Saturday, November 29, 2008

Fly Fishing Andros Island Bahamas!


Bonefishing in the Bahamas is where it's at!


My Buddy Dave just returned from another Saltwater Adventure down in the Bahamas.

Andros island is one of the top destinations in the world for bonefishing. The best part about fishing in November is few crowds, lot's of bonefish and one little thing that could deter that....Hurricane season!

Hurricane Gustav invaded Andros for a week and shut down the fishing a bit, that didn't stop the boys from having a good time though. After a few days the sun came out and it was back to flats areas seeking out Bones. Checkout Yellowdog Fly Fishing Advetures for a great package deal, super Lodging and a 5 star set up!

Get down to Andros Island for some outstanding Bonefishing
andros2

Friday, November 28, 2008

Glacier ToYellowstone is worth Checking Out!

GlaciertoYellowstone is a new Popular Fishing Site!
More on Fly Fish Addiction

Montana fly fishing at its best. Beginning with the glacial waters of the Flathead River in Northwest Montana to the mighty Clark Fork River in Western Montana to the famous Yellowstone River in Southwest Montana, glaciertoyellowstone.com covers the principal rivers, streams and creeks which have contributed to Montana fly fishing preeminence. In addition to Montana fly fishing suggestions for the two national parks, this well balanced site covers fly fishing techniques and fly fishing tips from regional fishing guides, outfitters and shop owners. Visitors planning a vacation to this trout Mecca will find listings for services and accommodations for each of the five areas. The author of this site, David Archer, was a Montana fly fishing guide for over 15 years. As you read through the site, he will offer recommendations on where to vacation, how to plan a trip, and the right fly fishing gear to bring. Welcome to Montana fly fishing where more than one "river runs through it."

Bookmark and Share
MORE AT FLYFISH ADDICTION
WEBSITESMALL

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Patagonia Fishing Trip

Fisherman around the world say that there are only 4 destinations they would love to fish in their lifetime, well I can now say that I have marked two off my list...my last destination of course is Patagonia. Everything you've heard about this wonderland is absolutely true and to have experienced it first hand was one of those trips of a lifetime for sure.

We started this journey in Buenos Aires, Argentina where we soon learned that maybe we should have planned on staying here for an additional week seeing how there is so much life and sites to see in this amazing city. Besides the many sites to see the one thing that BA is well known for is it's Tango dancing, did we partake, well we watched from a far due to my 2 left feet! Areas to checkout next time you are in BA are La Boca, Palermo, Puerto Madero, Recoletta and yes the downtown area.
chile5

We hit Chile next and let me tell you....this place was unreal and the Fishing was Incredible!!
Click Here for More on our Trips


chile4

Bookmark and Share
MORE AT FLYFISH ADDICTION
WEBSITESMALL

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

World Record Brown Trout Argentina!!


Brian Yamamoto from Fairbanks Alaska is receiving some major kudos and press on the humongous sea-run brown trout (46″ x 25″) he landed this March fishing on the Rio Grande in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina at La Villa de Estancia Maria Behety. Just as fascinating as the size of the catch and Brian’s accomplishment is the life history of the fish as detailed by Sarah O’Neal, a biologist from the University of Montana.


The Estancia Maria Behety, Estancia Jose Menendez and The Fly Shop have been sponsoring a ongoing study of the magnificent sea-run browns of the Rio Grande for several years. For more information on Brian’s incredible fish, check out the blog below, posted on Field & Streams website. http://fieldandstream.blogs.com/honestangler/2008/09/a-world-record.html



Bookmark and Share
MORE AT FLYFISH ADDICTION
WEBSITESMALL

Monday, November 24, 2008

Argentina Big Trout Video!

Patagonia Sea Run Brown Trout!


This Video says it all....great scenery, big trout, Argentina culture and did I say Big Trout!!

Guaranteed to Please All and I can't wait to get back



Bookmark and Share
MORE AT FLYFISH ADDICTION
WEBSITESMALL

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Fly Fishing Information Center!

Fly Fishing News and Top Website Links

So you think you have all of the top fly fishing websites for everything fly fishing related? Check this site out for all of my favorite selections and links to whatever you like!

Definitely worth saving in your Favorites section!
CLICK HERE

Bookmark and Share
MORE AT FLYFISH ADDICTION
WEBSITESMALL

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Blue Quill Angler December Newsletter


Blue Quill Angler December Newsletter!
For more from Blue Quill go Here


Don't miss Authors Day at the BQA

It has been over twenty years since John Gierach and A.K. Best first drove through a December winter blizzard to come to the Blue Quill Angler for a book signing. The amazing thing is they have not missed a December book signing in twenty years. John and A.K. will be at the Blue Quill Angler this coming Saturday along with 8 other authors. We'll have refreshments, Cannon's famous oxtail soup, wild pheasant, and many other goodies. You can come meet these authors, swap fishing stories, and get your books personalized. We will have all their books "currently in print" available for purchase.

Authors coming will be:
John Gierach:
John Gierach is the author of many books including: At the Grave of the Unknown Fisherman, Standing in a River Waving a Stick, Dances with Trout, Trout Bum, Even Brook Trout Get the Blues, Sex, Death and Fly Fishing, Fly Fishing Small Streams, Good Flies, Still Life with Brook Trout, Another Lousy Day in Paradise, Death, Taxes, and Leaky Waders, The View from Rat Lake, and his latest Fool's Paradise. His work has appeared in Gray's Sporting Journal, Field & Stream, where he is a contributing writer, and Fly Rod & Reel Magazine, where he is a columnist. He also writes columns for the Longmont Daily Times (Colorado)-Call and the monthly Redstone Review. He lives in Lyons, Colorado.


A.K. Best: Archie Best is an amazing fly fisherman, fly tyer, fly designer, fly tying instructor, lecturer, author, and all around good guy. His books include: Production Fly Tying, Dying and Bleaching, A.K. Best's Advanced Fly Tying, A.K.Best's Fly Box, and Fly Fishing with A.K., plus many DVD's on fly tying. His latest book that came out in 2008 is Fly Tying with A.K.
Pat Dorsey: Pat Dorsey is a fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants, fly-fishing guide, author and noted speaker. Dorsey began his guiding career with the Blue Quill Angler 18 years ago. He is a partner in the shop and is author of A Fly-Fishing Guide to the South Platte River, and has a DVD, Nymphing Strategies. His new book Fly-Fishing Western Tailwaters is due to be released in September 2009. Dorsey also writes for Fly Fisherman, High Country Angler, and is a noted speaker at the International Sportsmen's Exposition. He also travels and speaks at fly shops and fishing clubs throughout the US. Dorsey has also received the coveted Orvis Guide of the Year award.


John Barr: John Barr is a retired dentist, an avid fly fisherman and Umpqua fly designer. His own designs include well known fly patterns such as the Copper John, Barr Emerger, Vis-A-Dun, Graphic Caddis and the Meat Whistle to name only a few. These and many more of his other patterns are contained in his book Barr Flies. Barr recently worked with Landon Mayer in the production of the DVD Landing the Trout of Your Life and a DVD on fly-fishing for bass titled Weapons of Bass Production. John Barr is on the advisory staff for Sage, Simms, Rio and Outcast, and is a member of the Ross Reels pro staff.


Landon Mayer: Landon Mayer is a native of Colorado who finds his passion in the sport of fly-fishing through teaching, learning, and sharing his knowledge with others. He has spent the past ten years guiding on his home waters--the South Platte River--as well as abroad. Mayer is also a regular writer on the art of fly-fishing, having been published in numerous trade publications, including High Country Angler, Fly Fisherman, and American Angler. His first book, How to Catch the Biggest Trout of Your Life, and his DVD Landing the Trout of Your Life, are a must-have for every angler's library. Mayer maintains an extensive speaking schedule at fly-fishing trade shows, seminars, fly shops, and other venues, and is also a pro-staff advisor for Cloudveil, Ross Reels, and High Country Angler.


Todd Hosman: Todd Hosman is a professional writer and veteran fly-fishing guide, Todd Hosman lives near Longmont, Colorado. He is the author of Fly Fishing Rocky Mountain National Park, Fly Fishing Colorado's Front Range, and now in 2008 is his new book Colorado Trout Flies, The eastern slope of the Colorado Rocky Mountains is home to an extraordinary concentration of accomplished fly tyers, perhaps the greatest in the world. Colorado Trout Flies profiles 34 of them, including professional tyers, fly-fishing guides and writers. The book focuses on the featured tyers, but it also details, with recipes and color photos, 68 of their favorite fly patterns.
Shane Stalcup: Shane Stalcup is a fly designer for the Solitude Fly Company, professional fly tyer, and fly tying materials originator. Stalcup is in a league of his own, forever combining new materials with new ideas to create realistic patterns. He has contributed to Fly Tyer, Fly Fisherman, and Fly-Fishing &Tying Journal, plus 14 fly tying videos. In his book, Mayflies Top to Bottom, Stalcup shares his secrets for tying effective and lifelike mayfly imitations that are effective fish catchers.


Ed Engle: Ed Engle is a South Platte fly-fishing guide and author of Fly Fishing the Tailwaters (out of print),Tying Small Flies, and Fishing Small Flies. He has also written many articles on fly tying and fly fishing in Fly Fisherman and American Angler. Engle's books are filled with tips and techniques developed from guiding and fishing Colorado. He is a student, master and teacher of fishing hatches especially midges, Tricos, and tiny Baetis mayflies. His books are especially relevant to fishing Colorado with a special emphasis on tailwaters.


Barry Reynolds: Barry Reynolds has been a promoter of freshwater fly-fishing species beyond trout for over 20 years. His books include Mastering Pike on the Fly, Carp on the Fly, and just released Fly-Fishing with Barry Reynolds. He is an Umpqua contract fly tyer, and serves on the pro staff of Scott Rods, Ross Reels, Rio Fly lines, Simms, and Smith Action Optics. He holds line-class world records for several species. Reynolds has caught a huge variety of freshwater fish on a fly, some very large, and many of them in the Denver Metro area.


Marty Bartholomew: Marty Bartholomew is consumate angler,fly-fishing guide, author, fly tyer, and fly tying instructor. Bartholomew has a great tying book, Tying Flies Like a Pro. A Flyfisher's Guide to Colorado is a must-have if you fish Colorado. It details when, and where, you should fish for the entire state of Colorado. In addition, helpful tips and fly selection is covered. Every fly-fisher should have this book on the front seat of his or her car!


Barring a huge snow storm, these authors will be at the Blue Quill Angler from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm. Books can be shipped to you signed and personalized. Just give us a call at 303-674-4700.
Upcoming Free Saturday Seminars 10:00am until 12:00 noon
unless noted

Saturday, Dec 13: Simms Day at the Blue Quill Michael White, our Simms rep will be on hand to go over new products for 2009, size you for waders, and outerwear, and answer your questions about all Simms products. Special product incentives for all who come.

Saturday, Dec 20: Fishing Grey Reef : Jim Neiberger and Blue Quill Angler guide Bob Dye have fished Grey Reef together for many years. Bob guides on the Gray Reef and will be hosting a spring and fall trip to the North Platte. Come and learn about this productive tailwater.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Fly Fishing History

Fly Fishing's History - How did it start?

I recently came across an excellent site on the web that I want to share with you. Dr. Herd, the author, shares some careful and diligent research into the subject of fly fishing's history.
The site contains reprints of works from long ago demonstrating the rich history of our sporting tradition as well as the results of the Author's research into the subject.

I found this to be an excellent read and very comprehensive. The sites author, Dr. Andrew Herd, has obviously prepared a thorough and well laid out site that covers the history of fly fishing in depth. Dr. Andrew Herd is the Associate Editor, Waterlog Magazine, and member of the Flyfisher's Club, London.

As to fly fishing's origins the author provides, "the first reference to fly fishing is in ?lian?s Natural History, probably written about 200 A.D." The reference to AElian's includes "They fasten red (crimson red) wool around a hook, and fix onto the wool two feathers which grow under a cock?s wattles, and which in colour are like wax. Their rod is six feet long, and their line is the same length. Then they throw their snare, and the fish, attracted and maddened by the colour, comes straight at it, thinking from the pretty sight to gain a dainty mouthful; when, however, it opens its jaws, it is caught by the hook, and enjoys a bitter repast, a captive".
Dr. Herd covers this whole subject in great depth and has made a significant contribution to us that have inquired about where, when, and how did this passion to fish with the fly all begin. I found "The Treatyse of Fysshynge with an Angle" most interesting as much of the shared advise in the treatise is applicable today as much as it was in 1490 A.D.
The author writes;

""The Treatyse of Fysshynge with an Angle" was published as part of the second edition of The Boke of St. Albans in 1496. Two manuscript versions exists, dated prior 1450, but even the most complete copy lacks some of the text of the printed version, in particular the list of flies. We know who published the Treatyse - Wynkyn de Worde, Caxton's apprentice and successor. The identity of the author is less certain. It is often said that the author was Dame Juliana Berners, but the evidence for this is pretty slim.

The Treatyse is the most complete early reference work on fly fishing. The text includes instructions on how to make a rod, line, hooks, instructions for twelve fly patterns and hints about how to catch the common varieties of British fish.
The Treatyse stands out among works of the period, not least because it is the first printed book on fly fishing, but also because it champions fishing, putting it on the same plane as hunting. Hunting was the sport of kings and nobles, and the Treatyse's claim must have caused a few raised eyebrows at the time. However, the influence of the Treatyse was immense. It was a popular work and was reprinted many times over the century that followed its first publication. "
I took the time to read this treatise, plus much more of the extensive content there and thoroughly enjoyed it. I recommend you take a little time from your hurried life to stop and ponder the origins of this pastime and get in touch with its rich history. I commend Dr. Herd's effort and would like to express my gratitude and thanks for his effort.
Jeff Selser - Site Admin Fly Fishing Info Center
You can visit the site by follwing this link - Fly Fishing History

Bookmark and Share
MORE AT FLYFISH ADDICTION
WEBSITESMALL

Monday, November 17, 2008

Tarpon on a Fly Video!

Fly Fishing in The Keys
It doesn't get much better than this!

Checkout this video and count the days till you get hooked up on a Silver...I know I'm counting down my days





Bookmark and Share
MORE AT FLYFISH ADDICTION
WEBSITESMALL
lor

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Denver Christmas Holiday Dog Walking..(Loving/Reputable/Website/Licensed)

"We Have a Few Spots Left...Call Us Today & Come Home To A Happy Pet"
Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
DENVERDAAWG PET CARE denvdaawg@hotmail.com • 3-884-4294 http://www.denverpet.net
IN-HOME PET VISITS • DOG WALKS • HOUSE CHECKS•


Denverdaawg Pet Care is the friendly neighborhood pet care specialist! Whether you are going on vacation, a business trip, or just spending long hours at the office, Denverdaawg Pet Sitting is here for you. We provide a variety of attentive services for ANY pet, from private dog walks and park adventures, to cage-free in-home sitting, private boarding and day care as well as cat play.We'll keep a watchful eye on your home, bring in the newspapers and mail, water the plants and keep everything safe while you're away! And of course we're fully licensed, bonded and insured for your peace of mind.

Denverdaawg Pet Sitting offers loving, attentive pet care, professionally trained and includes references so you can be sure your pets are well taken care of and given the extra TLC they need while you are gone.Best of all, we are situated in your local neighborhood. No more having to call around or stay home because your sitter wasn't available. One call to us is all it takes to line up professional pet care in your area. For more information visit us on the web at http://www.denverpet.net , contact us via email at denvdaawg@hotmail.com, or call usWe look forward to meeting you and your furry, feathered friends soon!Denverdaawg Pet Sitting is a Licensed, Bonded and Insured business. References Available! We are Proud members of NAAPS & Pet Sitters International Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
cartoon-fido

**CHECKOUT OUR DENVER DOG WALKING BLOG ALSO: http://denverdogwalking.blogspot.com/

Denver Dog Walking/Stapleton Dog Walking/Cherry Creek Dog Walking
Denver Pet Sitting/Metro Denver Dog Walker/DU area Dog Walker
Denver Pet Care/Washington Park Dog Walking/


Thursday, November 13, 2008

New FFA Fly Fishing Forum

More Fly Fishing News and Talk is Here!

As is if we needed another reason to talk about fishing. Thanks to those who have shown tremendous interest in Fly Fish Addiction over the last year!

We started a new Fishing Forum to talk about recent fishing reports, local or regional fishing updates, an area to post your fishing pictures, get up to the minute fishing news and an area to showcase any fishing knowledge for others to learn about.

Go to Fly Fish Addictions Forum to find out more and to chat about the sport we know and love.


Bookmark and Share
MORE AT FLYFISH ADDICTION
WEBSITESMALL

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Accident Kills Green River Icon Denny Breer!

Flyfishing has lost a great one... Denny Breer, longtime guide on Utah's Green River and owner of Trout Creek Flies, was killed in an accident yesterday. Breer literally wrote the book on fishing the Green... Utah's Green River: A Fly Fisher's Guide to the Flaming Gorge Tailwater. He was a tireless advocate for protecting and promoting that fishery. Many of those giant terrestrial fly patterns that initially made other guides from throughout the West wonder... then believe... are Denny's creations.

The Fly Fishing Community looses a vaulable member of the Fly Fishing Community. He will be sorely missed and you can find more about Denny and his love of fly fishing HERE



Bookmark and Share
MORE AT FLYFISH ADDICTIONWEBSITESMALL

Monday, November 10, 2008

Saltwater Top Fly Fishing Flies!


Fly Fish Saltwater Top Flies


Looking for some of the best saltwater patterns out there, checkout Fy Fish Saltwaters website and database



Rays Menhaden: After seeing Mike Figliolis post in Reel-Time about "effective flies", I emailed him and got this recipe. This is basically a Ray Bondorew pattern with an added "flash tail" and a little accent flash added.
Rhody Flat Wing: The Rhody Flat Wing is a pattern that was originated by the late Bill Peabody. Bill stated that he combined the flat wing hackle concept, popularized by Ken Abrames and the proven color scheme of the Ray’s Fly developed by Ray Bondorew. The result being a very effective pattern. This fly is tied in a very sparse manner. In addition to being very effective at catching fish, it casts extremely well.
RM Soft Short: The RM Soft Short is an impressionistic imitation of a molting juvenile American Lobster (Homarus Americanus). This crustacean is prolific in rocky coastal waters of the Northeast (particularly north of Cape Cod). They can grow to over thirty pounds. They range in color from Olive Green to Blue to Albino. Immature specimens (carapace less than two inches) in molt are much favored by Striped Bass.
Snake Fly: It is rather easy to tie, as you will see. The only thing that requires any tying skill is the spun deer hair head. Lou Tabory must have put a lot of thought into this guy for the end result has striped bass written all over it!
Back Beach Bomber: This fly uses the EZ body spreader and also has the added EZ body nose cone. After seeing Rich Murphy’s Conomo Special I began to play at the vise. I wanted a fly to use at night that had big shoulders and decent length and was cast able. What you see here is the result of a year’s experimentation.
Boomer !: The Boomer was developed to imitate the juveniles of a variety of species of baitfish within the genus Clupeidae, including Alewife and Blue Back herring which seasonally migrate north in spring and early summer then south in the fall along inshore waters in the Northeast.
Buffy the Striper Slayer: It works great in the outer surf where a larger fly is more readily seen than an epoxy or clouser. I hope you give this fly a try and that it helps you slay a few bass this season.
Bunker Herring: I really love this fly!!! I came up with the pattern last winter while wintering in Colorado and dreaming of stripers. The patterns that I had seen that imitated the larger baitfish were all fairly bulky which I felt takes away the needed action in such a fly.
Capt. Ray's Angel Hair Fly: These flies have attitude, and a bad one at that. These hooked morsels are always sticking their noses into some fish's business, teasing and touting them to strike back. They puff up like a bully and then run away. What gives them this attitude? It's a material developed by Angler's Choice called "Angel Hair."
Crab Apple: About two seasons ago down in Chatham I started fooling around with attempting to tie a realistic crab fly... I had some Ring neck Pheasant feathers and a liking of the use of epoxy. So I cut out a round piece of green foam and covered the carapace with a Pheasant neck feather.. The green color and shape created the name.
Gong Show: A versatile fly for a variety of fishing situations
Gurgler: The Gurgler is a simple fly designed to imitate surface bait. It is neither a popper nor slider but a very effective in-between type of fly. The Gurgler is surprisingly easy to tie and is a great fly to stock your boxes with due to the relative ease in which it is tied and it’s effectiveness.
Maineyak: The Maineyak is designed to be an eel fly that gets down and dirty in weedy boulder fields and along grassy banks. With a double weed guard the fly rarely snags.
Narrow River Floating SilverSide: It will float up on a fast retrieve and on the slow retrieve for the intermediate sink. Wes Wyatt originated this fly in a series of Narrow River flies that have worked over the years in the Rhode Island area.
Black Phantom: It is easy to see why this pattern was very productive. It possesses the qualities that are shared by all great patterns. It is easy to tie. It may be easily modified to create the length and profile desired. It has tremendous action. It pushes water – certainly a favorable quality in any nighttime pattern.
Blueback Herring: Give this fly a try and get ready for the "ooooohs and ahhs" from your fishing buddies....
Blue Chew: When I take non-flyfishers out and we get into the blues I put on a Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow. This swimmer has fantastic side to side action and comes in some really cool metallic colors....In other words....bluefish find them pretty irresistible....So when I sat down to tie up something the Yo-Zuri idea was what I was looking for....I was pretty pleased with the results and the bluefish thought so too!...
Joe Blado's Crease Fly: A technique that can be used to create a number of different patterns.
Conomo Special: This winter while attending a fly show outside Boston I happened upon Rich Murphy and the Conomo Special. The fly immediately caught my eye while wandering among the many booths. Rich was behind the vise and he was very generous in describing on how to tie the Conomo and many other patterns he ties using Easy Body. The fly looks like a real winner and I heartily suggest you give it a try. I made a few plans to fish with Rich this season and am sure we will sling a Conomo or two. Also Umpqua Feather Merchants markets the fly and you can find it wherever Umpqua flies are sold. Happy tying.....Jeff
Defense Crab: The Defense Crab is intended to imitate a juvenile rock crab (carapace less than 1 inch long) agitated into a defensive posture against a foraging predator, claws up, tail down. In the Northeast, crabs this size are a staple for striped bass and other game species during the months of high summer when forage fish population movement is at a minimum.
Exorcist: This thing is a piece of cake to tie and has a really clean look.....Give the Exorcist a try.
Flounder Around: I was determined to place a flounder fly in my box to have it available if I thought necessary or as that extra "go to" fly when nothing else worked.
Pamet Special: My intent then was to develop a large sand eel imitation I could use to capitalize on the striped bass blitzes that are routine during the fall months at the mouth of the Pamet River when, during the ebb of the tide, literally tons of sand eels are flushed into Massachusetts Bay.... by Rich Murphy
Plates: It’s pretty hard to find a flyfisherman on the New England coast or any other coastal waters for that matter than don’t have an arsenal of these two style of flies. They are my *meat and potato* flies and I use them probably more than any other patterns for striped bass.


Bookmark and Share
MORE AT FLYFISH ADDICTION
WEBSITESMALL

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Stories of Fly Fishing Night!

The Tattered Cover Book Store & The Rocky Mountain Land Library present a special Rocky Mountain Land Series event.

HOME POOL: STORIES OF FLY FISHING & LESSER PASSIONS
by Bruce DuckerColorado author Bruce Ducker and award-winning artist Duke Beardsley will present a slidetalk and sign their new book, Home Pool: Stories of Fly Fishing & Lesser Passions, aperfectly sketched and richly described collection of short stories, enlivened with theimages of an artist inspired by western waters.

WHEN: Saturday, November 8th, 2pm
WHERE: Tattered Cover's LoDo Store, 16th & Wynkoop, diagonally across Wynkoop from theUnion Train Station
FOR MORE INFORMATION: call 303-436-1070, or email jeff.lee@tatteredcover.com




Bookmark and Share
MORE AT FLYFISH ADDICTION
WEBSITESMALL

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Fall Fishing Big Browns Utah!

Fall Fly Fishing for Fat Browns
More on Fly Fish Addiction
By Mark Smith a great writer and even better fisherman!

November means more to me than turkey and football. This is the month to break out the streamer fly patterns and go after big brown trout. Occasionally I catch a big brown through the spring and summer, but it's not until the cool, short days of November that the real monsters become available in numbers. There is one simple explanation for November being so hot. It's because browns are fall spawners and by November they are in a downright nasty mood. Fish that are close to or have just finished spawning are very aggressive and territorial. I've seen fall browns caught on flies and lures nearly six inches in length. These fish will often pursue and attack most anything that comes near their faces.

This time of year the big browns move from the deep, brush-laden holes of summer and congregate in areas close to good spawning gravel, often around slow riffles or the shallow tails of pools. I've found that a lot of browns also spawn in side channels and tributary mouths. After you know where to look, finding aggressive fish is a cinch. Find a good spawning area and then look for adjacent holes or holding water where fish may be hiding. This is where you want to focus your time. Leave the spawners alone and go after the opportunistic feeders nearby. We don't want to jeopardize spawning, since it is the future of the resource.

My most memorable Novembers have come on the Provo River. One great day occurred last year, when I took a midweek trip to the river below Deer Creek. Weekday trips are usually best because you have a little more elbow room. This day was even better, as an early winter storm developed and snow started to really come down.

My experience suggests that fall fishing is better up near the dam, so we drove to the closest access point. The river below Deer Creek has large annual fluctuations, and the stretch below the dam was one long run. For me it's a difficult stretch to fish during most of the year, when nymphing is the standard technique. But during November nymphs are not my choice. Instead I tie up some big streamers, muddler minnows, bucktails and, of course, woolly buggers.
There were no visible fish on this particular day, so I began casting my streamer up and across the channel, allowing the fly to sink on a dead drift and then retrieving in short, six-inch strips. The snow continued to fall and soon the only noise audible was the smooth flow of water at my feet. Fishing my way downstream was frustrating. I didn't see or feel anything, and the snow was beginning to make my fingers icy cold.

As I approached a sharp bend I noticed a large patch of clean gravel along the opposite bank. Clean gravel this time of year means that fish have been digging redds (nests) in the area, and I immediately went into stalking mode. I loped through the brush to attain a better position from which to cast without spooking any fish close to the redd. It was hard to see in the snow, but I could just make out three large dark bodies on top of the cleaned area.

Below them I saw a pool that I knew would hold more big fish. I quartered a cast upstream in front of the spawning trio and let my fly drift as it sank toward the bottom. The spawning fish ignored the streamer as it bounced along the gravel. I started giving small twitches as the fly left the cleaned gravel and disappeared into the pool. I saw the flash of a large fish in the pool and immediately set the hook into what I can only guess was a submerged log. Rather than risk spooking the pool I snapped off the fly and retied, cursing the snow and the log simultaneously.
The next cast went long and I tied into the willow six feet up on the opposite bank. My hands were quite cold and I really didn't want to break off and retie again, so I went through the ridiculous routine of pulling and twisting from every imaginable angle. In the process of pulling and twisting, I noticed one of the fish on the redd had begun kicking up gravel with its tail. I then noticed that every time the fish kicked up a scoop of gravel a big head emerged from the darkness of the pool below. It looked as if the spawning fish was kicking up eggs that had been previously deposited, and the big fish below were gobbling them up. I gave a sharp pull on my rod and parted with the streamer. I didn't need it anymore. Instead I tied on a peach egg fly and a strike indicator.

Again I cast upstream and let the egg drift down past the redd. As soon as the fly passed the third visible fish the big head emerged out of the pool and inhaled the egg.
I can't recall setting the hook, but I must have, because the next thing I remember was stumbling over boulders as I went downstream through the snow in pursuit of an extremely strong fish. The fish tore downstream until it hit a very large deep pool; then it sank to the bottom and wouldn't budge. Several times I thought the fish was hung up, but then it would scoot around the pool letting me know it wasn't. Finally, the big brown tried an upstream run, but it didn't make it far. Its energy was gone and I backed it up into the shallows.

I have seen a lot of beautiful trout, but few rival that of a brown in spawning colors. The red spots on the sides of this fish were intense, and the bottom jaw was strongly hooked, indicating it was a male.

The snow and wind picked up after I released the fish, but my hands remained warm the rest of the day. It is amazing what the adrenaline from chasing a big brown can do for you.

November Utah hot spots:
A great thing about hunting brown trout in Utah is that you don't have to go far. From St. George to Logan, great fishing is available in a multitude of streams. Some of my favorites this time of year include:

Santa Clara River
Flowing from the Pine Valley Mountains above St. George, this stream crosses some of the most unique landscape in the state. You probably won't catch any huge browns here, but the average size is good and, along with the landscape, it's well worth the trip. The stream holds good numbers of fish in the rugged canyon near the town of Veyo.
Beaver RiverThis stream is relatively large by southern Utah standards and has great access. The stream flows from the Tushar Mountains right through the town of Beaver. Browns are plentiful here, as are rainbows in the canyon. Drifting an egg pattern is very effective for the rainbows as well as the browns.

Oak Creek
This stream flows out of Fishlake National Forest toward the town of Oak City, west of I-15. It's a nice place to get away if you are in the mood for solitude. Browns are everywhere in this small stream. If you can contend with the brush, you can catch small browns until you are sick of unhooking them.

Provo River
The lower and middle sections of the Provo are, in my mind, the best places in Utah to consistently catch browns in the 18-inch range. The biggest drawback to fishing here is that you have to be willing to share the water with other anglers.

Weber River
The Provo may hold more fish, but if you are looking for a trophy-sized browns, the Weber is the place to be. From Rockport to Riverdale, the Weber holds brown trout that grow fat feeding on the extremely abundant insects and bait fish found in this river. In general, you will see a lot fewer browns than on the Provo, but if you put in your time fish over 20 inches are not uncommon.

Ogden River
This river gets my top rating for action. The number of browns in the river below Pineview is crazy, and to top it off the river doesn't see much pressure. If you don't have a lot of fly-fishing experience, try drifting an egg fly through the pools on the Ogden in November. It's the exact same technique as drifting bait, and the strikes are hard and plentiful.

Blacksmith Fork
This stream flows into Cache Valley from the mountains east of Hyrum. Fishing the Blacksmith can be a little frustrating in November. The water is crystal clear and you will see a lot of really nice fish. The problem is they also see you, and they head for the deep before you can maneuver a cast through the trees and brush that line both sides of the river. (Don't waste time on the lower section, because it was dewatered this summer to meet irrigation demands.)

Other good bets include the Green River (of course), Huntington Creek and Currant Creek. The Strawberry River can also be good from the Soldier Creek Dam down to the Pinnacles and in the stretches just above and below Starvation Reservoir.

Bookmark and Share
MORE AT FLYFISH ADDICTION
WEBSITESMALL

Monday, November 3, 2008

Fall in The Rockies!

Fall in The West!


It's that time of year again, great weather, fall colors and no better time to be on the water. Hope you're able to get out and Enjoy It!