Just curious what people's thoughts are on Putah as an individual Creek, meaning the must knows to this individual water, it's difference's and challenges, seasonal observations, etc.
It's just that people claim this as difficult terrritory for the common joe and has finicky fish, as well as fatties!
I'm new to the fly thing and have had good and bad days on Putah, but why the good when I was totally novice and clumsy, getting fish, decent size, but fish, on this creek?
Oooooooh, I know, I know. They call it beginners luck. Just like some 30 years back when I took my then girlfriend out to San Luis Reservoir. My family had been fishing that place since the mid 60's and in all that time, I kid you not, I personally never pulled anything out of there larger than 3lb. Well after I had set up her rig, baited it and explained the cast. Yup, she had to cast it out herself. Words can barely describe that beautiful cast that must have topped 30ft. easily. She set the rod in a ground holder, cranked the slack out of the line. Now get this. She turned around and went for her chair. But Noooooooooooo, she didn't even get her butt into it and I watched her rod bend and creek. This was followed by the bitter sweet sounds of her reel singing out loud and long. 5 minutes later I had my hand through the gill plate of a 47 inch, really fat, 19 pound Striper.
I was left with but two choices right there on the spot. I could have drowned her or married her. And the moral of this little story is, now we have grand children.
Next time I'll just post some bull**** about spinning gear, and hopefully get 4 pages of old hens cackling.
What do you expect to get for replies...you want everyone to give up their info without you doing any work to figure it out yourself? Don't be the noob with attitude, it won't get you very far.
Now, back to the question. Yes Putah can be very tricky especially if you don't have much experience. Time on the water will help you figure it out. Even guys with tons of experience on Putah have poor days. If you're a novice and had a decent day with smaller sized fish (I'm guessing the size) chances are they were planters. You have to know what size flies to use, typically smaller than you think and at what depth to fish them. Someone can't tell you how deep to fish because it changes all the time, experimenting will pay off. Change your set up until you find what works. Get yourself a fishing journal and document what does and doesn't work each time your out there. You will start to see patterns. You don't need a fly box with 25 different flies. You can do great with as little as 4 different flies, Pheasant Tails, Midges, Micro Mayflies and Fox Poopahs will work fine and I rarely use anything else but do have some top secret flies:) I don't bother with dries on Putah because I have never had much success, others do. Just keep fishing it and you'll figure it out. Introduce yourself to other fishermen and chances are they are members on the board and will give up info.
I am new to the Board and second Winter on Putah. This is my first post. I regularly read the Board. I have never asked anyone on the creek for advice even as I've watched others have far better success than I. Sometimes its frustrating; but I learn by paying attention to what others are doing without intruding in their spots. I have had some success but have yet to land any fatties. I find the challenge rewarding and always want to return to the creek with hope of figuring it out--as best as possible. But that's just me.
First off, I appreciate the current responses. I mostly started this post because it was so boring, amusing, but droll, reading page after page of men spatting about spinning, keeping, etc. I just thought it more human to get back to the love.......... I also though it be interesting to hear others view on Putah's "individualness", not so much tell me what to do.
And Packrat, thanks for sharing your thoughts, your clearly no cackling hen
cackle with the best of them, are you serious, come on packrat be modest. you are the mother goose of cackling. you know it, and put that smile you got on away, before you get caught. just playin packrat.
hope you and your family have a great holiday, and maybe ill see you out on the water jan 1st near sailor bar. just let me know. ill be out there way before first light. might even have to start a fire. hahaha
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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.
