Tuesday was another day on the Lower Stan. If you recall, I put out an open invitation to see if anyone would show up. It was a shot in the dark. However, surprisingly enough, someone took the challenge. I had a great time with Tim and hopefully we'll meet up again sometime.
If you read my previous post about spey casting a single-hander, you already know that I spent some time messing around. The reason I was able to do so much of that, is that the fishing stunk. Plain and simple. On Monday afternoon, someone decided to open the flood gates and the river rose quite a bit. As you all know, that can make for some poor fishing. I saw two risers the entire day! That's it.
I caught a few smaller fish, all under 12". But otherwise, the day was eerily silent. No bites, no grabs, no nothing. And I'd say I covered the water from a few inches below the surface to deep down in the pools. I must of tried 50 of the flies I had with me. Tim and I weren't alone, the other people we talked with had nothing.
It was still a beautiful day. In the mid 60's and plenty of sunshine. I showed Tim some of my secret spots that seem to get overlooked by everyone else. In return, he promised to take me to his favorite river to show me around. Can't beat that!
Next time Lower Stan! Next time...
Mar 27, 2009
Mar 25, 2009
Spey Casting a Single Hander
Took my single hand rod to the Lower Stan yesterday. What a nice change of pace. I'll just come out and say it. My single hand rod use has improved ten fold since I started using a two hander.
I've always been able to cast over hand. Nothing has changed there. However, in the tight confines of your typical river or creek around here, there is always something behind you limiting your cast. My options used to be a roll cast or simply flicking the thing out there as far as possible. Which usually wasn't very far or very graceful.
Now that I'm decent enough in the various spey casts thanks to the switch and spey rods, I was able to spey cast my single hander as far as I needed. More than 50 feet at times. What a difference. You probably know this is coming, but I now prefer spey casting to overhead when using the one hander. Why? Because it is less work and requires no false casts. You can whip that sucker out there in a couple of moves. Even if you are making a wholesale direction change.
The only downside was when I had a few split shot on and a heavy fly at the same time. It started to get sloppy. The WF line just didn't have enough weight upfront to turn it over smoothly.
Something else I tried, that I've never done before on a river is to put on a full sinking line instead of a floater. This provided a few benefits. First it sunk, just like it is supposed to. And since I was doing sub surface fishing, that was perfect. Second, the 40 foot head is completely clear. Less likely to scare the fish off.
I won't be giving up my two handed rod anytime soon. However, I can say that I have a new found joy for casting single handers again. While it was more fatiguing than using a two hander, it wasn't bad.
I've always been able to cast over hand. Nothing has changed there. However, in the tight confines of your typical river or creek around here, there is always something behind you limiting your cast. My options used to be a roll cast or simply flicking the thing out there as far as possible. Which usually wasn't very far or very graceful.
Now that I'm decent enough in the various spey casts thanks to the switch and spey rods, I was able to spey cast my single hander as far as I needed. More than 50 feet at times. What a difference. You probably know this is coming, but I now prefer spey casting to overhead when using the one hander. Why? Because it is less work and requires no false casts. You can whip that sucker out there in a couple of moves. Even if you are making a wholesale direction change.
The only downside was when I had a few split shot on and a heavy fly at the same time. It started to get sloppy. The WF line just didn't have enough weight upfront to turn it over smoothly.
Something else I tried, that I've never done before on a river is to put on a full sinking line instead of a floater. This provided a few benefits. First it sunk, just like it is supposed to. And since I was doing sub surface fishing, that was perfect. Second, the 40 foot head is completely clear. Less likely to scare the fish off.
I won't be giving up my two handed rod anytime soon. However, I can say that I have a new found joy for casting single handers again. While it was more fatiguing than using a two hander, it wasn't bad.
Mar 23, 2009
Open Invitation
Thought I'd put a friendly invite out there to whoever is reading this. I'll be fishing the Lower Stan tomorrow the 24th. Starting up near the dam early in the morning as the sun gets up. I'll slowly work myself downstream as the morning wears on. I expect to move to Two Mile bar around noon or a little after. I'll be there until the sun goes down.
edit: While I'm at Two Mile, I tend to skip around. However, when I first arrive I'll be up at the top where the frog water starts to speed up. Then work downstream on the far bank. I can sometimes walk VERY far downstream. So, if you want to find me, it may be easier at Tulloch.
edit: While I'm at Two Mile, I tend to skip around. However, when I first arrive I'll be up at the top where the frog water starts to speed up. Then work downstream on the far bank. I can sometimes walk VERY far downstream. So, if you want to find me, it may be easier at Tulloch.
Mar 16, 2009
Trip Report: Russian
Last week, I made another trip to the Russian. Because of my previous experience on this river, I decided to take a little more time pouring over maps. If you recall, the last time here, I had difficulty finding decent access. I just didn't want that to happen again.
The Russian takes a while to clear. And since we had that big rain a little over a week ago, I decided to go further up river, trying to avoid the mud. My first access was a few miles North of Cloverdale.
It was a pleasant surprise to see that the river was less urban here. Canyons, cliffs, big boulders providing cover to the fish and replaced the flat wine country lands below. It was quite the contrast to downstream of Healdsburg. As far as the water clarity, it was a nice “steelhead green” color. Visibility was 3 to 4 feet. Perfect.
I stopped at 4 or 5 spots that were easily accessible. I found plenty of runs to swing through on this almost 70 degree day. Long story short, I didn't catch anything beyond a smolt. I didn't even hook an adult fish. The only thing I did get was a good sized bump near the end of the day.
There were fish though. I saw a 32+ inch buck in about 3 feet of water at the end of a tailout. However, beyond him, I didn't see anything. Nor did I talk to anyone else that caught a fish. It was pretty quiet.
This part of the river is far more enjoyable than the lower section, imo. When I go back, I'll probably return to this area.
The Russian takes a while to clear. And since we had that big rain a little over a week ago, I decided to go further up river, trying to avoid the mud. My first access was a few miles North of Cloverdale.
It was a pleasant surprise to see that the river was less urban here. Canyons, cliffs, big boulders providing cover to the fish and replaced the flat wine country lands below. It was quite the contrast to downstream of Healdsburg. As far as the water clarity, it was a nice “steelhead green” color. Visibility was 3 to 4 feet. Perfect.
I stopped at 4 or 5 spots that were easily accessible. I found plenty of runs to swing through on this almost 70 degree day. Long story short, I didn't catch anything beyond a smolt. I didn't even hook an adult fish. The only thing I did get was a good sized bump near the end of the day.
There were fish though. I saw a 32+ inch buck in about 3 feet of water at the end of a tailout. However, beyond him, I didn't see anything. Nor did I talk to anyone else that caught a fish. It was pretty quiet.
This part of the river is far more enjoyable than the lower section, imo. When I go back, I'll probably return to this area.
Mar 2, 2009
Return to single hand?
Over the weekend, a couple of us went fishing in a small creek for a bit. Maximum casting distance was 30 or so feet. However, you would be fine casting under 10 feet on most occasions. And in some instances I was casting less than 5 (is that really a cast?).
Needless to say, there was no reason for a two handed rod. So, I went to my closet and dusted off a 9 foot single hander that hasn't seen action in more than a year. I've got to say, it was quite refreshing to wave around an almost weightless rod. Zinging out 30 foot overhead casts or even a few single hand speys. I really dug it.
Now, I won't be giving up my two handed rods. However, I will be taking that single hander out again this week! I enjoyed it so much, that I want to give it another whirl. So, I'm on the prowl for another small river/creek that has some good fishing.
Needless to say, there was no reason for a two handed rod. So, I went to my closet and dusted off a 9 foot single hander that hasn't seen action in more than a year. I've got to say, it was quite refreshing to wave around an almost weightless rod. Zinging out 30 foot overhead casts or even a few single hand speys. I really dug it.
Now, I won't be giving up my two handed rods. However, I will be taking that single hander out again this week! I enjoyed it so much, that I want to give it another whirl. So, I'm on the prowl for another small river/creek that has some good fishing.
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