Yesterday was a challenging as well as a rewarding day on the stream. Weather conditions were top notch for mid April. The water was just about perfect, and there were insects about. Kirk and I started fishing wet flies, but that changed and soon every pattern was fair game. I had tied on a very complicated, and extremely elegant dry fly with the hopes of taking my first trout on a dry for April. In a very promising looking pool I drifted the complicated, elegant dry fly along the riffle leading to the pool and "bam" a fish rose and missed. I continued to fish the riffle and the fish kept rising to this complicated, extremely elegant dry fly. At one point I believe he got pricked and was on, but that was not to be. I moved on down stream and Kirk moved into the riffle pool. He worked a Picket Pin through and suddenly I picked up a noise in the woods along the stream. It was Kirk, he could not believe the fish that whacked his fly. That fish is still there.
We continued to fish, and I was not able to bring one to hand. Kirk on the other hand had a pretty good day for himself, he scored a brown, brookie and that special fish a wild Tiger, his first.
The very complicated, extremely elegant dry fly
I fished the dry fly for some time with trout rising to it. Finally the fly made its final hookup of the day. It succumbed to the root ball of a fine hemlock.
So with time running out on this outing I worked a few last runs. I cast the fly and allowed it to drift to the bend just at the end of the fallen log. As I started to retrieve the fly the brookie struck, and my first and only fish was at hand.
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Dry flies , lots of bugs streamside and one of the first reports I can remember that doesn't contain pictures with the "white stuff" in it.....Can it finally be Spring??
ReplyDeleteHighPlainsFlyFisher,
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Yes it is my friend.
Good job gents. Congrats to Kirk on the wild tiger.
ReplyDeleteHope he got a pic to put up on Trout Quest Redux.
Would love to see it. Looking forward to fishing with you both soon.
Spring has arrived!
Apache Trout,
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John I think he will post it, was a nice fish.
Just as soon as your ready, we'll try to hook up.
Nice job Alan and Kirk! Nice to hear that the fish are starting to get interested in dries!
ReplyDeleteMark,
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They seem to be almost there, perhaps a week or so away from some wonderful angling.
Fine weather and simple results. All of it helps to make our pastime wonderful.
ReplyDeleterivertoprambles,
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Walt you put it very nicely.
Alan
ReplyDeleteOutstanding stream and beautiful trout taken in a place that many of us wish we could fish along with you; impressed with the elegant dry fly---thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell,
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A stream I wish I could show you in person Bill.
Good to see the trout are looking up Alan, it won't be long until you get your first April fish on the dry by the sound of things.
ReplyDeletebrian,
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When the trout are looking up, fishing is looking up.
Beautiful stream.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz,
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Almost prime condition.
Simple elegance. I like it.
ReplyDeleteJay,
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As with most things, simplicity is key.
Looks like an awsome time... and that dry is a beauty. That little fly in the trout's mouth looks like a good one too!
ReplyDeleteHibernation,
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Will, the simple dry fly works OK., both wet and dry.
Alan...great ties and fantastic imagery...did you happen to notice if that nest was occupied or not?...
ReplyDeleteLooks like a peaceful place..
Nice !!!
flyfisher1000,
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Dave the nest was not active, perhaps waiting for a return.
The willows had buds, oh beautiful Spring.
Perfect simple fly. I love it.
ReplyDeleteI like to keep things "Elegant" with my fly tying also. Make that "Simply Elegant". Why bother making things more work than they should be. The fish are the reward and the peace on the water is good for the soul.
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