As noted in the report from a few weeks back, the ninja and I have taken on some rising/sipping fish at the Little Lehigh with only modest success. These fish are really active --- rising multiple times a minute --- and appear to be barely gurgling tiny midges in the surface film. And yet, the only thing we've managed to trick them with is a comparatively huge caddis (size 16, if I recall correctly).
Well, according to recently email, Mike plans to come with a new ninja trick this week. Time permitting, he'll have an arsenal of these beauties. I sure hope time permits.
Oh, and if you haven't yet, be sure to watch the video at that last link. It's been posted here before, but it's worth posting again. It is a terrific look at a tiny life.
Well, according to recently email, Mike plans to come with a new ninja trick this week. Time permitting, he'll have an arsenal of these beauties. I sure hope time permits.
Oh, and if you haven't yet, be sure to watch the video at that last link. It's been posted here before, but it's worth posting again. It is a terrific look at a tiny life.
Labels: bug learnin', little lehigh, midges
There is no longer week than the one leading up to a fishing weekend. I'd give my 5 weight for a fast-forward button right now.
This Friday morning, bright and early, Mike, Neal and I will be meeting at the Lehigh to kick-start the first fishing weekend of the year. There are a few of these over the course of the spring and summer, always involving a mix of the three of us and/or my dad. I look forward to all of them with a level of excitement usually reserved for Christmas mornings or Super Bowl Sunday. As it is with holidays, the last little bit of waiting is always the toughest, and this is especially true with a tough work week ahead and tax prep on the calender. Ugh.
Just a few more days...
This Friday morning, bright and early, Mike, Neal and I will be meeting at the Lehigh to kick-start the first fishing weekend of the year. There are a few of these over the course of the spring and summer, always involving a mix of the three of us and/or my dad. I look forward to all of them with a level of excitement usually reserved for Christmas mornings or Super Bowl Sunday. As it is with holidays, the last little bit of waiting is always the toughest, and this is especially true with a tough work week ahead and tax prep on the calender. Ugh.
Just a few more days...
Labels: anticipation
"Coffee's my friend."
Episode 01 of SpooledTV.
Watch now. It beats working (unless your job really kicks ass).
Episode 01 of SpooledTV.
Watch now. It beats working (unless your job really kicks ass).
This past weekend I managed to get out on the river twice. The first, on Saturday, was a quick, half-hour trip down to the local creek. It was also my first trip to Skunksville in quite a long while. It was a tough lesson to learn, but I now understand that the fish in my local creek aren’t quite as dumb as I once imagined. I can’t decide if I’m happy about that or not.
On Sunday, ninja and I met up at the Little Lehigh outside of Allentown. Sunday was supposed to be a picture-perfect day around these parts and we decided that was as good of a reason as any to get out there.
Since the wife was off on her own adventures for the day, I took Chloe along with me. She did fairly well, though she would whine if she felt she was being ignored for too long. And that got frustrating after a bit. Still, all-in-all she was her pleasant, cheerful self and performed her mascot duties well.
Mike and I did well too. We started out on a surprisingly empty bank at around 9 am. The Lehigh can get pretty packed and seeing as the day called for temps in the sixties, I was sure the place would be somewhat of a mob scene. It wasn’t, at least not at the beginning. The crowds would grow over the course of the day, but the chilly morning kept things mostly quiet at first.
We fished off the wall to start, ninja hooking up almost right away with a decent fish on a TCTK (aka “dime”). I flailed and frustrated myself by deciding to try other patterns. None worked. Duh.
Sensing the need for a change in scenery along with a change in flies, we walked around to the other bank (wading is prohibited in this stretch). Casting from that side and having switched over to the tiny midge patterns that I know work, I finally caught a few fish. It felt nice to wash that skunk off.
Having brought a few fish to net, Mike and I set about try to trick trout with a surface fly. By mid-morning a number of fish were actively feeding off the surface. We took turns casting and changing flies. Nothing worked. At least, nothing worked well. I threw every small bug and emerger pattern in my box at them without so much as a wink. The only action came from a take on Mike’s large caddis, which was really being used as an indicator at that point.
It was just one of those days for dry flies I guess. You see them sipping tiny midges and the only thing they take from your line is a size 16 caddis. It just goes to show you: Sometimes trout are weird.
On Sunday, ninja and I met up at the Little Lehigh outside of Allentown. Sunday was supposed to be a picture-perfect day around these parts and we decided that was as good of a reason as any to get out there.
Since the wife was off on her own adventures for the day, I took Chloe along with me. She did fairly well, though she would whine if she felt she was being ignored for too long. And that got frustrating after a bit. Still, all-in-all she was her pleasant, cheerful self and performed her mascot duties well.
Mike and I did well too. We started out on a surprisingly empty bank at around 9 am. The Lehigh can get pretty packed and seeing as the day called for temps in the sixties, I was sure the place would be somewhat of a mob scene. It wasn’t, at least not at the beginning. The crowds would grow over the course of the day, but the chilly morning kept things mostly quiet at first.
We fished off the wall to start, ninja hooking up almost right away with a decent fish on a TCTK (aka “dime”). I flailed and frustrated myself by deciding to try other patterns. None worked. Duh.
Sensing the need for a change in scenery along with a change in flies, we walked around to the other bank (wading is prohibited in this stretch). Casting from that side and having switched over to the tiny midge patterns that I know work, I finally caught a few fish. It felt nice to wash that skunk off.
Having brought a few fish to net, Mike and I set about try to trick trout with a surface fly. By mid-morning a number of fish were actively feeding off the surface. We took turns casting and changing flies. Nothing worked. At least, nothing worked well. I threw every small bug and emerger pattern in my box at them without so much as a wink. The only action came from a take on Mike’s large caddis, which was really being used as an indicator at that point.
It was just one of those days for dry flies I guess. You see them sipping tiny midges and the only thing they take from your line is a size 16 caddis. It just goes to show you: Sometimes trout are weird.
Labels: dimes, little lehigh, mascot
Buster makes Dad famous.
The bad news: A busy work week kept me from posting much here lately.
The good news: It's the weekend and I'll be fishing soon.
The good news: It's the weekend and I'll be fishing soon.
NY State has decided to close Beaverkill Campground this year in an effort to cut costs. I am not entirely sure how operating a camp ground is a money losing venture, unless there is bloated overhead in terms of staffing, but that is a different issue altogether.
Sullivan County is seeking to have this decision reversed for the obvious negative economic impact such a decision will have on the surrounding communities which depend on tourist, ie. fishing, dollars.
Please sign the online petition to voice your displeasure with this short-sighted budget cut here.
And a thank you is due Catskill Flies in Roscoe, NY who are really winning me over as of late. This fly shop has gone from a reputation of having a miserly curmudgeon keeping watch over the store and all its over-priced merchandise while at the same time providing a great Stream Conditions resource, to a fly shop with a friendly, educational atmosphere that still has the great stream condition reports.
Sullivan County is seeking to have this decision reversed for the obvious negative economic impact such a decision will have on the surrounding communities which depend on tourist, ie. fishing, dollars.
Please sign the online petition to voice your displeasure with this short-sighted budget cut here.
And a thank you is due Catskill Flies in Roscoe, NY who are really winning me over as of late. This fly shop has gone from a reputation of having a miserly curmudgeon keeping watch over the store and all its over-priced merchandise while at the same time providing a great Stream Conditions resource, to a fly shop with a friendly, educational atmosphere that still has the great stream condition reports.
Labels: Beaverkill Campground
Prepare to pass some quality time --- MidCurrent's new photography section is outstanding.
Labels: photography
Who needs weekends?
I couldn't help myself and as the clock struck 4:35 today I decided to put work on the shelf for a while and go fishing. I made my way back to the local creek, Chloe along for the adventure yet again.
We were successful, but there are no pictures to show for it. As I've noted in the past, Chloe does not make for much of a fishing companion. She spends her time exploring the surroundings, including nice looking fishing holes. On top of that, she definitely wants to play with a fish as you're bringing it to hand. All that flopping in the water is just too much for her and she needs to investigate.
As it turns out, landing a fish while yelling at, and attempting to restrain, your dog is something of an effort. Adding photography to the list of chores proved impossible.
You didn't miss much though. I only fished for a few minutes and I landed just one dirty-looking rainbow. It was bigger than the other fish I'd seen in the creek, but still only 12 inches or so. It did have plenty of friends though. I'm sure I could have caught plenty more --- they don't look overly picky --- but I tangled my leader in the fuss of landing the first one and ended up calling it quits rather than re-tie the rig. After all, I know the fish are there and doubt they'll be going anywhere between now and the next time I can get back to the creek.
I couldn't help myself and as the clock struck 4:35 today I decided to put work on the shelf for a while and go fishing. I made my way back to the local creek, Chloe along for the adventure yet again.
We were successful, but there are no pictures to show for it. As I've noted in the past, Chloe does not make for much of a fishing companion. She spends her time exploring the surroundings, including nice looking fishing holes. On top of that, she definitely wants to play with a fish as you're bringing it to hand. All that flopping in the water is just too much for her and she needs to investigate.
As it turns out, landing a fish while yelling at, and attempting to restrain, your dog is something of an effort. Adding photography to the list of chores proved impossible.
You didn't miss much though. I only fished for a few minutes and I landed just one dirty-looking rainbow. It was bigger than the other fish I'd seen in the creek, but still only 12 inches or so. It did have plenty of friends though. I'm sure I could have caught plenty more --- they don't look overly picky --- but I tangled my leader in the fuss of landing the first one and ended up calling it quits rather than re-tie the rig. After all, I know the fish are there and doubt they'll be going anywhere between now and the next time I can get back to the creek.
Labels: local creek, mascot
I'm just back from a dog walk. I took Chloe down the big hill towards the creek that's a half-mile from my home. I'd noticed a fish in there when I was walking with the wife on Sunday and wanted to double-check and make sure that I'd seen things correctly. Sure enough, there are fish in that creek.
Uh-oh! There goes work.
So, I'm all happy about this and I walk back up the hill. At about the mid-way point home I come across my mailman. Now, I know the guy, but only enough to wave or say, "Hello". But this time he hops out of his van and says, "Were you down by the creek looking at the fish?". I responded in the affirmative, but he must have noticed the puzzled look on my face because he explained, "I see the magazines you get. I figured you might have been checking it out." He then proceeds to tell me all about the trout in the creek.
Among other things... They stocked this weekend. They used to stock more, but people have been posting their property so he thinks they give it less attention now. The nearby park has good access. And there are some ways to weave in and out of the posted water down by the old mill. That's probably the best spot. Oh, and hardly anyone ever fishes it because few people know that it holds decent fish. And it holds them all year long.
Frankly, it was an awesome treasure trove of info. I'm not sure when I'll be able to put it to use --- tonight or tomorrow, that is --- but I surely will. And soon.
And it just goes to show you, that the postman knows all sorts of crap about you. Hopefully he uses his powers for good, like mine did.
Uh-oh! There goes work.
So, I'm all happy about this and I walk back up the hill. At about the mid-way point home I come across my mailman. Now, I know the guy, but only enough to wave or say, "Hello". But this time he hops out of his van and says, "Were you down by the creek looking at the fish?". I responded in the affirmative, but he must have noticed the puzzled look on my face because he explained, "I see the magazines you get. I figured you might have been checking it out." He then proceeds to tell me all about the trout in the creek.
Among other things... They stocked this weekend. They used to stock more, but people have been posting their property so he thinks they give it less attention now. The nearby park has good access. And there are some ways to weave in and out of the posted water down by the old mill. That's probably the best spot. Oh, and hardly anyone ever fishes it because few people know that it holds decent fish. And it holds them all year long.
Frankly, it was an awesome treasure trove of info. I'm not sure when I'll be able to put it to use --- tonight or tomorrow, that is --- but I surely will. And soon.
And it just goes to show you, that the postman knows all sorts of crap about you. Hopefully he uses his powers for good, like mine did.
Labels: local creek, mascot, postman
Rod-envy, so to speak, is not limited to human fisherman.
Yesterday was a day of firsts for the denizens of Tricked Trout. It was the first Spring-like day of the year, our first casts on the water in months, and the first of the annual goals being completed --- We’ve now caught fish during the month of March, 2009.
The ninja and I met at the near exact mid-point between our homes. That just happens to be near trout water. We fished the fly-only stretch of the Little Lehigh, as it runs along Trout Hatchery Road.
We both caught fish, ending our winter hiatus. The best of the day was a 17-inch ‘bow that Mike took from the first run to which he cast. Unfortunately, the cameraman was upstream at that point so there are no pictures of that ‘first’.
The word of the day --- as it often is around the Lil’ Lehigh --- was, “small”. Most of the hooked fish were taken on tiny nymphs, like size-twenty disco midge patterns or Ten-Cent Trout Killers (aka, “Dimes”).
We caught most of our fish just downstream from the bend by the fish hatchery. The ninja netted two more from farther down-river beyond where 76 crosses overhead. We fished from about 8:45 until just after 2:00 pm with fairly steady action throughout.
And damn did it feel good to get back out there.
The ninja and I met at the near exact mid-point between our homes. That just happens to be near trout water. We fished the fly-only stretch of the Little Lehigh, as it runs along Trout Hatchery Road.
We both caught fish, ending our winter hiatus. The best of the day was a 17-inch ‘bow that Mike took from the first run to which he cast. Unfortunately, the cameraman was upstream at that point so there are no pictures of that ‘first’.
The word of the day --- as it often is around the Lil’ Lehigh --- was, “small”. Most of the hooked fish were taken on tiny nymphs, like size-twenty disco midge patterns or Ten-Cent Trout Killers (aka, “Dimes”).
We caught most of our fish just downstream from the bend by the fish hatchery. The ninja netted two more from farther down-river beyond where 76 crosses overhead. We fished from about 8:45 until just after 2:00 pm with fairly steady action throughout.
And damn did it feel good to get back out there.
Labels: 2009 goals, dimes, firsts, little lehigh
Fishing a spinner fall can be ecstasy or agony, depending on what is happening on and in the water, and what you've tied to the space aged string you are flinging about.
Tricos can be maddening, until you learn to sink your spinner. Mahogany spinners coat the surface film of the BeaMoc in various sizes throughout the spring and summer and can offer alot of top water action.
But what about the ubiqitious BWO? Ever fished a BWO spinner fall? I'm pretty sure I haven't been on the river, noticed something in the water and said "A Ha! I will now switch to a BWO spinner pattern and commence with hauling trout to my net!"
But I may start tying on patterns to imitate the actual behavior of BWO spinners. BWO spinners are ovipositors, meaning they trap air between their upright wings and walk along the stream bed to deposit future generations. Some spinners are dislodged from the stream bed during their journey, and being resigned to their fate, gently float and rise in the water column becoming an easy meal for the efficient trout.
This air bubble is of obvious interest to any fisherman who knows that emerging mayflies typically have a similiar trapped gas that helps them to the surface, and that trout key on this sparkling bubble. BWO spinners offer a similar attraction, and any successful pattern with incorporate this. But the pattern is only one piece to the puzzle.
The presentation must be with weight not in the fly itself, but placed above it on the leader, or in a weighted nymph above BWO spinner pattern in a multiple fly rig, to illicit the upward floatation by trapped gases shown by the natural. A small PT with a small poly wing post(rubbed with Frog's Fanny) poking through the wingcase will probably due the trick.
The above is courtesy of a fantastic little book called Fish Food, by Ralph Cutter. Highly recommended.
Tricos can be maddening, until you learn to sink your spinner. Mahogany spinners coat the surface film of the BeaMoc in various sizes throughout the spring and summer and can offer alot of top water action.
But what about the ubiqitious BWO? Ever fished a BWO spinner fall? I'm pretty sure I haven't been on the river, noticed something in the water and said "A Ha! I will now switch to a BWO spinner pattern and commence with hauling trout to my net!"
But I may start tying on patterns to imitate the actual behavior of BWO spinners. BWO spinners are ovipositors, meaning they trap air between their upright wings and walk along the stream bed to deposit future generations. Some spinners are dislodged from the stream bed during their journey, and being resigned to their fate, gently float and rise in the water column becoming an easy meal for the efficient trout.
This air bubble is of obvious interest to any fisherman who knows that emerging mayflies typically have a similiar trapped gas that helps them to the surface, and that trout key on this sparkling bubble. BWO spinners offer a similar attraction, and any successful pattern with incorporate this. But the pattern is only one piece to the puzzle.
The presentation must be with weight not in the fly itself, but placed above it on the leader, or in a weighted nymph above BWO spinner pattern in a multiple fly rig, to illicit the upward floatation by trapped gases shown by the natural. A small PT with a small poly wing post(rubbed with Frog's Fanny) poking through the wingcase will probably due the trick.
The above is courtesy of a fantastic little book called Fish Food, by Ralph Cutter. Highly recommended.
Labels: bug learnin', BWO Spinner
Fly Fisherman presents a video on the midge life-cycle.
Labels: bug learnin'
Six of the best pages on the Interweb: John Barr's fly boxes.
Labels: john barr