Climate Models & Cutt’s

I glaze over any more with the mish mash of models, ‘mights’, ‘maybe’s', ‘could’s’ and I am skeptic, yes I use that word..skeptic, over the agenda’s of a few climate change advocates or the pre-conceived outcomes many studies show. This Western study has some typical model suggestions and vagueness, but it  ultimately leans heavy upon habitat enhancements as the only probable salvation for Western trout. The in your face man made infringements upon the water and edges of the waters is most critical at all times. Floods, volcanoes, run off, droughts….’maybe’. Improved models? Really? 

WESTERN TROUT WELLNESS STUDIES AND HABITAT NEEDS   

Cutthroat Trout fishindex.blogspot.com

Stocking the ‘put and take’ trout in remote lakes

I am not even sure anymore of all the methods used to put hatchery trout into lakes. I do see the occasional tanker truck back up to a boat ramp and shoot out hundreds of assorted sized fish. I recall seeing a plane bomb a lake in the Wallowa’s Eagle Cap Wilderness almost 40 years ago with brook trout. And, I know a man that use to pull a string of pack mules into Cascade lakes in the 50′s with tin containers of small trout. These methods for putting in hatchery trout are still used in parts of the country. But, given the economic times and fuel costs (helicopters/planes/tankers), I know there is an old fashioned way being used these days.

A friend and supporter of SwittersB is participating in a ‘backpack the fish in’ exercise in Oregon this weekend. An old, large compartment framed pack is called for. From there an ODFW worker inserts a durable plastic container and the fish and enough water are introduced to the pack’s compartment to sustain the fish. A 6 mile hike into a nearby lake is the target. Stout legs going in and a light load coming out. What could be better. Check your local fishery programs for similar outings where the put ‘n take trout are stocked and not adversely effecting native species through escapement. 

Here is an except from the Eugene Register Guard in July, 2010 about the program: ”About 150 other volunteers did the same, keeping up a nearly 30-year tradition of volunteers — usually the anglers themselves — stocking the high lakes they love, or at least the lakes they’ve always wanted see.

It began at 9 a.m. on July 17 at Oakridge’s fish hatchery, which sits just off Salmon Creek, near the Middle Fork of the Willamette River. First Roberts and Gore met Erik Moberly, the ODFW employee in his fourth year as head organizer for the volunteer stocking event, which runs every other year, with lakes being stocked by helicopter in the off years.”

Fly Fishing: The Belly Up Scramble!

North American Trout (Apache Trout)

I must first say, I am not pontificating/advocating from some position (fragile, pourous, phoney) of C & R rightousness. I am offering a reminder on a few levels for the stillwater fly fisher (and for rivers as well I spose)…. do not over play your fish; do not use gear that is to weak to do the job. 

I have had my share of big fish hooked and played too long. I have used 3-4 wt. rods while fishing for 5#+ fish. I have gone with fragile tippets and small hooks. I have fished in oxygen depleted waters for big fish. In each instance, I enjoyed the fight or semblance of an exhausted fight. I brought the fish in and netted it up onto the apron for the obligatory photo or just to measure or to extricate the fly. Such moments of self-satisfaction and reverence for the fish.

That reverence is quickly challenged after you release the fish and sit there in your euphoric stupor. Gazing out at the horizon, a smirk on your face. Then as you look down at the rod, preparing to find another love affair, you notice that dreaded site…a glint of white. The belly of a fish…your fish.

Oh no! Oh my! A humorous and serious visual commences as the fly fisher attempts to move backwards or forwards with oars toward that bobbing fish in the film. Time is critical…time you maybe should have better used up front to revive the fish before release. You move close to the fish but seem to push it away with your approach and waves.

Eventually, you will reach the fish and attempt to position it near your tube, alongside your boat or between the pontoons. All of this takes time. You grasp the fish. It is still alive. Gills flaring over so slow as you right the fish and attempt to move it back and forth to hopefully assist in infusing oxygen across those gills.

Sometimes the fish will respond and descend downward to what you hope is recovery. Sometimes you don’t and you now have a trout for the freezer. Hmmm? You didn’t plan on that did you? No ice chest. No intent of killing and keeping a trout?

So, use a rod that will have the back bone to get that fish near and allow you to hoist it near your waiting hand to extricate the fly. Try to avoid hoisting an exhausted fish or most fish for that matter toward the sky. I know, I know…you will do it but just know that fish better have lots of spunk left and not take a beating up on your apron or go crashing out of your grasp against the oars or frame of a pontoon boat.

Although it hardly seems imminent right now, given the cold Spring/early Summer so far, but recognize when the lake is oxygen depleted. The lake will become stratified with minimal oxygen at certain levels (study thermocline/stratification/Brian Chan in search swittersb box, upper right).

Get the fish in and release it with the reverence you attest to…so that it will recover. Belly up trophy trout will bring your sense of pious purity to a screeching halt….  I know from personal experiences over the years. Here is a site at North American Trout that, photographically, shows what a tangled web we weave when we land a fish onto our apron. I don’t offer this up as a critical commentary, only when the conditions (fish exhaustion, water temps, oxygen levels) are hostile to the fish and you are doing this (pictures in post re Apache Trout), be aware. The visuals are perfect.  Handling Trout On the Apron. Also, one more qualifier…the fish pic above is not of a dying fish. It is a fish about to be netted or brought to the apron. That pose is similar to what you see after you release the fish. I am not given nor have composure to capture the real thing, so I am borrowing the shot to simulate the posture. 

Fly Fishing: Fish Cone of View (Presentation Awareness)

FLY FISHING DEVON: HOW DO TROUT SEE TO EAT SURFACE FLIES 

This is one of the more intriguing parts of dry fly fishing and how to approach rising fish. The cone of view is not just relevant to how the fish sees the fly/insect, but also how that fish can see you, your rod and zipping line at times.  The deeper the fish is the bigger the cone of view to the surface and to the sides (consider your rod tip and upper body as potentially visible). This is why you will see fly fishers often depicted as crouching stream/lake side to avoid detection via their movements.  Truly, the beginner will learn over time as fish are spooked. Eventually, a holding/cruising fish will challenge you to slow down, reconsider your presentation and hold your breath.

Cone of View/Window @ TalkFlyFishing

Stillwater Hatches (Brian Chan)

I have occassionally highlighted the well known Brian Chan. His knowledge is apparent, but I have an added touch to this: several times I have reached out to Brian and without hesitation he has provided precise information about how certain stillwater insects act subsurface and how the trout act early in the year. He did not know me from Earl….but, he graciously helped. A true gentleman.

Here I offer up some stillwater insect info from Brian Chan’s site Rise Form Ventures . There is a very good, basic over view of stillwater insects.

I like this picture. I took it outside wth the sunlight upon a suggestion by Tim Barker (Planet Trout)

Stillwater Fly Fishing: Wind Drifting

One of my enjoyable memories on many B.C. lakes is fishing up against the wind (or, rowing, kicking in bigger winds) and turning and letting the wind blow me back down a selected area. I have frequently had a damsel or dragon nymph dragging along with the speed of the wind. Whamo more often than not. More than up against the wind. Sometimes this is a gentle drift and other times you have a precise route to cover in heavier winds. Once a slot is covered, you pull out of the ride and work back up to the top and do it again.

SO LOOKING FORWARD TO SUMMER!

Fly Tying: March Brown Wet

A very simple fly of Z-lon tail, maroonish-brown thread body, brown rabbit thorax, grizzly hackle, red thread (6/0) head on a size 12 hook. Nothing fancy needed. Simple, effective patterns often beg for amendments: ribbings, wings, flash. I am prone to this, as it is part of the fun of fly tying and fishing. Simple wets, large to small are effective, with presentation/location as important as adding flash and dash.