Well last year while living in the Bay Area I took a road trip south to Santa Cruz to check out the 2009 Fly Fishing Film Tour. It was pretty cool.
So now that I have relocated to better fishing waters again I am partaking on a little road trip west to The Dalles, OR to check out this years tour. This year though close friends are also going to check this out.
This new craze of films featuring fly fishing seem to have caught on. I myself once in a while find myself either on youtube or the actual tour site checking out the latest in films. This new culture of younger fly fishers sort of a love hate situation for me, because I am somewhat of homebody when it comes to fishing sometimes I grow tired of seeing exotic fishing locations, yet on the other hand often I find myself suffering from severe wanderlust.
This new trend in me started last year at this very event in Santa Cruz with the Eastern Rises film. I have to tell you I would give my left arm to visit Russia for some truly wilderness fishing.
Alas, I know that this is not really going to happen anytime soon so in the meantime, I will continue to enjoy all the diverse fishing that is available to me at this time.
New to me this season starting March 1 is going to be learning an entirely different type of fishing. No I am not going to get into Bass or Carp, but I am going to dive head first into still water. This seems more daunting then streams ever seemed. So wish me luck and look for future post regarding the lakes situation here in Eastern Washington.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Methow Fishing Trip Pt. 2 Day 1
Well, this Valentines weekend was spend waist deep with one of my many loves. It just so happens that a fishing buddy had the weekend off from family life; when the wife had planned a girls only weekend. So when an opportunity presents itself it is must fish.
The trip started with the 5 hour drive north into the Washington Okanogan country to fish cold turkey on water not seen by either of us. The Methow River flows east out of North Cascades National Park toward the mighty Columbia. It's Steelhead are the typical variety ranging in sizes from 24 to 30+ inches. It is not confirmed that some of the fish are B run fish, but a large steelhead is always possible.
This two angler exploratory/fishing party started the trip on day one floating what was supposed to be a short 5 mile stretch from Upper Burma Rd. down river to the next highway bridge. Not much knowledge of the river or it's fish was available so it was planned to take all day to finish off this stretch trying to find fishing water. It took all day in fact almost into night after a pontoon on the vessel sprang a fast leak requiring fill up every ten minutes or so. Nonetheless, the boat issues did not deter the two hearty souls from fishing as much water as possible. As night drew nearer a fellow angler was spotted fishing a run ahead. Also it was noted that a vehicle was present. In short order it was decided to ask for a lift to where the shuttle had parked our ride home.
Really the boat is not the story here. After all, we were here to do some fishing. The Methow is a real intimate river with extremely clear water with typical free stone stream structure. Running from riffle to pool the river set up for good water. After trying to fish the first few good steelhead runs without success finally in a classic looking and fishing run produced the first fish of the day. This first fish was nothing of note except it was the first fish on new water. Which if you have ever fished much water for steelhead it is something to note. Noticing the the speed, depth and structure of this hook-up led to future attempts. After a few more stops without success frustration began to set in. Then rounding a corner behind the town of Methow a picture perfect run lie ahead.
As the river divided into three, around two small gravel bars, the largest of the fingers run into the corner against a very large and steep cliff and ran 20 yards or so before merging with the middle of the three fingers creating expectational holding water with large structure making for good hiding spots for large fish. If that was not wonderful enough the third came into the run making the middle section of this run something of a dream. On the inside bend of this corner a large eddy was formed requiring deep but not difficult wading. Setting up a cast into the moving water against the hillside opposite of Methow. If there were a thousand words to describe the run they would appear here, but words would not do justice to the set up for this hole.
Surely luck was about to change. Lady luck was gracious. The first drift in the large pool was going well as the indicator floated with good speed just short of the inside foam line seam. After being warned at the local fly shop to look for the subtle takes imagine our surprise when the indicator dunked under the water and began to swim upstream. Well, so much for subtle takes. After spending close two hours fishing this run which was easily a few hundred yards long. Five fish were brought to hand. The largest, a gorgeous, native buck of 30+ inches required help in landing. The future was looking bright.
Alas, it was mere minutes after leaving nirvana that the leak in the boat was discovered. Not deterred each promising looking hole was worked hard with no luck. After each stop air was put in the boat advancing the anglers down stream short distances each time. After several fill ups the fellow angler was found resulting in the ride to the shuttle. After inquiring of the possibility of a ride no time was wasted in getting the line into this promising looking hole. while waiting for this fine gentleman to fishing up fishing the run, in which, he claimed to have hook three. One more fish was hooked and only a few head shakes felt. By this time our ride was leaving.
After hauling the boat over rough terrain for a hundred yard and up the bank to the guardrail day 2 was looking bright. A plan was agreed to while driving down the Columbia to where sleep awaited.
The trip started with the 5 hour drive north into the Washington Okanogan country to fish cold turkey on water not seen by either of us. The Methow River flows east out of North Cascades National Park toward the mighty Columbia. It's Steelhead are the typical variety ranging in sizes from 24 to 30+ inches. It is not confirmed that some of the fish are B run fish, but a large steelhead is always possible.
This two angler exploratory/fishing party started the trip on day one floating what was supposed to be a short 5 mile stretch from Upper Burma Rd. down river to the next highway bridge. Not much knowledge of the river or it's fish was available so it was planned to take all day to finish off this stretch trying to find fishing water. It took all day in fact almost into night after a pontoon on the vessel sprang a fast leak requiring fill up every ten minutes or so. Nonetheless, the boat issues did not deter the two hearty souls from fishing as much water as possible. As night drew nearer a fellow angler was spotted fishing a run ahead. Also it was noted that a vehicle was present. In short order it was decided to ask for a lift to where the shuttle had parked our ride home.
Really the boat is not the story here. After all, we were here to do some fishing. The Methow is a real intimate river with extremely clear water with typical free stone stream structure. Running from riffle to pool the river set up for good water. After trying to fish the first few good steelhead runs without success finally in a classic looking and fishing run produced the first fish of the day. This first fish was nothing of note except it was the first fish on new water. Which if you have ever fished much water for steelhead it is something to note. Noticing the the speed, depth and structure of this hook-up led to future attempts. After a few more stops without success frustration began to set in. Then rounding a corner behind the town of Methow a picture perfect run lie ahead.
As the river divided into three, around two small gravel bars, the largest of the fingers run into the corner against a very large and steep cliff and ran 20 yards or so before merging with the middle of the three fingers creating expectational holding water with large structure making for good hiding spots for large fish. If that was not wonderful enough the third came into the run making the middle section of this run something of a dream. On the inside bend of this corner a large eddy was formed requiring deep but not difficult wading. Setting up a cast into the moving water against the hillside opposite of Methow. If there were a thousand words to describe the run they would appear here, but words would not do justice to the set up for this hole.
Surely luck was about to change. Lady luck was gracious. The first drift in the large pool was going well as the indicator floated with good speed just short of the inside foam line seam. After being warned at the local fly shop to look for the subtle takes imagine our surprise when the indicator dunked under the water and began to swim upstream. Well, so much for subtle takes. After spending close two hours fishing this run which was easily a few hundred yards long. Five fish were brought to hand. The largest, a gorgeous, native buck of 30+ inches required help in landing. The future was looking bright.
Alas, it was mere minutes after leaving nirvana that the leak in the boat was discovered. Not deterred each promising looking hole was worked hard with no luck. After each stop air was put in the boat advancing the anglers down stream short distances each time. After several fill ups the fellow angler was found resulting in the ride to the shuttle. After inquiring of the possibility of a ride no time was wasted in getting the line into this promising looking hole. while waiting for this fine gentleman to fishing up fishing the run, in which, he claimed to have hook three. One more fish was hooked and only a few head shakes felt. By this time our ride was leaving.
After hauling the boat over rough terrain for a hundred yard and up the bank to the guardrail day 2 was looking bright. A plan was agreed to while driving down the Columbia to where sleep awaited.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Methow Fishing Trip
This coming weekend I will get a chance to explore a brand new area, at least to me, I will be trying my luck in the Methow River Valley in North Central Washington not from from the middle of nowhere.
The river is open again after being closed for many years to protect native steelhead populations. Now thanks to many efforts on the part of many interested parties the river is a great place to cast a fly.
Not only do you have the chance to catch a very special steelhead, but you can also catch a native Bull Trout or some very nice Cutt's.
This weekend the target is the steelies. I love fishing for these fish. When you catch one it seems so special. What makes it special is that the fish not only swims up the river to spawn, but it also has to make it out to the ocean. When there it has to compete with all types of mean critters. Do not get me wrong I will not complain if another one of the rivers species happens to like my offering.
The time will come when I will get up some photo's of this great river. Feel free to look up some web spots on the valley. Oh ya, check out the video at http://www.redsflyshop.com/methowsteelhead.html
Tighlines
The river is open again after being closed for many years to protect native steelhead populations. Now thanks to many efforts on the part of many interested parties the river is a great place to cast a fly.
Not only do you have the chance to catch a very special steelhead, but you can also catch a native Bull Trout or some very nice Cutt's.
This weekend the target is the steelies. I love fishing for these fish. When you catch one it seems so special. What makes it special is that the fish not only swims up the river to spawn, but it also has to make it out to the ocean. When there it has to compete with all types of mean critters. Do not get me wrong I will not complain if another one of the rivers species happens to like my offering.
The time will come when I will get up some photo's of this great river. Feel free to look up some web spots on the valley. Oh ya, check out the video at http://www.redsflyshop.com/methowsteelhead.html
Tighlines
Saturday, February 6, 2010
A Fishing Partner Part 1
At first glance this topic might seem rather boring. But this begs the question how many can say that you have had true fishing partner? What is "true fishing partner" well to define this is no easy task.
On one of those fine late summer days sitting on the porch looking West as the heat of day fades into the Bitterroots a fine looking young couple stroll's down the block towards towards the house. At this point instead of being shy and cagey as might be the temptation, there is a brief conversation. The details of which faded years ago. After this first encounter there was very little hope of finding what was to become one of those rare friendships that transcends beyond just someone whom to fish with.
In fact, now it escapes me even the first time we hit the water together. Just guessing, it was to the "bridge to bridge beat" on the fork! Which became a favorite and if there is such a place as "home water" this would be the place.
On one of those fine late summer days sitting on the porch looking West as the heat of day fades into the Bitterroots a fine looking young couple stroll's down the block towards towards the house. At this point instead of being shy and cagey as might be the temptation, there is a brief conversation. The details of which faded years ago. After this first encounter there was very little hope of finding what was to become one of those rare friendships that transcends beyond just someone whom to fish with.
In fact, now it escapes me even the first time we hit the water together. Just guessing, it was to the "bridge to bridge beat" on the fork! Which became a favorite and if there is such a place as "home water" this would be the place.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
