It is a new year, and I'm making a move or two this next 365.
First, a new blog site....http://bigflyguideservice.wordpress.com/, starting Jan.
Trying to do more, efficiently. This change will allow more flexibility and be more centralised.
I'd like it if you joined me for another year of fishy tales, and adventures.
Since there is no end to learning, think of me as a stand-in on the water, to relay discoveries.
I'll continue to do my best to entertain and inform.
Thanks,
Jim
Sunday, December 4, 2011
December
We have enjoyed a slow start to the serious part of Winter.
Patchy snow down near town allows us to get around to fish.
The roads are all clear, and we don't have construction going on every road either.
Forest service roads are gated, and campgrounds are closed.
Don't forget to park off the road this time of year.
Day time temps are pleasent out of the wind, and in the sun. But the shade feels a cool 40ish.
Night time temps are 6 deg. Water temp slowly coming down, mid 40s right now.
The lower winter flows, along with clear water, means this is time to approach them with care.
Lighter tippet 4x-5x. Being gentle with footsteps, and casts helps too.
This is a plesant time to fish. Quiet and slow paced. Few bugs on the menu means less stressing about fly choice..
Put on a clump midge or BWO in small sizes 20-22. Then get the drift.
American Dippers are our only feathered company on the water now.
It always amazes me that they stay for the duration. Paired up....
The Squirrels are getting some last cheeks full of seeds before they are all buried by snow.
The sound of new studded tires is wide-spread.
A few folks are still laying in firewood, and sweeping the yard for things that shouldn't lay out all Winter.
but most of us are ready...
Happy Holidays all.....
Patchy snow down near town allows us to get around to fish.
The roads are all clear, and we don't have construction going on every road either.
Forest service roads are gated, and campgrounds are closed.
Don't forget to park off the road this time of year.
Day time temps are pleasent out of the wind, and in the sun. But the shade feels a cool 40ish.
Night time temps are 6 deg. Water temp slowly coming down, mid 40s right now.
The lower winter flows, along with clear water, means this is time to approach them with care.
Lighter tippet 4x-5x. Being gentle with footsteps, and casts helps too.
This is a plesant time to fish. Quiet and slow paced. Few bugs on the menu means less stressing about fly choice..
Put on a clump midge or BWO in small sizes 20-22. Then get the drift.
American Dippers are our only feathered company on the water now.
It always amazes me that they stay for the duration. Paired up....
The Squirrels are getting some last cheeks full of seeds before they are all buried by snow.
The sound of new studded tires is wide-spread.
A few folks are still laying in firewood, and sweeping the yard for things that shouldn't lay out all Winter.
but most of us are ready...
Happy Holidays all.....
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
November
November is starting off chilly willy. Days are in the mid forties.
Several recent nights have frozen the water inside my ice chest, while stored in my camper..
The last little storm has left patchy snow, and a few less leaves of color on the trees.
Most of our summer birds have headed south. The woods are getting more quiet.
The river has come up slightly, and it's color is clear/green and 49 deg.
A fishing sweet-spot seen in winter is beginning. Miday,(11:00-1:00) is good.
Few bugs are popping, but Baetis are the stars right now. The adult is reddish brown with clear/white wings sz 22. Few risers, but they are eating the nymphs/emergers.
The size of the fish doesn't matter, if all they see to eat are small bugs, they're gonna eat'em... Combined with light leaders, and a good drift of course.
The Brown Trout are almost on the spawn now. It would be better for them, if we gave them less fishing pressure. They are too easy a catch, to be tooo proud of it..
Rainbows, on the other hand...... are posting up downstream from the browns.
Partly because they have been driven from a portion of the river by the browns.
And partly, because natures creatures don't generally waste an easy meal.
It's a little too early for the brown's eggs to be available to them, but you know they are looking....
Midges, and BWOs are a factor as well. When it's cloudy check slick water for risers.
There isn't a huge menu now for the fish, but they still have to keep the calories coming.
This is the time of year that angling becomes more challenging, but it's satisfying as well.
All summer, people show up in droves, flogging seriously spooked fish.
Now there are fewer on the water, and many of those I've met before.
Often, they are fishing friends, or fishers that I often see prowling, and other guides done for the season, and fishing for themselves for a change.
All, are people of conviction, who are willing to put in the effort.
Extra clothes, extra care in our steps.
Fishing light leaders that give fish the advantage, not because we want to.....it's just that the water is clear/low and the fish are jaded from a "long" Summer.
These fishermen/women fishermen may endure a fish-less session, and cold fingers to boot.
On the other hand, they may meet a fish of dreams.
You won't know, if you don't go.
See you on the water.
Several recent nights have frozen the water inside my ice chest, while stored in my camper..
The last little storm has left patchy snow, and a few less leaves of color on the trees.
Most of our summer birds have headed south. The woods are getting more quiet.
The river has come up slightly, and it's color is clear/green and 49 deg.
A fishing sweet-spot seen in winter is beginning. Miday,(11:00-1:00) is good.
Few bugs are popping, but Baetis are the stars right now. The adult is reddish brown with clear/white wings sz 22. Few risers, but they are eating the nymphs/emergers.
The size of the fish doesn't matter, if all they see to eat are small bugs, they're gonna eat'em... Combined with light leaders, and a good drift of course.
The Brown Trout are almost on the spawn now. It would be better for them, if we gave them less fishing pressure. They are too easy a catch, to be tooo proud of it..
Rainbows, on the other hand...... are posting up downstream from the browns.
Partly because they have been driven from a portion of the river by the browns.
And partly, because natures creatures don't generally waste an easy meal.
It's a little too early for the brown's eggs to be available to them, but you know they are looking....
Midges, and BWOs are a factor as well. When it's cloudy check slick water for risers.
There isn't a huge menu now for the fish, but they still have to keep the calories coming.
This is the time of year that angling becomes more challenging, but it's satisfying as well.
All summer, people show up in droves, flogging seriously spooked fish.
Now there are fewer on the water, and many of those I've met before.
Often, they are fishing friends, or fishers that I often see prowling, and other guides done for the season, and fishing for themselves for a change.
All, are people of conviction, who are willing to put in the effort.
Extra clothes, extra care in our steps.
Fishing light leaders that give fish the advantage, not because we want to.....it's just that the water is clear/low and the fish are jaded from a "long" Summer.
These fishermen/women fishermen may endure a fish-less session, and cold fingers to boot.
On the other hand, they may meet a fish of dreams.
You won't know, if you don't go.
See you on the water.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
October on the T
Nature delivered the first snow of the year over the last few days.
After raining most of the night it started snowing in mini-squalls.
Maybe 2" total, and most of that is already melting/melted.
Whitened pines this morning, and green now, a few hours later.
This snow will swell the creeks, tempting feisty browns to spar, and win a female.
This is the time of year to put things on hold if you seriously fish.
Male Browns are known for being tough to catch, Fall is an exception.
They get distracted, temperamental, and territorial.
Try a streamer just for fun, during the day, but especially at night.
They tend to hunt/move under cover of darkness.
I fish like this, right up to the spawn, in a couple of weeks.
I don't fish over spawning fish, but love to sneak up on a pair romancing.
They isolate themselves, and the world shrinks to just them and the task at hand....
Guess that makes me a fish voyeur.
Nymphing can be spotty this time of year. Small Baetis, PEDs, and a few Oct. Caddis.
Try soft hackles.
Watched "Master Burk" land 4 fish, out of 8 grabs, the night before last, on dries....
Find a pod of risers, and get a perfect drift, with a sz 20-22 light-colored baetis dry.
I recommend a fresh 13' 5-6x leader. Set softly, sometimes there are big guys mixed in with those little noses you see..
Heard Canada Geese flying over last night about 3 AM. Headed south....
Winter's coming soon, get out there while you can.
After raining most of the night it started snowing in mini-squalls.
Maybe 2" total, and most of that is already melting/melted.
Whitened pines this morning, and green now, a few hours later.
This snow will swell the creeks, tempting feisty browns to spar, and win a female.
This is the time of year to put things on hold if you seriously fish.
Male Browns are known for being tough to catch, Fall is an exception.
They get distracted, temperamental, and territorial.
Try a streamer just for fun, during the day, but especially at night.
They tend to hunt/move under cover of darkness.
I fish like this, right up to the spawn, in a couple of weeks.
I don't fish over spawning fish, but love to sneak up on a pair romancing.
They isolate themselves, and the world shrinks to just them and the task at hand....
Guess that makes me a fish voyeur.
Nymphing can be spotty this time of year. Small Baetis, PEDs, and a few Oct. Caddis.
Try soft hackles.
Watched "Master Burk" land 4 fish, out of 8 grabs, the night before last, on dries....
Find a pod of risers, and get a perfect drift, with a sz 20-22 light-colored baetis dry.
I recommend a fresh 13' 5-6x leader. Set softly, sometimes there are big guys mixed in with those little noses you see..
Heard Canada Geese flying over last night about 3 AM. Headed south....
Winter's coming soon, get out there while you can.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Sept.-late report.
Man, when business picks up, I can't complain...
But I can get behind.
Fall is my favorite season to fish!
Water is wadible, water temps down and brown trout are feeling it, me too!
The bugs are getting fewer, and smaller.
The fish are looking up due to this.
Hoppers are out and on the "specials" menu.
Finding some cray parts, and Lrg golden stone shucks on rocks.
Most of the summer crowd has gone home.
That leaves miles of water to wander, by yourself.
Fish foam/shade mid-day, with a nymph.
Maybe cast a dry an hour or so before dusk.
Personally, it's streamer time!
I'll post longer/ more info a little later, need to hit the water with a client now.
In fact all but one day this week.
But I can get behind.
Fall is my favorite season to fish!
Water is wadible, water temps down and brown trout are feeling it, me too!
The bugs are getting fewer, and smaller.
The fish are looking up due to this.
Hoppers are out and on the "specials" menu.
Finding some cray parts, and Lrg golden stone shucks on rocks.
Most of the summer crowd has gone home.
That leaves miles of water to wander, by yourself.
Fish foam/shade mid-day, with a nymph.
Maybe cast a dry an hour or so before dusk.
Personally, it's streamer time!
I'll post longer/ more info a little later, need to hit the water with a client now.
In fact all but one day this week.
Monday, August 29, 2011
August II
River flows are coming down, and water temps are going up. About 72 above town.
We've hit the late summer slowdown.....
Early morn is so nice now, just a fall chill, then baking the rest of the day.
Lots of rafters, and floaties on the river all day long.
I go out just after dawn, catch a couple, then take care of business till evening, then say hi to them again at dark.
Guiding is slowing down, after a busy month.
Kids are back in school.
Far fewer fishermen out on the water.
Now is the time to begin stalking a dream fish, instead of dreaming of fishing.
A friend fished over the same tough brown for three days before landing him.
Practice, practice, practice.....
Fish are thinking about putting on weight for winter, and that helps to catch them.
These are the most difficult fish I've met, and well worth the time and energy to meet'em.
The bonanza of bugs we've had is slowing down, a few less everyday.
For the first time they are really starting to look at grass hoppers.
I love to drown one and see a fish come from nowhere to eat!
Squirrels are dropping pine cones already, and we had a localized light frost this morning.
Folks are laying in wood and painting, and coating their driveways and otherwise acting as busy as the squirrels......
We've hit the late summer slowdown.....
Early morn is so nice now, just a fall chill, then baking the rest of the day.
Lots of rafters, and floaties on the river all day long.
I go out just after dawn, catch a couple, then take care of business till evening, then say hi to them again at dark.
Guiding is slowing down, after a busy month.
Kids are back in school.
Far fewer fishermen out on the water.
Now is the time to begin stalking a dream fish, instead of dreaming of fishing.
A friend fished over the same tough brown for three days before landing him.
Practice, practice, practice.....
Fish are thinking about putting on weight for winter, and that helps to catch them.
These are the most difficult fish I've met, and well worth the time and energy to meet'em.
The bonanza of bugs we've had is slowing down, a few less everyday.
For the first time they are really starting to look at grass hoppers.
I love to drown one and see a fish come from nowhere to eat!
Squirrels are dropping pine cones already, and we had a localized light frost this morning.
Folks are laying in wood and painting, and coating their driveways and otherwise acting as busy as the squirrels......
Friday, August 5, 2011
August
WOW!
It's August already.
Dawn attacks are pretty good right now......
Mid-day can be slow, but evenings are amazing.
Caddis flies are fluttering in numbers that strike both a newby, and seasoned fisher alike, as incredible.
Fun, just standing in the river watching all the biomass silhouetted against the glowing sky, just after the sun sets.
Don't want to breath through your mouth, because you will be eating them.
They flutter into nose, ears, and down your your shirt.
When you stop to consider how many get eaten before they reach "fulfillment", that is adulthood, and mating, it boggles the mind.
It's fascinating watching the pupal forms drifting and swimming slowly to the surface.
Once there, they step through the surface tension, and almost instantly another life form
appears. A winged adult from an aquatic life form.
About as real, and now, as it gets.
The trout sure like them.
It's August already.
Dawn attacks are pretty good right now......
Mid-day can be slow, but evenings are amazing.
Caddis flies are fluttering in numbers that strike both a newby, and seasoned fisher alike, as incredible.
Fun, just standing in the river watching all the biomass silhouetted against the glowing sky, just after the sun sets.
Don't want to breath through your mouth, because you will be eating them.
They flutter into nose, ears, and down your your shirt.
When you stop to consider how many get eaten before they reach "fulfillment", that is adulthood, and mating, it boggles the mind.
It's fascinating watching the pupal forms drifting and swimming slowly to the surface.
Once there, they step through the surface tension, and almost instantly another life form
appears. A winged adult from an aquatic life form.
About as real, and now, as it gets.
The trout sure like them.
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