Frenchman with Blueracer & Shig

[Reno Flytyer]

I had the pleasure of fishing the better part of 6 1/2 hours today with Blueracer and Shig @ Frenchman Reservoir. These boys showed this ol' dog what it's like to be young...they flew in to the boat launch around 7 am, started unloading the car & had stuff all over the area it looked like a garage sale. I was already on the water but could tell these guys were on a mission! No talking, just unpacking, assembling tubes & 'toons, electric inflators singing & two way pumps pumping...bang zoom, done and here they come. I'd followed many of Shig's posts, so I knew he hasn't been fly fishing stillwaters for much more than a year, and I gotta tell you, he's learned how to cast the fly halfway 'cross the lake already. We all caught our share of beautiful 15 to 19 inch rainbows, & I hope someone took a picture or two and won't mind posting. On arrival, my Explorer thermometer showed 14 degrees at launch, and it was more than an hour before the line guides stopped icing shut & then the bite started coming on. Thanks for coming up this way fellas, it was a good time, and you two are definately crazy ass road warriors. We'll do it again I'm sure.

RFT

[SHigSpeed]

It was a good day! Thanks for showing us the ropes on your home waters!

Yes, it was cold:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2777/4108489148_a7fc563ab3.jpg

...but not that bad really. Here's Bryan (oh, wait...) still getting ready while I'm already on the water and had a fish to hand:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2538/4107722293_cf771bb260.jpg

I really enjoyed the mental image of the garage sale. I do imagine that that's what it looked like. I like to think I have no-truck float fishing packing and setup down to an artform!

No fish pics today as they were pretty much more of the same. Did get a nice 18"er today, and bonked a few for my parents (had to bail early to make it for family dinner). Cut 'em open and while a few had a gut full of chironomids, one had a gut full of these:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2723/4108488084_282eab241a.jpg

This was a bigger one, though it had small ones down to about an 1/8" or so.

Finally, here's a (sorry it's a bit blurry) shot of Mike whackin' one of many fish. Seemed like every time I looked over he was bent. So much to learn still...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2759/4108489360_5b75371709_b.jpg

One thing I wish I had though was some more time (and my "big camera") to take photos of the volcanic rock canyons on the way out. The dusting of snow and the lighting was magic! Amazing landscape for sure.

Now I can be done for the year here. Too many other waters to try for now, but I'm sure it won't be the last time.

_SHig

[Jgoding]

Looks like a great trip! I need to get out soon but "stuff" just gets in the way....

[Scott V]

Buuurrrrrrrrrr, I'll stick with the delta for now. But let me know how those frozen body parts are doing Shig.

[Blueracer]

Yes RFT, it was quite a good time. With the lack of wind, the weather cooperated quite nicely. Much of the surrounding landscape is picturesque and I look forward to future trips with more time in which to enjoy it. Thanks to this trip I have a much better idea of what ties to add to the box as well. Thanks again for meeting up with us RFT. A great time spending the day with fellow flyfishermen.

I few snaps of some: