Fly of the Week.

I think I'll start the fly of the week and see how it goes. This is my Baetis Soft Hackle. This is my no #1 fly in the Fall on the Truckee River. I fish it deep on a nymph rig, or sometimes higher up off a tippet ring on a nymph rig. You can fish it off a back of a dry in the film, or swing it through a pod of rising fish. It just works...

Hook: Tiemco 2487 size #16
Thread: Uni 8/0 Gray (head)
Body: Uni 8/0 Iron Gray
Thorax: Wapsi Life Cycle Caddis Dubbing Gray
Colar: Whiting Farms Hen Hackle Medium Dun
Tail: Hen Hackle Fibers, Medium Dun
Ribbing: UTC Ultra Wire Size Small, Green, or Olive

A Little Fishing for Myself.

Man, it's been a while since I spent the day fishing for myself. I have had a busy Summer. I put my boat in today with Elliot for a little solo mission. I must say I was a bit out of practice, but it didn't take long to start hooking fish. The fishing was exceptional, the landing part wasn't so good though. I did have a two foot brown eat a PMX in some skinny water which was very cool, but he took off downstream and came unbuttoned. The weather has been perfect up here and the fishing is very good on the Truckee River.

Things are Changing for the Better.

Looks like we're in for another cool down up here. It doesn't take much to get the fish active. Last night was somewhat cold and today was a good day on the river. Fish are still eating crayfish and rubber legged stones. I also like small princes as dropper flies this time of year. We've had a few big fish chase down some streamers lately, but no eats, that should change with some cooler weather. I think this next week we will see some big browns getting active....These photos are of Dan from Berkely.

An Early Taste of Fall.

The last few days we had our first cold front blow through leaving a dusting of snow high up on Mt Rose. Water temps on the Truckee River have lowered into the mid to high 50's. With overnight lows in the 30's, I think our Fall fishing is here. I know it's Fall when a Bear gets in my neighbors garage, which he did a few nights ago. I then heard a shotgun blast upon which the Bear got loaded with rubber shot. Get those streamers tied up and be ready, Fall ain't that far away. Got this guy yesterday just up from my house.

Pompous Ass Fly Fisherman.

Admit it, most of us are pompous ass fly fisherman. I myself try not to be one of them. Today I took a couple dudes out on a guided spin fishing trip, yup spin fisherman. I mean what's the difference if you hook a fish with the a Mepps, or a frigg'n san juan worm? These guys always practice catch and release and pinch their barbs just like us. They worked there rapalas and mepps through the runs and pocket water, and came out with what was Louis's biggest Brown he has ever landed. A twenty four inch, five pounder that ate a four inch shad rap. Even the little fish ate the damn thing. It was fun to watch fish come flying after these things. We have to remember that we're all sportsman and we can work together to save our rivers from greedy corporations and not fight each other over which way is the most dignified to fish.

It's 18 inches!

Every fish is eighteen inches when your eight years old and you just landed a fish on the Truckee River. I had the privilege to take Rich and his eight year old son Shane out this morning on the Truckee. Shane is one heck of a little fly fisherman and just a great all around kid in general. It's great to see a Dad take his son fly fishing. It reminds me of me and my dad when I was young fly fisherman and it truly is what fly fishing is all about.

What do I do!!!

What do I do! is the first thing I hear people yell out when they get a big fish on. When you get a big Truckee River fish on it feels like a wild Steelhead racing against the weight of all the current. These fish fight hard and most people have never had a freight train attached to the end of their fly line. Like I've been saying for the last month turn their head and keep them out of the current and you have a chance. I taught Andrew how to fly fish a few years ago and today he got a nice Brown that got his heart going. This photo was taken with an I Phone since I blundered the camera again. Fishing is good, and the bigger stonefly pattern you got the better.