FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

*****************

I was at the river Monday as it just started to get light.  It was 45 degrees and the wind was blowing pretty good right down the river.  There were a few trout rising, nothing spectacular, but the ones that did were popping it.  On the 3wt was a dry with a dropper, the 5wt had a streamer.

After about 15 minutes I knew they were not wanting the dry, at least one that looked like mine, so time to switch to the streamer, and boy was that a good choice.  On maybe the second cast the minute I straightened it out one smoked it, leaving a big boil while it was at it.  Really a cool bite.

This was the first one.

A couple of quick pics and back in she went.  They were so aggressive that the minute you moved the streamer they were rolling on it.  The bite was on, I had the right bait.  I ended up catching 4, and then Oops.

Number 2, looking good.

I had a pretty good one on when I took a step and fell right on my face.  The water was not that deep, but it was 45 degree out and the water 50 at best.  Of course I had a jacket on, which one arm got completely soaked along with everything in the pockets.  It made it down the front of my jacket and into the waders enough that my shirt was wet.  One of those you hope no one is looking.  At least I did not break my rod.  The sun had not even made it over the mountain, the wind is blowing, and it is time to head back to the cabin and put on some dry clothes. It was cold.  So I called it day for wading and ended up cruising a couple of lakes and the tackle store of course.

***************

      At the lakes it was 5 0r 6 browns, 2 little rainbows, and this little brookie.

At Williams I caught 4 browns and one rainbow, and it was small.  The browns all look like the one above.  It ended up taking a spoon, casting it out, then doing a 20 count.  They wanted the one in the mouth of the brookie above, but of course the next rainbow broke the 4lb test and took off with it.  The wind was definitely up today and was really blowing by 4:00.  I managed 3 or 4 at the second lake but the wind had the grass floating and making it a hassle.  It was pretty slow on both lakes but I never spent a ton of time on either place.

There are so many hunters and I ended up meeting some folks from Clarksville, Arkansas.  They are here hunting, and have done so here since the 70’s.  They are strictly bow hunters, and he has called in lots of bulls in the past, including a 360 for his daughter.  They were taking a break and fishing for their supper and were absolutely smacking them.  How?  Powerbait of course.  It is a staple for trout and they basically fish it just like catfish.  Looked like about a 1/4 ounce sinker and single Powerball on a small hook just tossed on the bottom.

Actually reminded me of fishing trout on the White in the old days.  When guiding lots of those bottled salmon eggs, maybe a red wiggler, or corn.  Of course I prefer lures but if I wanted a fry today no problem, with Powerball you can cut that down to about 5 minutes.  Good to chat with some real Arkie’s, hope they get an elk.

So in the morning we restart the plan minus the getting wet.  It was basically my fault, no reason to move my feet when I have a fish on.  Will be out at daylight and starting off with the streamer and this time spend some time fishing the whole area.  Can’ wait.

****************

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*****************

Tuesday

It was almost cold this morning.  The wind was not as bad but it was blowing right down the river.  I got to my spot before the sun came up and got organized.  Seems funny to have to put so many clothes on, I can get used to this.

I started with a streamer and while they were not biting as strong as yesterday morning I ended up having a good morning.  I think it was only 2 on the streamer, the rest came on a small minnow bait, rooster tails, and went ahead and caught another on the 3.3 Pearl  Knockin Tail just to confirm that they do like it.

This one slammed the Pearl Knockin Tail.

If I have learned one thing is that the browns are on the prowl at first light, and I mean no sun.  They are scattered in this big hole, which used to have a beaver damn.  Only 2 hooked up on the streamer, but it was not their fault,  I had several bites the I just did not get the hook in them.

The first one on the streamer and 1 on the minnow bait.

I will give them this, when using lures they are so aggressive and  just plain stop it.  As the sun started to come out the only benefit was warming up my wet hands.  The only wildlife this morning was a totally black mink who was working hard across the river.  Cool little creature.

Rooster Tail and Minnow bait.  

I wanted to try a couple of new places so the first one was down the river from where I was.  It looked great but I could not get a bite on a dry with a nymph dropper.  One did jump on the spinner but it was small, though it was a rainbow which the first one in the river.  Following an access road I tried one more place and caught only a small brown.  If I have learned one thing, I have a ways to go when fishing really shallow water.  I quit at 11:00 and consider the morning a success.

Time to do some laundry and clean up my own act.  Today I will hang around the cabin and head out for an evening drive to see if I can find some more sheep.  It is a different zone from the other area with all the hunters which is an over the counter bow and muzzle loader zone.  And while for some reason I never see a bear one did get on top of the dumpster here in the camp ground last night so there is hope.  Not much else to say today other than having a great time.  There are lots of folks fishing and getting out at daylight is the ticket.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines