I wrote a post a few days ago and where it went to is anybody's guess. I am not the most proficient user of anything technical. Well now I shall give it another shot. A recap on that post and what I tried to convey was the fact that I could never be a commercial fly tyer. When I sit down to tie a fly my thoughts are of what that fly is going to do and mean to the angler that actually fishes it. So while I wrap thread and hair and dubbing I am in thought as to how the final product will perform.
A favorite pattern of mine is the Partridge and Orange, it works well all year but it takes on special meaning during the fall season. It's color alone is representative of the season. Well yesterday I took a few of these flies, the Cabela's CGR , and Jeanette and I visited a lake.
The lake visit was more of an early foliage check which I may say was pretty nice. I guess we are about a week or so away from peak.
The time spent fishing the lake gave me a half dozen of these guys. Big time jumpers these smallies.
The surprise was this rainbow. I know there are trout in the lake but I have never caught one this early in the fall season. November is action time here for trout. Both the small mouth and the rainbow were all taken on the Partridge and Orange.
Maybe some Partridge and Yellow, along with Partridge and Red on the next trip.
I used to love fishing for SMB with the fly rod, any size.
ReplyDeletebillp
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Bill they give you all you can handle.
Alan
ReplyDeleteI remember out visit 2 years ago in the New England area. We saw some of the most beautiful foliage we've ever seen. It looks you guys are getting there with some of the colors taking shape.
I can see that smallie tail-waking on the surface film which makes for a heart pounding effect when one is fly fishing. Just curious how was you working the hackle to get the takes from the smallmouth and rainbow? Beautiful lake you were fishing--thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill there is no place like New England this time of year. More color each day. Smallies do get the blood pumping.
The way I was fishing the SH's was to cast out and wait several seconds to allow the fly to get down, then a slow retrieve with stop and starts. I never expected the rainbow to be there.
Fall has fallen and the colors are beautiful. We still have a bit to go
ReplyDeleteout here. Need that first frost to get the colors changing.
Mark Kautz
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Mark a frost will bring on the color. The foliage at higher elevations comes on sooner then it does in the valley.
Hi Alan,
ReplyDeleteI would love to see those New England Fall colours in person - some day perhaps I will get chance..........
Lots of members in the club on the little river Leven swear by the Partridge and Orange, but it is a fly I have never had much success with! I do still keep trying in the hope it will come good.
Take care
Alistair
Alistair
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Alistair I'm happy to give you many beautiful photos if you can't make it here.
The old saying "the fly has to be in the water to catch fish"...try try try....
Opening day of bird season here was Saturday. The woods were spectacular. We're at peak color this weekend. Last day of the fishing season was today; we didn't even get a nibble. Your P&O's are as beautiful as the trees, Alan.
ReplyDeletemike
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I remember driving down route 16 out of Oqussoc in September and seeing just how gorgeous this area of our country is. Not a good way to end your open water season, but I know there is always ice fishing. Mike there are certain waters that remain open through October, is that true?
This far north there is only one. From the Fish River Falls down to the St.John River in Fort Kent. This single stretch of water remains open through the winter. It's a hike to get to and in winter it's beyond impractical.
DeleteMike it's better to leave that until spring.
DeleteG'Day Alan,
ReplyDeleteWe visited the US in late September-early October and the Fall colours were absolutely magnificent, especially in the Smokies of Tennesseee.
That view across the lake does look like a hint of things to come.
We have Australian Bass that look very similar to your small mouth bass. They are being increasingly stocked in some lakes as well as other native fish such as Golden Perch and Murray Cod. Some of the larger lakes here in Victoria have these fish along with trout and other introduced Old World fishes.
Good news! COVID restrictions have been slightly eased for us and we can now go fishing again but within a 5km radius of home. I'm lucky that I've got a reasonable choice of places I can choose from close to home but it's still pretty rough for fishermen who aren't so lucky. I saw news footage of a bloke fishing for fish fingers (battered fish pieces--dont know if you call them something different in the US) into a wading pool at the limit of his 5km's--his nearest fishable water was 61/2 km's away! It was a humourous but sad protest against our lockdown restrictions. I'm hoping to wet a fly or two this afternoon.
I want to thank you again for all the times you've taken us along on your fishing outings. Especially since the start of this COVID time. I hope someday I can repay that debt.
Kindest Regards,
Steve.
Steve
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Steve the southern Appalachians are gorgeous this time of year. The fire to visit Shenandoah is raging inside me as I type.
I'm glad that some sense of normal is beginning to return for you. It has been a trying time for us in so many areas. And we call those fish fingers, fish sticks. I don't really know how much fish is actually in them.
Beautiful flies and a fun looking trip Alan!
ReplyDeleteHibernation
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Will "that" season is upon us...it's only going to get better.
Hello Alan, I like that photo of the rainbow trout that you took on the water, here is the time for the trout to spawn in the lakes, which is why we cannot fish them. In any case, our fishing season has not started yet ... and hopefully they will allow us to go fishing as soon as the season begins in November, since with this Covid in between, it is not yet known which protocol we will follow ...
ReplyDeleteArmando Milosevic
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Armando we have some peculiar laws here, each state runs their fisheries differently.
I hope your season starts on time with not to many restrictions. Be safe...