Hi Fellow Fly Fishers. I am a rookie fly fisherman with only about two months experience
having picked up my first fly rod this past September prompted by a six day fishing trip to
Yosemite. I have been trying to learn the art and science of fly
fishing ever since. Someone mentioned Putah Creek. I
searched the web and found this site. I joined and have been reading the post.

OVer the Thanksgiving holidays I took a trip to Putah Creek to try my hand. Got there late
Friday and after setting up camp got to the creek around 4:00 4:30. Stopped off at the bridge
and talked with a guy named Mike. The spot was crowded and being a rookie I felt a little
intimidate so I watched for a while then move on. Nothing that day.

Saturday I went back to the bridge and met a guy with his family getting ready to fish. Sorry
I did not get his name but he is fimiliar with this site so maybe he will respond. I could not get the
the spot for the previous day, bad knees restrict my options. I went to access point #1 and
found a spot that was accessible and with some casting room. I started into the water to
fish upstream when I heard some splashing down stream. I looked and about 15 - 20 feet from shore
there were a pod of three fish pointing up stream feeding. They would turn on their sides
to take something. In mid stream there was a honker and one silver looking fish circulating.

I tried a few things then an egg pattern. The egg disappeared but
before I knew what happened I saw the trout spit it out. After that they ignored it. I
tried a red Zebra Midge got a hit but it came loose. Nothing after that.

Sunday morning I went back to the spot and the fish were still there. I tried a few things,
A fox poopah, a zebra midge again and a BWO with a midge dropper. Nothing and I was getting
close to noon, leaving time to get back to SAn Jose. I tried a Wolly bugger then
decided to put on a Muddler Minnow with weight so it would float just off the bottom.
Whack, the big boy hit it and the fight was on. After about 5 minutes or so (have no idea of the
time too busy with the fish) I squeezed him into the net. It was the most beautiful Rainbow
I have ever seen. It was at least 18 to 20 Inches, I forgot to measure because I was anxous to
get him back into the water. I have some not so good pictures on my website
at http://johnston.com/fishing/putah_creek/. Just after I caught and released the fish an officer from Fish and Game came by checking license barbs etc. I was legal so no problems.

I must say that this site has been very helpful I learned a lot about area, the special
regulations and things to try. This sight gave me incentive to try Putah Creek which now
has a special place in my heart. It is where I caught my first fish/trout on a fly.
I am sure each of you remember your first and how it felt. I drove back to San Jose
with the smile on my face. While I am still a rookie fly fisherman I am no longer a virgin.

Excuse the length of this post. It is my first and I had a lot to say. I will try to keep them
brief from now on. I will be on the creek again probably around the Christmas holidays
so if you see me, A tall 6' 6 1/2" guy, say hi.

John