The "Outback", you have read several posts about my ventures into this wader shredding area in the past. I usually fish this place in winter and very early spring because it's more forgiving and kinder on man and material. But a few weeks ago I had the urge to fish this natural highly protected area and see what I could find. As you look from the parking one observes a pretty setting, a view that says I'd love to take a walk through there. Well it may look friendly but believe me there are tangles of briars that hold world records, thorns that are "huge" and will rip you to no end. This is Filson "Tin Cloth" territory.
But back in the "Outback" are some of the biggest fish this stream produces. I have met a few of them over the years and was ready to see if I could locate one this day.
There is beauty in the "Outback"...this lupine was close to full bloom.
The stream runs close to many hazards. The trees hold many of my flies not only on top but in the roots.
During the winter the browns hold in the deep slow pools, but come mid spring and summer they work their way up into the better feeding areas of the stream. It is here where I tangled with a very strong brown trout. The brown took the fly as it drifted to the left of the vine hanging in the water. He struck it hard and headed to the nasty roots along the bank. In his struggle to free himself he made some spectacular runs both up and downstream. I can tell you the little 4'10" 3wt Cane and Silk almost bent in half. It held and the fly stayed in and soon the brown lay close to my hand.
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| An "Outback" Brown |
A wild brown, a very beautiful wild brown that allowed me to photograph him before his release.
Thats a very noce Brown Trout there Alan, a lovely golden hue with a substantial 'pot belly'! I wonder what he has been feeding on?
ReplyDeleteAlistair
Nice!!!!!!
DeleteAnonymous
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Alistair, that brown may have been enjoying frogs or other fish. With that full stomach he still could not resist the fly.
What a beautiful brownie,Alan. Well worth the hazardous trek to reach his lair.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Shuck
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Bill the "outback" will not be fished again until late fall, winter. By then the waders should be patched.
Wow Alan - that is a really chubby brown! They are feeding well in the "outback"!
ReplyDeleteAmazing how "closed in" the forest becomes as the leaves fully green out!
Hibernation
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Will the original owners of the property considered it so rough in the "outback" that they built a little shelter in case. A full green forest does make for a confined area.
Alan
ReplyDeleteThat is one colorful,fat brown. A beauty!
TROUT1
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Pete he was a rod bender for sure.
Splendid blogging, and fishing too. I can smell that small river, delightful.
ReplyDeleteAll the best, John
The Two Terriers
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John delightful fragrances coming forth on days like that.
Gorgeous fish Alan. Bet that smaller rod you use really comes in handy casting in and around all that brush. You're not kidding when you call it "The Outback."
ReplyDeleteMichael Agneta
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Mike I believe a small rod is a necessity back there. I heard someone say that the Australian "outback" is one of the most beautiful areas in the world...although this one is tiny in comparison it to has it's beauty.
I sympathize with the brambles. Tough. Lovely fish, though.
ReplyDeletespike
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Spike the briars keep the wader companies going along with the peroxide mfg's.
Stunning Alan, right up my street that, not easy but very enjoyable, very nice indeed.
ReplyDeleteGeorge
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George you enjoy rough terrain I take it. I can handle it once or twice a year.
Beautiful fish!!! And on a Cane & Sylk too. :)
ReplyDeleteRalph Long
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Ralph that rod does get it done every time.
Alan,
ReplyDeleteYeeoww, what a beautiful "buttery" colored brown trout! Is that a Salars Nemesis in the upper lip of this beauty? What a testament to the effectiveness of this pattern! It seems like it was well worth the hike back in thru the wilderness! What a fine reward for such a fine brownie!
Keep up the good work Alan! We are all glad that you are a great field reporter!
Doug
Dougsden
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Doug, that is a Salars Nemesis...and it got it done. Yesterday while walking to a stream I stopped to fish a pond. Fishing the SN I hooked a very large pickerel. No pics for he cut the tippet a swam off with the fly.
Outstanding brown! Love the picture with the perfect hook set. How are you fishing the streamers in the small creeks, down stream with a strip up? I typically fish small streams casting my fly upstream.
ReplyDeleteMichael Capurso
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Mike that's exactly how I fish them. Almost like a wet fly. I vary the retrieve from slow to super fast. When they hit it is not subtle.
Thank you, i'll give that a try.
DeleteAlan
ReplyDeleteThis stream is worth the casting challenge in close areas to bring trout that colorful and healthy to hand. I assume most of your casting is done standing in the stream? Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill it's a bit of a challenge at times but worth it.
When it's thick like that it's best to be in the stream.
Nice catch Alan, most of the streams I fish are similar to your "outback". It's the only way to ensure the water is all yours. Thanks for the tip on your Cane & Silk rod. Any info you'd like to share would be appreciated. I want to check some out because it's tough finding a quality glass rod under 6'6" and have considered hacking off a blank and building one myself, although I'm aware that isn't a good idea. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteMatthew Harding
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Matt your right on being alone in the outback.
The Cane and Silk rod I use for small streams is a 4'10" 2pc for a 3wt line. Make Kattner builds a quality fishing rod. There a quite a few guys that follow this blog who have purchased them. Mike has a site where you can see some of his offerings.