This was my first time Fly Fishing. On Feb. 1st I fished all day and caught 1 about 8 inches. Still had a great time though. Flies I used were the red copper john, WD40, and one I think is called the May Olive. Saw a couple of fish caught It was a thursday so I had the creek to myself. Only spot I saw people fishing was access 5. I believe it was Bono, with a few guys. On Feb. 3 from 10:30 to 3:30. Missed one nice fish at the bridge and saw about 3 caught. Moved to a spot off the road between access 2 and 3 and lost another nice one. Both fish were on a WD40. Fun day though. More action than the first day. This was my first time fly fishing, and I'm already hooked.
Welcome Eric. I always envy you guys that were smart enough to start young. I began fly fishing 3 years ago at 48 and try to go often to make up for lost time. This website is a great resource. I have a whole flybox for Putah based on recommendations from the regulars, and received much helpful advice over the past couple of years.
My first time fly fishing wasnt on Putah, but my first fish there was about 8 inches as well. It looks like your doin allright though. Each time I went after my first time I did better, hooking larger fish more often. Good luck, and dont leave too many flies in the brush!
Funny, i see a pattern here my first putah fish was an 8 incher highstickin an egg pattern. I had a short stint of fly fishin about 17 years ago, and gave it up after a short time,the totally cheapo walmart setup i was usin probably had somethin to do with that, wish i would have stayed with it, just started again about a year ago and i'm a total fanatic now. Someone once said if you can regularly catch fish at putah you probably will do very well in most other places, congrats. on your first time out, sounds like you did well. I have learned alot about fishin putah from reading this board, thanx guys !
Putah is a hard spot to learn to fly fish. The pressure it gets is unreal, making the bigguns finicky and selective for perfect drifts and presentations. The trees get you hung up all the time. Right on for the catch! I didn't catch anything the first few times i visited The Creek.
It took me a long time before I caught my first fish on Putah with a fly. It's a wonder I kept at it. Seriously, it took me two years before I actually caught a fish on a fly. Once I caught the first one, it took off from there.
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"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
I agree with the comment that Putah is a tough place to learn how to fish. But if you do, the rewards are worth it. Putah will teach you how to fish nymphs. Things like how long of a tippet to use, how much weight, how to mend, how to roll cast and how to cast side-arm will all be things that you will learn. I have been fishing the stream over 20 years and a lot more the past 8 years (I retired), but I know that I still have a lot to learn. It's great fun learning though!
How do you guys think the Creek will fish this weekend after the rain and showers? Anybody think that going for Steel head on the American or Feather would be the Call for this weekend. Thanks!
