Stories and Locations: Feather River, Graeagle, California
Fishin' the Feather was fun. I recently tried several parts of the river near Graeagle, and did fairly well. There are several places that are easy to get to off Highway 70 - and there are other places a bit more remote via backroads and hiking trails.
I saw a lot of bugs. There were caddis, and mayflies, and nats, and moths of all sizes, shapes and colors. I had good luck with blue winged olives - yellow stones - and hare's ear flies. I tried nymphs, dries, and a combo of both. Everything seemed to work. They especially liked the yellow stone dry, with a yellow stone nymph dropper combo.
There are several deep pools and slow water - but I had better luck fishing the riffles and faster moving water below small drop-offs. I think the water was better oxygenated and had better nutrients, therefore more bugs.
Many of the trout I caught were small. But they put up a good fight, are fun to catch - and because they don't hit as hard as the larger fish, they make good practice trying to hook. There were also several nice sized fish. I have included pictures of a few. I tried to take pictures and fish at the same time.
There many campgrounds in the area, but hotels are sparce. You can find upscale lodging in the 200 dollar a night range at several golf resorts. But the River Pines Resort is much more resonably priced. It is more rustic - but has a pool and grills and things for the kids. The people who run it are very nice, and the rooms are clean. Your other choice is the Sierra Sky Lodge down the road about eight miles - and that's about it. You have to try Quincey or Portola for other hotels and motels.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Stories and Locations: Estes Park, Colorado
I have really come to love fishing near Estes Park, Colorado. The town is great with lots of fun shops and great places to eat and stay. And there is so much great fly fishing within minutes. You can fish rivers, meadows, ponds and lakes. You will likely see plenty of wild life including bears, big horn sheep and elk which often can be seen in town. Rocky Mountain National Park is nearby and there are so many rivers and streams and little mountain lakes to try it might take me a lifetime to get to them all.
I have already written about fishing the Big Thompson downstream of town. This time I took an early September trip above town into the park. I first stopped at Kirk's Fly Shop. They have everything you need including guided trips, supplies, maps, and suggestions on where to go. Check 'em out at www.kirksflyshop.com. Kirk set me up with some of the most recent flies and showed me a couple of rivers within RMNP.
My first stop was at the Lawn Lake Trailhead. I intended to try the Roaring River. I had estimated a fairly steep climb and about a half hour hike to where the terrain flatens out. Kirk says the river is very small and you wouldn't think there is good fishing, but he says there are plenty of brookies and "greens". When I arrived, I double checked with a park ranger who told me I should plan at least an hour to reach that part of the river. I simply didn't have that much time so I opted for the nearby "Alluvial Fan" near the "Endovalley" picnic area. The Fall River flows through. It is a very slow, meandering river and is very, very clear. There are not a lot of boulders or logs so the fish settle in low spots in the center of the stream and can clearly be seen from the grassy banks. (in one photo you can see the trout in a pool). But these brookies are very wary and if they spot you they scoot to shelter under the banks. So, stealth is essential. I quickly learned to approach from behind (downstream) and crawl through the grass to the river bank. I also cast from my knees. You do not need waders here. In fact stay out of the water and you'll have much better luck. I only fished a couple of hours. I started with a BWO dry with an orange parachute, and a size 22 red copper john nymph dropper. I netted a nice brook along the far bank, but I noticed he hit the dry. In the picture you can make out the orange parachute on the fly. So, I decided to just fish with a dry fly the rest of the day and cut the dropper. I didn't get much more action on that dry so I switched to the deer hair caddis dry. I caught two more real nice, colorful fish with that. And it was so fun to spot the fish cast to them and watch them attack my fly.
The scenery is beautiful as well. But my time was up and I had to meet family in town for lunch. By the way I had a big juicy bacon cheese burger and fries! Yum. After lunch I simply went to one of the rivers that flow right through town (top two pictures on the right of this page). I tried the Glacier Creek just above where it merges with the Fall River. I did not feel like putting on waders so I just flipped my line from the sidewalk! There was a nice hatch of caddis and I saw nice trout actually leaping out of the water. I had two hits, but missed 'em and then the trout no longer seemed interested in my caddis dry. So, I walked upstream via the sidewalk a few yards and tried another good looking spot. I added a bead head nymph dropper that Kirk had suggested earlier in the day. From my vantage point I could see the trout chase my set-up and hit the nymph. It was really fun. But since I was on an elevated sidewalk with a railing - I could not net any of the trout I caught. They flipped off as I tried to lift 'em up. But I had several on and had a great time, right there in town. I got to play them a bit but the bad part was not seeing exactly what I caught. The trout had dark spots and a golden yellow color. I believe they may have been browns? Maybe a version of brookies? I plan to check in with Kirk to find out.
There are so many places left to fish in the area. Next time I hope to try the Moraine Meadows area or maybe one of the high country lakes. And I am still looking to see my first big horn sheep!
I have really come to love fishing near Estes Park, Colorado. The town is great with lots of fun shops and great places to eat and stay. And there is so much great fly fishing within minutes. You can fish rivers, meadows, ponds and lakes. You will likely see plenty of wild life including bears, big horn sheep and elk which often can be seen in town. Rocky Mountain National Park is nearby and there are so many rivers and streams and little mountain lakes to try it might take me a lifetime to get to them all.
I have already written about fishing the Big Thompson downstream of town. This time I took an early September trip above town into the park. I first stopped at Kirk's Fly Shop. They have everything you need including guided trips, supplies, maps, and suggestions on where to go. Check 'em out at www.kirksflyshop.com. Kirk set me up with some of the most recent flies and showed me a couple of rivers within RMNP.
My first stop was at the Lawn Lake Trailhead. I intended to try the Roaring River. I had estimated a fairly steep climb and about a half hour hike to where the terrain flatens out. Kirk says the river is very small and you wouldn't think there is good fishing, but he says there are plenty of brookies and "greens". When I arrived, I double checked with a park ranger who told me I should plan at least an hour to reach that part of the river. I simply didn't have that much time so I opted for the nearby "Alluvial Fan" near the "Endovalley" picnic area. The Fall River flows through. It is a very slow, meandering river and is very, very clear. There are not a lot of boulders or logs so the fish settle in low spots in the center of the stream and can clearly be seen from the grassy banks. (in one photo you can see the trout in a pool). But these brookies are very wary and if they spot you they scoot to shelter under the banks. So, stealth is essential. I quickly learned to approach from behind (downstream) and crawl through the grass to the river bank. I also cast from my knees. You do not need waders here. In fact stay out of the water and you'll have much better luck. I only fished a couple of hours. I started with a BWO dry with an orange parachute, and a size 22 red copper john nymph dropper. I netted a nice brook along the far bank, but I noticed he hit the dry. In the picture you can make out the orange parachute on the fly. So, I decided to just fish with a dry fly the rest of the day and cut the dropper. I didn't get much more action on that dry so I switched to the deer hair caddis dry. I caught two more real nice, colorful fish with that. And it was so fun to spot the fish cast to them and watch them attack my fly.
The scenery is beautiful as well. But my time was up and I had to meet family in town for lunch. By the way I had a big juicy bacon cheese burger and fries! Yum. After lunch I simply went to one of the rivers that flow right through town (top two pictures on the right of this page). I tried the Glacier Creek just above where it merges with the Fall River. I did not feel like putting on waders so I just flipped my line from the sidewalk! There was a nice hatch of caddis and I saw nice trout actually leaping out of the water. I had two hits, but missed 'em and then the trout no longer seemed interested in my caddis dry. So, I walked upstream via the sidewalk a few yards and tried another good looking spot. I added a bead head nymph dropper that Kirk had suggested earlier in the day. From my vantage point I could see the trout chase my set-up and hit the nymph. It was really fun. But since I was on an elevated sidewalk with a railing - I could not net any of the trout I caught. They flipped off as I tried to lift 'em up. But I had several on and had a great time, right there in town. I got to play them a bit but the bad part was not seeing exactly what I caught. The trout had dark spots and a golden yellow color. I believe they may have been browns? Maybe a version of brookies? I plan to check in with Kirk to find out.
There are so many places left to fish in the area. Next time I hope to try the Moraine Meadows area or maybe one of the high country lakes. And I am still looking to see my first big horn sheep!
Stories and Locations: Colorado River
The mighty Colorado is one of the most storied rivers in America. It is well known as the waterway that snakes its way through the Grand Canyon. It eventually empties into the gulf of Mexico. Many people know it as a great river for premier whitewater rafting. But long before all of that, it has its humble beginnings high in the Rocky Mountains, near Longs Peak, outside Estes Park Colorado. It flows into Grand Lake - then out again, and east of Granby, Colorado.
I had about two hours to fish the Colorado on a recent September afternoon, about three miles downstream of Granby, along state highway 40. The autumn colors were beginning to show in vibrant hues of gold. It was a perfect fall day - temps in the upper 60's and only a slight breeze. The river was low and slow. As you can see in some of the pictures, it was only shin deep in some places.
The water was clear and I saw a few trout rising from time to time. There was not much of a hatch, but I saw a few mayflies, what looked like blue winged olives (BWOs). I tied a size 14 BWO with a bright orange parachute as my top fly - to be used as an attractor and indicator. Then I attached a Pale Morning Dun (PMD) emerger nymph - also about a size 14 - to the back of the first fly - so that it trailed about eight inches back.
The water was moving slowly and there was a lot of moss on the rocks, flowing in long strands. The fish were hiding down in the rocks and moss. I looked up stream and saw a small riffle. The water was hardly more than ankle deep, but a few yards down stream it cut under a bank, and into a deeper little pool. I figured the more oxygenated water, the bugs off the bushes and grasses along that bank, and the deeper pool would make a great spot for a trout. I began casting and letting it drift through the pool. After just a few minutes I noticed a trout rising under the branches of an overhanging tree. I cast right at him. He struck at my indicator fly, but missed. I tried again, and this time he hit! I had him hooked, but was trying to get my photographer's attention. She snapped one long shot, but was so far downstream she could not tell I had a fish on. While I was mugging for the camera, the trout darted for an underwater branch, and tangled the line. I lost him! And to make matters worse I spoiled the hole getting my fly rig off the branch. I recovered both flies, but lost the fish.
I did not get any more action and thought I needed to move to a new hole. But unfortunately, time did not permit and I had to head back to Denver. But at least I got some action in the limited time I was there. I fished a new river that I had never fished before. And the Fall colors were worth the trip in their own right. I suspect the evening hatch would have made for great dry fly water in this location. My timing may have been bad. I was there from about 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm. I suspect 4:00 pm to dark would have been much better.
The Colorado is a great stretch of fly water, and there are many more small streams, beaver ponds and lakes to check out in the area. I will be back some day
The mighty Colorado is one of the most storied rivers in America. It is well known as the waterway that snakes its way through the Grand Canyon. It eventually empties into the gulf of Mexico. Many people know it as a great river for premier whitewater rafting. But long before all of that, it has its humble beginnings high in the Rocky Mountains, near Longs Peak, outside Estes Park Colorado. It flows into Grand Lake - then out again, and east of Granby, Colorado.
I had about two hours to fish the Colorado on a recent September afternoon, about three miles downstream of Granby, along state highway 40. The autumn colors were beginning to show in vibrant hues of gold. It was a perfect fall day - temps in the upper 60's and only a slight breeze. The river was low and slow. As you can see in some of the pictures, it was only shin deep in some places.
The water was clear and I saw a few trout rising from time to time. There was not much of a hatch, but I saw a few mayflies, what looked like blue winged olives (BWOs). I tied a size 14 BWO with a bright orange parachute as my top fly - to be used as an attractor and indicator. Then I attached a Pale Morning Dun (PMD) emerger nymph - also about a size 14 - to the back of the first fly - so that it trailed about eight inches back.
The water was moving slowly and there was a lot of moss on the rocks, flowing in long strands. The fish were hiding down in the rocks and moss. I looked up stream and saw a small riffle. The water was hardly more than ankle deep, but a few yards down stream it cut under a bank, and into a deeper little pool. I figured the more oxygenated water, the bugs off the bushes and grasses along that bank, and the deeper pool would make a great spot for a trout. I began casting and letting it drift through the pool. After just a few minutes I noticed a trout rising under the branches of an overhanging tree. I cast right at him. He struck at my indicator fly, but missed. I tried again, and this time he hit! I had him hooked, but was trying to get my photographer's attention. She snapped one long shot, but was so far downstream she could not tell I had a fish on. While I was mugging for the camera, the trout darted for an underwater branch, and tangled the line. I lost him! And to make matters worse I spoiled the hole getting my fly rig off the branch. I recovered both flies, but lost the fish.
I did not get any more action and thought I needed to move to a new hole. But unfortunately, time did not permit and I had to head back to Denver. But at least I got some action in the limited time I was there. I fished a new river that I had never fished before. And the Fall colors were worth the trip in their own right. I suspect the evening hatch would have made for great dry fly water in this location. My timing may have been bad. I was there from about 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm. I suspect 4:00 pm to dark would have been much better.
The Colorado is a great stretch of fly water, and there are many more small streams, beaver ponds and lakes to check out in the area. I will be back some day
Stories and Locations: Boulder Creek, Colorado
Boulder Creek, Colorado
One of the things I really like about fly fishing in Colorado is that you do not have to go too far from a major metropolitan area to get to some great fly fishing. I recently tried Boulder Creek, just outside Boulder, Colorado with my friends Jason and Gage Lawley.
The creek runs right into town, and some people fish within the city limits. But it is also a very easy and scenic drive up Boulder Canyon along highway 119 to nice fly fishing. We fished in mid-September 2007. The Fall colors were beginning to show, but the water flows were also receding. There are several pullouts along the road, but the canyon can be steep down to the water in places. The bank is also lined with a lot of trees and bushes, so you have to be careful casting. Unlike many larger rivers where you can get into the middle of the water for a snag-free cast, Boulder Creek is a little more tricky. You can wade out, or in some places just jump from rock to rock, but then again, you spook the fish since the pools are small and clear. So, using the brush as cover, and being careful with your cast is a must.We began a couple of miles below Barker Meadow Reservoir just outside Nederland, Colorado. Because the water was low, we really had to find pools where a fish might be hanging out. I found a nice looking pool below a sheer rock wall. I started with a size 16 BWO that had an orange parachute as an indicator, then a size 20 black zebra midge as a dropper. My first few casts produced nothing. But then I noticed a brown trout feeding near the back of the pool. I cast right at him. It took a few tries, but then I got him! He hit the zebra midge and I netted him.There were few options of pools to choose from, so we moved downstream a bit. This time we pulled in just below where water from Boulder falls enters Boulder Creek. I found a nice looking pool. Keep in mind, some of the pools were so small, my nine-foot rod was longer than the hole – much less including the length of my tippet. No need to even let the fly line hit the water – which is a good tip anyway. The river snakes through some beautiful scenery. There were many small pools cascading over boulders and falls. We all picked a hole or two and worked them, but none of us had any luck – so we moved again.This time we pulled in just a couple of miles outside of town. There is a large pullout with paths right to the water. There are even a couple of nice benches creek-side. I had my doubts about success because, if this area is easy for me to enter, it is easy for everybody else too, and the fishing could be difficult. I had changed my set up a bit. This time I used a different BWO mayfly above, with a light colored emerger nymph on the bottom. I had a hit on my first cast, and landed a small brown – not much larger than the size of my hand. I cast into that hole a few more times and moved downstream. I eventually caught up with Jason and Gage. Jason had not seen much action, but Gage had caught one. I spotted a place where there were a series of small rock and log dams that created small pools. The main river split around a section of land, creating an island of sorts. Gage had caught his fish near this divide, in a pool along the backside. It looked good, even though he had already fished the hole, so I gave it a try. The pool was at the base of another sheer cliff wall, completely in shade, and framed by a number of bushes and trees. I actually went to my knees to flip my line into the pool from under the branches. After just a couple of casts I had one on, and landed my third little brown trout of the morning.We only fished from about 8:00 in the morning until about 11:30, but I netted 3 fish, saw some great sights and had a good time.
One of the things I really like about fly fishing in Colorado is that you do not have to go too far from a major metropolitan area to get to some great fly fishing. I recently tried Boulder Creek, just outside Boulder, Colorado with my friends Jason and Gage Lawley.
The creek runs right into town, and some people fish within the city limits. But it is also a very easy and scenic drive up Boulder Canyon along highway 119 to nice fly fishing. We fished in mid-September 2007. The Fall colors were beginning to show, but the water flows were also receding. There are several pullouts along the road, but the canyon can be steep down to the water in places. The bank is also lined with a lot of trees and bushes, so you have to be careful casting. Unlike many larger rivers where you can get into the middle of the water for a snag-free cast, Boulder Creek is a little more tricky. You can wade out, or in some places just jump from rock to rock, but then again, you spook the fish since the pools are small and clear. So, using the brush as cover, and being careful with your cast is a must.We began a couple of miles below Barker Meadow Reservoir just outside Nederland, Colorado. Because the water was low, we really had to find pools where a fish might be hanging out. I found a nice looking pool below a sheer rock wall. I started with a size 16 BWO that had an orange parachute as an indicator, then a size 20 black zebra midge as a dropper. My first few casts produced nothing. But then I noticed a brown trout feeding near the back of the pool. I cast right at him. It took a few tries, but then I got him! He hit the zebra midge and I netted him.There were few options of pools to choose from, so we moved downstream a bit. This time we pulled in just below where water from Boulder falls enters Boulder Creek. I found a nice looking pool. Keep in mind, some of the pools were so small, my nine-foot rod was longer than the hole – much less including the length of my tippet. No need to even let the fly line hit the water – which is a good tip anyway. The river snakes through some beautiful scenery. There were many small pools cascading over boulders and falls. We all picked a hole or two and worked them, but none of us had any luck – so we moved again.This time we pulled in just a couple of miles outside of town. There is a large pullout with paths right to the water. There are even a couple of nice benches creek-side. I had my doubts about success because, if this area is easy for me to enter, it is easy for everybody else too, and the fishing could be difficult. I had changed my set up a bit. This time I used a different BWO mayfly above, with a light colored emerger nymph on the bottom. I had a hit on my first cast, and landed a small brown – not much larger than the size of my hand. I cast into that hole a few more times and moved downstream. I eventually caught up with Jason and Gage. Jason had not seen much action, but Gage had caught one. I spotted a place where there were a series of small rock and log dams that created small pools. The main river split around a section of land, creating an island of sorts. Gage had caught his fish near this divide, in a pool along the backside. It looked good, even though he had already fished the hole, so I gave it a try. The pool was at the base of another sheer cliff wall, completely in shade, and framed by a number of bushes and trees. I actually went to my knees to flip my line into the pool from under the branches. After just a couple of casts I had one on, and landed my third little brown trout of the morning.We only fished from about 8:00 in the morning until about 11:30, but I netted 3 fish, saw some great sights and had a good time.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Stories and Locations: Big Thompson - Colorado
Big Thompson
Elk and bighorn sheep are frequently spotted in the Estes Park, Colorado area. As we headed into town - there in the middle of the road was an elk. It plunged into the brush - down the embankment and across the meadow. It was a cloudy gray start to the day, and I was optimistic. It had been unseasonably hot, and I thought the break in the weather would spark the trout into a feeding frenzy.
My friend Jason had hired a guide from the Rocky Mountain Anglers a few miles away. The guide's name was Leigh Gardner - and we met up with him outside Estes Park. Leigh took us to the Big Thompson - which runs in the shadow of Longs Peak - through town - and downstream into Loveland, Colorado.
We began just off the road - under the bridge below where the river exits Lake Estes and meanders along a short meadow.
Leigh hooked me up with a small Blue Wing Olive mayfly (BWO) - with a green emerger nymph trailing about ten inches behind. He and Jason moved downstream, around the corner. I fished just under the bridge. It was not long before I hooked a small brown and netted him. A gentle rain began to fall, but not enough to stop us from fishing.
After a while I moved down stream a bit and Leigh came to check on me. As I was talking to him, another fish hit. But I failed to hook him!
Leigh decided to take us down stream a bit further. He sent me across the stream to a pool against the far bank. There was a downed tree underwater, but plenty of room for me to cast without snagging. I switched my upper fly to a Pale Morning Dun (PMD) - and then a green emerger below. Leigh instructed me to cast as close to the bank and old tree as possible. I made a few nice casts - and wham! I netted my second brown of the day.
Meanwhile, Jason switched his rig to match mine, and eventually got one on his side of the river. I moved up steam a few yards - still fishing close to the bank. Bang! I caught another. Once again I moved, but only a few short yards upstream. And I netted my fourth trout of the morning.
After a while, Leigh moved us down another mile or so. We came to a curve in the river where the water was moving more slowly. We could see trout rising close to the far bank. I tried several times to hook two trout, but could never get them to bite. I moved downstream and Jason moved to my slot and was able to hook 'em.
Before we knew it our time with Leigh had expired and it was time to go. But between us, Jason and I netted seven fish - had a great time - meet a great guide - and learned another fishing location.
Leigh was great and I highly recommend him. Look him up at www.Rockymountainanglers.com. Before we left for the day, Leigh suggested we try the Sylvandale Dude Ranch. It is located along a private stretch of the Big Thompson, outside Loveland, Colorado. He said the fishing there is great. Turns out, I happened to be heading there two days later. More on that at a later time.
Elk and bighorn sheep are frequently spotted in the Estes Park, Colorado area. As we headed into town - there in the middle of the road was an elk. It plunged into the brush - down the embankment and across the meadow. It was a cloudy gray start to the day, and I was optimistic. It had been unseasonably hot, and I thought the break in the weather would spark the trout into a feeding frenzy.
My friend Jason had hired a guide from the Rocky Mountain Anglers a few miles away. The guide's name was Leigh Gardner - and we met up with him outside Estes Park. Leigh took us to the Big Thompson - which runs in the shadow of Longs Peak - through town - and downstream into Loveland, Colorado.
We began just off the road - under the bridge below where the river exits Lake Estes and meanders along a short meadow.
Leigh hooked me up with a small Blue Wing Olive mayfly (BWO) - with a green emerger nymph trailing about ten inches behind. He and Jason moved downstream, around the corner. I fished just under the bridge. It was not long before I hooked a small brown and netted him. A gentle rain began to fall, but not enough to stop us from fishing.
After a while I moved down stream a bit and Leigh came to check on me. As I was talking to him, another fish hit. But I failed to hook him!
Leigh decided to take us down stream a bit further. He sent me across the stream to a pool against the far bank. There was a downed tree underwater, but plenty of room for me to cast without snagging. I switched my upper fly to a Pale Morning Dun (PMD) - and then a green emerger below. Leigh instructed me to cast as close to the bank and old tree as possible. I made a few nice casts - and wham! I netted my second brown of the day.
Meanwhile, Jason switched his rig to match mine, and eventually got one on his side of the river. I moved up steam a few yards - still fishing close to the bank. Bang! I caught another. Once again I moved, but only a few short yards upstream. And I netted my fourth trout of the morning.
After a while, Leigh moved us down another mile or so. We came to a curve in the river where the water was moving more slowly. We could see trout rising close to the far bank. I tried several times to hook two trout, but could never get them to bite. I moved downstream and Jason moved to my slot and was able to hook 'em.
Before we knew it our time with Leigh had expired and it was time to go. But between us, Jason and I netted seven fish - had a great time - meet a great guide - and learned another fishing location.
Leigh was great and I highly recommend him. Look him up at www.Rockymountainanglers.com. Before we left for the day, Leigh suggested we try the Sylvandale Dude Ranch. It is located along a private stretch of the Big Thompson, outside Loveland, Colorado. He said the fishing there is great. Turns out, I happened to be heading there two days later. More on that at a later time.
Stories and Locations: Big Grizzly Creek
Big Grizzly Creek, Portola, California
In the never ending quest to find great trout fishing waters I recently went on a bit of journey to what I had been told is a great place to fly fish and "nobody knows about it."
The place is Big Grizzly Creek, commonly called Grizzly creek, outside Portola, California. It is a small stream that flows out of the Lake Davis dam. Getting there is tricky. Leaving is even trickier. The stream is at the bottom of a very steep canyon. There is a service road to the outlet of the dam but it is closed to public cars. Otherwise, there is no way in or out. So, I parked above, and walked down the road to the base of the canyon, and to the stream.
Grizzly Creek is only a few feet wide. Often times my fly rod is longer than the creek is wide. There is a foot trail along the bank thus ending the claim that "nobody knows about it". I had been told there are many small trout but in the larger holes are some very nice, big, browns. I never saw any big browns but I did see a couple of small trout. I had no luck getting any to bite. Casting is nearly impossible, between the small size of the creek and the abundance of bushes, trees and tall grasses. There are tons of bugs but despite the marshy type areas, mosquitoes were not a big problem.
The best thing to do is to stand in the water and flip your line up or down stream into a hole.
I saw one other fly fisher and a couple of bait fishers. The bait guys were using worms and had caught a couple of small trout. The fly guy had no luck - like me.
Getting around is very difficult and perhaps dangerous. Due to the long, marshy grasses, you often cannot see where you are placing your foot. Sometimes I'd get solid ground. Other times I'd step in a hole carved by the miriad of "finger" streams in the area. Making your way up and down the stream along the bank is difficult due to all the bushes, fallen trees, rocks and canyon walls.
On the way out I decided to climb a canyon wall as the guy who turned me on to the place said he did rather than fight the bushes all the way back to the service road. Bad idea. Not only is it extremely steep but the dirt and rocks are not stable. I'd fight to climb ten feet only to slide back down three feet. I'd make it to the top of a ridge only to realize it led to a sheer cliff meaning I'd have to change directions to continue the upward climb.
Overall, the amount of effort was incredible and the payoff...well...there was no payoff in terms of fish, anyway. All the fish in Lake Davis had been erradicated a couple of times in an effort to get rid of killer Northern Pike which were put in the lake illegally. This may still be affecting trout populations in Grizzly Creek.
It is scenic along the creek, and I've included a few pictures but I cannot say the trek in and out.
In the never ending quest to find great trout fishing waters I recently went on a bit of journey to what I had been told is a great place to fly fish and "nobody knows about it."
The place is Big Grizzly Creek, commonly called Grizzly creek, outside Portola, California. It is a small stream that flows out of the Lake Davis dam. Getting there is tricky. Leaving is even trickier. The stream is at the bottom of a very steep canyon. There is a service road to the outlet of the dam but it is closed to public cars. Otherwise, there is no way in or out. So, I parked above, and walked down the road to the base of the canyon, and to the stream.
Grizzly Creek is only a few feet wide. Often times my fly rod is longer than the creek is wide. There is a foot trail along the bank thus ending the claim that "nobody knows about it". I had been told there are many small trout but in the larger holes are some very nice, big, browns. I never saw any big browns but I did see a couple of small trout. I had no luck getting any to bite. Casting is nearly impossible, between the small size of the creek and the abundance of bushes, trees and tall grasses. There are tons of bugs but despite the marshy type areas, mosquitoes were not a big problem.
The best thing to do is to stand in the water and flip your line up or down stream into a hole.
I saw one other fly fisher and a couple of bait fishers. The bait guys were using worms and had caught a couple of small trout. The fly guy had no luck - like me.
Getting around is very difficult and perhaps dangerous. Due to the long, marshy grasses, you often cannot see where you are placing your foot. Sometimes I'd get solid ground. Other times I'd step in a hole carved by the miriad of "finger" streams in the area. Making your way up and down the stream along the bank is difficult due to all the bushes, fallen trees, rocks and canyon walls.
On the way out I decided to climb a canyon wall as the guy who turned me on to the place said he did rather than fight the bushes all the way back to the service road. Bad idea. Not only is it extremely steep but the dirt and rocks are not stable. I'd fight to climb ten feet only to slide back down three feet. I'd make it to the top of a ridge only to realize it led to a sheer cliff meaning I'd have to change directions to continue the upward climb.
Overall, the amount of effort was incredible and the payoff...well...there was no payoff in terms of fish, anyway. All the fish in Lake Davis had been erradicated a couple of times in an effort to get rid of killer Northern Pike which were put in the lake illegally. This may still be affecting trout populations in Grizzly Creek.
It is scenic along the creek, and I've included a few pictures but I cannot say the trek in and out.
WadersHaving a pair of waders is not essential - but it really helps. As you will read in my trout tips - presenting your fly is critical in getting fish to bite. Part of achieving good presentation is putting yourself into the right location. That means you often need to be in the water and that means you need some sort of waders.
Trout love cold water so if you do not have waders you are going to get really cold. Even with waders you can begin to feel like you are standing in an ice chest after a few hours in a icey river.There are several different kinds of waders. Some people like neoprene which is kind of like the material used in wet suits for divers and surfers. I have never tried that type, so I cannot give an accurate perspective on them. I have two pair of waders: one set are chest waders by Hodgeman. They are like having a pair of bib overalls that cover your chest. However, I can remove the suspenders and roll them down, and they become hip waders - more like a regular pair of pants. Having chest waders allows you to get deeper into the water. But I have a rule of thumb, especially in fast moving water: I do not go in water deeper than my shins. Rocks are very slick and the force of the raging water is very powerful. If you get off balance just a little bit, you can end up in the water. Your waders quickly fill and become like weights. You can be in serious trouble in the blink of an eye. So, I just try to avoid danger in the first place. Thus, I rarely use the full chest wader. My chest waders happen to be made of a thicker material, which means they are more rugged against snags and tree branches etc, and are less likely to tear. Because they are thicker, they are also better in colder water. I buy them a little big so that I can also wear thermals or light sweat pants underneath in cold weather.My other pair of waders are light weight and are great for summer. They are hip waders and are very comfortable and easy to move in. Both pair of waders have neoprene booties that are attached to the pant leg. I just slip them into my wading boots, and I'm ready to go.A new thing I am seeing more and more of are things called wader sox. They are made of the neoprene material. Imagine somebody cutting off a wet suit at about the shins. It is like having a pair of knee high, water proof socks. Again, you just slip them into your wading boot, and you can get into shallow water without the hassle of a big pair of wading pants. Take a look at the attached picture below and you will see me in my lightweight waders, and Jason in a pair of the wader sox.
Trout love cold water so if you do not have waders you are going to get really cold. Even with waders you can begin to feel like you are standing in an ice chest after a few hours in a icey river.There are several different kinds of waders. Some people like neoprene which is kind of like the material used in wet suits for divers and surfers. I have never tried that type, so I cannot give an accurate perspective on them. I have two pair of waders: one set are chest waders by Hodgeman. They are like having a pair of bib overalls that cover your chest. However, I can remove the suspenders and roll them down, and they become hip waders - more like a regular pair of pants. Having chest waders allows you to get deeper into the water. But I have a rule of thumb, especially in fast moving water: I do not go in water deeper than my shins. Rocks are very slick and the force of the raging water is very powerful. If you get off balance just a little bit, you can end up in the water. Your waders quickly fill and become like weights. You can be in serious trouble in the blink of an eye. So, I just try to avoid danger in the first place. Thus, I rarely use the full chest wader. My chest waders happen to be made of a thicker material, which means they are more rugged against snags and tree branches etc, and are less likely to tear. Because they are thicker, they are also better in colder water. I buy them a little big so that I can also wear thermals or light sweat pants underneath in cold weather.My other pair of waders are light weight and are great for summer. They are hip waders and are very comfortable and easy to move in. Both pair of waders have neoprene booties that are attached to the pant leg. I just slip them into my wading boots, and I'm ready to go.A new thing I am seeing more and more of are things called wader sox. They are made of the neoprene material. Imagine somebody cutting off a wet suit at about the shins. It is like having a pair of knee high, water proof socks. Again, you just slip them into your wading boot, and you can get into shallow water without the hassle of a big pair of wading pants. Take a look at the attached picture below and you will see me in my lightweight waders, and Jason in a pair of the wader sox.
Monday, September 7, 2009
What happens when your rod is broken
It happens to the best of fishers. No matter how careful you try to be - sooner or later your fly rod gets damaged or broken. An eyelet might pop - or a tip gets snapped off - or the cork handles breaks. Nice fly rods are expensive, so buying a new one may not be an option. Often times a rod is never as good as new after a repair. So damaging your favorite rod can be a real set-back. But there is good news. I recently lost two rods back-to-back in different accidents. My Loomis rod was shut in a car door - snapping it in three places. My St. Croix rod was rolled up in a window - snapping off the very end of the tip. But both of these companies are wonderful to work with. I went on-line to the St. Criox site where I found a complete repair report. I filled it out and pressed "send". Just to make sure everything was going to go the way I expected, I called the office in Wisconsin. They assured me that everything was going to be fine. I fill out the model and serial number of my rod. For 30 bucks they send me a brand new top section of rod. No repair. No mailing my old one in. They process my order with 24 hours - and ship the replacement right from the factory. Just think - a 300 dollar rod - repaired - no questions asked - for 30 bucks. And no worries for me. I don't have to package and ship the old one. I don't have to worry that the repair is not as good as the original condition. I get a brand new tip. Next - I placed a similar call to Loomis. All Loomis rods have a lifetime warranty. I thought they would send me a new tip as well. Instead - they send me an entirely new rod - the whole thing - brand new - for 50 bucks. All things considered, I thought it was a great deal.
I checked the web, and Orvis and Sage offer similar warranties. In fact Orvis claims to have been the first to offer this kind of coverage. The good news - if you spend 200, 300 even 12 hundred dollars for a nice rod, you can rest assured you will be in good hands and back on the water soon when you buy from one of these fine suppliers.
I checked the web, and Orvis and Sage offer similar warranties. In fact Orvis claims to have been the first to offer this kind of coverage. The good news - if you spend 200, 300 even 12 hundred dollars for a nice rod, you can rest assured you will be in good hands and back on the water soon when you buy from one of these fine suppliers.
Rods
Getting started in fly fishing is fairly easy. Getting a good rod is key. There are many, many kits on the market that come with everything you need – ready to go. If you are just starting out you may not want to spend a great deal on a rod until you see if you like the sport – where you will fish - and how often you will go. Fly rods come in ‘weights’. Really light weight rods are two and three weights. They are good for small fish like brook trout or any place where the fish are less than a pound. Next are four and five weight rods. These are pretty good mid-range rods. I have two, and they are perfect for most trout. Next are six and seven weight rods. These are for a little larger trout. They tend to be stiffer rods and can help you cast a little further. In California you might even need an eight, nine, or ten weight rods. In places like Lake Davis outside Tahoe – or Pyramid Lake outside Reno, Nevada people often catch ten to 20 pound trout. You need a heftier rod for that kind of fishing. The weight and length of the rod is printed on the rod itself, usually just above the ‘handle’ – above where the reel attaches.
Rods also come in various lengths. Beginners, or people fishing in tight quarters might like a 7½ foot rod. Many rods are nine feet long. They also come in various numbers of segments. Some rods are two-piece rods. Some break down in as many as seven pieces. Two-piece rods offer better “feeling” and stability. Seven-piece rods break down into small sections, which are great for packing in a backpack or in a suitcase. But each joint means less flexibility and ‘feeling’ for the angler.
Rods vary in price too. You can find complete kits for as little as $25, and prices go all the way to $1,200 or more, just for the rod. I had two cheap rods that I use as ‘instructional’ rods for newcomers to learn on. One time my wife was casting with a cheap rod and one section flew off in the middle of the cast and landed in the river. Needless to say she now uses my $300 Loomis three weight. I recently saw some very nice looking two-piece, three to five weight rods for $60-$80 at a Dick’s Sporting goods store. I have a pair of St. Coix rods that cost about $150. I really like them.
One advantage to using a guide service is that they usually provide all the equipment you need for the day – including rods and reels – which means you can try a few out and see what you like.
Rods also come in various lengths. Beginners, or people fishing in tight quarters might like a 7½ foot rod. Many rods are nine feet long. They also come in various numbers of segments. Some rods are two-piece rods. Some break down in as many as seven pieces. Two-piece rods offer better “feeling” and stability. Seven-piece rods break down into small sections, which are great for packing in a backpack or in a suitcase. But each joint means less flexibility and ‘feeling’ for the angler.
Rods vary in price too. You can find complete kits for as little as $25, and prices go all the way to $1,200 or more, just for the rod. I had two cheap rods that I use as ‘instructional’ rods for newcomers to learn on. One time my wife was casting with a cheap rod and one section flew off in the middle of the cast and landed in the river. Needless to say she now uses my $300 Loomis three weight. I recently saw some very nice looking two-piece, three to five weight rods for $60-$80 at a Dick’s Sporting goods store. I have a pair of St. Coix rods that cost about $150. I really like them.
One advantage to using a guide service is that they usually provide all the equipment you need for the day – including rods and reels – which means you can try a few out and see what you like.
Reels
Reels
There are as many reels out there as there are rods. They range in price between $25 and several hundred dollars. I have two made by Okuma. I use the Sierra model and have had good luck with them. They run about $50 to $60, but handle well. They are rugged enough to perform well, yet not so expensive that I worry about banging them on a rock, or if they should fall into the water. Most reels either come with, or need to be loaded with backing and fly line. Most good sporting good stores or fly shops have machines that can get it done. If you buy from them the service is often free.
When you buy a reel make sure it matches the weight of your rod. I have a three to four weight Sierra reel to go with my three and four weight rods. My second Sierra reel is a five to six, and goes with my heavier rods. Reels also come in a variety of sizes. The newer models are larger in diameter. Having a larger wheel allows more line and backing to be put on. You also do not have to try to grasp a tiny little crank handle, and turn it a zillion times to reel in your fish. The larger wheels make it much easier to bring in a fighting trout.There are a couple of things to consider when choosing a good reel. Make sure you get one that is well made and can withstand rain, and dust and getting banged around. Make sure it can accomodate enough backing. For most trout, this is not a big issue, but if you fish for Salmon or Steelhead, you better have plenty of backing because these guys will run out the entire spool.Get a reel with smooth action and that means nice ball bearings. My favorite reel is made by Orvis. It is one of the oversized versions, and I really like the way it handles and the distribution of weight. The Orvis reel is a dark color, with a brushed metal look. That is something to think about, because I also have a very shinny reel made by Martin. In certain light it can reflect sunlight like a mirror, spooking the fish. The brush metal does not relfect as much.
Many anglers have a spare spool. Most good manufacturers these days make extra spools. You buy the reel, but you can then get a second spool for a little more money. That way you can load two different types of fly lines, and easily switch them while on the river, depending on the situation and the kind of fly line you want.
There are as many reels out there as there are rods. They range in price between $25 and several hundred dollars. I have two made by Okuma. I use the Sierra model and have had good luck with them. They run about $50 to $60, but handle well. They are rugged enough to perform well, yet not so expensive that I worry about banging them on a rock, or if they should fall into the water. Most reels either come with, or need to be loaded with backing and fly line. Most good sporting good stores or fly shops have machines that can get it done. If you buy from them the service is often free.
When you buy a reel make sure it matches the weight of your rod. I have a three to four weight Sierra reel to go with my three and four weight rods. My second Sierra reel is a five to six, and goes with my heavier rods. Reels also come in a variety of sizes. The newer models are larger in diameter. Having a larger wheel allows more line and backing to be put on. You also do not have to try to grasp a tiny little crank handle, and turn it a zillion times to reel in your fish. The larger wheels make it much easier to bring in a fighting trout.There are a couple of things to consider when choosing a good reel. Make sure you get one that is well made and can withstand rain, and dust and getting banged around. Make sure it can accomodate enough backing. For most trout, this is not a big issue, but if you fish for Salmon or Steelhead, you better have plenty of backing because these guys will run out the entire spool.Get a reel with smooth action and that means nice ball bearings. My favorite reel is made by Orvis. It is one of the oversized versions, and I really like the way it handles and the distribution of weight. The Orvis reel is a dark color, with a brushed metal look. That is something to think about, because I also have a very shinny reel made by Martin. In certain light it can reflect sunlight like a mirror, spooking the fish. The brush metal does not relfect as much.
Many anglers have a spare spool. Most good manufacturers these days make extra spools. You buy the reel, but you can then get a second spool for a little more money. That way you can load two different types of fly lines, and easily switch them while on the river, depending on the situation and the kind of fly line you want.
Getting Started
Fly Lines You will need to select the kind of fly line you want. The fly line is the colored, plastic line. There are two basic types, floating and sinking line. Obviously the floating line floats. The sinking line is usually a lead line that is coated with the colored plastic, and thus - it sinks. The sinking line is good for nymphing, or for when the fish are feeding just below the surface. If you have the luxury of multiple reels or interchangeable spools, go with one of each kind of line. But if you can only have one spool of fly line I suggest getting the floating line because you will be able to dry fly fish with it. However, you can easily nymph using a bead-headed nymph or a little split shot. The jury is still out on the color of the fly line and if that matters. I have a spool of florescent yellow, a salmon pink, and a light green. But I also have a newer spool of moss green. I seem to get a lot of fish on that reel. Is it just coincidence? Or, is that because fish have a harder time seeing the moss green? I'm not sure yet, but it is something to think about. Make sure you get a quality fly line. I have had cheaper brands and I cannot tell you who made them because the reel and line were given to me, so I don't know the maker but it is really hard to straighten out. A couple of days on the reel, and it curls. I go to cast and it curls, making casting more difficult, and in some cases, curling on the water surface and ruining my drift. From time to time you might want to clean your fly line especially if it is a floating line. The line can collect dust, dirt and particles and that causes it to sink a bit. You can get a solution, and you just rub down your line to keep it clean. Many people also un-reel their fly line during the winter months and hang it on a garage wall to keep it from curling too much while not being used.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Welcome
This site is dedicated to fly fishing, in particular, fly fishing for trout. You will find real stories and real information about real places. You can actually see some of the places my contributors and I have been to. We'll show you where we went, what we experienced, and what we learned about each location. The goal is to make your fishing experience enjoyable and successful.I also want to hear from you as well. We can all help each other become better fisherman (or fisher people in the PC world). From time to time I might share general information about some of my most secret locations. As you know, a good fisherman never gives away the exact location of his secret fishin' hole - but I'll be happy to divulge as much useful insight as possible.There is much more to come - so check back soon as our blogspot grows
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