Timing is everything

[Ed Wahl]

Well, there I was sitting in front of my 'puter yesterday morning. It was raining again, just like Saturday. Around 10 I just couldn't take it anymore. I told my wife I'm going fishing and hit the road. I hadn't seen my favorite creeks at all this year because of the weather. Now it was "weather be damned" time. I had to scrabble around and find my trout flies, tossed in my waders and raincoat, stopped at Bill's shop for some leaders & stuff and off I went.

With traffic problems and wet pavement I still made it up around 12:30. On the way in I see a small patch of snow, man, not good to see it here.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/edfish333/1st%20trout%20of%202011/firsttroutof11001.jpg

And then another, by now I'm wondering if I can get in at all.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/edfish333/1st%20trout%20of%202011/firsttroutof11005.jpg

After a bit I came across my first target, water's up a bit but it stll looks fishable.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/edfish333/1st%20trout%20of%202011/firsttroutof11002.jpg

So I'm thinking, my next shots are further up, I'll go check them and then come back here. So I kept going. Weather was rather iffy but since I'm here I may as well see what's what.


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/edfish333/1st%20trout%20of%202011/firsttroutof11021.jpg


I got to my first crossing and I found a creek that looks prime. Just high enough to make fishing better than later in the summer.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/edfish333/1st%20trout%20of%202011/firsttroutof11006.jpg

As I was rigging up the sun came out. Now it's looking like a real trip. I took the short hike down to the water and on my very first cast with a #10 yellow stimulator I caught a pretty little brown.


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/edfish333/1st%20trout%20of%202011/firsttroutof11009.jpg

Upon release it took a break behind some weeds, then moved over and zipped back into the run.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/edfish333/1st%20trout%20of%202011/firsttroutof11013.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/edfish333/1st%20trout%20of%202011/firsttroutof11014.jpg

Okay, off to a great start. This is after my second cast.


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/edfish333/1st%20trout%20of%202011/firsttroutof11015.jpg

Lightning struck 3 times right there and I decided I was going to stay here for awhile.
I fished upstream, catching and missing enough fish make for a good time. At one point I got tired of re-treating my stimi with floatant and just fished it wet, and caught one that way.
Here's a major change, for the past 10 years or so this tire had been 10 ft upstream and sunk into the streambed.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/edfish333/1st%20trout%20of%202011/firsttroutof11017.jpg

So now my day's pretty well made. So with no skunk I drove over to my last target, a pretty little creek that holds rainbows.
Again, I hike down and find it quite fishable. I caught a few of these and called it a day.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/edfish333/1st%20trout%20of%202011/firsttroutof11018.jpg

I should mention I fished with a partner this time. He kept up just fine. Every time I thought I'd lost him, there he'd be somewhere close. He even found me on the trail.
Go figure.
Must be faster than he looks.



http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/edfish333/1st%20trout%20of%202011/firsttroutof11019.jpg

You folks who fish the mid elevations need to start checking your spots right now. Runoff will likely change some conditions but you don't know if you don't go look.

Water temps were a bit cool, but the fish didn't seem to mind. Both streams were hitting 48 degrees, the only time of year when they're the same.

Ed

[fj40]

Thanks for the report! Inspiring! Im not waiting any more! Might as well go try! Great pics

[DFrink]

Nice pic's Ed. I fished a small stream two weeks ago with Grandpa, I must have caught at least 2 dozen trout. The water was high, but the fish still have to eat! Grandpa caught a bunch of trout too. Nothing cooler than stream fishing in a tough canyon that most people my age (32) would complain about hiking into with my Grandpa who is 79 and loved every minute of it.

Dan

[Larry S]

Ed:
Thanks for taking us along. Those small streams are the ticket.
Best to you,
Larry S

[NorCalDrifter56]

I putting down my thread and fur and headin' out tomorrow then a long weekend too.

Yeehaw!

This water and snow pack will keep things fishing well through July. I have tied more flies than I could possible lose so its time to get casting.

Tight lines to you all!

Curt
norcaldrifter56@yahoo.com

[Dave Neal]

Ed, nice job going out and just fishing!!

Funny, I have never once caught a fish just sitting at home on the computer either!

I believe that would be: http://www.doingitwrong.com/

(click on the images and be prepared to laugh, some)

[Scott V]

You beat me to it Ed, good going. That little red guy was just my tracking pet, he was following you so I could have some new fishing spots. Next time throw him a cricket, he gets hungry every now and then trying to keep up with you.

[Tfisher]

Speaking of timing...

Said creek will likely spill this week or next, so you may not find it as you did the next time. Went up there Memorial day, but got rained out after about a half day of fishing. Water temps were freezing, though to be expected with the weather we are having. There was even 8 inches of new snow at the top of the hill before heading down.

[Phil Synhorst]

A report like that is the flip side of "I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you". You told, so now you must die.:p

Must be nice to be off when the rest of us poor bastards are working. That's too cool dude, got the itch to go check it out, and got some good fishing in. I'm surprised that the "big stream" isn't flowing a bit higher.