Frustration 5/19-'07

With only a half day of avail time to hit the Grand, The Professor & I headed out the door at our usual 3Am yesterday. Anticipation was high, as water temps had come up to a whooping 50-52F. Hopefully allowing for some increased nymphing activity.

Slight problem however.. With last weekends Kayak races & the increased flow rate outta the Dam. It has left this past week as a recuperation period to allow for acceptable levels in the lake for the long weekend. Dropping down to under a 3cms flow rate & with a river that normally sees an average of 3.5-4.3cms through-out the year, this menas a change of tactics were in order.

Even with a change of basic presetations i.e. longer leaders, I had to go down to 7x tippet size in order to get a bite. While I did note some relatively active nymphing as opposed to previous outtings, it wasn't until later in the day, after the sun had warmed the water & just as time had run out for our jaunt.

I did mange four hook-ups to decent fish in the 18"-22" range, how-ever my run of late '06 Steelhead Mojo must be back, as I managed to lose all four to pulled/thrown hooks while under tension.... Figures... I'm hoping yesterday was a one-off & not a sign of the season to un-fold.

Hoping to get back mid-week for some Hendrickson dry-fly action (although I may have missed the bulk of it). The above pic was by a third-party friend, who tagged along with us. Great scenic sunrise shot of yours truely doing the "Steelhead Jig" (swing thru, move five feet down..) through a well known run...

The Challenge... 5/14/07

There is a well known/exclusive club 'round parts of the Grand R. Affectionately known as the " The 20/20 Club".

Pretty simple entry application...

A 20" Brown (or more) on a #20 Fly (Wet, Dry or Nymph). Conservatively thinking of course, I'm gonna garner a guess it's members between 8-12 yearly (even that might be too high). Probably 1/2 of those are repeat or yearly entrants.

Figuring I'm on a bit of a tear lately (and only because I've been rubbing it in w/the Professor as payback). I'm gonna issue a new challenge to both the "Professor" & "Gilligan" (if he can ever get out to fish...) as of this weekend.

A bit of background history first. "The Professor" has been at this particular game for awhile now. Although he may say I "just wing it" I find it hard to believe as he consistantly bangs off 22"-24" ers every year. I've been there to witness it on many occasions, presenting the same fly as him, either right in front or behind his presentation. Only to have him ding the brute. Seen pics of them as well, so I know when he calls or emails it's legit.

The kid a.k.a "Gilligan" is a bundle of energy. Think Jack Russel Terrier on 6 Triple X-Large Esspresso's and you might have a close enough refrence point.

He on the other hand...Well... Seems they're all 23-25" er's when he fishes... alone. No pics to accent the tale, I give him 1/2 credit based on his Steelheading prowress.. Only 1/2 mind..

So back to the challenge..

Welcome to the "3/20 Club". Rules are simple

1 - #3Wt or less
2 - #20 or smaller fly
3 - photographic proof (mandatory) or viable witness (inserted for Gilligans' sake)
4 - May 19th - seasons end

Let's see who is first and/or the only entrant into this club is, by year's end..

6 Days Later..

It's funny how downtime in-between jaunts can lead one to believe or hope that conditions would/will change change for the better....

However, the only thing that was in my favour was warmer air temps. Still low flows (3.2cms) and gin clear water meant switching out to 12' leaders and 6x & even 7x tippets times.

A cool, crisp morning with some light fog patches always leads to a good BWO & Midge hatch in early morning. Yet with water temps still around (46-47F) the "big boys/mama's are still in a lethargic mode until well int to the morning, when the sun has wamred everything adequately. Cold enough water temps, that even the recent annual stocking of 8"-12" fish were not into nymphing or the afore-mentioned surface action.

However it gave me time to familiarize myself with the new Sage Z-Axis 486-4 I was lucky enough to borrow. Able to roll cast almost as good as my SP 490-2 and track very well during Nymphing presentations, I was impressed. It also lands #22 dries out, like it's "painting them on water" ... Shyte..this stick even tosses a #2 Puglisi bait pattern with authority !

My efforts were rewarded with this 22-1/4 (measured) incher, putting a good bend in the 486-4 at times.



Definately not the early season I'm accustomed to on this watershed, but at least the Caddis should be coming off in a few weeks. Then.. the big boys/mama's will get stupid... Maybe I'll be able to actually time the Hendrickson's this year ??

Time will tell...Until next time.. back to the tying bench..

The Day Before..

There's always an anticipation before an outting with me, beit Brown's or Steelhead.

Trying to factor or guage conditions on any system is usually a hit & miss scenario. Luckily I have a network of contacts, that are 90% accurate in their descriptions.

I'm being told there's active nymphing by the "hogs' for the last few days & the over-night rains have lowered viz to a comfortable level. Hopefully with the last few days of warm temps, everything has settled in to it's early season mode..

Only tommorrow will tell...Stay tuned..

And the Gods Smile...

A low CFM Rate (3.2), coupled with low Gin-Clear water & cold water temps (47) proved to be difficult conditions. Yet if you grind it out and bring your "A-Game" , the rewards can be ten-fold!

23" s of Grand R. Brown'age.. 'Nuff said..

The End of One Season..

Preludes the start of another..

Sat April 27th, marks the official open season for Trout here in Ont, Can. With some reluctance I pointed the Silver Goat East & headed to private waters I'm fortunate to have access to. Given the amount of vehicles on the road leading into the property (which..god I love this part) is patrolled by Doberman's & Sheppards during the weekend) to help keep the over-enthusiastic/non-members out & to the North of the property. I'm glad to have a small piece of solitude every year to fish on this weekend.

Since Jan I've become increasingly despondant towards the whole C-Pin set-up I usually favour. Instead taking the Spey gear and looking for aggressive fish on the swing. I think I've taken the 'Pin gear out a total of three times since Jan... Even still my soul wasn't into it & was taken more outta convienance then anything else.

I must say this about that however... There's nuthin like the tug of Steel on a swung Spey/Mini Spey/Tube Spey pattern. Aggresive takes, airborne displays & typical torpedo runs are becoming rather addicting as opposed to watching a float meander along. Nuthin wrong with the latter however, just becomes a little monotanous after 20+ yrs of doing it. That and the throngs of would-be floaters, who know jack-shit about etiquette, is enough to turn me off of this gig at times. Nuff said..

The day went well. Overcast, light drizzle early morn w/some fog, 3-6" viz, perfect conditions really. Doing the typical close in then extending further out presentations through a long deep slot/trough, then moving 5' down is relaxing. A quick dram of the 'Phroaig every-once-in-awhile to take the chill off & the world seems proper at times....

Fifteen feet from my starting point (that's three moves down stream for those counting) and the Lady Caroline has taken hold of the first customer of the morning. A big initial run, coupled with a few acrobatics and he's landed & released in under five. A nice clean droppie of 8Lbs rocketing off like nothing ever happened. By the time I've reached the end of the trough, I've rolled 3 more and landed a 3Lb Shaker for my efforts. Time for a change and slow meander back to the top & allow the others to work through.

By mid-day I'd accounted for five Steelhead, rolled another 1/2doz & managed to kill the better part of a flask of 'Phroaig. It was time for the customary luncheon that one of the members puts on & a lil slap-rapping about fish caught, missed opportunities & the talk of the season soon to be ended. All-in-All not a bad way to kill 3/4's of a day really.. Yup no pics (well I have 'em)m but I'm not into posting hero shots, so I'll wait to get decent pics in the Fall..speaking of

Until Fall Steelhead Season... Nuff Said..

Gearing up for some Hog Brown'age on the Grand R. for the next while. Been out once, but a dip in barometric pressure from the previous day, high flows & low water temps made for a dismal first outting Sunday. 'Sides I'm not into the Micro shit that comes off in early hatches (BWO's & Midges). One I can barely see them on the water.. Two I can't tie the shit on to 8X tippet in short order, so usually I just say fugg it...

Tommorrow's "Round 2" we'll keep ya posted...

Gone..