10/17

Cole Davis · Senior Member

10/17

Rossflyguy · Senior Member

Today was epic, started off by hooking a toad that broke me off quickly. Then had a coupl others spit the hook that weren't very big. I decided to move spots near the end of the day which turned out to be memorable. I started to fish a fast run, after a few casts my indicator stalled and I was into a fish. I thought it was small but boy was I wrong. This fish had me hooked and did whatever it wanted. I had zero control and I felt like my 5 wt was too undersized for this monster. At this point I had not even gotten a glimpse of the fish. it finally made a run down river and stayed behind a rock. I had to Mcgyver myself down a rock face to try and get him out of the faster water. Then he came to the surface, my jaw dropped to the size of the fish, he gave me the one finger salute and was gone. The fish looked like it was pushing 26"-28". I'll be sleeping in the fetile position tonight after all that.

Also, the fish are definitely spawning. I thought it was odd when I caught a 12" and it was really dark in color this past weekend but after today the love is definitely in the air. This fish seem to be spawning deeper then normal. Pretty early in the year. Maybe they adapted the early spawn to throw off the "snaggers". I seen a couple redds with fish on them. Make sure you guys watch where your stepping.

SK60 · Senior Member

Its time to start the annual "don't fish the redds" discussion. Between now and the end January, the love bug will be in the water. Big fish are moving out of their summer lairs and also taking on the darker colors (males) or brighter reds turning to gold on the belly (females). Two caught today were prespawn fat and strong fish. You have until about the first of December before most of these fish will be on redds and fishing for them then is going to be very stressful and hard on them. Most of them will not be in deep water, but exposed in shallow runs where gravel is available. Its PCT's position that fishing for fish on, immediately above, or below redd areas is unethical. Hard to define "immediately, but 50 yards is a good rule of thumb. Snagging or flossing (pulling a fly or lure through the mouth to hook a fish) is illegal.

Last year incidents of attempted illegal snagging, including at night, were, reported. Two young men were apprehended by peace officers at one site at night. So be watchful, and inform those you see fishing who may not know what the fish are doing whats going on and suggest they move to a better choice of water.

Bob Loblaw · Senior Member

Steve, I've read a couple of reports that fish are building redds in much deeper water this year and in different spots. Is there a way to identify known redds so that we know exactly where they are? perhaps a GPS report or something that can be sent to PCT members.

SK60 · Senior Member

If anyone wants to report, members have my email or its scattered in posts on this site. Deep spawners are pretty safe compared to the gravel bed users. Monitoring and education are still the best tools.

Xnjb707X · Senior Member

SK60 wrote:
Its time to start the annual "don't fish the redds" discussion. Between now and the end January, the love bug will be in the water. Big fish are moving out of their summer lairs and also taking on the darker colors (males) or brighter reds turning to gold on the belly (females). Two caught today were prespawn fat and strong fish. You have until about the first of December before most of these fish will be on redds and fishing for them then is going to be very stressful and hard on them. Most of them will not be in deep water, but exposed in shallow runs where gravel is available. Its PCT's position that fishing for fish on, immediately above, or below redd areas is unethical. Hard to define "immediately, but 50 yards is a good rule of thumb. Snagging or flossing (pulling a fly or lure through the mouth to hook a fish) is illegal.
Last year incidents of attempted illegal snagging, including at night, were, reported. Two young men were apprehended by peace officers at one site at night. So be watchful, and inform those you see fishing who may not know what the fish are doing whats going on and suggest they move to a better choice of water.

Well put Steve! I might not even have to add my two cents this year on this subject. biggrin

- Nic

-- Edited by Xnjb707X on Saturday 20th of October 2012 10:58:50 AM