matt johnson
10-06-2008, 06:12 PM
Spontaneously launched a quick NU trip Friday Night. Got picked up at 3:00am Sat morning. Fished from about 10am Sat til 2pm Sunday.
The rain that was supposed to fall on Friday stalled and dumped HARD all day Sat. We fished a rising river with lots of leafy debris coming down. Still, the river was not out by any means. We were very hopefull that this rain would have those steelies on the grab and it was simply a matter of finding them, but we had tough fishing.
The flows peaked sometime in the wee hours and although the rain had subsided the next morning, the flows were still up with a little color and leaves.
We were again hopeful that the fish would be on the grab with the cessation of the rain. Maybe it was just us but we still had tough fishing.
At some point Sat evening I got into the Station pool and hooked two fish fishing a leech on a sink tip. Both fish inexplicably got off after very briefly being on. I never really got the hook into the first grab and after a couple turns of the handle it was gone. Oh well, at least I got bit. A few casts later I get grabed in the heart of the swing, the rod loads up, I loose my balance on my ledge perch, and the rod is lifeless. CRAP!
Next day last stop of the trip I fish through a favorite spot enjoying working a skater with no results. I put on a Starlight Leech, work the ledge and narrowly beat the skunk with a rattly little hatchery buck. I took a picture of this lowly specimen because I didn't think my partner would believe I caught a fish!
I had a fantastic time. I hadn't been on the river for the summer run in about three seasons. The fall colors were a knockout, there was mist in the trees, and I had forgotten how utterly engaging it is to fish a fly through those ledgbound pools. I took just a couple pics:
fall colors on the Umpqua
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/ozziebooboo/IMGP1380.jpg
Anybody recognize this secret spot?
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/ozziebooboo/IMGP1378.jpg
the ratty buck
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/ozziebooboo/IMGP1382.jpg
Matt
The rain that was supposed to fall on Friday stalled and dumped HARD all day Sat. We fished a rising river with lots of leafy debris coming down. Still, the river was not out by any means. We were very hopefull that this rain would have those steelies on the grab and it was simply a matter of finding them, but we had tough fishing.
The flows peaked sometime in the wee hours and although the rain had subsided the next morning, the flows were still up with a little color and leaves.
We were again hopeful that the fish would be on the grab with the cessation of the rain. Maybe it was just us but we still had tough fishing.
At some point Sat evening I got into the Station pool and hooked two fish fishing a leech on a sink tip. Both fish inexplicably got off after very briefly being on. I never really got the hook into the first grab and after a couple turns of the handle it was gone. Oh well, at least I got bit. A few casts later I get grabed in the heart of the swing, the rod loads up, I loose my balance on my ledge perch, and the rod is lifeless. CRAP!
Next day last stop of the trip I fish through a favorite spot enjoying working a skater with no results. I put on a Starlight Leech, work the ledge and narrowly beat the skunk with a rattly little hatchery buck. I took a picture of this lowly specimen because I didn't think my partner would believe I caught a fish!
I had a fantastic time. I hadn't been on the river for the summer run in about three seasons. The fall colors were a knockout, there was mist in the trees, and I had forgotten how utterly engaging it is to fish a fly through those ledgbound pools. I took just a couple pics:
fall colors on the Umpqua
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/ozziebooboo/IMGP1380.jpg
Anybody recognize this secret spot?
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/ozziebooboo/IMGP1378.jpg
the ratty buck
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/ozziebooboo/IMGP1382.jpg
Matt