan. With the RL Winston strung up just the right fly tyed to the end, I waded out into the current just about wast deep, striped out about sixty feet of line for the swing did a snap T to let it fly, the swing the tickle, the tug, rod lifted and bent. Time for 20 plus minutes of tug-a-war.
I'm so glad the the weather has changed from being all sunny and brite to gray gloomie almost rainy days. First cast, first swing, of the day and a two salt full of fight big headed Wild Buck. I grabbed his tail keep him in the water my line went slack and the hook fell out of his mouth. that was almost to good to be true. But four or five cast later it happen again and then again. I less than two hours three.
Wednesday was a no fish day. Made to trip to the Doctors
Thursday another short day at work just a little over a hour then to the river. I worked the water the same way as I did on Tuesday but nothing. Headed up towards the house but had to stop at the park hole for awhile with just one little tickle and no tug. after an hour I packed it in and headed to another place across from Omak and above. Tom and I fish here from time to time. I took the trail down to the water it's changed quite a bit but maybe for the better.
Swapped out flies, hiked up river stripped out line and gave it a fling My line hadded even straighten out complety before the big tug and game on Ispent the better part of the afternoon there and pick up three Metalheads .
The Met
Monday 5:30 am we head out. Gary and I, and its still dark thirty when we get to the river and there is nobody there before us.
The met was Good for me, but not so good for others, Doc couldn't make it, and Gary never even got a tickle or tug. Our first stop I hooked up with a nice two salt hen that was a real fighter, she smacked it while I was trying to correct a bad cast to keep from drifting into some trash build up.
After working my way down through that water I didn't get anything. Gary was below me and worked the water good through that run with no takes.
We headed up river to our second stop Gary doesn't like this spot much even tho he has pick up some nice Metalheads in the past. This is the spot that last year while he and Doc were working he tore his Ahillies heel, and Doc just told him to stick his foot in the water and that he would check it out when he got done working the water and get him back to the car.
We drew straws and I got the lower section yo work first. I went out in the middle of the run and on my second cast I hooked up with a 27inch Bull Trout (Dolly Vardden). There was no fight in it until I put my hand around it's tail and my hook fell out it's mouth.
By the time we worked that water it was getting late for us and decided to head towards home. We made one more stop on the Okanogan so I could show Gary some new water he hadn't ever fish before.
I got a little tickel and that was all
The met was Good for me, but not so good for others, Doc couldn't make it, and Gary never even got a tickle or tug. Our first stop I hooked up with a nice two salt hen that was a real fighter, she smacked it while I was trying to correct a bad cast to keep from drifting into some trash build up.
After working my way down through that water I didn't get anything. Gary was below me and worked the water good through that run with no takes.
We headed up river to our second stop Gary doesn't like this spot much even tho he has pick up some nice Metalheads in the past. This is the spot that last year while he and Doc were working he tore his Ahillies heel, and Doc just told him to stick his foot in the water and that he would check it out when he got done working the water and get him back to the car.
We drew straws and I got the lower section yo work first. I went out in the middle of the run and on my second cast I hooked up with a 27inch Bull Trout (Dolly Vardden). There was no fight in it until I put my hand around it's tail and my hook fell out it's mouth.
By the time we worked that water it was getting late for us and decided to head towards home. We made one more stop on the Okanogan so I could show Gary some new water he hadn't ever fish before.
I got a little tickel and that was all
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Fifteen hour between the three of us
Today three of us, Gary, Dave and myself spent more than fifteen hours on the Okanogan River with not even a bump or tug. I admit we were fishing pretty hi up the system, we saw lots of Chinook rolling headed up river and some floating dead down the river, one even hit me in the leg and almost scared the stuff out of me. We worked three spots well known to many to produce fish. I did manage to hook a couple of nice bass, but I wasn't bass fishin. The three of us are going to hit the Methow on Monday maybe we'll have better luck.
"WHEN FISHING CATCH & RELEASE USE TACKLE HEAVY ENOUGH TO LAND THE FISH WITHOUT A PROLONGED FIGHT, MASH THE BARB TO MAKE THE RELEASE EASIER ON THE FISH"
"WHEN FISHING CATCH & RELEASE USE TACKLE HEAVY ENOUGH TO LAND THE FISH WITHOUT A PROLONGED FIGHT, MASH THE BARB TO MAKE THE RELEASE EASIER ON THE FISH"
Friday, October 17, 2014
Okanogan Steelheading
Wednesday I was on the water at daybreak and fished hard until 10:30. with only a short tug that wasn't much. I left the north end of the river and headed south and on the way I put a call in to Ton Mac to see if he was feeling up to going out for a while.
Tom meet me at the house all dressed up for the kill. Waders, Boots and rod in hand within 20 minutes of the call . I had just enough time to fix and half eat a Ham, Cheese, Turkey with grape jelly on a biscuit. A cup of cold strong coffee to wash it down.Then on the road again to hit a couple of spot on Tom's list of spots to hit.
We hit two spots that I'm not going to tell out of concentration because Tom ask me not to tell. Both places we had the water to our self's and both looked to be great water to work.They just weren't working for us we hit until 3:30 and called it quits I had one fish on at the top of one of the runs for less than a minute, just a quick head shake then gone.
Today Friday I went into work for a short while and did a couple of quick small jobs. Work on a Buddy's car for him. Then hit the river again. First by the Oak street bridge, below Salmon Creek, then went down a little farther. On what I said to myself would be my last set of cast and then out before it starting raining even harder. I got the tug,I set the hook and away it goes, the power the pull the bent rod about twenty minutes later I'm able to put my hand around her tail, a nice 10-12 pound wild hen. I slipped the hook out of the side of her mouth and she swam away with a big tail slapping splash.
I want to mention today was the first time that I talked to the Tribal creel checker. I've got about 20 hours into the season and have only seen one on the Okanogan. He said "That he has checked a total of eight angler in the last week and a total of 9 wild and 2 hatchery Steelhead logged, but lots of Chinook".
"HELP A NEW ANGLER IF IT'S OBVIOUS THEY ARE HAVING TROUBLE, "SHARE A FLY OR TWO," "POINT OUT A BETTER SPOT TO CAST," & "OFFER USEFUL TIPS"
Tom meet me at the house all dressed up for the kill. Waders, Boots and rod in hand within 20 minutes of the call . I had just enough time to fix and half eat a Ham, Cheese, Turkey with grape jelly on a biscuit. A cup of cold strong coffee to wash it down.Then on the road again to hit a couple of spot on Tom's list of spots to hit.
We hit two spots that I'm not going to tell out of concentration because Tom ask me not to tell. Both places we had the water to our self's and both looked to be great water to work.They just weren't working for us we hit until 3:30 and called it quits I had one fish on at the top of one of the runs for less than a minute, just a quick head shake then gone.
Today Friday I went into work for a short while and did a couple of quick small jobs. Work on a Buddy's car for him. Then hit the river again. First by the Oak street bridge, below Salmon Creek, then went down a little farther. On what I said to myself would be my last set of cast and then out before it starting raining even harder. I got the tug,I set the hook and away it goes, the power the pull the bent rod about twenty minutes later I'm able to put my hand around her tail, a nice 10-12 pound wild hen. I slipped the hook out of the side of her mouth and she swam away with a big tail slapping splash.
I want to mention today was the first time that I talked to the Tribal creel checker. I've got about 20 hours into the season and have only seen one on the Okanogan. He said "That he has checked a total of eight angler in the last week and a total of 9 wild and 2 hatchery Steelhead logged, but lots of Chinook".
"HELP A NEW ANGLER IF IT'S OBVIOUS THEY ARE HAVING TROUBLE, "SHARE A FLY OR TWO," "POINT OUT A BETTER SPOT TO CAST," & "OFFER USEFUL TIPS"
Monday, October 13, 2014
Cold windy day on Long Lake, Ferry County
I got to Gary's house early. The plan was to throw my stuff in his truck. But as everybody knows plans change. We put his stuff in my truck and headed to the lake. Opening day for deer season was on Saturday, we figured that the road into the lake would be lined up with pick-ups and the camp ground would be full up with hunters and deer strung up in camp.
We saw two truck parked along side of the road. No body in or around the camp grounds, and we had the lake to our self's. It was cold the wind was blowin out of the southwest at a good clip before we could get everything ready to fish.
Water temp. was 41 while the air temp. was 38 and wind blowin.
The lake was ours. with our back to the wind we started on the west side of the lake and headed south it wasn't long before we were both into fish. Lots of Cutties in the 10-12 inch range, We knew we just had to get pass the smaller to get down to the larger ones. I switch out from my intermediate line to my deep 6 let it fall a good 30 count before stripping my #10 Punkinhead Leach and within three short strips it was fish on with a much bigger beautiful Cuttie.
We really got into the fish on the far end of the lake and stayed out of the wind for awhile. both of us putting to net more than 20 fish. Around 1 o'clock we headed in for some lunch of Corn-beef on Rye and a cold hard cider. Hoping the wind would die down a little so we could do some dry fly fishing. The wind never did die down, but we did find a place in the upper north end that was sheltered by the toolies and I was able to get one to come up and smack my Caddis.
We had a blast, it was well worth the drive, Gary and his wife Birdie had fresh fish for their dinner. and I even didn't put-m-all-bac I keep out just a few to give to a good old friend that can't make it out with us anymore.
FISH LONG, TAKE WHAT THE WEATHER GIVE YA, ENJOY LIFE AND FISH MORE OFTEN
We saw two truck parked along side of the road. No body in or around the camp grounds, and we had the lake to our self's. It was cold the wind was blowin out of the southwest at a good clip before we could get everything ready to fish.
The lake was ours. with our back to the wind we started on the west side of the lake and headed south it wasn't long before we were both into fish. Lots of Cutties in the 10-12 inch range, We knew we just had to get pass the smaller to get down to the larger ones. I switch out from my intermediate line to my deep 6 let it fall a good 30 count before stripping my #10 Punkinhead Leach and within three short strips it was fish on with a much bigger beautiful Cuttie.
We had a blast, it was well worth the drive, Gary and his wife Birdie had fresh fish for their dinner. and I even didn't put-m-all-bac I keep out just a few to give to a good old friend that can't make it out with us anymore.
FISH LONG, TAKE WHAT THE WEATHER GIVE YA, ENJOY LIFE AND FISH MORE OFTEN
Sunday, October 12, 2014
The Okanogan River
Just got off the OK a little over a hour ago. I was casting at sun up north of Riverside. By 8am I had my first take but wasn't much just a white fish. The cast after words was the one that got my attention almost as soon as my fly hit the water I didn't have time to mend, my line started moving up stream I had to let it pass me up to take out the slack to set the hook. Chinook about 19 lbs was taking my line north. it was hanging in the far side don't ask me how. I wasn't going down river. It never had time to change directions. before my line was going up stream.
My fish count today 2 white fish, 2 Chinook, and 1 sucker, No Steelhead, but no big deal.
My fish count today 2 white fish, 2 Chinook, and 1 sucker, No Steelhead, but no big deal.
Saturday, October 11, 2014
What a great day
I called my neighbor Bill last night and invited him to take the plunge. To get out and leave everything aside, for awhile and go fishing with me in the AM.
So I picked him up at six forty five this morning with his grandson. We headed up to one of my favorite honey holes. Both of them don't fly fish, their gear guys. and not the best at it even. But I invited them anyway.
There is one thing I tell everybody I take fishing on moving water is make three to five cast to cover the water and move down at least five steps. Cast three to five times and move down. You'll cover more water and have a better chance to fine fish. They both agreed to do so.
I'm glad that I took the water below them with my Spey rod and started working the water first with my Scandi line and a Purple Pearl. I changed out about twenty five yards to a Barbie Special since the Pearl wasn't working. I had made it about 100 yards down river. I had looked up a few times to see if anything was going on up above. The only thing that was going on was that they both of them hadn't moved a inch from where they started other that to replaced the gear back on that they had lost. Corkies and hooks.
I could see the Chinook in the water, waking as they came up stream. Pods of as many as twenty five or more, at a time.
I made it all the way thru the run and headed back up and changed out my shooting head and put on a mow tip. Started my retinue again and after my third set of steps down stream it was fish on a good strong pull you know the kind that almost pulled you over. My rod bent and shook I put all the extra line back on the reel, put on more pressure and reel was talking to me rod was shaking my heart was racing I'm picking up line slowly and bang nothing rod and line go limp. I retrieve my limp line to find that little curly cue was on the end. KNOT CAME UNDONE.
I tyed on another and worked it to the tail out with nothing.When I got back up to the top of the run they were both ready to leave. Saying that there is nothing to catch here other than a few white fish and a mid size sucker.
It was getting close to time to leave anyway, Because I needed to meet Mark and Jackie for lunch.
I meet up with Mark and Jackie at Rancho Chico Mexican Restaurant, they had just got back from their place down in Mexico, We did some catching up on each others lives and then spent the next hour or so talking about the fishing around here and down in old Mexico. Where I'd love to go this winter to spend some time fishing from shore, just outside of there place. Let see if that works out.
There is nothing better than family, good food and great friends all sitting around the table talking about the past and future fishing!!!
So I picked him up at six forty five this morning with his grandson. We headed up to one of my favorite honey holes. Both of them don't fly fish, their gear guys. and not the best at it even. But I invited them anyway.
There is one thing I tell everybody I take fishing on moving water is make three to five cast to cover the water and move down at least five steps. Cast three to five times and move down. You'll cover more water and have a better chance to fine fish. They both agreed to do so.
I'm glad that I took the water below them with my Spey rod and started working the water first with my Scandi line and a Purple Pearl. I changed out about twenty five yards to a Barbie Special since the Pearl wasn't working. I had made it about 100 yards down river. I had looked up a few times to see if anything was going on up above. The only thing that was going on was that they both of them hadn't moved a inch from where they started other that to replaced the gear back on that they had lost. Corkies and hooks.
I could see the Chinook in the water, waking as they came up stream. Pods of as many as twenty five or more, at a time.
I made it all the way thru the run and headed back up and changed out my shooting head and put on a mow tip. Started my retinue again and after my third set of steps down stream it was fish on a good strong pull you know the kind that almost pulled you over. My rod bent and shook I put all the extra line back on the reel, put on more pressure and reel was talking to me rod was shaking my heart was racing I'm picking up line slowly and bang nothing rod and line go limp. I retrieve my limp line to find that little curly cue was on the end. KNOT CAME UNDONE.
I tyed on another and worked it to the tail out with nothing.When I got back up to the top of the run they were both ready to leave. Saying that there is nothing to catch here other than a few white fish and a mid size sucker.
It was getting close to time to leave anyway, Because I needed to meet Mark and Jackie for lunch.
I meet up with Mark and Jackie at Rancho Chico Mexican Restaurant, they had just got back from their place down in Mexico, We did some catching up on each others lives and then spent the next hour or so talking about the fishing around here and down in old Mexico. Where I'd love to go this winter to spend some time fishing from shore, just outside of there place. Let see if that works out.
There is nothing better than family, good food and great friends all sitting around the table talking about the past and future fishing!!!
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Steelhead opens today
Yup. It's just after 4 am I'm up and getting ready to head out to the Methow, Tommy will be showing up soon. the weather girl calls for sunny and bright conditions. oh yea total eclipse pretty cool .
The parking lot was only half full or half empty which ever way you want to say it. We desided to work the water from the south side so that Tom had the room for his back cast, using his single hand rod,. while it really didn't matter to me.
. We crossed the River down at the Miller hole, was glad that I had my Fallstaff to loan to him and to keep him up rite. We headed up river and I left Tom about 100 yards from where we crossed in the first good run, while I keep going up past the 2 other guys and headed for the top run above the pipes.
I tyed on a Halo put a ripple hitch on it and while doing so watched one of the gear guy hook and loose a nice brite fish across the rive from me,. running the Halo over a big boulder on the third or fourth cast my line went tight and low and behold what do I have. Not a Metalhead but a fat Bull Trout this guy was greedy along with my fly stuck in his mouth there was also a two and a half inch wide tail and half the body down it's throut. I got him off my line and moved down a few steps, checked my fly and gave it a fling, but the gear guy pulled in my line with his. He set my fly free and pitched it out in the water and said some hasty words to me but I couldn't understand them but I could tell by the finger suggestion he showed me. I just smiled and keep on fishing. and moving down.
After two more moves and him just missing catching my line I got the tug. set the hook and out shoots this nice brite beautiful Steelhead. We played tug a war for what seamed to be 10 - 15 minutes me taking a little and her taking a little less. I was finely was able to put my hand her tail. She was about 7 or 8 pounds pulled out the hook it slide out so eazy. she gave me a splash and was gone.
The gear guy across the river yell at me smiled and gave me the two thumbs up, then moved up river.
I check my fly again and found some bad spots in my tippit and retyed on some new.Striped out some line and gave it a fling letting the water carry more line out as I strip it off the reel. when I had about 70 feet of line out I started my retrieve, about half way in I got another tug. Bam! Fish On.!!!! Turn out to be another Bull, only this one was strong and full of fight. Bigger than the SH.
After that I worked the water down to the next guy that was Nymphing and not having very much luck he said. I pulled my stuff in and headed down to where I left Tom.he was just finishing off a snack and we decided to head up river to the next place.He told me that he saw a few fish that were caught but not many. while we drove up river.
I could tell that Tom was getting tired so after only fishing for about an hour.I asked him " You doing alrite or do you want to pac it in? He told me to go ahead and fish that he would watch. Naw let head out its pretty slow. and we packed it up and headed home about 1:30. I had a great time today. The best thing was being able to get Tom out for the First day of the 2014-15 Steelhead Season.
My many thanks goes out to Tom
The parking lot was only half full or half empty which ever way you want to say it. We desided to work the water from the south side so that Tom had the room for his back cast, using his single hand rod,. while it really didn't matter to me.
. We crossed the River down at the Miller hole, was glad that I had my Fallstaff to loan to him and to keep him up rite. We headed up river and I left Tom about 100 yards from where we crossed in the first good run, while I keep going up past the 2 other guys and headed for the top run above the pipes.
I tyed on a Halo put a ripple hitch on it and while doing so watched one of the gear guy hook and loose a nice brite fish across the rive from me,. running the Halo over a big boulder on the third or fourth cast my line went tight and low and behold what do I have. Not a Metalhead but a fat Bull Trout this guy was greedy along with my fly stuck in his mouth there was also a two and a half inch wide tail and half the body down it's throut. I got him off my line and moved down a few steps, checked my fly and gave it a fling, but the gear guy pulled in my line with his. He set my fly free and pitched it out in the water and said some hasty words to me but I couldn't understand them but I could tell by the finger suggestion he showed me. I just smiled and keep on fishing. and moving down.
After two more moves and him just missing catching my line I got the tug. set the hook and out shoots this nice brite beautiful Steelhead. We played tug a war for what seamed to be 10 - 15 minutes me taking a little and her taking a little less. I was finely was able to put my hand her tail. She was about 7 or 8 pounds pulled out the hook it slide out so eazy. she gave me a splash and was gone.
The gear guy across the river yell at me smiled and gave me the two thumbs up, then moved up river.
I check my fly again and found some bad spots in my tippit and retyed on some new.Striped out some line and gave it a fling letting the water carry more line out as I strip it off the reel. when I had about 70 feet of line out I started my retrieve, about half way in I got another tug. Bam! Fish On.!!!! Turn out to be another Bull, only this one was strong and full of fight. Bigger than the SH.
After that I worked the water down to the next guy that was Nymphing and not having very much luck he said. I pulled my stuff in and headed down to where I left Tom.he was just finishing off a snack and we decided to head up river to the next place.He told me that he saw a few fish that were caught but not many. while we drove up river.
I could tell that Tom was getting tired so after only fishing for about an hour.I asked him " You doing alrite or do you want to pac it in? He told me to go ahead and fish that he would watch. Naw let head out its pretty slow. and we packed it up and headed home about 1:30. I had a great time today. The best thing was being able to get Tom out for the First day of the 2014-15 Steelhead Season.
My many thanks goes out to Tom
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Aeneas Lake
I meet up with Gary as planned at 3pm to fish till dark. But he had to leave and be home by 6 but I don't think he made it in time, maybe 6:15. Had to take the wife out to dinner so that we can back down to the Methow on Wednesday.
We were catching fish as we worked back towards the launch and we said are departings I headed over to work the eastside at least to the pipe But just as Gary was pulling out of the lot a got a heavy tug a bent rod and played tug a war for the next 15 minutes with the best fish of the day. It was even bigger that one of the Metalhead form yesterday an 19 or 20 inch Brown dog. sucked in my #12 Soft Hackle and Peacock stuck to the back of his tongue buried deep. He was pissed I could stick my whole hand in his mouth and I did. . After catching that big boy I worked my way back to the launch picking up several more Bows the largest be 16.
By the time I got back to the launch it was getting dark. We had the lake to ourselves again, except for Jack that live on the lake that get out every now and then. The water was calm with zero wind.
We were catching fish as we worked back towards the launch and we said are departings I headed over to work the eastside at least to the pipe But just as Gary was pulling out of the lot a got a heavy tug a bent rod and played tug a war for the next 15 minutes with the best fish of the day. It was even bigger that one of the Metalhead form yesterday an 19 or 20 inch Brown dog. sucked in my #12 Soft Hackle and Peacock stuck to the back of his tongue buried deep. He was pissed I could stick my whole hand in his mouth and I did. . After catching that big boy I worked my way back to the launch picking up several more Bows the largest be 16.
By the time I got back to the launch it was getting dark. We had the lake to ourselves again, except for Jack that live on the lake that get out every now and then. The water was calm with zero wind.
I received some reports this morning
Well a few fellow fly guys sent me some reports of the lakes that I haven't wrote about lately.
The far north end
Beaver & Beth : Beaver is weedy just like always this time of year, but if you want some nice Brookies, and don't mind removing the salad from your fly at least every other cast I hear they are devilishly good . Beth is fishin good the water temp has dropped concernedly in the past few weeks and the fish are frisky and fat with good catch rates of fish in the 14 to 18 inch range.
Blue Lake by Wannacut : If you like to catch the Lahontan cutthroat trout there are some that are starting to cruse the shore line but are real fin-a-key.
Chopaka Lake : If you can get up there the weather has been great cool mornings warm days and lots of fish can be had if you know how to fish it. I suggest work some hoppers and crickets in the weeds. ( I know it's late, but it works )
Methow Valley Stillwaters
Big Twin : All they could say was FUN FUN FUN
Davis Lake : Slow to start but as the day warmed up the catch rate also went up with a few Bows in the 18" to 20" range it was windy but not too bad both days they fished it.
Since I fell asleep and missed fishing with Gary last week at Aeneas Lake, and spending all day yesterday on the Methow River
Where I'll soon be spending just about all my free time in the weeks to come.
Hope to see you on the water
The far north end
Beaver & Beth : Beaver is weedy just like always this time of year, but if you want some nice Brookies, and don't mind removing the salad from your fly at least every other cast I hear they are devilishly good . Beth is fishin good the water temp has dropped concernedly in the past few weeks and the fish are frisky and fat with good catch rates of fish in the 14 to 18 inch range.
Blue Lake by Wannacut : If you like to catch the Lahontan cutthroat trout there are some that are starting to cruse the shore line but are real fin-a-key.
Chopaka Lake : If you can get up there the weather has been great cool mornings warm days and lots of fish can be had if you know how to fish it. I suggest work some hoppers and crickets in the weeds. ( I know it's late, but it works )
Methow Valley Stillwaters
Big Twin : All they could say was FUN FUN FUN
Davis Lake : Slow to start but as the day warmed up the catch rate also went up with a few Bows in the 18" to 20" range it was windy but not too bad both days they fished it.
Since I fell asleep and missed fishing with Gary last week at Aeneas Lake, and spending all day yesterday on the Methow River
Where I'll soon be spending just about all my free time in the weeks to come.
Hope to see you on the water
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Our Coho trip to the Methow
We got a late start, but we made it Gary, Doctor Dave and myself. The plan was to check out some of the holes to see what kind of damage was done with the fire and flash flood, expecting to see nothing but silt on the lower river.
We arrived down at the Miller hole only to find a half full parking lot. We drove pass it to see if what the water looked like and if anybody was hooked up. (there was) So we got excited and hit the parking lot suited up and headed up river on the north side. The burn made for easy walking and to follow the trail.
I had always crossed the river to fish the south side and go up about three quarters of a mile or more and work my way back down. today I followed. Dave stopped about 300 yards up river, just short of a gear guy that headed out just before us. He planted himself in that spot all day never moving, in one of the best spots in the middle of the run. Gary and keep heading up and I and I stopped about another hundred yards above the gear guy thinkin he would move. No chance. Gary put in above me fifty yards above me.
We saw Dave get hooked up before to long. While Gary and I had a few tugs, Dave hooked up again. I finely got a fish on for about thirty seconds and then went slack.
Gary and I traded places and I soon had bent rod only to pull in a nice small hatchery Metalhead, and almost as soon as I let mine go it was Gary's turn to play. Gary hooked into a very nice much bigger wild Metal-head that took him for a few short runs.
Dave came up and ate his lunch while we fished awhile longer. and I headed down to fish below the Gearguy, Work my way down with only one pull and the creel checker came by we talked and when I asked what the reports have been his comment was "lot of Steelhead and no Coho, but there isn't alot of people on the water."
I work my way through the run and then head for the parking lot.
Gary and Dave where soon behind me, we decided too head up river to check it out. Our next stop. !?!?!??
I change out to my Scandi line to skate a bug over and around a couple of boulders. Within a few cast it was fish on we played tug a war for a few minutes and with a tail flash it to was gone. I pulled in my line and it looked as if I had a knot fail Tippit to Leader just a curly cue at the end of my line. I retired and tryed again but nothing. Dave was in site and sitting on shore watching Gary I reeled in and headed up. it was getting late so we deiced to head home.
If you were to ask me I'd say Not a bad day on the water. We all hooked and landed some fish. Couldn't ask for better folks to be with or better weather.
FISH HARD, INVITE A BUDDY, ENJOY LIFE LAUGH and FISH OFTEN
Sorry to busy fishin to take pictures
We arrived down at the Miller hole only to find a half full parking lot. We drove pass it to see if what the water looked like and if anybody was hooked up. (there was) So we got excited and hit the parking lot suited up and headed up river on the north side. The burn made for easy walking and to follow the trail.
I had always crossed the river to fish the south side and go up about three quarters of a mile or more and work my way back down. today I followed. Dave stopped about 300 yards up river, just short of a gear guy that headed out just before us. He planted himself in that spot all day never moving, in one of the best spots in the middle of the run. Gary and keep heading up and I and I stopped about another hundred yards above the gear guy thinkin he would move. No chance. Gary put in above me fifty yards above me.
We saw Dave get hooked up before to long. While Gary and I had a few tugs, Dave hooked up again. I finely got a fish on for about thirty seconds and then went slack.
Gary and I traded places and I soon had bent rod only to pull in a nice small hatchery Metalhead, and almost as soon as I let mine go it was Gary's turn to play. Gary hooked into a very nice much bigger wild Metal-head that took him for a few short runs.
Dave came up and ate his lunch while we fished awhile longer. and I headed down to fish below the Gearguy, Work my way down with only one pull and the creel checker came by we talked and when I asked what the reports have been his comment was "lot of Steelhead and no Coho, but there isn't alot of people on the water."
I work my way through the run and then head for the parking lot.
Gary and Dave where soon behind me, we decided too head up river to check it out. Our next stop. !?!?!??
I change out to my Scandi line to skate a bug over and around a couple of boulders. Within a few cast it was fish on we played tug a war for a few minutes and with a tail flash it to was gone. I pulled in my line and it looked as if I had a knot fail Tippit to Leader just a curly cue at the end of my line. I retired and tryed again but nothing. Dave was in site and sitting on shore watching Gary I reeled in and headed up. it was getting late so we deiced to head home.
If you were to ask me I'd say Not a bad day on the water. We all hooked and landed some fish. Couldn't ask for better folks to be with or better weather.
FISH HARD, INVITE A BUDDY, ENJOY LIFE LAUGH and FISH OFTEN
Sorry to busy fishin to take pictures
Friday, October 3, 2014
COHO in the Methow starts Saturday 10-4
Yes they are opening the upper Columbia and the Methow for Coho so that's where I'll be Sat.report to follow. and pictures. Gary, Doc, and I are going to start out and take the tour from Pateros and see just how bad the river is after the fire and flash floods.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Have you ever had that feeling
I was up on Salmon Creek yesterday and got this weird feeling. I was close in to the bush just flipping my little dry, couldn't really cast. The wind was blowin in from the south at a pretty good clip.
After catching a few fish in this spot my fly hung up in a bush across the creek and I broke it off. I backed out into a clearing to change out and as I went to dig out another Bug, I got that weird feeling again. I looked around good for something in the grass maybe a rattlesnake, Didn't see any or hear any, but still had that feeling. the wind had calmed down a little and I knew that I should be able to do some casting just down from where I was, and that spot held some nice fish in the pass.
So rather than tye on a bug at that time I thought that I'll move there first. I slowly started moving out further out into the clearing to cross the field when I saw something move slowly about 60-70 yards down wind of me at first I thought Bambi, But it just vanished, I was out in the clearing now almost into the field next to the fence. I stop at a solid post set my rod down and stepped up on the wire to take a closer look at what I saw and was headed towards, I'm now maybe still 50 plus yards away. It took me a little while to relocate the spot where I thought I saw Bambi. The grass was moving not by the wind but towards the tree line slightly to my left. I stood on the fence which seemed like forever. Just as I was ready to get down I saw it again make a larger move and this time I saw the tail. Cougar.
At first I didn't know what I was doing to do, my truck was on the other side and the section of water I wanted to fish on the other side i really don't want to go back into the thicker brush, and don't want to stay where I was the rest of the day. It was still early only 3 o'clock. I yelled out, but nothing, I yelled again watched and waited., but still didn't see a movement. I stepped down and backed down to the next post. but it was flimsy, the next one flimsy. The fourth post was a railroad tye and solid I climbed up on the second wire and looked hard didn't see anything. The road is only twenty five yards away now and there is a pretty solid looking branch laying on the ground near by. I've put some distance between us. I picked up the branch and headed toward the road slowly.
I noticed the wind again, and keep looking back over my shoulder as I headed toward the road. When I finely got to the road after climbing up the steep bank. I took a good long look to see if I could spot it again. As I walked up the road to my truck I keep a close eye out, and thought to my self did I just scare the shit out of myself or did I really see this cougar.
At the truck a unlocked and open the door, set my rod down on the canopy, pulled out its case, and as I was pulling it apart across the creek I saw it again heading up the far hill. A mother cougar and she had a cub with her. She looked to be just over hundred pounds and the cub maybe sixty. Were they stocking me now that I think about it. I don't thing so just are paths were about to cross.
The Fishin was good, I differently got my heart rate up for awhile, I came home safe with quite a story to tell the wife, and another memory of the GREAT OUTDOORS.
After catching a few fish in this spot my fly hung up in a bush across the creek and I broke it off. I backed out into a clearing to change out and as I went to dig out another Bug, I got that weird feeling again. I looked around good for something in the grass maybe a rattlesnake, Didn't see any or hear any, but still had that feeling. the wind had calmed down a little and I knew that I should be able to do some casting just down from where I was, and that spot held some nice fish in the pass.
So rather than tye on a bug at that time I thought that I'll move there first. I slowly started moving out further out into the clearing to cross the field when I saw something move slowly about 60-70 yards down wind of me at first I thought Bambi, But it just vanished, I was out in the clearing now almost into the field next to the fence. I stop at a solid post set my rod down and stepped up on the wire to take a closer look at what I saw and was headed towards, I'm now maybe still 50 plus yards away. It took me a little while to relocate the spot where I thought I saw Bambi. The grass was moving not by the wind but towards the tree line slightly to my left. I stood on the fence which seemed like forever. Just as I was ready to get down I saw it again make a larger move and this time I saw the tail. Cougar.
At first I didn't know what I was doing to do, my truck was on the other side and the section of water I wanted to fish on the other side i really don't want to go back into the thicker brush, and don't want to stay where I was the rest of the day. It was still early only 3 o'clock. I yelled out, but nothing, I yelled again watched and waited., but still didn't see a movement. I stepped down and backed down to the next post. but it was flimsy, the next one flimsy. The fourth post was a railroad tye and solid I climbed up on the second wire and looked hard didn't see anything. The road is only twenty five yards away now and there is a pretty solid looking branch laying on the ground near by. I've put some distance between us. I picked up the branch and headed toward the road slowly.
I noticed the wind again, and keep looking back over my shoulder as I headed toward the road. When I finely got to the road after climbing up the steep bank. I took a good long look to see if I could spot it again. As I walked up the road to my truck I keep a close eye out, and thought to my self did I just scare the shit out of myself or did I really see this cougar.
At the truck a unlocked and open the door, set my rod down on the canopy, pulled out its case, and as I was pulling it apart across the creek I saw it again heading up the far hill. A mother cougar and she had a cub with her. She looked to be just over hundred pounds and the cub maybe sixty. Were they stocking me now that I think about it. I don't thing so just are paths were about to cross.
The Fishin was good, I differently got my heart rate up for awhile, I came home safe with quite a story to tell the wife, and another memory of the GREAT OUTDOORS.
Friday, September 26, 2014
Aeneas and Chopaka Lakes
I've had lots of calls in the last week and the question is all pretty much the same "What going on up at Chopaka or how is Aeneas Lake fishin these days.
I'll start out with Chopaka: The road is hell in places, the weather is unpredictable, there lots of open camp space and the fishing is great if you know what to use. I've heard today from a very reliable source. he had a fifty plus day up there. the wind was down from yesterday looked like it was going to rain. (but never did) Only two other boats on the water and all were having a grand old time. with the cool nights and the mild days the water temperature is where the fish like it and will give you a nice run or two. Most every fish was hooked between 5 and 10 foot of water towards the south end of the lake.I will be heading up there sooooooon myself. average Bow was 16 some at 18 and a very few hit the 20 inch mark but when one of the bigger fish hit you know it.
Aeneas still slow during the daylight or early day but it picks up late just before dark. The brown start making there move into the shore line looking for the smaller fry Use a streamer and change up your retrieve fast and slow let it fall farther deeper shallower change up and the strikes will come hard.
I'll be out in the Sinlahekin tomorrow and will hit Big Blue for a couple hours before heading to Aeneas and Chopaka on Monday.
I got the word that DFW are shooting for the 11th as the date for Steelhead Opener. I will confirm the date when I talk to Jeff and Ryan tomorrow, and let you know !!!!!!!!
Take someone fishing with you have fun enjoy the lake while you still can we only have a few weeks left. That is for most of them.
FISH HARD FISH HAPPY FISH OFTEN
BARBLESS HOOKS & KNOTLESS NETS
I'll start out with Chopaka: The road is hell in places, the weather is unpredictable, there lots of open camp space and the fishing is great if you know what to use. I've heard today from a very reliable source. he had a fifty plus day up there. the wind was down from yesterday looked like it was going to rain. (but never did) Only two other boats on the water and all were having a grand old time. with the cool nights and the mild days the water temperature is where the fish like it and will give you a nice run or two. Most every fish was hooked between 5 and 10 foot of water towards the south end of the lake.I will be heading up there sooooooon myself. average Bow was 16 some at 18 and a very few hit the 20 inch mark but when one of the bigger fish hit you know it.
Aeneas still slow during the daylight or early day but it picks up late just before dark. The brown start making there move into the shore line looking for the smaller fry Use a streamer and change up your retrieve fast and slow let it fall farther deeper shallower change up and the strikes will come hard.
I'll be out in the Sinlahekin tomorrow and will hit Big Blue for a couple hours before heading to Aeneas and Chopaka on Monday.
I got the word that DFW are shooting for the 11th as the date for Steelhead Opener. I will confirm the date when I talk to Jeff and Ryan tomorrow, and let you know !!!!!!!!
Take someone fishing with you have fun enjoy the lake while you still can we only have a few weeks left. That is for most of them.
FISH HARD FISH HAPPY FISH OFTEN
BARBLESS HOOKS & KNOTLESS NETS
A day of lite rain
Wednesday was a day of lite rain and I did go out and wet a line I hit the river for a short time with the Spey Rod. I did manage to hook a bass or two down at Shell Rock Point. There are lots of Chinook spawning I really didn't want to disturb them.
I headed up onto Johnson Creek, forgot to bring my phone so I can't show you the Brookie in full spawn colors, wasn't very big but beautiful.
Saturday is the last day of the Sinlahekin Wildlife Celebration. Gary and I will be out there with a TU booth. Get a chance come by and say Hello. We will be talking about our next project up at Buzzard Lake. All of the permits have been approved to redo the much needed boat launch repairs and we will gladly take any and all donation to help with the cost. OUR THANKS IN ADVANCE TO ALL THAT CONTRIBUTE.
HOPE TO SEE YOU OUT THERE.
Gary and I will fish Big Blue and have a report.
I headed up onto Johnson Creek, forgot to bring my phone so I can't show you the Brookie in full spawn colors, wasn't very big but beautiful.
Saturday is the last day of the Sinlahekin Wildlife Celebration. Gary and I will be out there with a TU booth. Get a chance come by and say Hello. We will be talking about our next project up at Buzzard Lake. All of the permits have been approved to redo the much needed boat launch repairs and we will gladly take any and all donation to help with the cost. OUR THANKS IN ADVANCE TO ALL THAT CONTRIBUTE.
HOPE TO SEE YOU OUT THERE.
Gary and I will fish Big Blue and have a report.
Monday, September 22, 2014
the weekend on the water!!!
Better get this out before I forget what happened all weekend. " Us old guys forget a lot" Saturday the wind was a blowin again not bad to begin with and everybody I called the night before had honey dos to get done before they could go out and play. ( retirement is way to busy )
I twisted up some small way small dry Midges Spinner #18s in purple, olive, and red. half dozen each and took them out to Salmon Creek. early I saw the fish slurpping them early one morning but couldn't tell as to what color they were. I tyed my tippit on while still on the bench because I knew that I would never be able to do it out in the field anymore.
With the little flies in the box I got out to the creek early, setup the Sage Flite 370-4 new 9ft. 6X leader added 3ft of 7X tippit and tyed on my Midge Spinner while still at the truck.
When I got about 15ft from the water I got down on my hands and knees and did the slow crawl to the edge pulled out about 20 feet of line and set the bug about six inches short of the far under cut bank. Before I could get the first mend half way done I saw the head come up and slurp my fly, I raised my rod and it bent over and then the splash the zing of the reel and snap. First Fly Gone. I tye on another. Almost the same story but this time it comes to Papa. a nice little 14 inch Bow. Not the biggest in this section of water. Well worth the effort.
I caught five more Bows and lost three more flies to the bushes behind me and on in a tree. The wind picked up to the point it was almost impossible to cast more than 30 feet with any accuracy. I was done for the day.
Sunday Gary came down about 10. He had never fished either Salmon Creek nor Green Lake. So we decided to hit both. First Salmon Creek for about 2 hours, With three weight in hand and all rigged up with Hopper and BWO. We had a blast. then went and hit Big Green.
We had to put my # two Pontoon boat together for him to use. I handed his a tub of assorted flies and he hit the water. By the time I had my stuff together he had boated more Bluegill than he could remember.
His comment when I caught up with him " If you don't have a bite in less tan 10 seconds there is somthing wrong, I love this.
FISH OFTEN, ENJOY LIFE WITH OUR FRIENDS, GO BARBLESS
BE KIND TO THE ENVIRONMENT
I twisted up some small way small dry Midges Spinner #18s in purple, olive, and red. half dozen each and took them out to Salmon Creek. early I saw the fish slurpping them early one morning but couldn't tell as to what color they were. I tyed my tippit on while still on the bench because I knew that I would never be able to do it out in the field anymore.
With the little flies in the box I got out to the creek early, setup the Sage Flite 370-4 new 9ft. 6X leader added 3ft of 7X tippit and tyed on my Midge Spinner while still at the truck.
When I got about 15ft from the water I got down on my hands and knees and did the slow crawl to the edge pulled out about 20 feet of line and set the bug about six inches short of the far under cut bank. Before I could get the first mend half way done I saw the head come up and slurp my fly, I raised my rod and it bent over and then the splash the zing of the reel and snap. First Fly Gone. I tye on another. Almost the same story but this time it comes to Papa. a nice little 14 inch Bow. Not the biggest in this section of water. Well worth the effort.
I caught five more Bows and lost three more flies to the bushes behind me and on in a tree. The wind picked up to the point it was almost impossible to cast more than 30 feet with any accuracy. I was done for the day.
Sunday Gary came down about 10. He had never fished either Salmon Creek nor Green Lake. So we decided to hit both. First Salmon Creek for about 2 hours, With three weight in hand and all rigged up with Hopper and BWO. We had a blast. then went and hit Big Green.
We had to put my # two Pontoon boat together for him to use. I handed his a tub of assorted flies and he hit the water. By the time I had my stuff together he had boated more Bluegill than he could remember.
His comment when I caught up with him " If you don't have a bite in less tan 10 seconds there is somthing wrong, I love this.
FISH OFTEN, ENJOY LIFE WITH OUR FRIENDS, GO BARBLESS
BE KIND TO THE ENVIRONMENT
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Get ready to Spey
Yes !!!! It's time to pull out the Spey Rods and get back to casting the two handers again. This year I have a new Spey, It's a RL Winston Boron III 12'9" 7wt. it's soooo light and fast. I will get me another Nautilus Featherlite 7/8 to keep it balanced. Today was the first time that I really had the time to go out and try some different lines. The Airflo 535gr. Compact Skagit is what I settled on to throw and turn over most Mow Tips with big flies. For my Scandi Line 33ft. 385gr. and a 12 to 15 ft. leader to skate and wake my surface flies.
I'll use my old Redington RS4 13'3 7wt. for strictly nymphing when the water gets real cold. I've had a Loop, Beulah and an Echo in the past. But nothing compares to the Sage 7136-4 One, that some thief stole out of my truck a few years back down on the Methow. I really really loved that rod the way it felt in my hands, what it would do with line, and played fish.
But until I can afford another Sage One. I will do my best to fall in love with the Winston. Maybe all that I need is a few fish under my belt with it. Only time will tell.
The Winston is Fast and Smooth recovers quick, and did I mention its lite, something that I can use all day throwing big bugs along ways.
If our STEELHEAD SEASON ON OCTOBER 1 it's only twelve days away.but we need some rain to bring the metalheads up here. PRAY FOR RAIN
I'll use my old Redington RS4 13'3 7wt. for strictly nymphing when the water gets real cold. I've had a Loop, Beulah and an Echo in the past. But nothing compares to the Sage 7136-4 One, that some thief stole out of my truck a few years back down on the Methow. I really really loved that rod the way it felt in my hands, what it would do with line, and played fish.
The Winston is Fast and Smooth recovers quick, and did I mention its lite, something that I can use all day throwing big bugs along ways.
If our STEELHEAD SEASON ON OCTOBER 1 it's only twelve days away.but we need some rain to bring the metalheads up here. PRAY FOR RAIN
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Support your local fly shop & fish report
WE ALL NEED TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FLY SHOPS
AS MUCH AS WE CAN
Mine happens to be the Omak Big R Fly Shop, Where I used to work, Some big changes there has happen and more to come. Paul (23yrs old) the guy they hired to manage that came from Montana, is now gone. He sent them a text that he was back in Montana and was not coming back. So that puts Keith Roe incharge, as the main guy. Don't get me wrong, I like Keith and recommended for the opening when Tom left. But Keith is no fly fisherman and he admit to it. He told me when he started almost a year ago that he hadn't pick up a fly rod in over twenty years. He is a hell of a good Steelheader but he does it with a float and jigs and tyes some of the best. He doesn't fish the lakes much and can only give you second hand reports of what is hatching and what to use. and we all know that it changes daily.
I stopped in today and heard about all the changes, A company wide Name and Logo change ( I'll let them tell you ) when they are ready.
Anyway I used a rod today that I plum forgot about. Found it in the back of the closet hiding behind a bunch of rods and tubes, I got it at a Fly Shop, some years back that was going out of business. Because of the internet. It was a great little shop in Bellingham. I bought a Redington combo for under $50. it's called a Red-Fly and is 7'6" 2pc rod. that came with reel and Rio line and case. I figured a good rod to teach my nephew and niece how to fly fish with. the reel and line are worth more than fifty bucks if nothing else, but the rod is fantastic.I can throw line 50- 60 feet.
So this is what got me going on the subject: I went into the Fly Shop today to get a few leaders in 7 to 10 ft. long 6X or 7X and they don't carry them anymore, in any brand. now I have to make my own or go to the internet.
I stopped in today and heard about all the changes, A company wide Name and Logo change ( I'll let them tell you ) when they are ready.
Anyway I used a rod today that I plum forgot about. Found it in the back of the closet hiding behind a bunch of rods and tubes, I got it at a Fly Shop, some years back that was going out of business. Because of the internet. It was a great little shop in Bellingham. I bought a Redington combo for under $50. it's called a Red-Fly and is 7'6" 2pc rod. that came with reel and Rio line and case. I figured a good rod to teach my nephew and niece how to fly fish with. the reel and line are worth more than fifty bucks if nothing else, but the rod is fantastic.I can throw line 50- 60 feet.
So this is what got me going on the subject: I went into the Fly Shop today to get a few leaders in 7 to 10 ft. long 6X or 7X and they don't carry them anymore, in any brand. now I have to make my own or go to the internet.
Well I hit both Salmon Creek and Big Green today. I had the creek to myself for about a half hour up above Happy Hill. Fishing was good, until a dog showed up to play in the water that I was working and was catching fish. He wanted to chase my rod tip and splash at the fly in the water. I couldn't catch a thing after he showed up.
So I pack it in and headed off down creek to find someone working one of my other holes using a spin rod, while his little ones threw rock in the water, and horses in the last hole. I guess I was meant to be at Big Green. Where I had the whole lake to myself again.
I never put my pontoon boat into the water. I pulled out the little Redington rod combo again put on a soft hackle peacock pitched it out there from short and almost as soon as it hit the water before I could think and get the tip down close to the water to strip that little rod bent over and it was game on. I caught some nice Bluegill and some nice Bows one Bow close to 18 inches that I had to play quite awhile. I spent close to 2 hours there and had lots of fun. I'll say it again I don't need big fish to enjoy my time on the water just the rite gear. This picture is the average size of the Bluegill and one of the first that I caught some are much bigger while most are smaller and the unexpected Bow it's all a good time for me.
ENJOY LIFE, FISH OFTEN, PICK UP TRASH,
LEAVE ONLY FOOT PRINTS .
Just another day on the water.............
Tom and I headed out again to hit the water. I left my phone in the truck SORRY no pics this time but we hooked and lost a few fish Bows, Browns, and I put to net a large fat Brookie, that I didn't know were in the lake, even tho I know that years ago it held some pretty good ones.
This was Tom's only second time out on the water seance his surgery, and we stayed out close to four and half hours. Next week sometime we are going to pull out the Spey Rods and do some Bass fishin on the Okanogan while it is still low and see how well he does in the moving water. Yes we will use our inflatable life jackets and our wading staffs got to keep it safe, and I will fish down stream from him.
Today I shot Gary a text to see if he wants to go have some fun on Green or go hit the Creek. Gary want to learn more about moving water and how to read it. Everybody around here are really starting to think about the Steelhead season. We are all hoping for a October 1st opener !!!!! ???????????
Yesterday I got a text from someone about wanting to learn how to Spey cast and what kind of rod to buy along with a reel and line.
So much for the chit chat better get out do my chores and go fish.
This was Tom's only second time out on the water seance his surgery, and we stayed out close to four and half hours. Next week sometime we are going to pull out the Spey Rods and do some Bass fishin on the Okanogan while it is still low and see how well he does in the moving water. Yes we will use our inflatable life jackets and our wading staffs got to keep it safe, and I will fish down stream from him.
Today I shot Gary a text to see if he wants to go have some fun on Green or go hit the Creek. Gary want to learn more about moving water and how to read it. Everybody around here are really starting to think about the Steelhead season. We are all hoping for a October 1st opener !!!!! ???????????
Yesterday I got a text from someone about wanting to learn how to Spey cast and what kind of rod to buy along with a reel and line.
So much for the chit chat better get out do my chores and go fish.
Friday, September 12, 2014
I met up with TM on Thursday
With the weather so bad on Wednesday, cold wind steady at 15mph and gust to 30+. One look at the water and it was a no go. But by 11am Thursday my work day was done The wind stopped just like turning off a light switch, the temperature jumped from 38 to 57 by 11.
I shot Tom a text and ask if he was up to some bug flinging? within minutes his reply When and where be ready by 1. I needed to swing by the office, place a parts order, pick up my Buck's bag, and grab us a few brews, woof my lunch on the road.
Right at 1 I meet Tom "Lets just fish here, we only have a few hours till the OCFFC meeting".
Within minutes we're on the water he heads up the east side towards the north while I head down towards the south end we'll meet on the west side to compare notes. I did alright my first fish was a small Bow and second was a bigger Brown, Using the same Punkinhead, that was it for Trout. I started hitting the Smallmouth, the Bluegill, and the Perch. The Smallies from three inches to four and a half pounds. Yea it was fun. When we met up on the westside it was about the same for him. I told him about the little Bow and he said " must be coming from the creek that he hasn't put any in for a while.
We talked about all kinds of stuff and we both hooked some nice fish untill we had to work are way back in to make it on time to the meeting.....................
The OCFFC meeting we had our new fish biologist Ryan Fortier. and it looks quite hopeful for the future and a nice long relationship between him and the Club.
I shot Tom a text and ask if he was up to some bug flinging? within minutes his reply When and where be ready by 1. I needed to swing by the office, place a parts order, pick up my Buck's bag, and grab us a few brews, woof my lunch on the road.
Right at 1 I meet Tom "Lets just fish here, we only have a few hours till the OCFFC meeting".
Within minutes we're on the water he heads up the east side towards the north while I head down towards the south end we'll meet on the west side to compare notes. I did alright my first fish was a small Bow and second was a bigger Brown, Using the same Punkinhead, that was it for Trout. I started hitting the Smallmouth, the Bluegill, and the Perch. The Smallies from three inches to four and a half pounds. Yea it was fun. When we met up on the westside it was about the same for him. I told him about the little Bow and he said " must be coming from the creek that he hasn't put any in for a while.
We talked about all kinds of stuff and we both hooked some nice fish untill we had to work are way back in to make it on time to the meeting.....................
The OCFFC meeting we had our new fish biologist Ryan Fortier. and it looks quite hopeful for the future and a nice long relationship between him and the Club.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Can you guess where this is ????? WIN THE FLYS I USE
I'm going to change this up a bit. Instead of me telling you where I fishing all the time I'm going to start GIVING AWAY !!!!!! Some of my flies that I tye to the FIRST person that can tell me where I was Fishin.
At 9:30 am it's sunny and a Cool 65 and the Water temp 61. By 1:30 Sunny still Cloudless, and a Hot 86.
I put a small boat load of Bluegill in the net with my old 2 weight Bamboo rod pitchin # 16 PMDs. When the wind picked up about noon. I switched up dropped anchor put a 15ft sink tip and tyed on a water Boatman. in one of the deeper parts of the lake I let the sink tip pull my floating line down a few feet and started slow four inch strips and started hitting the Bows. If I didn't wait long enough before stripping I was sure to get another Gillie....... the Bows were all pretty much cookie cutters 14s, but I did have one that gave me and the old Bamboo abit of a fight.
It's not the longest fish but it has shoulders and was the best fish of the day.
IF YOU KNOW WHERE THIS IS COMMENT AND TELL ME !!!!! and THE FIRST COMMENT THAT IS WRIGHT I'LL SEND YOU 1/2 DZ EACH OF THE PMD and BOATMAN.
GOOD LUCK IT'S EAZY.
At 9:30 am it's sunny and a Cool 65 and the Water temp 61. By 1:30 Sunny still Cloudless, and a Hot 86.
IF YOU KNOW WHERE THIS IS COMMENT AND TELL ME !!!!! and THE FIRST COMMENT THAT IS WRIGHT I'LL SEND YOU 1/2 DZ EACH OF THE PMD and BOATMAN.
GOOD LUCK IT'S EAZY.
Friday, September 5, 2014
You know if there is a tree or bush anywhere within twenty miles of me I'm go to find it and loose a fly or two. Good thing I tye my own flies!!!!
Had another great time on the water today or yesterday. I'll be heading that way again.
Tight Lines
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Where to fish today??????
It's a pretty chilly this morning, it's down to 43 with a bit of fog. ( Lovin it Steelhead Season Soon) I haven't been to Chopaka for awhile. Maybe I load the pontoon and head that way via the Sinlahekin Valley and take a look at Big Blue Or maybe just head out to Limebelt Blue I haven't been there since late spring.
I go I go off to chase the tug drug.
I go I go off to chase the tug drug.
Monday, September 1, 2014
I'm not going to tell
I'm not going to tell you the name of this lake, Because I've gotten to many phone calls from some of the locals around here that would like to keep some of the this lake as a hidden jewel.
What I will tell you is it up just a little over 3700 ft. and just under 11 acres water temp 63 air temp at 9:30 was 58 and at 4 PM 70 cloudy at times but windy all day.
I started out using my intermittent line but soon turned to my type 6 sink line the fish were staying in the 20 to 28 foot of water and away from the shore. according to Gary's fish finder. I put on a #16 Chromimid and fished it strate down and with in no time my rod was almost pulled from my hand. A 17 inch football shaped Bow. and soon after my line was back in the water a repeat only just a bit smaller. My third fish hit so hard it broke the fly off. I retied on another and didn't get a hit for a while.
Gary was using his go to fly that he uses everywhere. ZugBug and he catches lot of fish on it. I' myself put on a #14 Solf Hackle Peacock and started kicking around I got a few hits on it but no hook ups. Scale down to a #16 and tryed again. This was working and after many fat Bows in the net by 12:30 and tired legs from kicking I dropped anchor and stayed in one spot until close to 2 only picking up a fish or two. I pulled anchor and put my back to the wind and kicked pass the landing as far as I could and let the wind blow me back with three more fish for the day. We had a awesome day.
What I will tell you is it up just a little over 3700 ft. and just under 11 acres water temp 63 air temp at 9:30 was 58 and at 4 PM 70 cloudy at times but windy all day.
I started out using my intermittent line but soon turned to my type 6 sink line the fish were staying in the 20 to 28 foot of water and away from the shore. according to Gary's fish finder. I put on a #16 Chromimid and fished it strate down and with in no time my rod was almost pulled from my hand. A 17 inch football shaped Bow. and soon after my line was back in the water a repeat only just a bit smaller. My third fish hit so hard it broke the fly off. I retied on another and didn't get a hit for a while.
Gary was using his go to fly that he uses everywhere. ZugBug and he catches lot of fish on it. I' myself put on a #14 Solf Hackle Peacock and started kicking around I got a few hits on it but no hook ups. Scale down to a #16 and tryed again. This was working and after many fat Bows in the net by 12:30 and tired legs from kicking I dropped anchor and stayed in one spot until close to 2 only picking up a fish or two. I pulled anchor and put my back to the wind and kicked pass the landing as far as I could and let the wind blow me back with three more fish for the day. We had a awesome day.
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Sunday, August 31, 2014
Somewhere in Okanogan County
I met up with Gary and one of his old time Buddies "Scott" and we fished the same lake as I did yesterday. I made one pass around the lake and then headed back to where I caught my best fish yesterday and saw lot of rises a long the shore. I rigged up my Sage -One 596-4 with a #12 Hopper and pitched it about 4 ft from shore let it sit a minute and gave it a sharp strip and stopped within seconds there came the EXPLOSION, the Tight Line and my reel started to sing that sweet sound. a nice 20 inch Brown on the Hopper. After releasing it I pitched out again almost in the same spot and waited after a couple of short strips a repeat again and again
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Gary was close by so I told him what I was using he didn't have any hoppers so he tried a Adams. After seeing me land 3 or 4 more nice fish including this 4+ pound Tiger, he rowed over and got one from me and he did 5 or 6 but was having a hard time casting in the wind, and staying in one spot without an anchor. So he went back to trolling around with the Punkinhead I gave him and Terry before we got into the water.
.By the time we left shortly after 4 we all had a great day on the water.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Yup I went Fishin again.
SOMEWHERE IN OKANOGAN COUNTY
There isn't much that I can tell ya about this lake other than it's only 11 acres.
" SOMEWHERE IN THE COUNTY THAT'S ALL THAT I CAN SAY"
If I where to tell ya more about it everybody and their brothers, uncles, fathers, sisters, mothers, cousins, and distant relatives, and there in-laws would want to be there too fishing.
I do plan on meeting up with my buddy Gary and he and I will try to get a picture or two of us holding one of the Monster Rainbows or one of the Big Browns. I hooked and landed a Bow today that was well over 24 inches that had to be over 6 lbs.
This Brown was just at the 18 inch mark but fat, It took a size 12 Chromimid in 12 ft of water. It was one of six Browns today. Bows over 10. Three were taken on a Punkinhead casting and stripping after fighting the wind I anchored up and sat in one spot for more than 2 hours. with my bobber lobbin rig and I had a few fish hitting my strike indicator "bobber" more than 5 took me into my backing!!!! What a blast.
Friday, August 29, 2014
Kettle River Part II
Kettle River 7:20 AM, Clear Cool Air temp. 56, Water temp 54
and Gin Clear
I called Jim that lives Down River and picked him up to
drive my truck down just past his place this should be about a 5 mile float and
with the water running at around 250 CFS pretty low. It did cloud up a little just to take brightness away and the glare down. All in all I'd say the fishing was better than GOOD
My first is this nice Brownie about 17” just below the
gravel bar in the deep water to the left. I did have some great fighters today and lost
what I think was the biggest fish of the day, casting into a shadowed spot just
under some pines on a #16 BWO. I saw the explosion, the swirl, line go tight,
the stripping of the line with a bent rod but not too tight, the head shake, a
rise down river, then nothing, my line went limp.
I did pick up some nice Bows here and there one that was close to 20 inches but it was skinny. 3 Browns was all for the day, and one Whitefish.
I will do my best come back here maybe one more time before it closes for the season.
Steelhead season is fast approaching. the nights are staying in the 50s, now.
Some of the guys are starting to call to ask about the lakes so for the next few time out the lakes are where I'll be seen.
Untill next time FISH OFTEN FISH HARD ENJOY TIME ON THE WATER AND BE SAFE
Kettle River
5 AM headed up to the Kettle today I'll take the Sage One 596-4 and put some small dries in the water.and use my Sage RPL 590-4 for my nymphing. It's a about an hour and half ride to get to Customs Road.So I better make me a lunch and get out of here.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
I took a ride today
Well I took a ride up and looked at both Johnson and Salmon Creeks they both muddied up with the heavy rain last night. I did also look at the Okanogan River flow, the temp.is dropping just almost as fast as the number of Salmon coming over the Wells Dam. Today is only suppose to get up to 77 and calls for more rain off and on all day. I should do some chores around the house "mow and edge the lawn" Oh yea!! tye more flies.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Hopper Dropper Rig
The Gear for Salmon Creek today: Sage Flight 370-4, Simms Headwaters Waders, 2 Full Bug Boxes, & Simms Sling.I'm learning more about this space every time I use it.
Well I gave Pat a all he is busy today, Nick is in Alaska, Rich B, is movin again. So it looks like I'm fishing solo again. Makes it hard to get pics, so I'll did my best. Just so that you can see that i catch fish.
I got to the water just before 9:15 suited up and strung up my rod Sky was clear with a slight breeze.
I put on a hopper dropper rig tho. it isn't my favorite way to fish just to do it. No challenge for me with the first four cast I landed six fish. YES I SAID 6 FISH. #1 sm. Brookie, #2 two sm. Brookies, one on each hook, #3 an larger Bow maybe 13" #4 a sm. Brookie on the hopper and smaller Bow on the nymph. Even tho there small fish and the rod can handle it hard on me to put them in the net.
So I went back to my single size 16 dry fly and stayed that way the rest of the day loosing a few to the bushes and trees. But I had a grand old time once again.
With the nights getting cooler, the days getting shorter soon I can be hitting the Stillwaters more often !!!!
Not that I don't love the sounds of the creeks or the size of the fish. I just don't like to walk up on RATTLERS.
FISH OFTEN, FISH HARD, PICK UP THE TRASH AND TIGHT LINES.
Salmon Creek
With a fresh full box of bugs I arrived just after 5 and strung up my Sage Flight 370-4 with an #18 BWO put on the waders and walked across the field to the water passed a small rattler on the way, that why I wear my waders at least I have a little protection if I get to close.
As I was getting close I slowed down and approached slowly to the big pool. striped out some line above the bridge and let the first case hit just above the shadow and drift through half way you can see my first little Brookie. I pulled out a few more before I moved down stream.
My biggest fish of the evening was maybe 13" but like I've said in the past when it comes to me catching Fish SIZE DOESN'T MATTER if you use the right gear.
It's another great day to go out and wet a line. So I'm going to make a few calls to see if I can get someone to hit the water with me.
TIGHT LINES and hope to see you on the water, just not in my spots PLEASE !!!!!
Friday, August 22, 2014
Cancel Salmon Creek or Johnson Creek
After working for awhile today I was going to head back up to Salmon or Johnson Creek today but remembered that I needed to refill my bug box first. Plus the wind is blown pretty steady and there is no since in putting more of my bugs in the trees today. So I sat at my bench and did some much needed tying. size 14,16, 18 Red Quills, Caddis, Royal Wulff, BWOs, PMDs and Trudes. Half dozen each. I'll give Pat a call and see if it's windy up above and see if he's wants to go if not to windy and he doesn't want to go Guess I'll go alone maybe after 5
Thursday, August 21, 2014
I worked today for about four and a half hours. Then, I went and got my new hearing aides. Everything is loud. One of the first things I had to do was when I got into my truck was turn down the radio, and no more driving with the window down. I drove over to the River by Shell Rock Point, turned off the truck and was able to hear the fish giggling at me as they swam up river past me. There were a couple of ducks chatting away and an eagle sailing down stream. I can hear the leaves blowing in the light wind. all these new sounds were giving me a head ache. So rather than going back to work for the rest of the day I headed up to fish awhile on Johnson Creek Below Haverleys place. A place that Nick showed me a few weeks back.
Johnson Creek 1:20 pm big black clouds and windy. 82
I pulled out my Sage Flight 4864 loaded up with S/As new Sharkwave line.
I have found this to be one of the best lines to throw small flies a long way in the wind and still have the control that is needed there is room for a long back cast 40+ feet. I laid the line up stream and just to the right to get the current to put me up under the bank.Matching the current flow with my strip I saw my line get tight and lifted the rod tip and set the hook. My first Brown Trout taken from Johnson Creek and on a #16 PMD.!!!!! After putting him to the net I remember to put the new Hearing Aides back in and lesion the to the sounds of the water, line passing me by and it was like I have never heard anything better.
I only made a few more cast be fore I reeled in my line and sat down to hear the sounds of nature.
Johnson Creek 1:20 pm big black clouds and windy. 82
I pulled out my Sage Flight 4864 loaded up with S/As new Sharkwave line.
I have found this to be one of the best lines to throw small flies a long way in the wind and still have the control that is needed there is room for a long back cast 40+ feet. I laid the line up stream and just to the right to get the current to put me up under the bank.Matching the current flow with my strip I saw my line get tight and lifted the rod tip and set the hook. My first Brown Trout taken from Johnson Creek and on a #16 PMD.!!!!! After putting him to the net I remember to put the new Hearing Aides back in and lesion the to the sounds of the water, line passing me by and it was like I have never heard anything better.
I only made a few more cast be fore I reeled in my line and sat down to hear the sounds of nature.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Salmon Creek 7am - 9am Clouds just slowly passing by. No waders just wading shoes & socks.
It was 64 degrees when I got up to the Woods old place I strung up my #3WT 7.5ft. Bamboo Rod and put on a Tan Fat Albert with a # 12 Batman about 16 inches down. There is a big bend in the water with a deep cut edge. I pitched my line across creek gave it a mend and down goes FA to a nice 16" Bow on the Batman. I had to jump down the bank of about 3 ft to put the net to it and when my feet hit the water I scattered the rest of the fish that were in the vanity into the next county. I know, I tried, to pull another out of there for about 15 minutes. I then moved down creek about 100 yds. and pulled out one on the FA. saw some small Blue Wing Red Quills and switched out my leader to 12 ft 7X and tried on a # 16 Red Quill. casting up stream along the bank I nailed 3 more Bows in 20 minutes all cookie cutter 13". It was as if time was standing still for just a little while I heard nothing but the sound of the creek and my heart race with each and every strike until my phone alarm went of to remind me that I had to go to Work. But it was a great way to start my day !!!!
Fish Often and Tight Lines.
It was 64 degrees when I got up to the Woods old place I strung up my #3WT 7.5ft. Bamboo Rod and put on a Tan Fat Albert with a # 12 Batman about 16 inches down. There is a big bend in the water with a deep cut edge. I pitched my line across creek gave it a mend and down goes FA to a nice 16" Bow on the Batman. I had to jump down the bank of about 3 ft to put the net to it and when my feet hit the water I scattered the rest of the fish that were in the vanity into the next county. I know, I tried, to pull another out of there for about 15 minutes. I then moved down creek about 100 yds. and pulled out one on the FA. saw some small Blue Wing Red Quills and switched out my leader to 12 ft 7X and tried on a # 16 Red Quill. casting up stream along the bank I nailed 3 more Bows in 20 minutes all cookie cutter 13". It was as if time was standing still for just a little while I heard nothing but the sound of the creek and my heart race with each and every strike until my phone alarm went of to remind me that I had to go to Work. But it was a great way to start my day !!!!
Fish Often and Tight Lines.
It's been a few days since I was on the water. Back to doing building maintenance part time to cover the cost of INSURANCES, health, auto, home, business and pet. Then there is TAXES business, city, state, sales, property and gas. Licences auto, drivers, fishing, and guide. The other bills we must pay like water, sewer, trash, power, internet, cable. So these are just a few thing I have to pay out just like you just in order to be able to keep up the IDEA of GOING FISHING.
It hurts my brain just to try to thing up some of the stuff I must do so that I can FISH. SCREW WORK for awhile I'm going to go wet a line for a few hour before I go to work.
Salmon Creek here I come.
It hurts my brain just to try to thing up some of the stuff I must do so that I can FISH. SCREW WORK for awhile I'm going to go wet a line for a few hour before I go to work.
Salmon Creek here I come.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Salmon Creek
Sunny 9 am -1:30 pm temp 75 -89 #18 Blue-Winged Olives and #12 orange or olive stimalators Sage LL 389 (8’9″ 3wt).
With my old Sage loaded up I hit the water just above Green Lake Road. the first pool is only maybe 12 ft. wide and 20 in. deep with a over hang on both sides, I creep up slowly and while still 10 feet from the bank I striped out 24 feet of line and made my cast up stream just a little to catch the current to take my BWO just to the edge the far over hung bank, the drift was almost perfit a couple of mends and out of a shadow the explode-gen happened. First cast first fish 14" Brookie. while I can't say it was that way all day long, I lost a few fish and flies to the bushes. Most of the Brookies were in the 8-10" range but I did tangle into a nice 16" Bow around noon doing a dead drift around a small bend with an orange stimalator.
I did see a rattler just off the bank and we both keep our distance.
Sunny 9 am -1:30 pm temp 75 -89 #18 Blue-Winged Olives and #12 orange or olive stimalators Sage LL 389 (8’9″ 3wt).
With my old Sage loaded up I hit the water just above Green Lake Road. the first pool is only maybe 12 ft. wide and 20 in. deep with a over hang on both sides, I creep up slowly and while still 10 feet from the bank I striped out 24 feet of line and made my cast up stream just a little to catch the current to take my BWO just to the edge the far over hung bank, the drift was almost perfit a couple of mends and out of a shadow the explode-gen happened. First cast first fish 14" Brookie. while I can't say it was that way all day long, I lost a few fish and flies to the bushes. Most of the Brookies were in the 8-10" range but I did tangle into a nice 16" Bow around noon doing a dead drift around a small bend with an orange stimalator.
I did see a rattler just off the bank and we both keep our distance.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Big Blue
I meet up with Gary at 10 am out at Big Blue
Sunny 68 Water temp. 72 no wind
We both like to fish the middle part of the lake so we headed in that direction I was loaded up with my RPL for bobber lobin, full sink line and of course intermittent line. Dragging my inter. line just pass the shallows with a Punkinhead I got my first tug a heavy Brown just as I was putting the net to it the knot failed at the tippit. So I retied and replaced. and nothing for a long time. I did notice along the east shore there was some top water action and headed that way. I didn't see anything coming off. I tyed on a water boatmen and gave it a shot just before the weed line.let it sink a little and gave it a short strip BOOM fish on. nice little bow. I did this for about a 1/2 hour picking up 4 Bows and a little Brown.
Gary was pulling his Zugbug and doing very well.
About noon there was a Eagle making it rounds doing his fishing I stopped to watch for a while and saw him pick up a small Bow. but dropped it he cam around again to pick it up and a miss. but out of know where there came another Eagle and grab it and flew off to a tree. the other followed. They were gone for a short while but returned to hunting and were doing great. Gary and I watched them as a team grab up 4 more fish in about a hour.
Weather I caught another fish at all the rest of the day it didn't matter just being able to watch the Masters at work made it all worth while for me.
Sunny 68 Water temp. 72 no wind
We both like to fish the middle part of the lake so we headed in that direction I was loaded up with my RPL for bobber lobin, full sink line and of course intermittent line. Dragging my inter. line just pass the shallows with a Punkinhead I got my first tug a heavy Brown just as I was putting the net to it the knot failed at the tippit. So I retied and replaced. and nothing for a long time. I did notice along the east shore there was some top water action and headed that way. I didn't see anything coming off. I tyed on a water boatmen and gave it a shot just before the weed line.let it sink a little and gave it a short strip BOOM fish on. nice little bow. I did this for about a 1/2 hour picking up 4 Bows and a little Brown.
Gary was pulling his Zugbug and doing very well.
About noon there was a Eagle making it rounds doing his fishing I stopped to watch for a while and saw him pick up a small Bow. but dropped it he cam around again to pick it up and a miss. but out of know where there came another Eagle and grab it and flew off to a tree. the other followed. They were gone for a short while but returned to hunting and were doing great. Gary and I watched them as a team grab up 4 more fish in about a hour.
Weather I caught another fish at all the rest of the day it didn't matter just being able to watch the Masters at work made it all worth while for me.
Lil, Green
I drove up to Buzzard and it was raining pretty hard with flashes of lighting I headed back down t to Lil Green for a few hours.
Overcast very little wind and the threat of thundershowers but they never happened.
Water temp 73 Air temp 75 fishing fair. 10:30 am - 2:30
Not knowing if Bluegill have been put into Little Green. I strung up my #4 and #5 rods and pushed out into the water.there were ripples on the water almost like rain. I tyed on a small #16 PMD and gave it a fling as soon as it hit the water it was exploded on by a 6 inch Bluegill. This happened until my fly was destroyed after 8-10 takes, the first was the biggest, I never made it more than 50 ft. from the launch. I came to do some trout fishing so I set up my type 6 sinking line and headed out to the middle of the lake where i knew it was 20+ ft. deep. Put on my Punkinhead Leach gave it a long cast and a 30 sec. count and started striping and kicking slow it took a few cast and my first hit was a small bow of 10 inches then it was awhile before my next one. but I did hit some small BGs. The wind picked up a little and the clouds rolled in heaver and I could hear the thunder in the distance. I started heading back to shore but by the time I got close the sky open up and I decided to stay awhile longer and just dry fly.
Overcast very little wind and the threat of thundershowers but they never happened.
Water temp 73 Air temp 75 fishing fair. 10:30 am - 2:30
Not knowing if Bluegill have been put into Little Green. I strung up my #4 and #5 rods and pushed out into the water.there were ripples on the water almost like rain. I tyed on a small #16 PMD and gave it a fling as soon as it hit the water it was exploded on by a 6 inch Bluegill. This happened until my fly was destroyed after 8-10 takes, the first was the biggest, I never made it more than 50 ft. from the launch. I came to do some trout fishing so I set up my type 6 sinking line and headed out to the middle of the lake where i knew it was 20+ ft. deep. Put on my Punkinhead Leach gave it a long cast and a 30 sec. count and started striping and kicking slow it took a few cast and my first hit was a small bow of 10 inches then it was awhile before my next one. but I did hit some small BGs. The wind picked up a little and the clouds rolled in heaver and I could hear the thunder in the distance. I started heading back to shore but by the time I got close the sky open up and I decided to stay awhile longer and just dry fly.
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