JasonB
09-29-2015, 05:35 PM
First off, let's just get out of the way that despite the tittle I did NOT catch any BIG fish on my most recent trip. If you're already disappointed, so was I (a little anyway). At any rate, I did manage to have a really great little road trip, and met some very nice folks all along the way including one visitor from the state of Veracruz (yep, Mexico) and another from Argentina. Kinda made my own gas money, and "drivers butt" seem kind of minor by comparison. Also met and shared a camp with a very easy going guy from Bend, he drove all of an hour and a half I think. Lots of shared stories, and lots of shared hope.
Despite a couple of days fishing hard from dawn to dusk, only managed one substantial take... which broke loose in about 1.5 seconds. Oh well. The colors, the near perfect composition of flowing blue water, white and dark bedrock, greener than green moss and trees, and sprinkled mix of fall's more bold colorful leaves, were a constant feast for the eyes. Interestingly, my confidence was sky high the whole time. Despite the lack of action at the front end of the trip, I felt certain I would get a grab on far more casts than I can count. There's something exciting enough about that expectation in and of itself; the way it makes me feel as I get my fly to dance tantalizingly through a piece of water so utterly perfect looking that you just know there should be steelhead holed up. I can just about feel the slight swirl of water as imaginary fish turn and propel themselves at my fly... they MUST just want it! Or not...
The highlight of the trip though was spending a fine, fine evening, and the following morning down on the Rogue river near Galice swinging small to extra small classic wet flies on my 4wt switch. I have tied into half pounders a few times in this section, and missed them a few times as well, but I figured the timing should be just about right so I pretty much targeted them as my primary goal with the idea that I could get a smallish adult on any cast as well. Hence the 4wt, though in hindsight I would have probably had my hands full if I hooked into a decent sized adult on that rod and line! Memories did not due justice to just how much fun fishing for half pounders can be!
The joy of fishing very light scandi line with a long mono leader, and small flies, making very easy touch and go casts, and swinging flies through fast riffles is worthy enough. The scenery and warm weather (and wet wading!) make things even more pleasant and relaxed. Fished some new water, and found a few spots that I will need to revisit for sure in the future; very fishy fishy water, and pure joy to swing. Standing in my shorts and sandals in the cool flowing water while being treated to a spectacular sunset didn't hurt either. Then, of course, there are the yanks! While no where near as "heavy" as a full sized adult, sometimes I think these little steelies seem to hit even "harder" and with more gusto than their older brethren.
Being able to fish such light tackle and fishing a "damp" fly is a real treat; something I really don't get to enjoy often, and the feeling is about as pure as I think fishing gets (for me anyways). Managed to hook up quite a few times, and landed several nice fish. The best part though, by far, is that sudden unexpectedly violent jerk on the rod as one of next years steelhead practices how to rocket to the surface to scarf a fly up before someone else gets it first. They were curious and aggressive to lots of flies, but the hands down clear favorite fly was a #10 "Silver Demon". That fly was quite nicely tied, if I do say so myself... it's a mangled mess now.
This is such a special time of the year, the transition from summer to winter is making it's point more and more firmly each day with longer and longer shadows, more and more brilliant colors, slightly more wisps of my breath visible in the mornings. The critters seem to be making busy of themselves lately too, including the otters. Saw a family of 3 playing around on 4 separate occasions (different rivers). Then again the skunks were out and about too, and I had issues with them a few times on the trip. The dogs did successfully "defended" our camp, but their bedding may never smell quite the same again. At least the dogs didn't suffer any "direct hits" or it would have been a very long and unpleasant drive home! We all went for a nice swim from one of the big sandy beaches before leaving, partly to help with the smell, and partly because I knew it would likely be one of my last times swimming in the river for quite a while. Honestly, it was also partly just delaying the inevitable drive homeward as long as possible. It was hard to leave, and I can hardly wait to get back up there and savour a little bit more of this sweet transition of seasons while I still can.
JB
Despite a couple of days fishing hard from dawn to dusk, only managed one substantial take... which broke loose in about 1.5 seconds. Oh well. The colors, the near perfect composition of flowing blue water, white and dark bedrock, greener than green moss and trees, and sprinkled mix of fall's more bold colorful leaves, were a constant feast for the eyes. Interestingly, my confidence was sky high the whole time. Despite the lack of action at the front end of the trip, I felt certain I would get a grab on far more casts than I can count. There's something exciting enough about that expectation in and of itself; the way it makes me feel as I get my fly to dance tantalizingly through a piece of water so utterly perfect looking that you just know there should be steelhead holed up. I can just about feel the slight swirl of water as imaginary fish turn and propel themselves at my fly... they MUST just want it! Or not...
The highlight of the trip though was spending a fine, fine evening, and the following morning down on the Rogue river near Galice swinging small to extra small classic wet flies on my 4wt switch. I have tied into half pounders a few times in this section, and missed them a few times as well, but I figured the timing should be just about right so I pretty much targeted them as my primary goal with the idea that I could get a smallish adult on any cast as well. Hence the 4wt, though in hindsight I would have probably had my hands full if I hooked into a decent sized adult on that rod and line! Memories did not due justice to just how much fun fishing for half pounders can be!
The joy of fishing very light scandi line with a long mono leader, and small flies, making very easy touch and go casts, and swinging flies through fast riffles is worthy enough. The scenery and warm weather (and wet wading!) make things even more pleasant and relaxed. Fished some new water, and found a few spots that I will need to revisit for sure in the future; very fishy fishy water, and pure joy to swing. Standing in my shorts and sandals in the cool flowing water while being treated to a spectacular sunset didn't hurt either. Then, of course, there are the yanks! While no where near as "heavy" as a full sized adult, sometimes I think these little steelies seem to hit even "harder" and with more gusto than their older brethren.
Being able to fish such light tackle and fishing a "damp" fly is a real treat; something I really don't get to enjoy often, and the feeling is about as pure as I think fishing gets (for me anyways). Managed to hook up quite a few times, and landed several nice fish. The best part though, by far, is that sudden unexpectedly violent jerk on the rod as one of next years steelhead practices how to rocket to the surface to scarf a fly up before someone else gets it first. They were curious and aggressive to lots of flies, but the hands down clear favorite fly was a #10 "Silver Demon". That fly was quite nicely tied, if I do say so myself... it's a mangled mess now.
This is such a special time of the year, the transition from summer to winter is making it's point more and more firmly each day with longer and longer shadows, more and more brilliant colors, slightly more wisps of my breath visible in the mornings. The critters seem to be making busy of themselves lately too, including the otters. Saw a family of 3 playing around on 4 separate occasions (different rivers). Then again the skunks were out and about too, and I had issues with them a few times on the trip. The dogs did successfully "defended" our camp, but their bedding may never smell quite the same again. At least the dogs didn't suffer any "direct hits" or it would have been a very long and unpleasant drive home! We all went for a nice swim from one of the big sandy beaches before leaving, partly to help with the smell, and partly because I knew it would likely be one of my last times swimming in the river for quite a while. Honestly, it was also partly just delaying the inevitable drive homeward as long as possible. It was hard to leave, and I can hardly wait to get back up there and savour a little bit more of this sweet transition of seasons while I still can.
JB