I knew it had been a while since I last posted. However, I didn't realize it was almost four months ago.
This blog was initially created as a place to keep track of my fishing. A journal of sorts, so that I could refer back to when needed. It served its purpose pretty well, however, I've discovered that there are better ways to record this information.
I'm now using Google maps for my journal. Hence the slowdown in posts here. I have one map for each river, and I place markers at various runs to keep track of access and where I caught fish. Each time I hook a fish, I record the water temp, clarity, fly type/size, tips used, etc, etc. I now have a pretty good visual database to keep track of these things.
For instance, I went to the Sandy last week and decided to try a new access point that I had never been to. I looked up notes from a couple of weeks ago in the surrounding areas and figured out what would be a reasonable setup. On this day, I chose 12 feet of T14, an unweighted blue/black marabou trailer fly. Fishing in about 8 feet of water on a soft shoulder, I hooked a fish that I estimated to be 11-14 lbs. (It ended up breaking my leader about a rods length away from me.)
Previous notes don't always work as well. I went to another (no names) river yesterday and took with me the same setup/fly I used on the Sandy. The water was low and clear. However, what worked on the Sandy was not working here. Because the water temps were almost 50 degrees, I decided to scale down. After putting on a size 4, I immediately got hits from smaller fish. That led to a few bumps from bigger fish. Then I got a really good pull that came out within a few seconds. Several casts later, I either hooked that same fish, or another of equal size.
It took the fly softly, then after trying to reel him in, he went on a mad tear. Jumping 2 or 3 feet out of the water two different times. Did I say he was BRIGHT? This fresh fish pulled some line out, then came towards me. I couldn't reel in fast enough, so I stripped line. Stripping, and more stripping, he now was upstream of me and pulled more line out. That punk fish found the only boulder between me and him and went right underneath it. Only being 5-8 feet away from me, I tried to move upstream to dislodge him. No luck. The knot broke (probably from rubbing on the rock) at the top of the leader! This was a big, bright, and feisty fish. I thought I had 'em. Ended up being outsmarted in the end.
I'm going back today to the same river for a few hours. Because of the water temps and water clarity. I'll probably switch over from my sinking skagit line to a Rage. Summer fish are in and they are willing to move to a fly. Let the fun begin!
May 1, 2013
Jan 10, 2013
Fun with Craft Fur, Part 5 -- Purple
The picture of this fly does not do it justice. It is absolutely awesome looking in person. I cannot wait to try it out. Once again, I'm using (purple) craft fur for the main body, along with purple angel hair over top. Underneath, something you can't really see is opalescent estaz. Amherst feathers and a blue collar round it out.
I'm hoping to jump out for a couple of hours later today. This is the fly I'm putting on before leaving the house.
I'm hoping to jump out for a couple of hours later today. This is the fly I'm putting on before leaving the house.
Fun with Craft Fur, Part 4 -- Tube
I know I swore off tube flies a while ago. The main reason is that I find them a pain in the arse to rig while on the water. However, I may of found a way to make it a little easier. So, with that in mind, I'm tying a few tubes here and there.
Once again, I've made an enormous head. The beauty of tying on a tube is that you can trim the tube so that the heads aren't long like this! However, I was stupid in that I tied some thread way up top prior to putting any fur on. I inadvertently screwed up one of the best reasons to tie on these things. Oh well. Lesson learned. Lucky for me, the fish won't care.
This fly is not weighted. I will pinch split shot on prior to fishing it. Depending on how deep I want to get in whatever run I'm in. All in all, I'm pretty excited to give it a swing.
Once again, I've made an enormous head. The beauty of tying on a tube is that you can trim the tube so that the heads aren't long like this! However, I was stupid in that I tied some thread way up top prior to putting any fur on. I inadvertently screwed up one of the best reasons to tie on these things. Oh well. Lesson learned. Lucky for me, the fish won't care.
This fly is not weighted. I will pinch split shot on prior to fishing it. Depending on how deep I want to get in whatever run I'm in. All in all, I'm pretty excited to give it a swing.
Dec 25, 2012
Merry Christmas
Just wishing whoever wanders by the blog a Merry Christmas. Hopefully everyone is having a great Holiday season. Here's to everyone having a great time with family and to catching a few fish in the coming year.
Nov 26, 2012
Fun With Craft Fur, Part 3 -- Winter Fly
This winter fly is a mix of synthetic and natural. The orange is finn racoon, while the blue is craft fur. The flash is a combination of several colors that were tied over the blue. Duck flank was used for the collar.
The whole fly is around 3 inches long. Which seems to be the length I've been sticking to lately. It is large enough to attract the attention of fish in colored water, but small enough where it doesn't affect my casting in the least bit. There is no weight built into the fly. I can easily pinch some split shot on the leader while at the river.
Ignore the messy head. I've pretty much stopped caring what they look like. As long as the fly holds together, it's all good.
Nov 24, 2012
Fun With Craft Fur, Part 2
Happy Thanksgiving people. I was supposed to be posting more pics of my fly tying, but became a little pre-occupied with family things. I've actually been tying a lot of winter flies the past week or so, I hope to start posting them soon. They combine natural materials with synthetics. Some of them are looking really fishy. Can't wait to try them out.
This fly has been used successfully on the Deschutes in the mornings. The wing is some synthetic fur of some type that I've accumulated over the years. If I'm not mistaken, it is tied on a size 4 hook.
Oct 24, 2012
Fun with Craft Fur, Part 1
It has been a long time since I've posted any pictures of my fly tying. It isn't that I haven't been tying them, I just haven't taken any pictures. I decided it was time to get back to it. So, over the next week, I'll post a handful that I've created with craft fur.
The craft fur kick began quietly a while ago. However, it has escalated into my material of choice. It is easy to use and looks great in the water.
This one, as you can imagine, sinks like a rock. I've been using it in deeper water or really fast currents. I've gotten some pulls on it. So, I know the fish are watching.
I'm heading off to fish the Klickitat tomorrow. And of course, I'll be dragging along a box of flies made of synthetic material. I'll mix it up with some made with more traditional materials and report back with the results. Of course, that assumes I'll even get a grab. Fingers crossed.
The craft fur kick began quietly a while ago. However, it has escalated into my material of choice. It is easy to use and looks great in the water.
This one, as you can imagine, sinks like a rock. I've been using it in deeper water or really fast currents. I've gotten some pulls on it. So, I know the fish are watching.
I'm heading off to fish the Klickitat tomorrow. And of course, I'll be dragging along a box of flies made of synthetic material. I'll mix it up with some made with more traditional materials and report back with the results. Of course, that assumes I'll even get a grab. Fingers crossed.
Sep 27, 2012
Washougal: 8lb tippet is not enough for a salmon
In my 20 something years fly fishing, I have never, that I can recall anyway, devoted a single day to fishing for Salmon. Sure, I may of cast out hoping to catch one while I was mostly targeting steelhead, but I never spent a significant chunk of time at it.
That is no longer the case. I decided to give it a shot. Chinook and Coho are currently in the Washougal river. Or so they should be according to the averages. Figured it was about time I give it a try.
Arrived at one of my favorite steelhead spots to give it a swing. I had my intermediate Skagit line on with a 7.0ips polyleader in front. My first fly of the day was a green and orange intruder. I've never fished the Washougal this time of year, and boy, is the river low. This run was so shallow I could hardly recognize it. Swinging was practically useless. Instead, I had to cast out and strip back. There was at least one big fish in there. He poked his head out a few times, but I couldn't entice him. After growing tired of the cast and strip, I sought out better water.
Deep down, I knew that upstream would be no better. I decided to look anyway. Come to find out, as expected, my usual slots were super shallow and I gave up after only a short time. Decided to go back downstream to a deep hole that I would walk right past when looking for steelhead.
I spent some time casting out and letting the fly swing, then strip it back using varying speeds. I really had no idea what I was doing. Salmon were and still are a mystery to me.
I tried a few flies until I got to a red/orange stinger fly with dumbbell eyes. It was about 2" long and was made mostly of finn coon hairs. Combine the weight of the fly with the sinking skagit line and I was hitting bottom in water at least 10 feet deep. Because I was getting hung up so much, I decided to strip the fly back quicker. My thought was, if I don't give it a chance, it won't get buried in the rocks.
That stripping speed change made all the difference in the world. The first time I applied my speedy strip, I hooked a fish. My first reaction was to not get excited. I didn't know if it was a small fish or not, after all, the tug was relatively mild. But, after holding carefully on the line with my stripping hand, I felt a very deep tug, tug, pulllll. Oh boy- Fish on!!
My rod was bent waaaayyy over. I spent an eternity reeling in the extra line that lay at my feet. At this point, the fish started bucking. I started moving towards shallow water to get a better foothold. Then I saw it. The fish was probably only 15 feet away. By my standards, it was enormous. He took a short run upstream. I started reeling him in. But he wouldn't have it. I don't know how much he weighed, but I could see he was easily north of 35".
My mind started racing. "This could be the biggest fish I've ever landed. Holy cow, this rod is bent over." And then, with that thought, SNAP! The 8lb tippet broke at the end of the poly leader. The fight was over.
I took the long walk back to my car for 15lb mono. Spent another hour or two in the hole with no luck. That was my chance and I blew it. This happened once before back in California where I hooked and then broke off the biggest steelhead of my life. You would of thought I learned my lesson.
I'll be back salmon!
That is no longer the case. I decided to give it a shot. Chinook and Coho are currently in the Washougal river. Or so they should be according to the averages. Figured it was about time I give it a try.
Arrived at one of my favorite steelhead spots to give it a swing. I had my intermediate Skagit line on with a 7.0ips polyleader in front. My first fly of the day was a green and orange intruder. I've never fished the Washougal this time of year, and boy, is the river low. This run was so shallow I could hardly recognize it. Swinging was practically useless. Instead, I had to cast out and strip back. There was at least one big fish in there. He poked his head out a few times, but I couldn't entice him. After growing tired of the cast and strip, I sought out better water.
Deep down, I knew that upstream would be no better. I decided to look anyway. Come to find out, as expected, my usual slots were super shallow and I gave up after only a short time. Decided to go back downstream to a deep hole that I would walk right past when looking for steelhead.
I spent some time casting out and letting the fly swing, then strip it back using varying speeds. I really had no idea what I was doing. Salmon were and still are a mystery to me.
I tried a few flies until I got to a red/orange stinger fly with dumbbell eyes. It was about 2" long and was made mostly of finn coon hairs. Combine the weight of the fly with the sinking skagit line and I was hitting bottom in water at least 10 feet deep. Because I was getting hung up so much, I decided to strip the fly back quicker. My thought was, if I don't give it a chance, it won't get buried in the rocks.
| Access | Washougal | |
| Air Temp | Low 48, High 54 | |
| Water Temp/Visibility | ~57F / 7 feet | |
| Weather | Cloudy | |
| River Stage | ~3.8 feet | |
| Time in/out | 6:30am / 11am | |
| Leaders/Lines | Int Skagit | |
| Intermediate and 7ips | All day | |
| 8 and 15lb | ||
| Flies | Various large/bright winter | - |
| Notes | Water low and clear. Cloudy morning | |
That stripping speed change made all the difference in the world. The first time I applied my speedy strip, I hooked a fish. My first reaction was to not get excited. I didn't know if it was a small fish or not, after all, the tug was relatively mild. But, after holding carefully on the line with my stripping hand, I felt a very deep tug, tug, pulllll. Oh boy- Fish on!!
My rod was bent waaaayyy over. I spent an eternity reeling in the extra line that lay at my feet. At this point, the fish started bucking. I started moving towards shallow water to get a better foothold. Then I saw it. The fish was probably only 15 feet away. By my standards, it was enormous. He took a short run upstream. I started reeling him in. But he wouldn't have it. I don't know how much he weighed, but I could see he was easily north of 35".
My mind started racing. "This could be the biggest fish I've ever landed. Holy cow, this rod is bent over." And then, with that thought, SNAP! The 8lb tippet broke at the end of the poly leader. The fight was over.
I took the long walk back to my car for 15lb mono. Spent another hour or two in the hole with no luck. That was my chance and I blew it. This happened once before back in California where I hooked and then broke off the biggest steelhead of my life. You would of thought I learned my lesson.
I'll be back salmon!
Sep 19, 2012
Deschutes: Slump Buster
I haven't been catching much lately. Not counting the smaller trout, I've been getting skunked day after day. When this happens, there is only one cure. Head to the Deschutes. Once again, the river delivered.
Parked my car at the fish hatchery well before sunrise. After suiting up, I walked down river to a spot that I caught a 12 or so pound wild fish last year. The water looked equally inviting this time. I walked my way out sporting my brand new 420 grain Rage line and a floating poly leader. The fly was a generic size 4 summer fly.
Since this was my experience with the Rage, it took me a cast or two to get dialed in. I wasn't blown away by it. I think I could deliver the Compact Scandi further and cleaner. I stuck with it, trying to see if it would simply be a matter of figuring out any subtle stroke changes I needed to make.
After about 1/2 hour, I decided to move downstream. I walked a good mile, stopping anywhere that looked decent. Unfortunately, there wasn't a whole lot of good looking spots. Argh. I finally convinced myself to abandon hope and go back upstream. The walk was a long and lonely one on the railroad tracks. Stopped by that same run again with nothing to show for it.
I was ready to head to the car, but decided to stop at a decent looking spot. It wasn't an ideal place, but there were a few lines worth fishing. This time, I had a 7.0 ips sinking poly leader and a heavier fly with dumb bell eyes. It was around noon. Much warmer out and fishing deep seemed like my best option with full sun on the water.
The cast was only 20 or so feet from the rod tip, but that was all it took when my fly took a sudden turn downstream. Fish on! A few minutes later, I had a nice, albeit not very big, steelhead in my hand. She was probably only 7 or 8 pounds, but put up a decent fight.
A trip back to the car to take off layers from the morning. After all, I arrived to 35 degree temps that morning, but now it was well into the low 80s. I also took this time to put on a Intermediate sinking Compact Skagit. I've been ready to try a sinking line out for a while. I finally bit the bullet and bought one from Airflo.
Boy oh boy. Do I love this line. I had a short 8 foot piece of T-8 on the end, but the thing was sinking like a rock. Love it! I could get down really quick. And since the fly line is sinking, it wasn't getting all belllied in the currents. Mending was minimal to get a good swing. I cannot wait until winter to put on a heavier piece of T material and sink a fly down to the depths. I'm excited!
After I put on that Intermediate Skagit, I got in the car, drove through Maupin and started hitting water from Maupin up above Sherar falls. Lots of good looking spots. As the day wore on, I took off the T-8 and put on an intermediate poly leader. Guess what? That skagit line tossed it out there smoothly. Nice. Did I say I love this line?
It was getting late, I found a run to fish for the remainder of light. I was having so much fun that I continued fishing a deep hole as there was barely any light to see. As I was about to call it quits, I hooked up with another fish. Once I got her close, I couldn't see in the water. I needed to be able to step down from my grassy casting platform to get the hook out. I took a chance and stepped in the water. Lucky for me, it wasn't deep right there, I could of easily gone swimming. The fish ended up being about the same size as the one I caught earlier.
Thanks Deshutes for the busting that skunk.
Parked my car at the fish hatchery well before sunrise. After suiting up, I walked down river to a spot that I caught a 12 or so pound wild fish last year. The water looked equally inviting this time. I walked my way out sporting my brand new 420 grain Rage line and a floating poly leader. The fly was a generic size 4 summer fly.
Since this was my experience with the Rage, it took me a cast or two to get dialed in. I wasn't blown away by it. I think I could deliver the Compact Scandi further and cleaner. I stuck with it, trying to see if it would simply be a matter of figuring out any subtle stroke changes I needed to make.
| Access | Deschutes | |
| Air Temp | Low 33, High 80 | |
| Water Temp/Visibility | ?F / 15 feet | |
| Weather | Sunny | |
| River Stage | ~? feet | |
| Time in/out | 4am / 9pm | |
| Leaders/Lines | Rage and Int. Skagit | |
| Poly leaders and T-8 | All day | |
| 8lb Maxima | ||
| Flies | Summer flies morning/evening, Winter mid day. | - |
| Notes | Water was good flow and temp. Great clarity with light fishing pressure. Two decent sized wild fish. | |
I was ready to head to the car, but decided to stop at a decent looking spot. It wasn't an ideal place, but there were a few lines worth fishing. This time, I had a 7.0 ips sinking poly leader and a heavier fly with dumb bell eyes. It was around noon. Much warmer out and fishing deep seemed like my best option with full sun on the water.
The cast was only 20 or so feet from the rod tip, but that was all it took when my fly took a sudden turn downstream. Fish on! A few minutes later, I had a nice, albeit not very big, steelhead in my hand. She was probably only 7 or 8 pounds, but put up a decent fight.
A trip back to the car to take off layers from the morning. After all, I arrived to 35 degree temps that morning, but now it was well into the low 80s. I also took this time to put on a Intermediate sinking Compact Skagit. I've been ready to try a sinking line out for a while. I finally bit the bullet and bought one from Airflo.
Boy oh boy. Do I love this line. I had a short 8 foot piece of T-8 on the end, but the thing was sinking like a rock. Love it! I could get down really quick. And since the fly line is sinking, it wasn't getting all belllied in the currents. Mending was minimal to get a good swing. I cannot wait until winter to put on a heavier piece of T material and sink a fly down to the depths. I'm excited!
After I put on that Intermediate Skagit, I got in the car, drove through Maupin and started hitting water from Maupin up above Sherar falls. Lots of good looking spots. As the day wore on, I took off the T-8 and put on an intermediate poly leader. Guess what? That skagit line tossed it out there smoothly. Nice. Did I say I love this line?
It was getting late, I found a run to fish for the remainder of light. I was having so much fun that I continued fishing a deep hole as there was barely any light to see. As I was about to call it quits, I hooked up with another fish. Once I got her close, I couldn't see in the water. I needed to be able to step down from my grassy casting platform to get the hook out. I took a chance and stepped in the water. Lucky for me, it wasn't deep right there, I could of easily gone swimming. The fish ended up being about the same size as the one I caught earlier.
Thanks Deshutes for the busting that skunk.
Sep 14, 2012
Klickitat
Made it out to the Klick a week ago. The river was clear and pressure was light. Weather was a chilly 40 degrees in the morning, warming up to the upper 80's in the afternoon. Not a cloud in the sky.
Got to my chosen spot before sunrise. Walked in a bit and started swinging. No action. Not even a peck. Continued to walk down river for probably more than a mile (was on the trail side of the river). Fished lots of good looking runs using a floating line on my compact scandi. I used un weighted flies and a couple of skaters. A bit further along in the morning I caught a few small trout. No action from any big fish.
Around noon, I decided to get in the car and drive. The plan was to go15 or so miles upstream. Unfortunately, I didn't write directions down and never found my destination. Good way to waste a couple of hours.
After getting back to where I started, I stopped at a run that looked good last time I was here. It was now in the upper 80's and rather hot. Kept my comp scandi on, but rigged up a 10ft section of T10. With a 3 inch bright orange/red rabbit strip fly sporting a large set of dumbell eyes, I started casting into a riffly run.
An hour in, I had a fish pull a few feet of line out. Unfortunately, I was daydreaming, digging around in my pocket, or something else I shouldn't have been doing. I missed the fish. Tried the same cast again and got hit a second time. Argh! I missed it this time too. Sent that same fly out again with nothing. Uh oh. Missed my chance. I backed up a few feet and switched to a small fly of the same color. Fished through. Nothing! Backed up again with a new fly. This went on for 5 flies and about 45 minutes. I didn't feel bad for wasting so much time here. No one was around, and after all, there probably weren't that many fish willing to hit a fly when the sun was directly overhead. Never got another bump. Bummer.
I moved to a new spot. This one was receiving shade from the canyon walls. The water was a little deeper than I like. So, I kept the sink tip, but changed up the fly to something smaller. Three of four trout later, I decided to move on.
It was getting late, I tried a few spots down river, and then I found this section I had never been to before. It was great. Everything about it looked perfect. No fish, but I will certainly be back to try that run again.
The Klickitat is a great river. It has really grown on me. Hopefully, I'll get in a few more trips before the year ends.
Got to my chosen spot before sunrise. Walked in a bit and started swinging. No action. Not even a peck. Continued to walk down river for probably more than a mile (was on the trail side of the river). Fished lots of good looking runs using a floating line on my compact scandi. I used un weighted flies and a couple of skaters. A bit further along in the morning I caught a few small trout. No action from any big fish.
Around noon, I decided to get in the car and drive. The plan was to go15 or so miles upstream. Unfortunately, I didn't write directions down and never found my destination. Good way to waste a couple of hours.
After getting back to where I started, I stopped at a run that looked good last time I was here. It was now in the upper 80's and rather hot. Kept my comp scandi on, but rigged up a 10ft section of T10. With a 3 inch bright orange/red rabbit strip fly sporting a large set of dumbell eyes, I started casting into a riffly run.
An hour in, I had a fish pull a few feet of line out. Unfortunately, I was daydreaming, digging around in my pocket, or something else I shouldn't have been doing. I missed the fish. Tried the same cast again and got hit a second time. Argh! I missed it this time too. Sent that same fly out again with nothing. Uh oh. Missed my chance. I backed up a few feet and switched to a small fly of the same color. Fished through. Nothing! Backed up again with a new fly. This went on for 5 flies and about 45 minutes. I didn't feel bad for wasting so much time here. No one was around, and after all, there probably weren't that many fish willing to hit a fly when the sun was directly overhead. Never got another bump. Bummer.
I moved to a new spot. This one was receiving shade from the canyon walls. The water was a little deeper than I like. So, I kept the sink tip, but changed up the fly to something smaller. Three of four trout later, I decided to move on.
It was getting late, I tried a few spots down river, and then I found this section I had never been to before. It was great. Everything about it looked perfect. No fish, but I will certainly be back to try that run again.
The Klickitat is a great river. It has really grown on me. Hopefully, I'll get in a few more trips before the year ends.
Sep 4, 2012
North Umpqua
My trip to the NU happened a few weeks ago. I'm just now getting around to talking about it. Seems my blogging has taken a back seat to everything else in life.
unweighted summer
Notes
Windy with good water level and visibility. Typical magical Summer day on the NU
Left the house on a late evening to arrive at the NU early in the morning. Early as in, enough time to sleep for a few hours. The NU is a 4 hour drive from the house in Washington. While the NU isn't really that far, it is enough where I wanted to snooze.
Got up before the sun did. Put the waders on and wandered down to Camp Water. My first stop was Lower Boat. I figured that was a safer bet than trying to negotiate through the water to Station before the sun was up. Saw some fish jumping, but couldn't catch anything but smaller fish. The river was empty except for one other guy. I took his spot on Upper Boat while he moved to Station. I later went down to Kitchen, then went back up to Station. No fish anywhere. Bummer.
| Access | North Umpqua | |
| Air Temp | Low 50, High 85 | |
| Water Temp/Visibility | ?F / 8-10 feet | |
| Weather | Sunny and windy | |
| River Stage | ? feet | |
| Time in/out | 5am / 10pm | |
| Leaders/Lines | Scandi | |
| floaters | All day | |
| 8lb Maxima | ||
| Flies |
unweighted summer
Notes
Windy with good water level and visibility. Typical magical Summer day on the NU
I made the walk downriver to several spots that I hit on previous trips to the NU. No go. Again, I saw some fish, but couldn't get them to my fly. I was fishing floating lines and un weighted flies. Often skaters.
Sometime in later morning I did what I do every trip to the NU. I slipped into the water. After a trip back to the car and a change of clothes, I was back again. This time up river of the bridge. Decided to walk further than I have before. Came to realize, once you get around the bend, there isn't a whole lot to fish unless you want to walk for a long time. Oh well, lesson learned.
Back to the car. This time I decided to drive down to mile marker 30 something and parked at every pullout available. Found some great spots that I marked on my map for future reference. Ended up catching some 18-22" fish. Nothing to write home about.
The day was windy. Casting that compact scandi wasn't easy. I concentrated on what was right in front of me and found some good water at my feet. Had a blast while being blasted by that wind.
I ended up day somewhere between mile marker 30 and Camp Water. Scurried home and had another fantastic magical Umpqua river trip in the books.
Aug 18, 2012
What happened?
Haven't made any posts in quite some time. While I have fished a number of days, I just haven't had the energy to post here. The days I've been able to get out, they've been on either the Washougal, Lewis, or Kalama.
My first trip to the Kalama was a good time. While I didn't catch any steelhead, I did get to spend a warm and sunny day on some great water. The fly-only section is simply outstanding as far as being alone in a secluded place. You may not find as many fish as you would below the hatchery, but it is worth it just for the scenery.
Next week I'll be heading down to the North Umpqua. Now that I live in the PNW, it isn't such a long drive. I can make a day trip out of it. I consider the fly-only section to be one of, if not the best places to go fishing. It is an almost magical place where it just makes me feel good to be there. Never mind catching fish, there is something about it that I just cannot put my finger on. I cannot wait. I've been tying a bunch of skaters to get myself in the mood.
May 27, 2012
Washougal
I've been fishing a few mornings here and there at the Washougal. Yesterday, I fished the island and neighborhood for a few hours with only a pull. River stage of 5.25 feet (just low enough to not be washed away at the island) and 51 degrees, the river was clear with 5 or more feet of visibility. Arrived 1/2 hour before official sunrise to see fish rising in the run I stepped into.
This trip marked the first day of the year I switched over to my compact scandi and slow sink poly leader. Water temps are high enough to justify fishing just below the surface with unweighted flies. It was a nice few hours of fishing with eerily quiet day for it being a Holiday weekend. Only saw 1 other angler.
| Access | Washougal | |
| Air Temp | Low 50's | |
| Water Temp/Visibility | ~51F / 5 feet | |
| Weather | Overcast | |
| River Stage | ~5.25 feet | |
| Time in/out | 5am / 9:30am | |
| Leaders/Lines | Compact Scandi | |
| Int Poly | All day | |
| 8lb Maxima | ||
| Flies | Various size 4 and 6 summer | - |
| Notes | Water dropping after rain. Good conditions. One pull. | |
This trip marked the first day of the year I switched over to my compact scandi and slow sink poly leader. Water temps are high enough to justify fishing just below the surface with unweighted flies. It was a nice few hours of fishing with eerily quiet day for it being a Holiday weekend. Only saw 1 other angler.
May 24, 2012
Spey Clave / Sandy
Went to the Spey Clave last Saturday. After walking around, eating food, and talking with others, I spent the last 4 hours fishing in Oxbow below the Clave. Good looking runs with no action. Was using T10 and T14 with various weighted and unweighted flies. Water visibility was at least 6 feet. I didn't mark down river stage, however, looking back it appears to be around 9.5. Temp was in the upper 40s.
I'd post more, but I didn't take notes the day of, so I've forgotten all the important info.
| Access | Sandy / Oxbow | |
| Air Temp | 70's | |
| Water Temp/Visibility | 40'sF / 6 feet | |
| Weather | Mostly Sunny | |
| River Stage | 9.5? | |
| Time in/out | 4pm / 8pm | |
| Leaders/Lines | Comp Skagit | |
| 10 and 12 feet of T10-T14 | All day | |
| 12lb Maxima | ||
| Flies | Various sizes in winter and summer | - |
| Notes | Post Spey Clave fishing. Runs looked good. Didn't mark down river levels. Had a few bumps. No real pulls. | |
I'd post more, but I didn't take notes the day of, so I've forgotten all the important info.
May 7, 2012
Local?
I might be in the minority. But, I actually look forward to Mondays. I enjoy my work and I know that sometime during the week, I may get a chance to get out on the river. The weekends are blocked out for family time. So, fishing rarely takes place.
Even though work has been pretty much non-stop, I've managed to get some swinging time. This would never be possible back in California. But here, in the PNW, when I have a steelhead river within 5 minutes of home, I can fish in the morning before work or after I get home. An hour here or there isn't that hard to do.
Lately, I've been focusing on the Washougal and East Fork/Lewis. I'm getting pretty familiar with both. Especially the Washougal. I now know the best flows to hit various runs and have found access points that I never knew about before. Another bonus, meeting locals on the river that are willing to share their secrets.
Just the other morning, I arrived to the Washougal at a little past 5am. It was raining and cool. River was in good shape and looked really fishy. The summer runs are just trickling in and I could see them rolling around just a few days earlier while we (the family) played nearby. While I got nothing more than a tug this morning, it was a productive. As I went back to my car around 7am to go home and take a shower before heading to work, a local came up to me and starting peppering me with questions.
He wasn't rude, just curious about who I was. After a few minutes, it became obvious he was sizing me up. He wanted to know if I was a local without directly asking me. I let him know we just moved into town not too long ago. He suddenly opened up and shared some of is favorite spots with me.
The Washougal is one of those rivers that much of the river is surrounded by private lands. Come to find out, many of the landowners are friendly to fisherman. They'll let you walk on their land to access the river. Guess being a local has its advantages.
Even though work has been pretty much non-stop, I've managed to get some swinging time. This would never be possible back in California. But here, in the PNW, when I have a steelhead river within 5 minutes of home, I can fish in the morning before work or after I get home. An hour here or there isn't that hard to do.
Lately, I've been focusing on the Washougal and East Fork/Lewis. I'm getting pretty familiar with both. Especially the Washougal. I now know the best flows to hit various runs and have found access points that I never knew about before. Another bonus, meeting locals on the river that are willing to share their secrets.
Just the other morning, I arrived to the Washougal at a little past 5am. It was raining and cool. River was in good shape and looked really fishy. The summer runs are just trickling in and I could see them rolling around just a few days earlier while we (the family) played nearby. While I got nothing more than a tug this morning, it was a productive. As I went back to my car around 7am to go home and take a shower before heading to work, a local came up to me and starting peppering me with questions.
He wasn't rude, just curious about who I was. After a few minutes, it became obvious he was sizing me up. He wanted to know if I was a local without directly asking me. I let him know we just moved into town not too long ago. He suddenly opened up and shared some of is favorite spots with me.
The Washougal is one of those rivers that much of the river is surrounded by private lands. Come to find out, many of the landowners are friendly to fisherman. They'll let you walk on their land to access the river. Guess being a local has its advantages.
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