well hit up the ar today from sunrise till about 10:30, i had the whole river to myself for the most part, there was 2 gear guys on the other side of the river. it was kinda chilly this morning, glad i dressed warm. definitly looking foward to staying dry for a change with the new waders. and sure enough i was dry all day. started fishing my usual spot at 6:30 and started out with my 7wt with a 2bead / flying caddis set up with nothing for a hour, the switched it to a 2bead / half san juan half bird of prey fly on the 5wt for about 20 mins with nothing. then i tried a 1bead / brown woolly bugger for about 20 mins with nothing as well. so decided to take a break to get warm, and switch um my fly set up on my 5wt,
i went to a 1 bead to a rubber legged stone fly black (chucks special) for the first fly set up, the the dropper was a size 14 olive fox pupah. first cast i got the hammer put on me hard. mind you i am using my 5wt, and well i am glad i did, it wouldnt have been the same on the 7wt, the fight this fish had was perfect for the 5wt. she was a hearty fish with some spunk in her, gave me 2 nice 15-20 ft runs with several head shakes. when i finally got her close enough to see, i see she took the egg / rubber legged stone fly combo i made for the top fly, when down to grab her and the stone fly popped out, and here comes the pupah with a perfect floss in the mouth, she did on last tiny run, and got her to hand. she was a beautiful 20" wild fish. she put up a great fight on the 5wt, took a quick pic, and let her go down to the depths.
that would be the first and only fish i landed up until 10:30, i did leave that spot a lil early to check out the hatchery area near the ponds, let me tell you what, there are som nice 20-30" fish holding in that area. would be great to put the 5wt to the test in that area. i wish i had more time but had to get to work, so i just got to count 8 fish in the 20-30" mark just swim around as i keep walking to get to work.
so now i am debating on what i want to do on friday. do i go back to the AR, or say the hell with it and go to the Yuba. only time will tell.
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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.
ill be there all day tomorrow, i kinda know where the fish are holding, not a lot of fish but they are there. if you head out there just give me a call on the celly.
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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.
no broken rod, i had a blast using my 5wt out there. i had a few close calls on some good size fish, but was using lighter tippet with the 5wt to get a better presentation and it work very well. the big fish broke me off, oh well. but landed 4 nice fish on the 5wt. and loved every minute of it. will i do it again. no. would i like to yet. but am not gonna risk breaking the st croix.
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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.
The A is still kicking out fish. Fished last nite for 1.5 hrs. Hooked 2, 1 blueback and 1 adult. The blueback fought better, going airborne twice. Got both fish to the boat, but neither in the net.
hey rod, thanks for the info, you been hittin it in your drift boat. i might try and get out there for a few on weds, we shall see.
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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.
Don't give up on the AR. Plenty of crome brite spring run fish in the system. Size 16 caddis larve was the ticket today. Spoke to a gent yesterday that was fighting one and he said caddis emergers.
thanks for the info rod, i wont give up on the A until i go out and dont hook into one fish, when that day comes then ill give up. i have been hittin it about once a week and doing pretty well. like you said, pupas and caddis, dont forget glo bugs or beads those are still the ticket too.
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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.
