Happy New Year 2012

Brook Trout @ Baslee Troutman

BASELEE TROUTMAN ART

Trout Technology of Sorts

B.C. TROUT GENETICS AND DIVERSITY~INTERESTING  

My Old Dinner Plates (SwittersB)

Fly Tying: ‘Bzzzz’ & A Photo Question?

The fly is tied on a size 18, curved shanked hook. A typical mistake, as I so fortuitously provide here, is compressing too much material near the head. This results in an over developed head (fat head) at the end. ‘Less is more” (better) with many fly patterns and especially so with small flies.

Now a photography question: The back drop for this shot was bright white. The lighting was and OTT light directly over the fly less than 2″ away. On either side are two small halogen lamps also about two inches away. The Canon Xti with a 100mm Canon Macro is set on AV f22.  I seem to always get a quite dark shot with the back drop actually darker than depicted here. I tweaked it with Photoscape. I am not that accomplished with the photo lingo but any advice much appreciated to achieve better lighting.

Ice Off, Over The Hump

Many of us have that favorite lake or river or small stream. One of my favorite lakes has such a positive memory bank, I can hardly let myself think of it this time of year. Too soon. Turnover

Game Fish Mounts by David Campbell

 

David Campbell Steelhead Cheek (SwittersB)

DAVID CAMPBELL’S MOUNTING~REPLICA WORK (ASSORTED GAME FISH)

Stillwater Fly Fishing: Slip Bobbers and Flies

Slip Bobbers: I have written a couple of times about this technique, I first saw on a BC TV production with Brian Chan. If you query slip bobber in the search box you can find those additional posts. Today, I wanted to point to a nice piece by ‘Doc’ Monteith at Fly Fishing Central that has some specific visuals of not only the slip bobber rig but of the fly set up as well.

One thing I have adopted long ago for working the horizontal presentation was the non-slip loop knot. But, Monteith advocates it for vertical presentations as well. I find the larger loop and hooking capabilities interesting. I would hesitate to impart too much available movement in a vertical presentation, yet Monteith says it has improved his hookups. Worth a try for sure....

“Whether using one fly or a multi-fly rig, presenting your flies is important and the knots you choose to use can impact your success. For years I tied my chironomids using an improved clinch knot to the eye of the fly, then a couple years ago I started using a non-slip loop knot. This change in presentation has increased my catch rates substantially and I now only use the clinch knot in specific situations. The non-slip loop knot is not only strong but because it doesn’t synch up to the eye of the fly, it leaves the fly moving freely and more naturally in the water. I’ve found the size of the loop does not appear to affect catch rates…..”   (more to read)

Trout’s Lateral Lines & Other Senses

“Trout have lateral lines, special sense organs used to “feel” sounds. Lateral lines allow trout to hear sounds that are too low for humans to hear. Every trout has two lateral lines, one on each side of its body. A lateral line is made of a series of U-shaped tubes. Every time the water outside the U vibrates because of a sound, a tiny hair at the base of the U wiggles, which sends a nerve signal to the brain. The trout’s brain translates the wiggle into information about where the vibration came from. Trout use lateral lines to find food, escape predators and keep away from obstacles.” Lateral Lines

RAINBOW TROUT SENSES

Troutdale, Oregon (MSG and Sleep Patterns)

As I lay there, mouth glued shut from an OD of MSG via Chinese food, I dozed and for some reason (MSG?) dreamt about the origin of Troutdale (Oregon). I pondered the probability of a trout near the Sandy River (possibly in the tributaries: Beaver creek, Gordon creek, Trout creek), but down low near the Columbia R.? Yes, I dreamt this. I think.

I awoke, unable to swallow. I arose and headed down for water at 1:30 am. A few glasses of ice water helped free my mouth of the MSG paralysis. So now, here I sit writing about something that could have fully waited until later today.

“Troutdale is a community with a rich historic past. The area at the confluence of the Sandy and Columbia Rivers was “discovered” in the autumn of 1792 by Lt. Broughton and his men. The Crew was traveling aboard a British vessel under command of Captain George Vancouver who was aboard another vessel. They were ascending the Columbia River, when they reached a point just east of the mouth of the Sandy River. This point, immediately across the Sandy River from Troutdale, was named Broughton’s Bluff, many years later.”

“However, it was Captain John Harlow, a former sea captain from Maine and successful Portland businessman, who conceived a plan for the town and made it happen. In 1872 he purchased part of Buxton’s land claim to build his country home. Because he raised trout in ponds on his farm, he called his farm “Troutdale.” He convinced the railroad to build a depot at the site of his farm so he could ship his produce.”   Troutdale History (I recall the road houses way back and the smelt runs in the early 70′s).

Ok, time to hit it again. Must have been the MSG?

Fly Tying: Spinning Deer Hair (Muddler Minnow/Streamers)

One of the best trout and bass flies around. Everyone should have this fly in their box. Spinning the deer hair head forms that blunt head that displaces water and attracts attention.

Fly Tying: Spinning Deer Hair (Muddler Minnow), posted with vodpod

Spun Deer Hair and Muddler Minnow Variation (SwittersB)

Fly Tying: Spey Fly Hackles Prep

Here is a simple way to make Spey hackles for fishing flies.

Spey Fly Hackles Atlantic Salmon Steelhead Fly …, posted with vodpod