A New Year

As I was on my way home it dawned on me that all of my gear was in the back of the truck and if I hurried maybe the fish would be biting as the sun was due to start setting soon. Threw on the waders and boots then scrambled down the hill and into the river. Instantly it looked promising, as trout began to rise and sample the offerings drifting along the surface of the river. Put on a Popcorn Midge from
Dragonfly Angler  and waded upstream to a little set of rapids. It didn't take long to produce the first rainbow of the evening as the fly drifted through the current and slowed in the eddy behind the rock I could feel the tension as the trout ate the fly. After a good battle I was able to convince it to get into the net for a photograph.

 As the sun began to set I came acrouss two nice sized trout that held still long enough for a picture as well as a Palimino that allowed me to get to within five feet for a picture. As they say, good things come to those that are prepared. Nice way to start off the year.

2011 Year in review

2011 started off in the same fashion as 2010 ended, DRY......... after having no precipitation through the winter you had to wonder what was ahead as Spring approached. The first trip of the year was the annual freeze trip and it proved to be a great way to start it off. A group of us fished and paddled around eighteen miles over two days and caught fish, shared stories, and just enjoyed the outdoors.

By the time Spring rolled around the expectations of rain kept diminishing and the water restrictions were being put into effect. That didn't mean that the fishing had to stop, it just meant that you had to change tactics as the water was falling and the fish were on the move. Here are some pictures from trips heading into the Summer.

Summer went down as the hottest and driest on record. It also went down as the year that I took up fly fishing. Not sure why I didn't get involed with it earlier in life but all of that is history. After a lot of reading and practicing in the yard, I was able to get out and cast proficiently enough that I actually caught fish. The rivers around here have some cool water and I found myself in the water more often this year than on top of the kayak, great way to beat the heat.

Fall brought on some excellent fishing and with the changing of colors the temperatures starting to drop it reminded the fish to start feeding as winter was on it's way. It also meant that it was time to go do a little trout fishing in Texas.

My New Year's Resolution will be to spend more time with family and friends, which means....Let's go fishing.

Fly Rod Build 003

Now that all of the components have arrived for the new fly rod it's time to get started.
This will be a 9' Fast action, High Modulus blank that will be paired with a custom cork grip with stainless stripper guides and stainless snake guides.
After I get the reel seat and grip mounted on the blank I will look through the assortment of thread that I have and come up with a color for the wraps and trim.
Keep checking for updates.....

Merry Christmas

A quick note to thank everyone here and I hope each of you have a Merry Christmas .

A Thingama WHAT ?

Stepping into the frigid water, I became alive with a rush of adrenaline as the coldness crept its way up my spine. As I zipped  my jacket up around my neck to keep what heat I had in from escaping, I watched as my glasses fogged up with every breath I took. Had to pull the buff down from my face so the next step taken wasn't into a deep hole or onto one of the slippery rocks hidden below the waters surface.
As the cast landed upstream I couldn't help but think of days ago as I sat watching the cork bobber in anticipation of a fish, now I was watching a thingamabobber as it danced through the current pulling along an egg with a San Juan worm tied to it followed by a midge. Wait!!!!!! was I trout fishing?, yes I was. It seems that this is a great way to catch trout that are hanging out in some deeper water as they face upstream waiting for a free meal to pass by. Does it work, why yes it does. As darkness started to fall I could see a few fish coming to the surface to partake in some of the insects dancing across the surface so I tied on an Emerger and was soon hooking up with a few nice bows. Did learn that the tippet needs to be a little stronger so I can land a few of the bigger fish, atleast to get my flies back.

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and be safe during the Holidays............