Okanogan River 8 AM

After checking the river charts and seeing that the flow was just over 1100cfs and the temp was over 37, no rain in the forecast until late this afternoon. I grabbed the Spey and headed up river to one of my favorite holes to swing a fly or do some nymph drifting.

Foggy the sun had only been up a short while but still hidden above the fog, mist on the water.

I know that the river is still frozen over on the lower end and it a pretty long ice cap from Malott to the mouth, but I had to go anyway.

 I started out at the top of the run with my Nymph rig. After a few adjustments everything was moving perfect, I should be able to see the slightest bit of a bump. I worked my way down river just about a 100 yards hitting every pocket twice if not three times. Changing out more then a couple times.  Nothing !!!!!

The fogg was thinning but not much just a bit brighter out with the sun higher. It’s how just about 10 and I make my way back up to the top.

Porded a shot of coffee out of the thermos and did a change out of reels and line to swing a fly. Just cause. Can’t hurt trying, just might be something got past the different nymphs.

I changed out flies and different MOW heads worked the water twice from top to bottom.   Nothing !!!!

But you can’t catch fish unless you go try. I’ll have better luck next time.

At least I spent some time on the water, saw either a bobcat or it could have been a lynx couldn’t really tell too far off and across the river. 

RF Creek

     Yesterday Rich Brown and I headed down to Rocky Ford to get away from the frozen Okanogan Valley and the socked in fog.
       Down at the Creek we found not more then a couple of other rigs when we arrived the sky was bright clear and blue. We parked on the south end and crossed the closed bridge to fish with the sun at our backs. By noon I had to remove my jacket and I had hooked 5 nice fish and landed three almost landed the other two, could of, should of if only I didn't leave the net at the truck.
    After I landed the last fish I worked my way back down to see how RB was doing he had a couple of hook ups but nothing landed.

 While talking with him and showing what flies that were working for me I happen to notice right next to a point a huge fish was slurping something off the surface from time to time.
I hurried and tied on a size 20 Griffin Gant and pitched it out onto the current so that it would swing to where it was. Just about a foot before it reached the point the swirl the take and the snap off. it did this two more time and I was getting so I didn't have but one more Gant, I tried a different approach and went down stream to try to get a different angle at him only to fling the last fly into weeds just over it's head. Lost I tied on a #18 gave it that perfect cast he came up twice and refused at that point I had to walk away the wind had pick up.I worked my way back across the creek and tried for a few more cast across creek but with the wind and the current just couldn't get the same slow speed.

I'll be going back again soooooooooon !!!!!!!!!!!!      

Her I go again Rocky Ford Creek

To me there is nothing better than when your wife understands.

 Your passion to do crazy stuff that no-one in his right mind would do. Like to get up early, when it’s in the single digits outside drive in the freezing fog for just over two hours. To fling a line with a fly tied to the end of it, for just a couple of hours and hoping that the wind won’t blow over 25 knots while you’re there. Just you see if one of the many flies that have been tyed at the bench over the last few days of the year will catch the attention of one of the trout that I presume will be hungry enough to want to taste it. And hopefully I’m not to numb to relies that it has been taken. Setting the hook with just enough power as to not snap it off, taking on the battle a slow process and bring it to the net. Only to release it.
Maybe I will catch that monster one this New Year to set the tone for the rest of my year. As has in the past. For many years now I make this pilgrimage to Rocky Ford Creek in central Washington within the first few days of January. Always hoping that there is just a slight chance, that the wind doesn’t blow to hard, maybe only enough to put a little ripple on the clear water. The sun is filtered thru the overcast skies so the sun is not too bright. My 14 foot long leader with size 20 bug is strong and the tippit knot holds together.
There have been a few times that I returned home with no stories to tell. While other times how I stocked a single fish for over an hour changing out flies with numb fingers so stiff that it hurts. Then when you say to yourself this is the last time I change out and the last cast.
 When something catches your eye, the way he moves in the current coming around the rock up a head of him 5 or 6 feet. He slides over just a little and opens his mouth slightly then returns back to his holding pattern. The cast is prefect just above the rock the fly drops down just the right amount in the film and  then the take. Game on.
I have memories of some of the best fishing days of my life that started on new years day that are so deeply etched into my mind when I replay them, my fingers hurt as if I were retying on that fly for the first time. I feel me adjusting my glasses just before the cast, I see the line hit the water straight, true and soft leaving no ripple, the perfect drift, the take, the line going tight, the rod bending and the reel starting to sing, the short run he takes, the splash of water, and the guy with his freezing girlfriend coming over to net my fish for me. She is amazed as to how big it is and how small my fly is.
 She asked me if I would like a picture I keep my prize in the water and dug out my phone handed it to her and she snapped off a couple of shots.
On day one of 2014 the most awesome day of all the times I have made the trip. It was as if I could do nothing wrong. My favorite spot was vacant so I had the sun to my back, it was cold enough to keep the crowd away till late, foggy with lite winds, my knots held strong, and by 2 pm I had lost only a few flies, and fish, but had put 14 in the net.  Two of them on dries in some very slack water all the way across the creek. I always hope for a return of that day. But I know those day are few and far between if it should ever happen again. (one can only hope )
So  I will be at Rocky Ford Creek no matter what the weather come hell or hi water chasing the dream and perusing the passion that keeps me going.

I received a GO PRO for Christmas God Bless my loving wife Ginny. Now all I have to do is figure out how to use it.  

Pictures are from Jan 1/14, the Bow in the net is close to 9lbs. caught on an size 20 dry midge. Line cast across the creek. It was my last fish of the day just one of 14 and everyone of them were well over 20" and fat.



Hopefully tomorrow it will be another perfect day, Just knowing that this day is always going to be hard to beat. I must try, I must try.