well made it to creek for a full day of fishing. lets just say i have been home for 3 hours now and i am still defrosting. damn it was cold today. well it was me and my fishin guru cappy. thought it would be crowded, but wasnt really that bad, we hit the spots we wanted to hit at the perfect time, everytime we got to a spot someone would show up 2 minutes later. i would have to say that i froze my ARS off this morning and for most of the day until we fished the bridge area. it was stupid cold all day, but couldnt complain, cuz i wasnt working, wasnt dealing with stupid drivers, wasnt dealing with the traffic, and ofcourse I WAS FISHING.
anyways started at a really nice pool that we fished at the week before and i landed 3 fish, missed just as many if not more. and well cappy dont know what happened, he was gettin hits on the swing just kept on comin unbuttoned. i was using an egg with a disco midge as the dropper in the morning and switched it up about mid day, well more on what i was using later. the fish i landed was a really nice 18-19" fatty, fought really nice, gave me some really nice head shakes, and ofcourse i took a pic, got a 13-14"er as well out of that pool in the am. no hatches what so ever today, and very few rises too. we fished the first pool for a good 3-4 hours. then we moved around a bit. a pool here a deep run there. tried the old damn and nothing, there was a few fisherman down there, and they had the same luck. A COLD. after the damn went above the bridge around 11sh, and we hooked a couple but couldnt land them.
i tell you what me and cappy really hit the spots great today. every place we went there was no one fishing, and after a few minutes everyone waiting for use to move.
well around 1sh we left the bridge and moved back down stream and tried the pool that cappy caught his pig last week, and not a damn thing. i dont even think we had any takes. but we did have a few people waiting for use to move. i think me and cappy guessed that they waited for a good 25 minutes before the fished below us. that was funny. but at that pool that was about it. we fished that pool for about an hour and we decided to hit the pool that we started fishing that morning where i had the most luck. not to many risers there in the evening but they were there, i landed one more out of this pool before we called it a day, get to cold again. it wasnt very big but it most beautiful fully colored 12" rainbow that i ever saw, so i had to take a pic.
you are probably wondering if i got into any pigs today. well that pool that we fished in the morning and at the end of the day, i had my chance and blew it. sorry guys. i was using a prince nymph with a wd40(black) dropper, 10ft of indicator to dropper fly and double shot, yes double shot. the double shot was working for most the day in those pools, got me deep and deep fast. just had to adjust my indicator perfectly and i was adjusting alot.
well this pool is shallow up top with fast water and drops off quick. so roll casted it up, at the same time bull****tin with cappy, and the wham, the line stopped, at the same time i looked up and set the hook, i was so late on that i could have ate a full course meal. well it didnt move so thought it was hung up until it darted up stream fast, i mean really really fast, and as soon as i knew it was a fish heading upstream he busted the quickest biotch i have ever seen, to fast for me to retrieve line, to fast for me to do anything but twiddle my thumbs in disbelief that i missed this fish. i looked up and he did a lil bit of surfing on the water and came unbuttoned. i had no chance in hell to get this fish. i had my chance and i blew. oh well. no biggy. there will always be tomorrow. how big do you say. well i never had time to measure him because i didnt land him but i do know that i got a very very good look at him when he was surfing and i knew that he was bigger than the 24"er that i caught a month and a half back. this one was a screamer and I GOT CAUGHT WITH MY PANTS DOWN. wont be the first or the last.
well as far as cappy goes. he did ok yesterday but not to great today, had a few nice hits, but all came off way way to fast, the fish werent hitting the fly all that hard, but i did notice one thing, that with the egg dropper combo they hit it harder than when i had a prince nymph wd40 dropper or a fox pupah disco midge dropper.
FLIES OF THE DAY prince nymph w/ wd40 dropper tan fox pupah w/ disco midge dropper egg w/ disco midge dropper
ADVISE OF THE DAY HAND AND FEET WARMERS MAN IT WAS WAY WAY TO COLD the fish are they just gotta work hard for them.
-- Edited by brian clemens at 21:12, 2007-11-23
__________________
Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
Sounds like a nice way to spend black Friday, instead of clawing your way through Target full of psychoshoppers. Way to go. . . A little Wild Turkey Liqueor (Not the regular stuff, unless you got a titanium gizzard) seems to make things a little cheerier. I was out at the creek on Monday and saw a coupla guys I saw last year at the same spot when I questioned them about a bucket they had with them. They got irate and said "Hey, we're fly fishing for crissake." Well, while I was around the corner another guy saw them haul off a 20+ incher. They were driving a white compact car of some sort. I will know it when I see it and or them, and photos will be handed to F and G. If you guys are reading this, I ain't joking. Season ended 11/24 and you cannot take anything.
I'm sure you know this Yukon Mike, but the season ended 11/15. Everyone needs to be on the lookout. There will be snaggers out there targeting the spawners. If you this going on, please get a good description of the people, their cars, the area they were fishing, time of day, etc. If you have a camera, get a picture. This information is important when calling Cal Tip (the number is on your fishing license if you can't remember it).
Brian, It sounds like it was cold on Friday. I spent my day in a nice warm Safeway. I'm telling you, I would rather freeze my butt off any day.
-- Edited by JT at 02:03, 2007-11-24
__________________
"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
I'll admit I got a big ol skunkin friday. Few fish hooked, But all lost very quickly. We got very lucky to get to fish all the spots we wanted to without having to many people around, Along the road it was crazy, several cars parked at every turnout it seemed like.The disco midge is a great pattern for putah, I like one I found tied on a red hook with a white body. I'll have to go out and redeem myself tommorrow. Overall a great day on the water, wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else.
definitly wouldnt want to have been anywhere else but fishing. good luck if you go out today to redeem yourself. seems like when we go either you catch fish or i catch fish. never both at the same time.
and as far as those snaggers. if i see ya ill do the same to you as you are doing to the fish, and see how you like it. i always have a pair of hand cuffs in my car as well. i aint got no problem doing a citizens arrest on the creek. then call the dfg.
MAN I HATE SNAGGERS, and people that ruin it for all of us to enjoy. that is just trailer trash. there are other rivers and streams you can keep fish in. why this one.
__________________
Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
It would be nice to have a real point of contact with someone at DFG. Where we would be sure that someone is following up on reports.
You know problems like this are just one more reason we should organize into a real Putah Creek Fly-fishing club.
Not only would we have a voice in how the river was managed we could form some friendships/partnerships with those who police our water.
I know the DFG are undermanned but the Sheriff's Officer could do some enforcement also. You know the Sheriff is elected and I would say most of us our voters an organized group such as a Fly-fishing club could probably get a commitment from the Sheriff and DFG to Patrole and enforce the Creek.
I think the reason people poach is because they get away with it. And see little if no Law Enforcement on the Creek.
ya that is the reason why they do it cuz they know they can get away with it. i even see it happen and nimbus damn where even then its a good possibility that they will get caught but they dont care.
dont really know if a club would help us get a patrol out there. the dfg is more worried about people poaching salmon and steelhead on the main rivers not trout on small creek. thats just how i feel. but if a club would help then i am all for it. its an ongoing process with putah and i dont know if it will be fixed anytime soon. i would love to see a patrol out there takin care of it but i ahve my doubts.
lets hope for the best. if anyone would know something about this it would be bono.
__________________
Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
DFG used to have a warden program that was called the "$1 a year man", which was a vounteer deputization program for the rest of us. I have been checked by them in the distant past-other than the badge, they looked like one of us. Might be something to look into.
i wouldnt mind doing that. hey steve who would i need to talk to, to get deputized and really put a hurtin on those bait chunkin poachin bastards.
let me know i even think cappy wouldnt mind either what you think cappy
__________________
Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
I agree with pretty much what everyone has to say about the poaching topic.I think seriously that a majority people who bait fish and keep fish this time of year just do not know about the closure. Rather then coming at somebody you find bait fishing in a negative way I believe a little education may be the best way. Just let em know that Your informiong them of the regs. and it may save ya a good amount of money. Of course there will be real jackasses, But that is a small part of the problem, I beleive education is the best way. The best and easiest way is to post signs. This was mentioned last winter but never happened, Doesn't have to be anything fancy, Just make something on your computer and print them out, Then just staple a few to some of the trees in access area's, I would but i dont have a printer and have no plans of purchasing one. remeber, were all out there to have a good time and a confrontation isn't worth it. Actually the worst confrontation I have had on putah was with a dog that was not under control and its owner, I carried a gun for several weeks after that. It wasn't a good situation.
Nice report. Sorry to hear there were folks taking fish on Monday. I think Putah gets the short end of the enforcement stick for a few reasons. One, its a stocked fishery, which I assume ranks low in priority for the DFG. Second, upland bird hunting season is in full swing, so I would imagine most of the wardens are patroling the public hunting areas. With the state looking at a $10 billion deficit, fish and game enforcement isn't going to get any better.
Solano County Parks may be a possible contact to help improve enforcement. From what I can tell, Solano County has park rangers that appear to be full fledged law enforcement officers (badge, gun, and arrest powers under the Penal Code). They have some stationed at Lake Solano. Here is the contact no. for the Lake Solano Ranger's station: (530)795-2990.
Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
I always forget about the rangers down there at the lake. If someone talks to them, let us know if they're able to help with enforcement on the creek. That would be nice. Are they there during the winter, though?
__________________
"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
I just checked the DFG website and it doesn't list that type of position ($1/yr), but I have emailed the head of recruitment to see what might be available to us citizens. Education is probably the best "enforcement" tool available to us.
I wouldn't go nailing signs to trees. It could be considered littering. There is a plan in the works, though. Doing the things the right way always takes a little more time. Just be patient.
__________________
"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
I know some of you have military and/or law enforcment/DOC experience, but please keep your wits about you. Putah is a great place to fish. I've grown remarkably fond of the place in a very short period of time.
Name calling or worse doesn't solve much. Posts about spawning, poaching, and creekside etiquette all point back to education and enforcement. Neither of which are best addressed with a vigilante mind set.
I've told some of you that I saw a well equipped fly fisherman, hiking out of the island near #5 with a 18"+ football stuffed in the pocket of his shorts late in September! He apologized to me as he walked by. He was in season, and within his rights to keep a fish ... I just said, "nice fish brother, don't sweat it". For all I know, the guy was needing to feed his family ... more power to him!
But I've also seen some crazy stringers of fish on the bank near the dam, at the resort. I'd love to lend my voice to being intelligent about managing this resource in a realistic fashion, but it's not the old west for crying out loud.
A club? An Ok, idea. But only if its for the right reasons. I don't think ANY body should carry a badge unless they are an officer of the court, that's asking for trouble.
I love reading these posts ... good stuff ... be safe folks.
My curiousity is peaked by what is "in the works" per JT's post ???
__________________
"You tell yourself that it will be both educational and spiritually uplifting, as all imaginative excuses for goofing off are." John Gierach, "Music of the Spheres".
These guys were NOT bait flingers, they were fly guys and are completely aware of what they were doing. I will not cut them any slack whatsoever. They know the rules, but do not care. Right now, you canleave the bait vs fly thing out of this one. Like I said, I saw them last winter at #5 with a bucket out there, and when I said something then, they acted like I was over the edge or something. Same guys, no bucket but a big net, and were using 6 wts.
wow, ya dont matter with bait or fly rods at that time, the know the laws and purposely breaking them. no slack whatsoever. completely agree with you mike.
the sad part is people like that make me so sick to my stomach that i would probably react way in the wrong way and i would probably end up dead by gun shot or stabbed to death. cuz i would roll over there. gab their gear and break the hell out of it, and due my best to get them off the water. i really really dont take poaching lightly one bit. it makes me sick to my stomach now and even when these bait dunkers fish during season time and take home a stringer of fish, that even makes me sick.
i really need to look into becoming a dgf or a volunteer or something like that. i would love to catch these guys in the act, and put the law full force on them.
but thats just me
__________________
Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
I can only recommend that if you see some of the previously mentioned type activity, just take some photos discretely (no flash!) and go to the lot. If there is only one other car there, take more photos. Then go to the ranger at Lake Solano. He is very interested. Please no shooting, stabbing, or schrapnel please. This kind of thing can be handled smoothly and quitely. You really don't want anyone to know who turned them in. If they don't know, they will never feel safe out there to do whatever makes their boat float. Also, I often watch before they see me. Most of us know the creek well enough to go araound without interrupting anyone, and it can be used to great advantage. Just be careful, and RAT like hell. Thank you.
rattin is bad but its better than being shot at, shot, stabbed or mauled. i was brought up to never rat, but with this situation you have to. only one thing. you will need a digital to do this with. which i dont have. i might have to ask one for christmas. do they make water proof digital cameras, or cases that you can put them in and still take pics out of.
hey yukon, if you ever see a 26 yr old guy out hookin fish that will more likely be me. and you really cant miss my car. as jl would say the "ZZTOP Z28" its the only one on the creek. and if you see me come say hi. and you are more then welcome to fish with me if you would like
Man cant believe i forgot this.
HEY JL IT WAS NICE TO FINALLY MEET YA. if it wasnt for the maro you probably would have never stopped. glad ya did. hey you and me need to hook up some time and hit some fish. i really wanna do a yuba trip here very soon, the salmon are starting to show. so it should be good in about a month.
-- Edited by brian clemens at 13:38, 2007-11-26
__________________
Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
Brian, They do make waterproof digital cameras. I just bought one, a Pentax Optio W30. It should be here any day now, as I ordered it last week. Olympus also makes them. They have two models that I know of: the Stylus 720SW and the Stylus 790 SW.
__________________
"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
i havent checked them out yet but it would be nice if they can do that too. hey cappy looks like cooter might have found your fly box. lucky you. not lucky for me.
__________________
Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.