Weekend stockies

Got up early Saturday and met up with Brett and Tyler.  We started out at a small local stream and they both got one.  I did not even get a bite.  It was slow and we decided to hit another stream.

We hit the Lil Lehigh and did well.  I limited.  Tyler got 9 and Brett got three.

Brett did get his first Palomino.  22 inches.  He always had bad luck and never got one before.  So was happy to net it for him!

On Sunday head out with Robb and got the big skunk.  Don't know what happened but the fish turned off.  I did manage to hook one but my leader broke.  Ending up having to change it cause it was so bridle.

All in all a good weekend with family and friend.  Now have to refill my fly box for the statewide opening next weekend.

SE PA Opening Day 2014

I find that most fly fishermen don't like opening day and stay away from the circus.  But it's family tradition for me and I wouldn't give it up for the world.  I am not one of those fly fishermen that think I am better then spinner/bait fishermen.  As long as you fish by the rules, and have etiquette you are cool with me.

Got up around 4am and at the diner by 4:30.  Met up with Brett, Tyler, Pete and some of Tyler's family.  We all had breakfast and headed up to the stream.  Got there around 6am.  Of course it was packed, but we got a spot and messed around till 8am, then it was on.   Fish were caught right away.  It was a good day and once the rain started it was even better.  The crowds cleared out and we were able to move around the stream all day.

While fishing a woman asked if it was okay if she took our picture.  I said sure.  She was with three children.  Pete hooked a fish and let her son reel it in.  The kid was hooked and tried to catch one by himself.

After a little while we moved on and fished a little more down stream.  Then the woman came back with coffee for us.  Which was extremely nice.  Pete let her son use his fishing rod again and taught him a little about fishing.   I spoke with her a little and she has a web site WhatsGoingOnInTheLehighValley which is why she was taking pictures of us.  I forgot my camera and wasn't going to take my phone out in the rain.  So all pictures on the post are credited to her and her site.

We ended the day with decent numbers. I got 11, Brett got 13, Tyler was somewhere in the 20's, and Pete got 9.  I got fish on olive hare's ear, stone flies, egg patterns, wooly buggers, and pheasant tails.

More tying

Just been sitting down at night and cranking out some more flies.  Most of the time just playing with materials. Waiting for it the days to get longer and the air to get warmer.

A purple nymph

BWO with CDC wing.

Playing around with materials.

A simple swimming caddis

Playing around more with the swimming caddis.

For some reason i just can't sit and tie one pattern.

Tying and trying to fish.

Last weekend i went with Mike to check out The Classic Fisherman.  I fly shop in Lansdale. Great deals to say the least. We spent about an hour there and then made plans to have a tying session in the evening. 

Played around with the new materials in the afternoon. 

Got to Mikes around nine and was there for half the night. Beer, flytying, Misfits.  It was a good time. 

Sat at the vise for the rest of the week and played around. 

I decided to head out last Saturday since the trout streams are closed and only the fly fishing section is open. Also there were three different outdoor and fly shows in the area.  So i new it wouldnt be packed. 

I fished for two hours and only had one on and lost it.  Bite was extremely slow.  Was sight fishing to a trout and bounced the fly off his mouth and he just swam away.  Was still nice to get out. 

Back out

Yesterday met mike from Dubthethorax.com. 

My first day back out since I had surgery on my ankle.  Also the first time out with the new rod I built. 

Saw rises and tried to get them right away. Ended up getting a couple noses right away but no takers.

Testing the rod out and I like it a lot. Its a fast action rod and I really like the ritz style handle. The handle gives you a good grip and allows for power when you need it. 

Playing around with flies I did finally end up getting a taker. Playing the fish I realized I couldn't squat down to net the fish.  Mike helped and snapped a picture. 

Mike was determined to get a fish out of that run.  I headed to the next hole down stream.  Switched over to nymphs and got a lil rainbow.  

We ended up walking down to the shop and talking with Dave the owner.  Gave us some info and about stocking. So we headed out. 

Spent more time playing around with the rod.  Was able to cast further and with more accuracy.  

Mike was able to get a nice brownie on an emerger.  Was happy cause he worked his ass off for that fish. 

Ended up with a few more casts and then called it a day. 

Loved getting out and just want to get back out there. 

New Build

I haven't been posting lately because I had surgery on my ankle.  So I have been laid up and no fishing for a while. 

But I did make myself a new everyday fly rod.  Blank is a North Fork Composites. Guides are Snake Brand. Reel seat is Coral wood (my next venture is to make my own reel seat).  The grip is a Ritz style custom grip I made with inspiration and info from Zeb at Snowman Custom Rodworks. 

If you haven't seen Zeb's work. Then look him up. It's amazing what he can do. 

This rod gave me a lot of trouble. Even falling off the drying station. Had to cut off all the wraps and start over.  But now it's done and I can't wait to heal and get back out on the water. 

Brownie

Since it's a beautiful fall day. I got out of work a little early and hit the stream.

Put on a 18 BWO and with in a few casts had mutiple hits and got one on the line. 

That trout destroyed my fly.  So i switched it up.  Put on a nymph with an egg trailer.  Didn't need a strike indicator.  It was so clear i could see the flies. A few casts in and had a taker on the egg.   This one fought pretty well. 

While i was looking around and taking in nature i could see these two older men in the hole down stream from me.  You could tell the one was on his first fly fishing trip and having a hard time at it.  He was trying to cast but kept slapping the water.

Well the slapping just made me think of terrestrials.  So i put on a grasshopper.  Holy Crap the trout loved it. 

Now on a side note and why i named this  post. This is the first trout this year that wasnt a rainbow. From January till the end of September.  All trout were rainbows. 

Ended up getting another rainbow on the grasshopper. Then the two guys from earlier kept getting closer to me. The one guy who knew how to flyfish wouldnt shut up. I dont even think he was talking to anyone, just himself.  It just annoyed me so i packed it in.