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

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.

Fishing and Fishing Partners

Well it has been awhile, but life has taken me away from wasting time as of late. As I type this it is really to late at night to try and author a real article. Nonetheless, there are some musings in regards to fishing and fishing partners that I need to get off my chest.

I figure that in the near future I can promise a series of two posts that will I hope bring back some good memories as well a thought provoking verbiage that will help make sense as to why this sport has taken on a life of its own within my relationships, friends and life.

Meanwhile,

Tight Lines if possible; if not dare to dream. Good night world.

Meanwhile...

Let this wet your appetite!


















By now you might be asking...

fish?!








WHAT is that in the background Scotty...










Young children may want to look away...








The allusive double shot...can you pick out the wild fish out to the line up. A clue...there are two!





By now you can tell why the look in our faces...






How sweet it is to have friends! Peace you all. ROOKIES. Now a new annual trip, only this one takes place on consecutive weekends in Oct/Nov! The days in between don't count, they are only recovery period.

Look forward to seeing you all soon.

Pre Trip Prep

I know it did not take me long to find a way to go fishing upon arrival. I would have gone the day after arriving, but the trip took a bit more time then expected. So one short week after arriving I will be taking maybe a last Stealhead trip of the year (depends on weather). This time we will be taking camping gear and staying over night (BURRRR). Never fear we are prepared.

In taking inventory while packing for the trip I became very aware of how unorganized my fishing gear was after the summer. It is funny, but it seems that at the beginning of each season the gear is all in its place clean, neat, organized, and present. Now on the other hand I had to go and search for stuff and found most of it, but some was left behind in Montana. I guess because I really was not planning on needing it until returning next summer.

Nonetheless, plans changed. We have since lost jobs, like everyone else, moved to Walla Walla and now I need my fishing gear. Lesson hear, always pack your fishing gear with you wherever you go.

The Stealhead box has plenty of flies in it, but it never fails each new trip brings anticipation and panic that you may not have enough. In this case it led me to scrounge around in the garage full of boxes, rubbermaid containers, and a washer/dryer to find tying materials. What I came up with was some Prince Nymphs tied heavy and flashing. The patterns are tied in different colors as an experiment. Not so sure that this is the time for experiments, but I could not help it.

The Flyfish Journal

Well it could not have come at a better time. It has been about two months since arriving back in Bay Area from guiding in Montana and a slight amount of cabin fever began to set in. Not because weather is cold or there is lack of activities, but because I just got word that the Steal is in fact in the river. On Saturday the crew had a banner day of absolutely horrible fishing. Only 37 were landing between the three who went and numerous other were lost. Stealhead fishing is like that.

So after, living vicariously through the crew from the Bay Area I check the mail today and what did my little eyes see - my brand-spank me-new issue number 1 of The Flyfish Journal. It is truly a work of art. Not only is the cover a high gloss photo, but the issue inside, in no less impressive. The photography is great and I have only been able to leaf through drooling over the the pictures. If you writing is even half as good this new magazine may just be the next best thing. No disrespect to my favorite read: Northwest Fly Fishing, but I am impressed. Take a look it is really cool

Saving For a Rainy Day

This is not what you think. Do not get me wrong saving for a rainy day is a very important concept. But unfortunately I know little about money and what it take to make a lot of it.





This rainy day story is about fishing...what else? Once again something significant happened in our summer. The good friends that visited earlier during the Salmon Fly Hatch returned for an early August fishing trip. Typically, August in the Bitterroot Montana, is the time of year when you would or should, rather, be swimming in the river, golfing, eating ice cream at a picnic or whatever not fishing. But...this August day was different. A rare low pressure system bringing a cold front from CALIFORNIA dropped the temperatures from one day to the next by 20 degrees accompanied by rain showers and overcast skies. The rain truly did not hit until later in the day say after 6:00, but the overcast and sprinkles were a consents the entire day.





The day before we chose to gamble with the heat. The Wally the Anglers stretch had not seen much pressure the last few day on account of the heat... dah. Well I think we gambleed to a draw that day. That is to say that we had our chances at some really big fish and also hook a couple of them. So the rumor was that rain was on its way. Ya right. We decide to hit he West Fork of course were else is someone supposed to fish in August?





A funny thing happen the August though, you may have heard lately, the economy! Well I will make a long story short. There is no one on the river! Seriously, we saw two other boats, and they were chauffeur boats. My friends, we had the entire river. Take that back there was one boat in front of us that we saw at Appleberry, but we did not see him the rest of day and better yet he was fishing streamers all day. Sure his client may have caught some big fish, but he did not see them come up to eat on top.

We saw a few on top that day in the rain!