Chilly Verde

All my talk about extreme fishing finally caught up with me.
Matt and I were scheduled to fish the Green River on Tuesday.

There was already plenty of snow as seen in this shot from the hotel window.



We had been exploring the mountains after arriving in Utah on Saturday and the weather was becoming a concern. It snowed every day and the temperature was, shall I say, low.

We drove up into the canyons and got to see some winter scenes up close and personal.


While driving up Big Cottonwood canyon, I got this shot of the BC Creek.
I may have to spend some quality time here after the snow melts.



We were up early and headed to Dutch John - a 3.5 hour drive from SLC. We saw some beautiful country in southern Wyoming and northern Utah and wildlife including pronghorn, mule deer, a golden eagle, and this herd of elk just a few miles from our launch point - the dam where the Flaming Gorge reservoir empties into the Green River.



Once again, Trout Bum 2 and our #1 guide Tom Knight did not disappoint. Tom and his dad were waiting for us at Trout Creek Flies.

The day was the coldest of my four winter trips to the Green River. It didn't snow on us but it was windy and raw. The temp was in the low 30's and it didn't warm up too much all day.

When we got out of the wind and while in the sun, it wasn't too bad but in the shade or in the wind it was brutal!

We did catch some fish - as Mr Knight would say, "The fish are here all winter. They don't go to Cabo (San Lucas) like some fishermen do."

We started the day off with some feisty rainbows like this beauty.

The phone is ringing and it is Mr. Brown on Line 2!


Here I am with a cold grin - We are smiling!


Fish on! Matt got the hang of the hookset and was quickly in the game.


Tom nicknamed Matt "Sir Sticks-a-Lot" since he was snagging his share.


Hey Mr. Hoover -
How about letting some go by so the guy in the back of the boat gets a chance!
Some of these fish were really nice and chunky.
This brown put up a great fight.


Here is Matt taking a break for lunch. Hey dude are your arms tired yet?



We fished midge larva, eggs, and freshwater shrimp patterns all morning.
Near the end of the day we went to the wooly buggers.

Hey fish - have you ever seen a minnow with a purple tail?



We had a great day even if it was cold. What could be better than spending the day on the river with an excellent guide catching some wild fish with your son?


Thanks Tom, TB2, and Matt for making this a very memorable trip.


I think I may try some warmer weather fishing next!

Obawana Fly

The Obawana Fly has four distinct life cycles. They are easily distinguished by most experienced anglers and a few hungry fish.

The Larval Stage (AKA Worm stage)

After hatching on the bottom of the stream or pond, this robust larva makes it's way through the ooze and muck of the bottom feeding on zooplankton or microscopic organism's resembling oatmeal or Mapo. This fly is tied on a swimming larva hook with dumbbell eyes and a tail of badger guard hairs. The body is tan Ultra chenille and the false wing is a black hackle from a Boat-tailed Grackle.

The Nymph Stage (AKA The I Can Do What I Want stage)

When the water reaches 65 degrees and the south wind blows at precisely 3 knots, the larva crawl under a rock and are mysteriously converted into the nymph. This pre-adult stage is free swimming and a bit unruly but somehow manages to keep it all together as it feeds along the bank. This fly is tied on a #10 streamer hook with a woodchuck hair tail, badger dubbed body, and an ostrich herl thorax. The legs are Hungarian partridge and the shellback is a mottled turkey feather slip.

The Adult Stage (AKA The Lean & Mean stage)

This first adult stage is sleek and fast moving. Fish have to be ready for this one as it molts from nymph to adult in less than 2 seconds on the surface and immediately heads to the bushes to seek a mate. This fly is known to travel from New England to Texas, California, and Washington state. It is tied in a #4 streamer hook with a silver pheasant feather tail, tinsel body wrapped over a badger underbody. The side wings are teal feathers and the crest is silver pheasant.

The Mature Adult Stage (AKA The Old Man of the Sea stage)

After finding a mate, settling down and raising a family, the Obawana Fly reaches the final stage of the life cycle. It grows into a formidable bite for any fish and while can be a bit grizzled around the edges, it retains it's appeal for fish and fisherman alike. This fly is tied on a #2 hook with a javelin hair tail, clipped deer hair body, furnace hackle wings and a ruby colored silver pheasant crest feather.

The Obawana fly is a necessity for any fly box. Keep a few of each around and you will always be prepared for any fishing situation.

Poppers

Grasshopper: Your fly-tying skills have proved worthy!

The sunfish were hitting the bugs on Evans Lake this evening and I had some fun with the new flyrod and a hand-tied popper.

Recognize this one?

One of the side benefits of fishing at the end of the day. God's paintbrush...

New Flies and Lures

I've been experiencing a new wave of "the fever"

After catching some bass on the Rapala the other day, I've started thinking that I need to be prepared for some other tactics besides the reliable old big green worm (BGW).

Paul gave me some new streamers and poppers he had tied. They are beauties and look like they will fish well. He also found a new soft plastic called the Original Texas Weedless Wacky Worm®. This is sure to be a "hit" with the bass in Evans lake.
He said they were flying off the shelves and were not easy to find.

I went by a favorite sporting goods store (Academy) and sure enough they were completely out. Lucky for me they did have some stick baits and top waters on sale.

I picked up some silver/black floating Rapalas and a couple of "Hula Poppers" made by Arbogast Lures.

I also bought a couple of topwater lures from Storm called The Chug Bug.

I stopped off on my way home to see what was happening with the "King" of Evans Lake and to drop off some of the soft plastics. It's always a good idea to share!

The wind was blowing about 15 mph but I thought a couple of casts wouldn't hurt as long as I was in the neighborhood.

I was surprised when the only thing that seemed interested were the panfish.

This Bluegill took the Chug Bug off the surface.



This Green Sunfish also hit the big topwater lure.

I think they were actually going for the tail of the lure which is made out of an iridescencet pearl flash material. I may need to make some poppers out of this.

I was about convinced that all the bass had packed up left the lake when I finally picked up a small resident that was willing to join the fish study.

Tag ID 07 - AKA "Tiny" was caught at 5:05PM. W=0.7lb, L=11.5"

"I'm Too Excited to Sleep"

Why is it that getting up early to go fishing is easier than getting up to go to work? You would think that after a long week of busy days and late evenings I would have been ready for a "do nothing day". I had plenty of things that need doing - mowing grass (weeds), cleaning the garage, paying bills, etc. but when the call for reinforcements came late Friday evening, I just had to respond.

Paul Sr. and eldest son had engaged the white bass in the East Fork of the San Jacinto in battle and they had won the first skirmish. They were set for an early morning raid to beat the Saturday morning fishermen and wanted to know if I could accompany them. Well, I'll tell you the thought of getting up before dawn to go fishing is balm for the soul. There is nothing I needed more than a day of thinking about something other than work. I will be travelling again next week and will miss the funeral of a dear friend so some time to think and pray is just what I needed.

We hit the water early and by 9:00AM we had caught plenty of fish. Paul Jr. & I decided to keep only the big ones and Paul Sr. strung up all he caught that were legal. We all caught as many small ones as we did keepers and it was a great morning of fishing. This one will go in my all-time great fishing days file.

The only trouble we had was trying to keep up with Paul Sr. on the way to the fishing hole. He was high stepping like a Tennessee Walker through the brush in his fancy wader pants and Jr. & I were huffing and puffing trying to keep up. I'm not so sure I can compete unless I drop a few pounds. Keep the Starbucks away from that guy!

Paul Jr. with an early morning White.


The Mutual Admiration Society.


"Fat n Sassy" You know it when you have hold of one this size.


"Waders"


The Confidence Bait in action.


Morning tally:
Paul Sr. - 20 (16.7 lbs)
Paul Jr. -10 (9.2 lbs)
JB - 8 (8.9 lbs)

I went for size over quantity.


Strong coffee at 4:30AM - $2.50
Ultralight fishing rod $24.00
Box of White Roostertails. $10.00

Fishing for white bass with your brother and nephew - priceless!

Back to Your Roots

Sometimes you have to go backwards in order to go forward.

I headed out to Lake Evans to get some "exercise" and to see if I could tag a couple more largemouth bass for the study. The day had turned out pretty nice - mid 60's and sunny with just a slight breeze.

I figured the water and the fish would start warming up pretty quick as the water level is down and it's time for the fish to move the the shallows to spawn.

I tried a new Bass Bug - a brown conehead streamer with rubber legs on the flyrod. I got one slight take but wasn't able to hook up. I don't think it was a bass but who knows?

The sunfish were popping the surface as there were some craneflys getting blown onto the lake.

I fished a red & white deer hair popper and even switched to a Royal Coachman to try to catch some sunfish but everything hitting the water was too small.

I switched to the BGW on the ultralight and made a circuit around the lake but nothing doing. I did notice a couple of big splashes near the shore and guessed that the bass were cruising around looking to ambush some baitfish in the shallows.

I finally got paranoid about getting skunked and reached deep into the past for some inspiration.

Mark this one's for you!

These green sunfish just needed a rubber worm and a smaller hook to make them (and me) happy. I caught several of these little guys and never get tired of that "tug" "tug" on the line.

I kep hearing the big splashes along the shoreline so I finally decided to do something different. I chucked the flyrod and the BGW and put on a gold floating Rapala minnow - "The Original"

I don't know how many fish I have caught over the years with this lure but I'm never without at least one or two in my tacklebox.

I tossed it out in the vicinity of the next big splash and was rewarded with a nice 13" bass.

I nicknamed him "Newt".

Tag ID 05 - AKA "Newt" was caught at 4:25PM. W=1.0lb, L=13"

I tried again in the same general area and just a few minutes later had a 15" 2-pounder on the scales.

This big girl is "Clara".

Tag ID 06 - AKA "Clara" was caught at 4:35PM. W=2.0lb, L=15"

This last photo shows the location I've been using for the tagging program. It is out of the way but readily visible and I think this is a much more durable location than on a fin.


It will be interesting to see when I catch my first tagged fish!

Hot Lips

I returned to Evans Lake today to continue the fish study.

The weather was overcast and drippy with a chance of a full blown shower at any time.

I only had a couple of hours to fish before lunch but since wet fishing is better than no fishing I took advantage of the time. The fish are wet anyway.

I caught one fish an nice 16" bass that weighted 2 lbs even.



I'm not sure but I think this was old "Hot Lips" I caught back on January 15.


This picture doesn't show it very well but she had the same red coloring on the rough pads of her mouth.

I attached the tag to the corner of her mouth instead of to the fin. I think it will have a better chance of staying on.

I finally had to quit when the rain got too heavy. One more for the book!

Hopeless Romantic

Who says I'm not romantic?

This year for Valentine's Day I bought my wife some candy - chocolate no less.

You would think that would reveal my true feelings and demonstrate that life is about more than fishing. After all, I've heard that spending too much time on any one thing is unhealthy.

Sure, I looked at the Whitman's sampler and I studied all the heart-shaped boxes but I've just gotta be me!



Hey - last year I gave her a sheepskin! This is a step up.

We did do a little yarn shopping over the weekend and enjoyed a nice dinner together on Monday.

I got a couple of new fishing books and a great card.

She also honored me by posting a story about my parents on her blog: Wool Windings

Roses are red and violets are squishy
I'm a happy husband but the candy is fishy!

Bass Bugs

I'm getting ready to continue the fish study in Lake Evans.

This weekend I got to add to the collection of bass flies. I picked up a couple from Gander Mountain and tied up some marabou jigs.

This is a diver made from deer hair and rabbit fur.

This is a classic deer hair popper. It has some green & white marabou and some feathers and is supposed to imitate a frog as you retrieve it across the surface.

Rabbit fur and lamb's wool make up this leech. The rubber legs add movement.

This one will fish sub-surface.

This cone-head zonker has some rubber legs that will draw attention to this fly.

A yellow & red deceiver. This may be tied for salt or fresh water. It is an attractor pattern.

These marabou jigs are tied on a 1/16 oz round jighead hook.

I want to try this in different sizes and colors.

Green River Day

Somewhere between Groundhog Day and Valentine's Day is the holiday known to avid fishermen as Green River Day.

The"A" section of Utah's Green River is one of my favorite fishing holes.

Known worldwide for it's beautiful unspoiled setting, this tailwater is always consistent and a prolific producer of big and colorful trout. This was to be my third visit and I've been waiting for this chance to return.

Some people think driving three hours away from one of the best ski areas in the country (Park City, Utah) to go fishing in February is nuts.

My motto: "I'd rather be fishing than swishing".

The weather had been COLD in the morning but warming up with the sun. We started out at 6AM with temps in in the teens and while stopping for gas I tried to wash the windshield. The washer fluid was like smearing icy paste on the glass and it took some defrosting to finish the job.

Trout Bum 2 has a 1/2 day trip this time of year and we had two boats reserved. Our guides Tom & Charles were on time and ready to go.

After getting rigged up and decked out we were ready to catch some fish!
In our boat we started out with a nice brown.

Tom & I with one of our three doubles!
Here Tom has a nice brown and I have a rainbow.

Joe and Mark had some luck too. This cut-bow won the prize for the best dressed fish.

Check out the colors on this beauty!

Two Toms and twin browns. The colors on these fish ranged from butter yellow to blue-green with characteristic red spots.
Tom took the size-prize with this big rainbow.

After fishing tiny midge larva all day, our guide Tom Knight handed me a 9-1/2' Sage 6-wt rod with a sinking tip line and a huge wool head sculpin streamer.

He instructed me to "pound the banks" and strip in erratically. He also said "Big fly - Big fish".

My other motto: "Always listen to your guide!"

We all had a great time and for the record - Lord willing - "I'll be back"

Heber

It's that time of year again.

I was in Utah for the week and after traveling all Sunday afternoon from Houston to Salt Lake City, I got up early and drove to Vernal and back on Monday. The business meeting started Monday evening and went late into the night. Up early again on Tuesday for the marathon day of flip charts, goals, planning, and discussions. It was a productive time but by Tuesday evening we were all needing a break.

I took the last few minutes of daylight to visit the Heber Valley and to see if the "confidence bait" could tempt a brown from the pool at the "not-so-secret" spot.

I got to see the Heber Creeper a historic steam train that runs through the valley.

Once again the white Roostertail came through.


This one's for you Paul!

O.C.F.

My brother sent me a link to this website:

Obsessive Compulsive Fishing or O.C.F.is a condition identified in Ely Minnesota.

They sponsor the website to assist those stricken with the disorder.

I think I'll soon be a card carrying member.
DJWB