Old Guys Rule.

I've been taking out a lot old guys lately. I like the old guys. They usually have good soft rods, rods that used to be made in America. They have cool hats that they bought back in West Yellowstone in the 80's, you know the ones with the flaps on the back. The old guys can usually fish to, some just need a little tune up like my old Toyota. What I like about the old guys is they are just happy to be out on the water enjoying life in their retirement. They all have good stories and if you listen you can actually learn a bit form them. This is a photo of Dwayne from Walnut Creek with fish on.

On Fire.

The fishing that is...When you hook multiple fish in just about every spot you fish you know the fishing is good. That's what happened for Loren from San Jose today, lots of smaller fish, but at the end, a couple big boys that shook off. I was happy for him as it had been a tough year on him and this was his trip for himself. All I can say is cancer is fucked, but fly fishing is good therapy for that shit. Cheers to you Loren.

Head Hunt'n.

A good head hunter must be quiet and stealthy, observe and watch for rise forms. A good dry fly fisherman can distinguish rise forms and know if a fish is eating the adult dun, an emerger, or a nymph caught in the film. You also should try getting into the best position possible to get the best drift. If a fish is rising rhythmically he will not pay much attention to you. You would be surprised how close you can get to the fish. If there are a ton of bugs on the water it might take a while for the fish to eat your fly even though it has drifted over the fish a dozen times. Most fish go back and forth between eating the dun and the emerger, with most fish eating the emergers instead. This fly is my no#1, and is the fly of the week. If fish are eating emergers tie it on, duns, tie it on, it don't matter, they will eat it. This fly is like crack for my buddy Joe Cerniglia and he is always hounding me for some. This fly is tied comparadun style and is just a Sparkle Dun rip off. The best dry fly on earth. I tie the body first and the wing last. One thing to remember when you fish emergers ONLY PUT FLOATANT ON THE WING. The bottom half rides below the surface. BWOs are out in full force, tie some of these up and get in on the action.

Hook: Tiemco 2487, Sz#16
Body: Uni 8/0, Olive Dun
Ribbing: UTC Wire, Sz Small, Olive
Shuck: Z-Lon, Grey
Wing: Ca Coastal Deer Hair
Thorax: Muskrat, Olive

Finally Some Fall Weather.

With record heat up here last week it finally looks like some Fall weather will stick around for a while. The rest of the week looks like it will be cloudy and cool. B.W.O.s should start pop'n any day now and I would be looking for heads mid-day on the Truckee River. The streamer fishing is also picking up a bit. Got this descent size Bow on a sculpin pattern today.

Fly of the Week, Baetis Nymph.

This time of year this fly is usually on the end of my rig. Whether it be on a dry dropper rig, or a nymph rig, this fly works. A lot of the Baeits nymphs on the Truckee River are dark colored. I think the trigger for this fly is the black wing case made of Thin Skin, a product by Wapsi. I use Thin Skin on a lot of my flies it holds up and is shiny just like the real bugs. I usually fish a Sz#18 before the hatch and switch to a larger nymph, Sz#16 during the hatch. I've caught fish all over the West on this fly. Tie up some of these guys this Fall and give them a try.

Hook: Tiemco 2457 Size #16-18
Bead: Tungsten Gold 2.0 mm
Body: Uni 8/0 Black
Ribbing: UTC Ultra Wire, Size Small, Olive
Tail: Hen Hackle, Black
Thorox: Blue Ribbon Flies Zelon Dubbing, Longhorn Green
Wings: Hen Hackle, Black
Wing Case: Thin Skin, Black

Bankers Hours.

A.m.'s are cold on the Truckee River and I would advise you folks coming up here to sleep in and start a little later in the morning. It might be nice at your house, but at mine things are cold. This time of year we usually have a thick fog blanket looming over the entire river in the mornings. Fishing is best in the mid-morning hours. The fishing is very good on the entire river. We are starting to see some nice Baetis hatches, and a few October Caddis. These are a few photos from the last few days with Tom from Los Gatos with a nice Rainbow on a micro may.

This Could be You.

Guess what happens when you cancel on your guide the night before a trip? He calls up his buddy and goes fishing. I had a chance to fish with my good friend Keith from Grass Valley yesterday who is also a guide on the Lower Yuba River. We had a fine day and lot's of big fish where hooked, but not landed by Keith. Good flies are rubber legged stones, micro mays, and small princes. I got a few fish to chase a streamer, but no big fish yet. Get up here this Fall and insert yourself in this photo.