Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Tuesday Morning on Daniels Creek

My flight out of SLC wasn't until late morning so I got up early for one last trip to Daniels Creek. I was feeling a little guilty for not using my flyrod - after all I packed and carried the thing across the country - I should at least use it!

I had picked out a few places that I thought I could cast without hooking too many trees and where I knew there were fish.

My first strike was on my third cast in a small pool near a nice overhang. I had a #12 Scofield Special (see tie one on post) and this nice cutt nailed it.

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My next available flyrod-friendly pool was "The Spot". I had already caught several nice fish here and knew where they hung out. I really had to sneak to get in position to cast without being seen. As I got close to the pool, I noticed a few caddis coming off the water ahead of me and decided to switch from the Scofield to a Stimulator I had tied a couple of months ago. My first cast missed by 6 feet and as the fly drifted down to the bottom of the pool I didn't see any action from the fish. I was convinced that he was there and on my second cast tried to get closer to the tree. I got close OK - my fly found a stray branch that was hanging out right over the perfect position and as I watched it wind itself around I thought I had blown my chance. Just as I was about to pull the line tight and break off, the fly and tippet unwound from the branch and dropped into perfect position. The fish I knew was there came busting out of hiding, grapped the fly and went airborne! I actually set the hook while he was in the air - so that is why you call it "fly fishing". It was by far the coolest fishing that I have ever experienced. That mental video will play for a while in my mind!

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I picked up one more fish before it was time to head back to the airport.

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Once again well worth the trip. Off to the East Coast!

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