I like how the first thing said in the teaser, "Making this DVD, I knew we were going to piss some people off." Pretty funny, considering when I was on the North Umpqua, and saw them filming a segment for this video, they were indeed pissing off some people who were waiting for them to leave the most popular spot on the river. I didn't really care, I thought it was fun to watch. But, some locals weren't so pleased.
Showing posts with label video. Show all posts
Showing posts with label video. Show all posts
Dec 15, 2010
New skagit master 2 teaser
Skagit Master, Volume 2 is still not released. However, you can go and see another teaser on Youtube (or below). I'm pumped to get this video. I'm also pumped to go fishing again soon. Man, when will that happen??! Probably, sadly enough, not until Spring. However, if the planets align, when Spring does come, I'll be fishing more often and have more reports.
I like how the first thing said in the teaser, "Making this DVD, I knew we were going to piss some people off." Pretty funny, considering when I was on the North Umpqua, and saw them filming a segment for this video, they were indeed pissing off some people who were waiting for them to leave the most popular spot on the river. I didn't really care, I thought it was fun to watch. But, some locals weren't so pleased.
I like how the first thing said in the teaser, "Making this DVD, I knew we were going to piss some people off." Pretty funny, considering when I was on the North Umpqua, and saw them filming a segment for this video, they were indeed pissing off some people who were waiting for them to leave the most popular spot on the river. I didn't really care, I thought it was fun to watch. But, some locals weren't so pleased.
Dec 14, 2010
Lotso fish
After digging through the old hard drive, I remembered that I digitized some footage of my short time up Steamboat Creek with Lee. You know, the guy who protects the steelhead sitting in a pool waiting for the right water conditions to continue upstream?
It was early morning when I arrived. Terrible time to be trying to shoot video into the water (Best light is around 1pm in July/August if you plan to go and want to get the best view). You can see a bunch of fish here, what you cannot see are hundreds of other fish that were lurking below. With polarized glasses, you could see a good deal of 'em down there. More than what the video shows. But you still can't see all of them that early in the day. Lee told me that there were more than 500 in the pool at that time. And yes, he does count them.
Taking a drive up the creek and sitting with Lee is something everyone should do. He has a lot of knowledge of steelhead to keep your attention. As a fisherman himself, he can offer some presentation tips based on what he has learned of the years.
He is the first one to tell me, that he thought that steelhead most likely jump out of the water... Not to eat, not to chase something, but to look around, above the water line. He talked about how steelhead would often do this before navigating up water falls. Or if they think a predator is near (bear). He demonstrated it by walking away and coming back. Some fish reacted by jumping up to see what was going on! After having this discussion, it really made sense. Several times on the Umpqua. I waded quietly in the water, swinging a fly. And right where my fly was swinging, an enormous steelhead would jump a foot or three out of the water. I thought to myself, "a steelhead that may be interested in eating!" Wrong, he was probably seeing if some dumb fisherman was swinging a fly and if he should continue to ignore the strange item floating by.
After this day, I paid more attention to the jumping steelhead I saw on other trips. I did feel like fish were checking me out. Perhaps Lee is crazy, and now I'm crazy too, but it does make sense. He shared some interesting stories of jumping steelhead and how he came to his conclusions. Ask him if you ever visit.
He also validated my beliefs that steelhead are very curious and will grab something just to see what it is. Especially if it is new to them. Either by its look or how it moves. This guy actually keeps a log of what falls in the water and what the fish do with it (ignore it, mouth it, chase it, etc). More interesting tidbits of information to ponder. My sudden craze of chugging skaters or even pulsing a wet fly makes more sense than ever. Trout/steelhead are curious and will go after something different.
p.s. Lee also believes that Steelhead do not shy away from direct sun in the hot part of the day. He thinks it is a mistake to avoid water because it isn't shaded. What steelhead don't like, is change. So if it is sunny and the light is falling and the shadow line is crossing the river, they avoid that line. Staying either in full shade or sun.
It was early morning when I arrived. Terrible time to be trying to shoot video into the water (Best light is around 1pm in July/August if you plan to go and want to get the best view). You can see a bunch of fish here, what you cannot see are hundreds of other fish that were lurking below. With polarized glasses, you could see a good deal of 'em down there. More than what the video shows. But you still can't see all of them that early in the day. Lee told me that there were more than 500 in the pool at that time. And yes, he does count them.
Taking a drive up the creek and sitting with Lee is something everyone should do. He has a lot of knowledge of steelhead to keep your attention. As a fisherman himself, he can offer some presentation tips based on what he has learned of the years.
He is the first one to tell me, that he thought that steelhead most likely jump out of the water... Not to eat, not to chase something, but to look around, above the water line. He talked about how steelhead would often do this before navigating up water falls. Or if they think a predator is near (bear). He demonstrated it by walking away and coming back. Some fish reacted by jumping up to see what was going on! After having this discussion, it really made sense. Several times on the Umpqua. I waded quietly in the water, swinging a fly. And right where my fly was swinging, an enormous steelhead would jump a foot or three out of the water. I thought to myself, "a steelhead that may be interested in eating!" Wrong, he was probably seeing if some dumb fisherman was swinging a fly and if he should continue to ignore the strange item floating by.
(watch for the jumping fish, almost caught on camera! :)
Nice and shiny bright
Nice and shiny bright
After this day, I paid more attention to the jumping steelhead I saw on other trips. I did feel like fish were checking me out. Perhaps Lee is crazy, and now I'm crazy too, but it does make sense. He shared some interesting stories of jumping steelhead and how he came to his conclusions. Ask him if you ever visit.
He also validated my beliefs that steelhead are very curious and will grab something just to see what it is. Especially if it is new to them. Either by its look or how it moves. This guy actually keeps a log of what falls in the water and what the fish do with it (ignore it, mouth it, chase it, etc). More interesting tidbits of information to ponder. My sudden craze of chugging skaters or even pulsing a wet fly makes more sense than ever. Trout/steelhead are curious and will go after something different.
p.s. Lee also believes that Steelhead do not shy away from direct sun in the hot part of the day. He thinks it is a mistake to avoid water because it isn't shaded. What steelhead don't like, is change. So if it is sunny and the light is falling and the shadow line is crossing the river, they avoid that line. Staying either in full shade or sun.
Sep 27, 2010
Umpqua Video
It may be more than a month and a half later, but I finally digitized in the video from my camera and edited something together. Although I took about 10 minutes of video, it really gets boring quickly.
No one was fishing that day, or I would of taken some shots of people standing out in the river, so you could get a better idea of where you have to position yourself to fish Camp Water. For those of you not familiar with the NU, it may be a wide river, but the slots you want to fish are rather narrow. You just have to wade out (not as easy as it sounds) to a position where you can access the good water.
Along with my writeup from the talk with Lee on Steamboat Creek, I'll have some more video. You'll see some actual steelhead this time. Hundreds of them in the pool while I was there.
No one was fishing that day, or I would of taken some shots of people standing out in the river, so you could get a better idea of where you have to position yourself to fish Camp Water. For those of you not familiar with the NU, it may be a wide river, but the slots you want to fish are rather narrow. You just have to wade out (not as easy as it sounds) to a position where you can access the good water.
Along with my writeup from the talk with Lee on Steamboat Creek, I'll have some more video. You'll see some actual steelhead this time. Hundreds of them in the pool while I was there.
Sep 21, 2009
Trip Report: Cowlitz River / Washington
A few weeks ago, I was able to fish somewhere other than California. While attending a wedding in Seattle, I had a chance to spend a day with Steve Buckner, a guide on the Cowlitz river.
I didn't know much about this river before going. The only thing I had heard is that the fish aren't huge, but there is a better chance of hooking one. Good enough for me. I've only been targeting steelhead for a couple of years, so I'm at that stage where I want to learn as much as possible about where they can be found and how to get their attention. Having someone reinforce what you've read or learned on your own is nice.
Steve met me at the boat launch before the sun came up. While putting on my waders, he put our days transportation in the water. We were off just as there was enough light to see through the fog. This boat had the ability to go to any spot up or down the river, but I'm pretty sure we simply crossed the river and anchored up right there! Steve reassured me that this was a great spot, and I had no reason to think otherwise.
We started off fishing close in. No need for long casts. I had the compact scandi head out of the guides and not much more. We were up against the bank and I had to watch my d-loop to keep it from hitting the trees that we were backed up against. While I swung the fly, Steve shared his opinions on presentation and when to set the hook if I get a nibble. As mostly a trout fisherman, I have a hair trigger reaction to any grabs. That doesn't cut it with steelhead, it will take some major brain washing to get me to back off and let the steelhead take the fly.
We stepped down the river quite a ways. I got a few grabs, but didn't hook up with anything. An hour or two later, Steve walked back upstream as I continued to fish the last 50 yards. He came back with the jet and we went to the next spot.
I learned quite a bit about how steelhead move through the river and why. Not just where they hold, but the path they take while traveling and why they stage in one spot or another. No matter how many books you read or how often you fish, it is nice to have someone lay it out for you as you're motoring up/down the river. The fact that we were in a jet boat, really drove the point home.
I don't know how many river miles we covered that day, but we were all over the place. I fished in all sorts of runs with varied terrain at various depths. Steve also gave me some casting and running line managing tips. Although we were using floating tips, he showed me some different mends that can get the fly down several feet in the deeper runs.
I hooked a few fish throughout the day. However, I didn't get any big ones. I think most of the fish were sea-run cutthroats. Although, some of the grabs felt much more like steelhead. However, I wasn't able to get one. No matter, that is typical steelhead fishing for you. Steve taught me a lot about where to look for fish. Frankly, some of the spots he put me in, I would of surely passed by if I were on my own. I have and will use what I learned on my usual steelhead waters around home.
If you are ever in Washington and want a great steelhead guide, I don't think you can go wrong with Steve.
I didn't know much about this river before going. The only thing I had heard is that the fish aren't huge, but there is a better chance of hooking one. Good enough for me. I've only been targeting steelhead for a couple of years, so I'm at that stage where I want to learn as much as possible about where they can be found and how to get their attention. Having someone reinforce what you've read or learned on your own is nice.
Steve met me at the boat launch before the sun came up. While putting on my waders, he put our days transportation in the water. We were off just as there was enough light to see through the fog. This boat had the ability to go to any spot up or down the river, but I'm pretty sure we simply crossed the river and anchored up right there! Steve reassured me that this was a great spot, and I had no reason to think otherwise.
We started off fishing close in. No need for long casts. I had the compact scandi head out of the guides and not much more. We were up against the bank and I had to watch my d-loop to keep it from hitting the trees that we were backed up against. While I swung the fly, Steve shared his opinions on presentation and when to set the hook if I get a nibble. As mostly a trout fisherman, I have a hair trigger reaction to any grabs. That doesn't cut it with steelhead, it will take some major brain washing to get me to back off and let the steelhead take the fly.
We stepped down the river quite a ways. I got a few grabs, but didn't hook up with anything. An hour or two later, Steve walked back upstream as I continued to fish the last 50 yards. He came back with the jet and we went to the next spot.
I learned quite a bit about how steelhead move through the river and why. Not just where they hold, but the path they take while traveling and why they stage in one spot or another. No matter how many books you read or how often you fish, it is nice to have someone lay it out for you as you're motoring up/down the river. The fact that we were in a jet boat, really drove the point home.
I don't know how many river miles we covered that day, but we were all over the place. I fished in all sorts of runs with varied terrain at various depths. Steve also gave me some casting and running line managing tips. Although we were using floating tips, he showed me some different mends that can get the fly down several feet in the deeper runs.
I hooked a few fish throughout the day. However, I didn't get any big ones. I think most of the fish were sea-run cutthroats. Although, some of the grabs felt much more like steelhead. However, I wasn't able to get one. No matter, that is typical steelhead fishing for you. Steve taught me a lot about where to look for fish. Frankly, some of the spots he put me in, I would of surely passed by if I were on my own. I have and will use what I learned on my usual steelhead waters around home.
If you are ever in Washington and want a great steelhead guide, I don't think you can go wrong with Steve.
Jul 6, 2009
Mike Kinney Casting
This is a simple video of guide Mike Kinney casting his two hander. Mike is really well known in the steelhead world and is a nice video to watch if you are interested in two handed skagit casting.
Like Ed Ward (see next video), they have slow and smooth casting strokes.
Like Ed Ward (see next video), they have slow and smooth casting strokes.
Skagit Master
Ed Ward is one of the Skagit founders. Although I've never met the man, I've exchanged emails with him and he truly is a knowledgeable fisherman. Not only is he the "Skagit Master", he knows how to catch fish. I originally heard his name along with the famous fly he introduced to everyone. The "intruder" is well known to steelheaders. I hear he is currently using a more modest fly, simply a rabbit strip and a hook. Whatever he puts in the water, he catches fish. He is the man.
In a month or two, he will be featured in a DVD called appropriately enough, "Skagit Master". This is definitely something that will be in my player. And that is saying a lot, since I don't make a habbit of collecting fishing/casting videos. Here is the trailer for this film.
Visit youTube to see this in HD!
In a month or two, he will be featured in a DVD called appropriately enough, "Skagit Master". This is definitely something that will be in my player. And that is saying a lot, since I don't make a habbit of collecting fishing/casting videos. Here is the trailer for this film.
Visit youTube to see this in HD!
Jun 5, 2009
Underwater fly fishing?
Because of a brutal work schedule, I'm not able to do much fishing these days. The only thing I seem to be able to do is live through others experiences.
I found this video on the net. Wow- how excited would this be? Amazing.
I found this video on the net. Wow- how excited would this be? Amazing.
Dec 31, 2008
New Years Eve
I spent yesterday at Putah Creek. I'll have a report shortly. In the meantime, I had to post a link to this video I came across from the North Umpqua.
This is one of the better videos I've seen from the net for both steelhead fishing and two handed casting. The vantage point that the camera man has is excellent. Not only can you see the casting perfectly, but you can see the steelhead going after the skating fly. And of course you see him catch a couple as well.
Most of the videos I see are people casting endlessly and then magically they cut to a guy with a fish on. In this video, you actually see him catch the fish.
We need more of these!
Jan 23, 2008
Size 12 Soft Hackle -- VIDEO!
Here we go again, another video. While I'm trying to learn to tie cleaner flies, I will occasionally videotape myself doing it. Why? Not really sure. However, they are going to be posted here for your amusement. Hopefully I'll get better and you'll be able to see the progress.
Sometimes I fight with myself about how clean a fly should look. Sure, it's nice to have that really clean and small looking head. But, if the idea is to make a buggy looking fish catching machine, does it really matter? You'd have to ask a fish to know for sure, but my guess would be no. It doesn't matter. I've been catching trout on the ugly ones too.
For this video, I sped it up so that you can watch it in super speed. You can see just as much and get half as bored by watching it in fast forward. So with that in mind, I declare this the inauguration of the "2-Minute Fly Video".
Jan 16, 2008
Size 16 Hare's Ear Soft Hackle -- VIDEO!
The other day I mentioned that I took some video as I tied a size 16 soft hackle. Well, here it is in all of its glory. There is no audio and there was some editing as I stopped here and there to do other things.This probably won't help anyone that is already a tyer, but perhaps someone new to it, or perhaps just new to soft hackles will get something out of it.
This is a super easy pattern. One more reason to love soft hackles.
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