I'm afraid I have been out of the Putah loop for a while. I only made it over once this summer, instead making trips to the Sierras. I thought I might post some pictures of some recent excursions.
I got out several times this past month to fish small higher elevation streams on dries, and finally realized that a shorter and lighter rod would be a great benefit trying to cast in small streams between bushes and grassy banks. I took Bill Kienes advice and ended up buying a TFO 6'9" 1 wt rod a couple of weeks ago and finally got out to try it last weekend. I was very impressed at how well it cast, both up close and at longer distances of 40 ft or so. It is very light and casts effortlessly. I caught several dozen rainbows and cutthroats, mostly in the 6-8 inch range, but with several around 9-10 inches. That's enough to put a bend in a 1 wt. Even though school is back in session, I plan to sneak up again a couple of times before the snow begins and I have to go back to nymphing in the valley.
A beautiful day for a hike
My friend and frequent fishing buddy Andan
Stalking a wary trout
My first fish on the new rod, a 9 inch cutthroat
The biggest cutthroat I managed in August, a 12 incher caught in the pool below
I had never caught a brookie before, so I tried some other areas and finally managed to catch one under some aspens. Looks like a nice spot for fall colors later on.
After I fished all day Friday, my wife and younger son joined me for the weekend where we stayed in the Silver Fork area. I didn't get out too much there, but found a little time in morning and evening and even got my son out a couple of times. We caught a lot of the 6-8 inch variety and my son got the this one on my new rod.
Contrary to reports from the forest service, the water in the Silver Fork is not extremely high or cold from the Caples flows. It was similar to flows in late May and the water temp was 62 degrees. Just right for dry flies.
I released the brookie back into the creek. I got this idea from Chris and Bob Laskodi when I was taking pictures for my heritage trout challenge. It is a good way to keep the fish in water and doesn't require much handling. When I bring the fish in I just net it with the bag and then remove the hook to take the photo.
Nice report and pics. I have a Sage TXL 1 weight, and to this day it's my favorite rod to fish with. Excellent for the NF Yuba and many of the American River drainage streams. Lightweight, but big enough to drag in 14"-15" fish.
