I read this stuff all the time and then go out and get completely blanked.  I live with it, but I think the braggadogia really isn't necessary.  I personally think if I get to 5, I've got some other thingsto do and call it a day. I would like to see more fish another day, and not just beat up the creek.For me, Putah Creek is home as it is for everything living in it.  I would just invite people to visitand treat the creek and its inhabitants with the respect it deserves.
Mike

To only report that the fishing is bad isn't the point of this board, or so I thought.  Most people here have posted reports about multiple fish days.  Though I respect where you are coming from edog, this isn't Washington, its Cali.  Publicity has indeed ruined alot of places over the years, however, down playing fish counts isn't a good way to go about preserving putah.  capt'n was undoubtedly really exited after a day like that, as most people I know will be. That being said, I fished the top section yesterday evening and saw more fisherman than I have seen in weeks.  However, most of them didn't catch anything,  though I cant talk...hooked one in about an hour and he broke me off.  Solid fish though.

-- Edited by 101fish at 07:34, 2007-01-29

I've fished Putah since the early 70's.  I remember when it seemed like I owned the river.  I could go up and fish any stop at almost any time and be by myself or with a friend.  If there was a car in one area I would simply go to another spot.  Now the river is crowded with fishermen.  I have no control over that.  It's the same all over the state. 

I simply try to fish where and when I can.  I'm glad fly fishing is a growing sport and most of us are catch and release fisherman.  Before the computer fishing reports could be weeks old.  The catch phrase then was, "You should have been here last week."  I enjoy reading the board and finding out what flies people are using.  I've been using the same fly on Putah for 35 years (a double renegade), but thanks to this site I use a slew of new droppers.

Enjoy a day on the water.  Try to avoid crowds and go around people when you fish.  You may catch a few less fish but the experience can be the same. 

I can totally agree with both sides of this topic,and being a guide on my home water has been something that I have struggled with for a long time.A large portion of my clients are from out of state and are only here for buisness or vacation and will never fish the creek again so no harm done in my eyes.But the added publicity the website gives the creek obviously will contribute to the increase in pressure but also will educate people about issues that Putah has and therefore can be used as a tool to actually help solve some of these issues.So I guess in a nutshell what I'm diong for the creek is both good and bad hopefully the good out weighs the other.On another note I noticed that a new member "old Grouch" mentioned that he used to use or maybe still uses a double renegade.If this is the same guy I'm thinking of,I met him at Putah creek around Nov-Dec about 20 or so years ago and I witnessed him catch fish after fish,all big ones on a small glo bug and a double renegade with a little variation on that fly that I will not disclose here.At the time I had not yet tried flyfishing and what I saw him do that day changed me forever.He gave me a little instruction on how it was done and showed me his setup.From that day on (I'm almost certain of this)I never bait or spinfished again.Thanks again "Old Grouch" for introducing me to a sport and a memory that will be with me for a lifetime. Greg

Hello Bono,

As a retired teacher and school administrator I always like to hear that I've changed someone's life.  Your description sounds like something I would do, although I rarely use glow bugs in October and November.  In truth, I doubt that very few of the people I showed the double renegade to switched from their spinners and hardware.  I'm glad you tried it and switched over to fly fishing.

I probably was one of the first to use it locally having found the pattern in a now defunk Fly Tying Magazine somewhere around 1980.  They touted it as a fly used in streams in Arizona.  I immediately tied up a dozen in sizes from 10 to 16 and it was an instant success on Putah.  I gave some to two of my friends and they started using it.  Its accounted for many huge fish over the years.  Later on people would ask what I was using and I would show them, and I'm sure others have found it hanging in trees.  As one gets older you tend to forget about whats around you.  The trees and bushes are sometimes decorated with them after I've fished a stretch.  I've used it with success all over the state and still use it, but after having tied thousands of them over the years I have to force myself to tie up a batch of them several times a year.  I also tie a variation thats works with steelhead.  

Actually, I've been reading and occasionally posting or responding to someone for several years on this site.  Unfortunately, I tend to forget my password and have had to reapply 3 or 4 times over the years.  

Fly fishing is a state of mind.

Ed  

I don't know what it's called, but the fish could be taking it as a water boatman.  There are tons of them in the slower sections of the creek and the fish tear 'em up.

...."but we can keep the crowds down a bit if people just tone down there reports."

 Not true.  Not everybody knows about this site.  And whether the fishing is

"supposedly" red hot, or not, has no bearing on my fishing Putah.  Matter of fact,

I haven't fished it in well over a year.  

 

Putah has always been somewhat crowded due to the proximity to the bay area.

Don't like it...move back to Washington or find a new place to fish with less crowds.

I fished the lower Yuba (gasp) in complete solitude a few weeks ago.  There's an

option for ya.

 

EO 

....and a scotch DOES sound good right about now...too bad I'm working