Brown Trout on Dries

Posted on May 6, 2015 by troutondries.com

By perseverance the snail reached the Ark.

Charles Spurgeon

I spent the last two weekends fly fishing the Missouri river. The place was buzzing with anglers. The first weekend was cloudy and cool. The second one sunny. Not surprising the dry-fly angling was better when it was overcast. Trout are more likely to rise in low light. The main hatch: Blue Winged Olives; secondary hatch March Browns.

brown trout

A lot of people nymph the river. Many also throw streamers to the banks while drift boating it. The river has such phenomenal insect life that I can’t imagine fishing it any other way than with a dry-fly when the conditions are favorable and the bugs are out. I find that walking the river in search of a few good rising fish is just about as exciting as trying to trick them with a fly. It’s the hunt! Any garage sale or flea market aficionado would understand.

dry fly side channel

Missouri river

On this trip(s) I was trying to spot Brown trout. I eventually located a few good ones feeding in the shallows. I spent most of my time focused on one particular trout as it proved to be a challenging fish, at least for me. I spent more time than I care to say trying to fool it. I spooked it several times and then had to sit for long periods waiting for it to settle down and then reappear. Waiting was easier when my retriever, Brooke, was with me. She’d sit by my side often leaning against me while we watched the water and I’d occupy myself and let time pass by picking hundreds of burrs out of her thick golden coat. Her presence made me a better angler.

brown trout

brown trout

I had hooked that particular trout a week ago but it tugged me around and eventually broke off. This weekend I pulled a fly out of its mouth, and then later “nicked it”. I did eventually land it on a size 18 olive…more perseverance than skill. Late afternoon shadow on the water pulled it out of its lair and it started feeding with more of a rhythm. A fish eating this way is easier to trick.

olive hatch

perfection

riverside bush bunny

When I tried taking a picture of the trout my camera batteries failed. I did, however, manage to fiddle around and get a few shots. I would have liked to get more. I had spare double AA’s in my pack but decided to release the fish as it took a fairly long time to land it.

late april light snow

brown trout

brown trout

Here are some trout (brown and a few rainbows) and western landscape pictures. It was nice to spend some long Spring days outside by the river and witness all of the life along it, and be part of it. All trout were caught sight fishing with small dry flies, size 18 olives, in shallow water.

rainbow trout

trying to match the hatch

crawfish

cold afternoon on favorite trail

warm morning

rainbow trout

Home Water

Posted on April 21, 2015 by troutondries.com

crocus

“I once gave up fishing. It was the most terrifying weekend of my life”.

-Anonymous

Skwala! Not many around but enough to get some trout looking up. Bugs are always appreciated as this is a blog about dry fly fishing, and I need them if I’m going to have material; something to write about. I’ve been going out a few evenings after work looking for rising trout and also checking things out on weekends. It has been an early Spring in SW Alberta but my home rivers have been quiet. Usually I’m into surface feeding fish at the beginning of April. We are in the third week and things still aren’t under way in spite of the Crocuses being up; calves spotted streamside; campers running the highways; neighbours aerating their lawns; some midge flies in the air in the evening and even some olives riding the currents in the afternoon. It was the Skwala (a stonefly) that got the attention of a few trout on a local tailwater river this Saturday and I managed to hook several mid-sized fish. Here is a picture of the best one of the bunch.

oldman river tailwater section

riverside standoff

rainbow trout on dry fly

deer on crowsnest river

crocus

Sight fishing Easter Weekend

Posted on April 7, 2015 by troutondries.com

After a winter of fishing blind with a two handed rod it was a real pleasure to sight fish with a light 4wt rod and dry flies this past weekend. I spent two days walking and wading the Missouri river in Montana. I tossed midges all weekend and on a couple of occasions a small beetle. Most fish were on emergers (bulging the surface). A few could be found eating dries, especially when the wind died down in the flat water sections of the river. Some bulging fish could even be enticed to eat on top; however, many would not. A lot of the midges were clustering in the mid afternoon so cluster fly patterns worked fairly well. A few Blue Winged Olives were out but not many. This hatch should be developing soon which will make the dry fly angling easier. All of the fish below were caught on dries. I spent my time fishing flat, shallow sections; slow wading ankle deep water. Some great fish landed; many more missed. Some humbling moments. Trout fishing doesn’t get much more challenging or better. If you love dry fly fishing you owe it to yourself to one day visit this river.

misty late day leaving the river

brown trout on dry fly, beetle

beetle fly, chewed

craig, scene

rainbow trout on dry fly

craig fly shop

shallow side channel

rainbow on dry fly

easter eggs on river island (goose eggs)

rainbow trout on dry fly

craig, montana

caught on dry fly

horse shoe pit at local fly shop

side channel

another pic of brown trout

The Darth Vedder

Posted on March 3, 2015 by troutondries.com

“You underestimate the power of the dark side”

-Darth Vader

It was Sunday. I couldn’t believe how many anglers were out. They were everywhere; on both banks of the river; even on the islands. No one was swinging flies. They were all gear fisherman casting a giant bobber and lead, and an egg fly pattern below, or some red or pink rubber thing that looked liked a giant melting worm. And they didn’t move around much. They parked themselves at choice spots along the river and just stayed there. They just kept working the same spot over and over…hogging it all day. And they arrived early and many stayed late. I figured I’d have to hike a lot in order to find some free water; to find a run that I could swing a fly on and not interfere with anyone. I hoped tomorrow, a weekday, would be quieter; that there would be fewer people out. I was on the Vedder river, in the Fraser Valley, BC. I had driven 10 hours through several high Rocky Mountain passes to get here. What I was witnessing was Carnival like. It was a meat fishery.

vedder river

The weekdays were a little quieter but there was no way to get away from other anglers. I had my most space the day it rained. The young ones were wearing hoddies and moved around more. The older ones with wading staffs, were more stationary and seemed territorial and surly. By the end of the week I started recognizing faces. A lot seemed retired and therefore fished everyday. Some of the hoddies also seemed to be out daily. On the Vedder you can keep the steelhead. People were there to fill their freezer with fish. There was no real river etiquette. Often when you were fishing a spot someone would appear and start casting right next to you, or go below and cut you off. No one seemed interested in rotating (sharing) a run. Beautiful British Columbia had turned ugly. It was the dark side of angling.

vedder river

I had booked a motel room for six nights which meant five days of fishing. I wasn’t going to retreat and return to Alberta. I had come too far. I’d stick it out. I decided I’d get up before day light and stake my claim. I’d sharpened my elbows. I’d whistled big husky flies at warp speed past people’s heads if necessary. I’d high and low ball other anglers if they cut in on me. My mantra: ” The only rule is there are no rules”.

osoyoos, okanagan

Okanagan fruit trees

I remember one specific morning at an angler parking area sitting in my vehicle in total darkness at 6 am enjoying a Tim Hortons breakfast sandwich and coffee. I was the only one there; no other anglers around. I had got a head start. My plan once breakfast was done was to hike in darkness to a good river location that was not far way. I was going to get there first and cast fresh water right at day break. The boulder run was going to be mine, “All mine”! Then a truck pulled up. I swigged the last of my coffee, jumped out, grabbed my nap sack and rod and headed full speed to the water. In the blackness I stumbled on the cobble but made it without falling to the head of the sixty yard run (what some people do with their precious holiday time!). I sat down and patiently waited for light. I could see no other anglers around; no silhouettes. It was mine, “All mine”! I felt confident my plan had worked. Then to the right some thirty yards down the run I saw a flicker, then the glow of someone dragging on a cigarette. Dam the Darth Vedder!

vedder river

Within a day or two I accepted the reality of the situation. I had to let go of all previous expectations. Then I was able to make space for myself on the river. I made my thousand casts with the faith that I’d eventually connect with a strong winter steelhead returning from the sea. And as the week progressed it got better. I actually got to fish a few runs on my own for a couple of hours. The first hour of the day I had more space. There was also a lull at lunch when the crowds dispersed. If I hiked a lot the last few hours of the day I could often find a bit of clear water for myself. I got more skilled with the two-handed rod. The weather was great for February. It was usually 0 to 5 C at day break and often 10 to 15C by mid afternoon, even if cloudy. The region was beautiful, green and lush due to its proximity to the coast. There was no sign of winter except in the high distant eastern peaks. The cherry trees were starting to bloom. The crocuses were ready to open. In the woods moss gripped the trees and giant ferns carpeted the forest floor; quite a contrast to dry Alberta. The whole place had a rich smell. Hiking to different river locations surrounded by the dense growth was always pleasant. The town I stayed in, Sardis, right next to Chilliwack, was quite beautiful. It had great coffee shops, a nice town river path that was well used and provided easy access to the water. I’d walk the path and scout the river for an open section, then sprint for it once spotted. And it felt good in the middle of winter to be away from the office and to spend the whole day outside, from first light to last, and be comfortable (not cold).

ferns

lush trail to river

During the several days I was there I saw two fish hooked, of which one was landed. And I had fished within sight of several hundred anglers by weeks end. Everyone said things were slow. I saw maybe five other people swinging flies during my time there. I expected more given the long history of fly fishing for steelhead in BC. On my second to last day I spotted a disturbance in the tail of the run. I watched for a minute expecting to see a duck or an otter appear but none did. I asked a hoddie fellow across the river if winter steelhead sometimes disturb the surface? He said sometimes. I placed several casts just above the place of the disturbance with my garish (orange) colored fly: no response. I decided to change flies. I tied on a black fly, a leech pattern, and took several steps upstream and then started reworking the run. After 2 or 3 casts, a thump. I had finally hooked a steelhead. I had it on for what seemed a minute or so and caught a glimpse of it as I was gaining line, and then it was gone. That was my one and only connection.

vedder river

I have no fish photos from this trip so decided to include a picture of a Chilean trout caught about 17 years ago on a dry-fly in a little stream that tumbled into the large Futaleufu river, near the town of Futaleufu. It’s a bit blurry but I like the composition: trout, hand, and my golden retriever in the background.

Chilean trout

Creekside Grass

Posted on February 19, 2015 by troutondries.com

Most of the streams I fish flow through arid sun baked terrain. The edges however are often lined with tall grass growth. They shoot skyward with the summer warmth, stream moisture and nutrients. These edges are places of life: waterfowl, insects, eggs, feathers, even the odd golden retriever…

Trout prowl the aquatic side of these edges. I often sit hidden in the grass and watch the water for movement; for trout. If you sit still long enough the flowing water and swaying grass become mesmerizing. Then a soft rise or flash of a feeding trout wakes you up.

Here are some pictures of soothing creekside grass taken along the rivers I fish.

creekside grass

smelling creekside grass

feather found in streamside grass

trout caught next to creek grass

found along grass bank

creekside trail

goose eggs in creekside grass

A Winter Brown Trout

Posted on January 20, 2015 by troutondries.com

“Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe”.

-Voltaire

brown trout

MID-WEEK I CHECKED THE WEATHER REPORT FOR THE WEEKEND. It predicted temperatures around zero or slightly above for Saturday and Sunday. Next I looked at the wind chart as mild temperatures usually mean a big blow along the eastern slopes. That’s what was in the cards: a wind warning. Saturday looked a bit sunnier and seemed like my best opportunity to fish. Besides on Sunday there were two good football games scheduled.

side channel

I never really watch a complete NFL game. I just kind of listen to it, do other things and then pay close attention when there is a big play. I’ve learnt that the Championship games are often better than the Super Bowl. Last year the Seattle versus San Francisco game was a classic. In comparison the Super Bowl was anti-climatic.

So, Saturday it would be. I was into it as I hadn’t been out since before Christmas as the weather had been arctic like.

side channel

I went to my local tailwater river as it doesn’t ice over, and swung flies real slow near the bottom while the wind whistled in my ears. The fish weren’t active. I’d often get a slight “tap” but with no hook up. I did best by swinging my fly back to the spot where I had found some life. Sometimes I had to pass the fly through several times before getting another “hit” and the occasional hook up. I caught some rainbows this way.

rainbow trout

In a side channel I got my first good aggressive strike but no hook up. I kept tossing my fly through the same spot hoping for a repeat hit. After a dozen or so swings, “fish on”; I had made a connection. This one didn’t make the standard run. Instead it tugged a lot, shook its head, stayed deep and zig-zagged. I thought ” brown trout”.

brown trout

When winter fly fishing you gotta have faith.

brown trout

“Go And Catch a Trout”

Posted on January 10, 2015 by troutondries.com

“At one stage I fished the Yellow Breeches Creek, along which I lived, almost eight evenings a week.”

Charles K. Fox – This Wonderful World of Trout

photo r dewey

GETTING GOOD PHOTOS OF TROUT IS ALWAYS CHALLENGING especially when you fish alone, which is what I do most of the time. Fish aren’t cooperative. After you land one you have to do a number of things in order to get a picture. All seem easy but aren’t, especially when you’re kneeling in moving water, and often in imperfect weather conditions. You have to gently control the fish; keep it in the water and unhook it; dig your camera out of a deep pocket; turn it on without dropping it into the river; focus the shot; ensure there is no water on the lens (I still have trouble with that one); check where the sun is in order to avoid shadow; etc. And you want to do all of this fast so that you can safely release the trout. I have had many great fish bolt on me before I got all of the aforementioned tasks done, and therefore missed a wanted image.

photo r dewey

I was lucky this past August to have a photographer with me for part of an afternoon. I felt no pressure when I was directed to, “Go and catch a trout…I’m all set up to shoot”.

photo r dewey

photo r dewey

Although SW Alberta has great rivers, quite a few people fish here (angling pressure) and the trout are wild, wary and usually not easy. The river that I was sight fishing is especially challenging. It is a quality not quantity fishery. It runs through wide open terrain where it is often sunny and there are few places for an angler to hide. The trout are spooky; some even seem clairvoyant. In order to have a “crack” at a great fish you generally have to do things well. In mid summer when the water is low and clear the resident rainbows simply don’t tolerate mistakes and catching one on a dry-fly in my mind is always an accomplishment. Usually each good fish takes some time.

photo r dewey

Well, shortly after being directed to, “Go and catch a trout”, I caught one! If you fish a lot you know that it doesn’t usually work out this way. I was lucky, things just came together. Having a photographer nearby made getting some nice shots so much easier. It simplified things. I just had to focus on safely handling the trout.

photo r dewey

What I like best about some of the images taken is that they show the girth of the trout. That’s something I have trouble capturing when I’m taking pictures by myself. The rainbow is quite representative of the ones I catch there. I have caught more large trout on small dries there than on any other river along the continental divide, either side of the Medicine Line. The place is an ace.

photo r dewey

phoro r dewey

Prairie Scenes and a Few Winter Trout

Posted on December 27, 2014 by troutondries.com

Some photos from the past two weeks while out winter fly fishing and windshield shots while driving to rivers…temperatures cool, river traffic low, trout kind of sleepy, prairie towns also sleepy.

favorite pic

main street, prairie town

smiling barn

rainbow trout ( had been caught before)

foothill-prairie town

ice on fly rod guides

bow river

bow river brown trout, only tail on ice

sculpture

prairie town

Swinging Flies to Jingle Bells

Posted on December 15, 2014 by troutondries.com

The Winter Solstice is just around the corner and I’m still swinging flies and catching trout. I purchased a two-handed switch rod and have been practicing Spey casting the last couple of weekends. It’s going to be my winter project. The casting movement is certainly much easier on the shoulder especially when fishing a big wide open windy river.

sw alberta brown trout

I was hoping to get away to somewhere exotic like Patagonia (check out First Cast Fly Fishing) or NZ this winter for some dry fly angling but I don’t think that I’ll get the time needed for a DIY trip. So, swinging flies it is.

sw alberta tailwater river

All I need is the temperature to be somewhere around zero and it’s quite comfortable out there, even with the sun just barely arcing above the horizon. From noon until 4:30 works well. The fish seem opportunistic then. I keep the menu real simple: a small leech like pattern (black, dark brown or olive) with black rubber legs. Maybe it’s the wiggle; maybe not.

Three weeks ago some trout were feeding in the riffles and hanging out in shallow drop offs. They were quite active. Lately most have been down deeper. I hauled one up the other day in cold weather and it had mittens on its fins.

brown trout

Since I’m not heading to the southern hemisphere I’ve been researching winter steelhead opportunities. There is an intriguing river ten hours from my home. It’s a bit of a hike but maybe I’ll get a chance to put a big bend in the two-hander. In the meantime I’ll keep practicing my technique.

rainbow trout

road home to the rockies

A Brown on the Swing

Posted on November 25, 2014 by troutondries.com

“We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails”.

Dolly Parton

There was a wind warning today. I saw part of my neighbour’s eaves trough tumble down the road. At least I think it was his? I should check mine!

On the eastern slopes of the divide in SW Alberta it’s always windy and if you don’t fish in the wind, well, you’re not going to get out very often. So I decided to go and just deal with it. I’d be casting a streamer and figured if it got real bad I’d just flip the fly and feed line or roll cast a lot. My plan was to fish a section of the river that is braided so I’d could find some protective areas behind islands and gravel bars.

late november brown trout

If there is anything good about the wind around here, it’s generally predictable: easterly. The other good thing is that in the summer time it blows terrestrials (grasshoppers, beetles, etc.) into the water. None of that today as we have transitioned to winter.

rainbow trout

I thought that if things became unbearable out there I would pretend I had travelled a long, long way to the Rio Gallegos in southern Patagonia where sea run brown trout and gale force winds rule the river, and you deal with it by tugging down on your Beret and just keep casting! My shoulder still aches. I’m well past the 100 pitch mark in my 9 inning angling career.

rainbow trout

I caught several Rainbow trout and coincidently, one Brown (not sea run but resident), which was the prize of the day. I was standing on the bank four feet above the water and swung my fly through a fairly shallow side channel with an even flow. As the fly tightened to the bank a brown trout glided out from some wood structure and nabbed it. I saw the whole thing from my elevated position. It made the day. I fished until dusk and then headed home guided by the North Star, or was that the Southern Cross?