- Beaded Wet~SB
A bead body (just big enough to get onto the hook), or perhaps one larger bead for the thorax. There are many colorful options available. Also, consider the potential of flash (flat tinsel) beneath the bead.
Archive for February, 2010
Ironically, just last night I was discussing with a friend the moments when your dog swims away and you are not sure they will know to return or have the energy. This news story is tragic and a reminder of beach safety and the emotional bond we often feel for our dog.
“The victim was walking on the beach playing fetch with his dog at the D River Wayside at about 9 a.m. His dog reportedly got caught in a wave and was pulled toward the open ocean. The victim went into the water to help, only to get swept away by another wave, witnesses said….The man’s dog was able to get back to shore and survived.” (Oregon Live)
An aside story re me: last Summer a family member noticed our lab was anxious to swim out into the lake to visit me, some distance away, on my pontoon boat. I looked up to see Emma approaching and sensed she was getting tuckered out. She hadn’t been in the water in sometime. Well, I thought this is not good. I needed to kick around so she could swim between the foot rests of the pontoon boat. She made it through to me and I knew I was in a predicament and would need to hoist the 70# lab up out of the water as I doubted she would make it back to shore. I reached down to grab her collar to steady her in order to figure out how to hoist her while bent over toward the water. No collar! It had been removed so it wouldn’t get wet! She was treading and her ass end was dropping as she was not meant to tread in place. The action was sudden and awkward has I yarded her upward by the scruff of her neck and the lose skin on her back. It was painful for her and she arrived into my lap quite pissed off, as I was. Later, a shore side discussion entailed regarding some forethought of what if’s in the future.
You have been snow bound; or focused on Steelhead (for some of you that is your constant obsession); or otherwise involved. You have left that fly box from last October or your last visits to a lake setting aside while pursuing other endeavors. Use this time to prepare for your Spring opener by reorganizing your fly boxes, fly lines and leaders and organizing all that trout gear (this and that) so you won’t be out on the water and ask “Where did I put that damn (whatever you forgot)” My gear is currently focused on tippets no smaller than 10# test. I mention this because I have set voyage onto a lake and then discovered I had not considered leader and tippet materials smaller than 10# test.I have forgotten nippers, pliers, net, fins, waders (I know, I kn0w). I have forgotten just about everything. A primary reason was packing for others and myself. If you pack for someone else (kids, etc) then make sure you have two or more lists and teach the kids to assist and learn to pack for themselves over time).
A checklist is in order beyond rod, reel and reorganized fly boxes. Even spare spools of various fly lines can be forgotten, with only the last line you used on your reel taken along. Now you are stuck with that floating line you used in the Fall while trying to reach fish holding 20′ deep off the drop. Remember a checklist now, and in advance of a trip, not the night before, lay your hands on those items and put them in the gear bags you always take before a stillwater outing.
“A deadly fish virus has been discovered in fish from Lake Superior near Duluth. The contagious disease, viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus, causes death in numerous fish species…” “The virus attacks freshwater and saltwater fish and causes them to bleed to death. It already had been found in the other four Great Lakes and has been identified in 28 fish species in the Great Lakes watershed, where it has killed large numbers of walleye, muskellunge, smallmouth bass, whitefish, yellow perch and black crappies.” (Star Tribune)
The Comments reveal the complexity of this issue:
“The ships could have dumped cargo and picked up ballast water at the Atlantic Seaboard and then done the same thing in Duluth. The Atlantic coast strain is just a mutation of the European strain anyhow. We definitely need stricter laws regarding ballast water.”
“Regulating ballast water in great lakes ships is probably our best start to avoid future invasives”
“If the DNR were serious about controlling this virus they would work towards banning the use of livewells altogether. Fish destined for the table could be kept on ice in a cooler. As long as livewells are allowed there will be fishermen who will release fish from those livewells whether it’s legal or not. Also as long as livewells are allowed water will be transported from one lake to the next.”
13
Feb
10
Mountain Lion (0) v. Mule (1)
These pics have been around awhile but still interesting. The incident has been located both in Montana and Idaho. Perhaps someone knows. Ms. Vikki of Idaho sent it to me:
A couple from Montana were out riding on the range, he with his rifle and she (fortunately) with her camera. Their dogs always followed them, but on this occasion a Mountain Lion decided that he wanted to stalk the dogs…(you’ll see the dogs in the background watching). Very, very, bad decision on the cat’s part.
The guy got off the mule with his rifle and decided to shoot in the air to scare away the lion, but before he could get off a shot the lion charged in and decided he wanted a piece of those dogs.
With that, the mule took off and decided HE wanted a piece of that lion. That’s when all hell broke loose for the lion. As the lion approached the dogs, the mule snatched him up by the tail and started whirling him around, banging its head on the ground on every pass. Then he dropped it, stomped on it and held it to the ground by the throat
.
The mule then got down on his knees and bit the thing all over a couple of dozen times to make sure it was dead, then whipped it into the air again, walked back over to the couple (that were stunned in silence) and stood there ready to continue his ride as if nothing had just happened.
Fortunately, even though the hunter didn’t get off a shot, his wife got off these four pictures.
Possie Bugger (OFFB)
What is this pattern? It is normally tied in a size 8-10 or so. What could it be used for? It is highly thought of on special Oregon rivers. Caddis, Big Mayfly, Stonefly, Stillwater Dragon? The name must be an interesting story?
Posse Bugger by Jeff Kennedy
It must be a pretty good fly if worthy of a drawing by Jeff Kennedy
A good friend in St. Pete’s area is scouting Charlotte Harbor to Venice to Siesta Key for snook, baby tarps and speckled trout. He wades along the edge of the grass and throws Clousers, Deceivers and his own concocted streamer patters in a combo of dark over grey, white, silver, maybe a touch of red. He uses an 8 wt. and a floating line. He spends most of his time stalking along the edges and does not fish blind. I have not fished down this way, but my son has with our good friend and they find fish in the Spring (year around for that matter). Bill Jackson’s (sporting goods store in area) is a source of info (and gear) for our friend. He is self taught from wandering the bays and shorelines. No boat or guides, he has spent a great deal of time, when not golfing, exploring and observing. Says it has been unusually cold recently (Additional Info about Tampa area) (Primal Fly Crew Doubtful Starters..Cold Snap Hurt) (Florida Snook Closure extention)
March Brown Wet~SB
The above pattern is little more than a Pheasant Tail Nymph (normally a swimmer nymph), but it is a bit stouter and has no wingcase…the March Brown nymph is a clinger nymph (stout and flat to hold in the substrates). The Gold Ribbed Hares Ear in tan to dark tan is a good clinger nymph.
Yes, I know..most don’t nymph for the March Brown hatch. No, the early season rise to a dry is the preferred way for most fly fishers (preferred for most hatches).
March Brown Imago (Spinner)~http://montana-riverboats.com
March Brown Sparkle Dun @ OFFB
March Brown Sparkle Dun at OFFB….Yes, this little number is it.
March Brown or Rhithrogena Morrisoni
