Indian rock ranch, fly fishing lessons

SolanoSlayer · Member

Indian rock ranch, fly fishing lessons

bono · Master Fly Fishing Guide

I have been to the ranch many moons ago and the creek was pretty cool although very small with some man made holding pools,it was also very accessable. The area is private and almost parklike,I didnt see any fish but did see pics of some in the 15 to 18" range, and I may be wrong but I think the fish are all planted. If you are ever interested in taking a class on Putah to learn more about the creek and� flyfishing set up, techniques,gear, history,conservation efforts ect ect give me a call. I am the person who owns this web site and I am also a licensed guide and insructor. Welcome to your new addiction!! Bono

AbelBoy · Senior Member

Hi SS,
I went there years ago in grade school to get the school Christmas Tree. As Bono said, it is a human manicured park with planted fish. From what I have been told is that the ranch no longer stocks fish. All the trout are progeny of the originally planted stock.

A buddy of mine went there last year. He showed me pictures of some of the fish caught out of the creek. His small fish was 16".

AB

SolanoSlayer · Member

thanks to both of you for replying. Thats pretty much what i expected, guranteed catch for everyone it says but i dont see it helping me out on too many other rivers. That i will rely on u bono. lol. hopefully i could afford some lessons before the last satrday in april. will be calling u soon, i hope. Scott

Richard Hardwood · Veteran Member

I checked it out to take my 85 year old dad to a few months ago. It is a bunch of pools between concrete dams among trees. There is probably 100 yards or so of ponds that meander down the hill through the forest. The setting is really pretty and there are picnic tables available. He's very picky about who fishes there when.

I didn't fish - there is no room for a back-cast and the place looks like a bunch of Koi ponds. The ponds are maybe 10 foot by 20 foot. The fish are huge. They are fed kibble so tie up some kibble flies.

At $150 per day I chose to pass. As far as lessons go, I don't know what you'll learn in that small of a fishery.

SolanoSlayer · Member

Thats pretty much how i feel, but i got them for gifts for me and my dad from my mom. So gonna try to make the best out of it..

Alpen Glow · Senior Member

Hey Solano Slayer i've been very lucky to teach beginners for a large fly fishing�corporation.�And�my advice is go and learn what you can, then go fishing!�Fish�like crazy and don't be afraid to loose flies and tippet. Learning to cast in a casting pond is one step to learning that there's nothing like moving water. Buy the best rod you can afford and make it your best friend.�When�it and you are one and you know what it can and can't do you'll start catching fish.

Try�and watch other fly fishers on streams when you fish and never fear asking what you think is a dumb question. �Hope to see ya soon on a River!

SolanoSlayer · Member

Alpen glow, thanks for the advice. i can never get enough of that. Does the rod really make that much of a difference. and If i was going to buy the best i could, it would be 1 for now so what size would you guys suggest.

grahler · Veteran Member

IMO as long as your rod is decent (good enough not to break) then you are good to go.� I would be more picky about the line than the rod (depending on intended use.)� It is like handing a Stradivarious to a beginning violinist-the beginner can't play it anyway.� Learn the basics first and if you get deeper into the sport you will learn what you really like and when you go to put down some dough you will know it is well spent.� I am a firm believer in the idea that it is the indian not the arrow.� Don't go out and waste your money on a fancy rod.� It won't catch you more fish.� Get a graphite rod thats reasonable and throw a Pfleuger medalist reel on it with a floating dt or wf line and go for it.� If guys caught fish with bamboo, silk and gut and you can't with graphite,� air cel,� and mono it has nothing to dowith the equipment.

Tie the fly.� Drift the fly.� Catch the trout.� Repeat.

windknots · Senior Member

I second that, get a rod that you won't be upset about if you snap it in the car door or a on snag. An expensive rod is a nice to have, it's not essential. It's a knowledge & skill based sport, not equipement based. What catches the fish is a well placed twist of thread and feathers on the end of a tiny hook, and the quality of the rod doesn't have a great deal of impact on the ability to deliver that. You're better off putting that extra coin into some time with a guide like Bono.

grahler · Veteran Member

If I were just starting out I would spend more of my dough on a good guide. If you ask good questions then many years of learning curve are eliminated. You can benefit greatly from a good guide. Good point Windknot.

Tie the fly. Drift the fly. Catch the trout. Repeat.

Alpen Glow · Senior Member

I love my Sage 5wt XP i got it used on ebay for $200 and have SA WFGpx 5wt line on it.�

and i have a T3 Orvis tip flex rod i got from them �for teaching its a good rod also.

Mending is the biggest weakness i see on every river, not that i'm great at it. But mending for dead drift makes a huge difference. Also the trout don't know what a brand name your wearing or using. I like to spend money on gas to go fishing...�

I think everything that has been said above is great advice... �If you can afford a guide get one for a day. Netflix also has an incredible library, you can rent alot of fly fishing videos, some are good some are funky. Just don't get discouraged if you don't catch anything right away its a process...

Alpen Glow · Senior Member

Oh ya you should feel totally comfortable going into a fly shop and asking to cast any rod you want to on display.

SolanoSlayer · Member

Just got back from indian rock. I had a great time. Larry the guide is very nice and knowledgable. A 5 pounder and a 2 1\2 pounder landed and at least 50 other takes. most fish at least 3 or 4 pounds. huge fish everywere. one 15 pounder in the creek, looked like a steelhead. the fish act a little different there. I cant start to explain. but great time and beutifull fish.

AbelBoy · Senior Member

Hey SS,
I'm glad that you had a good experience.� Hopefully you can take all that instruction that you learned and start applying it to your next fly fishing experiences.

So what's next on your fly fishing agenda?

AB

SolanoSlayer · Member

Well of course i want to get out on putah and try my new skills. lol. But in the long run, when i get some money i want to hire bono to show me some putah techniques and teach me to track the fish's. but i still want to practice my cast before i hire bono. even though i know he'd be a help. but im not expecting to be a pro overnight. i hear from all the people on the board that there still learning after decades of fly fishing.

fear no fish · Veteran Member

Let me tell you one thing... fishing putah will be much more difficult than a planted pond. It is great you got your feet wet and I am happy for you, flyfishing is something you will continue to love I am sure. Before I started guiding, I always hired someone who knew how to fish the river first. Now I catch fish at will and in fact sometimes have more fun teaching a client how to fish and watching him succeed. (I said sometimes). The most important thing you can do is learn the river you will be fishing, hire Bono, and after that you can moniter this site, make friends, and over time become a great flyfisherman. I have to warn you, the learning stages will be frustrating at times, (losing flies you just tied up, getting skunked...). Keep your interest and passion and your efforts will pay off. As for a rod hold off for now and talk to Bono about it, I am sure he can supply one for you to use�if you use him for a day. Don't rush into buying a rod, talk to someone who has a lot of experience first. Good Luck, I am excited for you!

FEAR NO FISH

-- Edited by fear no fish on Thursday 19th of March 2009 06:03:48 PM