High Sierra Golden Trout.....It will take some planning

Backpacking Checklist

Backpacking and fly-fishing are a wonderful combination. The instruction herein is designed to equip fly fishers with the information needed to combine backpacking with their fly fishing hobby in order to reach remote, less-fished waters. California’s High Sierra range and fly-fishing for Golden Trout will be emphasized, but these instructions are useful for any fly-fisher, anywhere, who desires to reach remote lakes and streams.

A disclaimer is necessary. Backpacking is inherently dangerous. Walking or climbing into mountainous terrain, where emergency services are not readily available, is a high risk affair. Injury, even death, is a possibility: lightning, exposure, animal attack, falling, over-exertion (heart attack), heat stroke, dehydration and so on. Even a non-threatening injury, like a broken ankle, could require a complicated rescue effort. Appropriate preparation and careful behavior are important. If you have certain health problems, please consult a doctor before backpacking.

Proper prior planning prevents poor performance. Memorize this phrase. It will help you in every area of life.

Safe enjoyment of backpacking requires good planning. There are three areas of preparation to consider prior to any backpacking trip: 1.) Mental Preparation; 2.) Physical Preparation, and 3.) Equipment Preparation. Generally speaking, fly-fishing is a leisurely hobby. Getting to obscure lakes and streams in mountainous terrain is far from leisurely. You must be mentally prepared for the rigors of backpacking. Be mentally prepared for what you are getting into.

Keeping things simple, I will use the ageless formula: Who? What? Where? When? Why?

Who are you going to hike with? Hiking alone is not a good idea. Bring some friends along. Make sure your hiking partner(s) is/are in good physical shape. Reliability and selflessness are important traits in a trail buddy. If you hike with unfit, unreliable or selfish people you will likely have problems. Don’t invite a whiner to join you. There’s nothing worse for morale on the trail than a grumbling, complaining person. Choose wisely.

What are you going to bring? Section #3, Equipment Preparation, thoroughly answers this question.

Where are you going to hike? Beyond driving directions, you will need a topographical map, or even software, to help you plan your trip. There are also many online resources you can access for trip planning. Depending on the trail, signage can be confusing or downright non-existent. Reading another person’s hiking journal can be invaluable. Federal and/or state wildlife staff is also a resource, either online or over the phone. Be realistic about how much distance you can cover in one day.

When are you going to go on your trip? Weather and permit availability are important. You don’t want to risk going into the high country during bad weather. Late spring and early fall are attractive, but these seasons can be volatile with regard to weather. Also research permit requirements on the trail you plan to hike. Make sure you fill out a permit, if it is necessary. If you neglect to fill out a permit, the rangers won’t know you are in their area. That’s not good, especially if you don’t come out in time. Your spouse or family will be calling the authorities who will have no bearing on your location.

Why are you going backpacking? Of course you are going to catch fish, but make sure you are really up for it. You might have high hopes for native fish in idyllic places, but if you are just not up to the task, don’t take chances. Be realistic about your physical ability. Another reason you might hike is to enjoy being with family and friends for an extended period. This can be a rich experience. As they say, “Shard struggles build unity.” Also consider adding photography to your repertoire. If you pay the price to get there you will be astounded by God’s creation.

One final point: mental toughness. You will need some mental toughness if you are going to make it to your back country destination. Topographical maps can be deceiving to the novice. Prepare yourself for a much tougher experience than you imagine it will be. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

Physical Preparation

You are not going on a cruise, but a challenging hike. You must be physically prepared to hike in a place like the Sierra Nevada. Let’s start with your frame. Are you overweight? If you are, please consider a serious plan to reduce your body weight. Climbing thousands of vertical feet up a trail will tax your joints and muscles. Every extra pound makes a difference. People like to say negative things about low-carbohydrate diets, but they really do work if done properly. It’s a quick way to get your weight down. We are not endorsing any diets here. Just do whatever works for you.

The more you punish your body before the hike, the less the mountain punishes you during the hike. Aside from running, if you can get to a gym, work your lower body pretty hard on the weight machines. Work your legs: quads, hams, calves, gluteus, hip abductors, and groin. Do sit-ups to get your mid-section stronger. Core strength is important when carrying a pack for long distances. Of course, combine these weight workouts with cardiovascular training, like treadmill, stair climber, bike, etc. Push yourself—breathe hard, sweat a lot, and burn calories. You should be able to walk 5 miles in one hour on a treadmill at level 10 grade.

Equipment Preparation

Don’t carry too much stuff! Keep your load as light as possible! Over the years I have disciplined myself to carry only what I need. Novice backpackers usually make the mistake of carrying a lot more stuff than is necessary. Aside from a small amount fly-fishing gear, which will be outlined later, keep the big five in mind: stay dry, stay warm, stay nourished, stay hydrated, stay healthy. If an item in your pack does not support one of these essentials, leave it in your garage.

Main Elements

Sean’s Backpacking Checklist

Backpack: A light-weight, internal frame pack is best. Gregory Mountain Products has good packs. Look at their Fast and Light series. I use a Gregory Z-Pack for trips under 6 days in length. It only weighs about 3 pounds. For long trips I might use a pack from Gregory’s Adventure Series, like the Whitney, which weighs 7 pounds, 1 ounce. There are other good backpack brands. The key is finding a pack that is light and fits your body well. A smaller pack prevents you from packing too much.

Sleeping Bag: It gets cold in the mountains, even in the summer. There’s nothing worse than being cold all night long. Make sure you have a warm sleeping bag. I suggest a high loft goose down mummy bag with a zero degree rating. The goose down not only keeps you warm and cozy, but it can be compressed to a very small size using what is called a compression stuff sack. Compressing your bag is important especially if you are carrying a small pack. Reducing the size of your sleeping bag is necessary in order to maximize space inside the pack for other essentials. A compression stuff sack can mash a goose down bag to the size of a small cook pot. I will provide more information about stuff sacks below. I use a Campmor brand sleeping bag. It works well. Don’t store your bag in the stuff sack, though. It will have a negative effect on the goose down filling.

Sleeping Pad: You need something between you and the ground for comfort and warmth. A sleeping pad is a must. There are two kinds, air-filled and closed cell. Air-filled pads, like Therm-A-Rest brand, are the most comfortable, but they are heavier and more expensive than the closed cell pads. The closed cell pads are certainly lighter, but they are not as comfortable. An air filled pad is slightly riskier because it can be punctured and become useless. I own both kinds, but I usually opt for the closed cell pad because it is lighter and for its failsafe operation.

Tent/Fly/Poles: There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a tent. Since this information is provided within a fly-fishing website, I will avoid discussion about cold-weather (winter) backpacking—sorry ice fishermen. Weight is again the key factor. If you are hiking alone, which I don’t recommend, there are many very light one-person tents available. Two people can split the weight of a two-person tent and three can split the weight of a three-person tent. With regard to tents, when I say “light,” I mean 5 or 6 pounds for a two-person tent and 7 to 8 pounds for a three-person tent. There are many good brands out there. I have been pleased with what Sierra Designs has to offer—good quality for the price.

Food Preparation and Water Storage

My obsession with keeping things light carries over into my eating habits on the trail. I avoid heavy foods and cookware. My philosophy keeps things simple and light-weight without sacrificing nutritional value.

For the most part, while backpacking, I eat freeze dried food. Much advancement has occurred over the years in the outdoor food industry. I prefer Mountain House brand, although there are several other companies out there. Freeze dried food is light and easy to prepare. Boil hot water in a kettle or small titanium pot, add the hot water to your freeze dried meal, wait 5 minutes and then eat it right out of the bag. No dishes to wash, or even carry. It’s as easy as heating water. Even I can do that!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Stove: I use an MSR brand Pocket Rocket Stove. Stove is a big word for such a tiny object. The Pocket Rocket, which weighs only 3 ounces, screws directly to the top of the MSR IsoPro Fuel Canister (the next item mentioned on this list). Open the valve, flick your’ Bic and a hot flame appears. With regard to the number of stoves, fuel canisters and kettles/pots you will need, a good rule of thumb is one set per three people.
• Fuel Canister(s): The 4 or 8 ounce MSR IsoPro Fuel canisters are my choice, among many options. They are small, but powerful. If all you need to do is heat water, these are your best choice. About 8 ounces of fuel will boil water for two people for four days (summer), according to the manufacturer. Determine how many people are going and do your math.
• Kettle or Pot: A 4 cup titanium kettle or pot should suffice for two or three people. Again, for larger groups, just figure one pot or kettle per three people. Aluminum is fine, but titanium is more durable, and of course, it’s lighter! Titanium is more expensive though.
• Water Bottle(s): Bring at least two 32 ounce water bottles per person. Some people like hydration systems (bladders with drinking tubes, like Camelback brand), but over time I have come to prefer Nalgene brand’s hard plastic (Lexan) water bottle. It is easier for me to track how much water I am drinking because it has a measuring feature. In addition, it’s much easier to clean a bottle. It’s really hard getting the remnants of Kool-Aid or Crystal Light out of bladder and tube system.
• Spoon: Bring a spoon with a long handle so you can reach down into your freeze dried Mountain House and get at those vittles. Any kind of spoon will work, but a hard plastic or wooden spoon is good. Don’t forget the long handle! You don’t want lasagna with meat sauce all over your hands, unless you like licking your dirty fingers.
• Mug: If you want hot tea, cocoa, instant coffee, soup, etc. you will need a mug. Any plastic mug will do. Or consider an insulated mug. Hiking stores have many specialty styles available.
• Lighter: This whole system falls apart if you can’t heat water. Bring a lighter. In fact, I think every individual on a hiking trip should have their own lighter. You don’t want to lose your only lighter, or have it run out of gas. That would be problem.
• Large Zip Lock Bag (Freezer Bag): A large Zip Lock brand bag is necessary to store your trash, i.e. the empty Mountain House bags, etc. If you can make a fire you can burn your trash, but in certain areas fires are prohibited. Besides, freeze dried food bags don’t burn very well. They seem to have a paper thin layer of aluminum in the paper. Don’t leave metal behind.
• Skillet: If you want to fry up some of those Golden Trout you will need a small skillet. We like catch and release in most places, but Golden Trout are so plentiful it’s okay to eat some. In fact, it probably does the stream some good.
• Spatula: Unless you want to turn that flaky white meat with your dirty fingers, you might want some kind of fish flipper.

Toiletries and Medicine

• Toothbrush: A normal sized toothbrush is fine, but you can get a fancy, smallish one from the camping store if you want.
• Toothpaste: Bring a tiny little “travel” tube of paste.
• Dental Floss
• Tweezers
• Sunscreen: Bring SPF 30 or more; not a massive bottle, but a small or medium sized tube or aerosol spray.
• Chapstick: Make sure you get a brand that has sunscreen in it.
• Moisturizer: The dry air can chap more than your lips. Feel free to bring a small tube of Vaseline or an equivalent brand or a super moisturizing lotion.
• Toilet Paper: One roll for two people is fine. Or each person can carry a half roll.
• Soap: I like Camp Suds brand. It is a liquid, biodegradable soap you can use to wash everything—your clothes, your body and anything else that needs cleaning. Get a small squeeze bottle.
• Bug Spray: Bring a 100% DEET bug spray or mosquitoes will have you for dinner. Make sure you don’t get DEET in your mouth, on your lips or in your eyes—it really burns.

A word about health is appropriate here. Staying hydrated and nourished is of utmost importance. Altitude sickness is usually brought on by dehydration. I have nursed several hikers suffering from the affects of altitude sickness. If you end up with a splitting headache and nausea (the main symptoms of altitude sickness), force yourself to drink water and eat some food, then get in your tent, in your sleeping bag and sip liquids off and on as you sleep. If your urine is dark orange or brown you are in bad shape. You must drink until your urine is clear. I call this the “pee-clearly” method. If I am not getting annoyed by a high frequency of pee breaks I am not drinking enough water.

I have a disclaimer regarding the following list of medications. I am not a doctor nor a pharmacist, so this information is not advice. The following is what I bring on a hike. If you have concerns feel free to seek professional medical advice.

• Ibuprofen (i.e. Motrin): This prevents swelling. It is not, by itself, a pain killer, but rather an anti-inflammatory. It can reduce pain if pain is caused by swelling.
• Acetaminophen (i.e. Tylenol): This is a pain killer. It does not reduce swelling, but rather masks pain.
• Nasal Decongestant: Sudafed or generic brand decongestants can be very helpful. The dry, thin air at higher altitudes can wreak havoc on a person’s sinuses.
• Nasal Spray: Sometimes Sudafed isn’t enough for me. A product like Afrin is a supplement I have greatly appreciated at times.
• Potassium: In proper dosages this effectively prevents muscle cramping.
• Niacin: This helps the body convert calories into energy more efficiently. You may get a niacin rush if you take too much. Your skin will get hot, maybe reddish. Don’t worry, it will pass.
• Sleep Aid: Sometimes I have a problem sleeping in the wilderness, especially if my tent partner snores like a Grizzly bear. An over-the-counter sleep aid, like Wal-Mart’s Equate brand really helps me fall asleep, and stay asleep.
• Multivitamins: Can’t hurt!
• Prescription Medications: If you normally take a prescription medication make sure you don’t forget to bring it.

Food and Drink

Again, remember, you are not going on a cruise, but a backpacking trip. Don’t bring more food than you need. Need is the key word. For some reason, novice backpackers have fears of starvation, which is totally irrational. There’s nothing worse than ending up back at the car with 10 pounds of food you didn’t eat. That's 10 pounds you carried for no reason!

Here are some food options for your consideration.

• Breakfast: One 16 ounce Mountain House meal per morning. Call me weird but I like dinner meals for breakfast. Lasagna or spaghetti with meat sauce is a good morning meal for me, and it’s hardy, with a lot of helpful carbohydrates. There are also freeze dried breakfast meals. A couple of instant oatmeal packets (especially the flavored ones) are nice for breakfast.
• Lunch: Since I am usually away from camp fly-fishing, I carry with me some combination of the following: granola bar, candy bar, trail mix, beef jerky, sunflower seeds, etc. Not all of this stuff, just one or two of these items. Candy is also a good call. Frankly, I am really not thinking about food most of the day because I usually have a Golden Trout on the end of my line.
• Dinner: Freeze dried meal, like Mountain House. These are hardy meals. You shouldn’t be hungry after eating a 16 ounce Mountain House. You can also eat fish for dinner. Bring a moderate amount of olive oil to cover the skillet. Also consider bringing some cornmeal or other “shake and bake” type product in a Zip Lock bag. After dinner, to promote hydration, I like to tear open a bag of powdered soup, like Miso. Just add hot water. In lieu of that you can plop one or two bouillon cubes into some hot water in your mug and sip on that. That can taste really good, especially as it is getting cold in the evening.

Here are some drink options:

• Water: I don’t carry a water filtration system. You can feel free to do so, but I find the filtration process tedious. I have an alternative. A friend of mine, a very experienced mountaineer, told me to carry a small eyedropper container filled with Clorox (chlorine bleach). After filling your 32 ounce water bottle, add 3 to 5 drops, shake it and then wait 20 minutes. Nothing will be living in your water after that process. It tastes slightly like tap water, but it’s safe and the process is easy. One eyedropper bottle is sufficient for an entire group of people.
• Powdered Drinks: Add Kool-Aid or Crystal Light or whatever you like to your water. In fact, it’s very important to bring flavorful powders with you since it will encourage you to drink more water.
• Hot Drinks: Tea bags, hot chocolate, instant coffee. If you like your drinks sweet, bring sweetener, don’t forget sugar packets, Splenda or something similar.

Clothing

There’s no need to carry too much clothing. In fact, there’s really no need to have more than two sets during a hike, one on your body and one in your pack. My ritual is this: after getting to camp and setting up my tent, I grab my clean clothes and my liquid soap and I find a secluded area downstream of camp. I wash myself and my dirty clothes, putting on the clean clothes. I securely hang my clean, wet clothes in a tree or bush near my tent and let them dry overnight. Barring a downpour the clothes are always dry in the morning.

Here’s an essential list of clothing:

• 2 shirts: I prefer long sleeve cotton shirts. To me, the cotton is more comfortable than the fancy poly shirts, and the long sleeves keep the sun, and the mosquitoes, off my arms. Another reason I don’t like the fancy sweat “wicking” shirts is because after a days hike they smell hideous; much worse than cotton.
• 1 short: A comfortable, loose fitting short is best. It’s not real sheik, but an elastic waist band is a very good option. Other kinds of waste lines, with belt loops, or even wearing a belt, can cause discomfort when tightening a backpack strap around your waste.
• 1 long pant: Most people will hike in their short pants and change into their long pants at night. This is a good idea. Consider a thin pair of cotton or fleece sweats. Don’t wear jeans! You can also wear a pair of pants that have legs that zip off. Columbia makes a pretty good zip off pant.
• 3 Underwear: Two pair of regular underwear and one pair of “long underwear,” or Under Armor. When relaxing at night it is nice to have an additional layer under your long pants to keep you warm.
• 2 Hiking Socks: Bring two pairs of wool blend socks. Your local hiking store will have many options, like Wigwam brand. Comfortable wool socks are better than cotton crew socks.
• Liner Socks: You might consider bringing two pairs of liner socks. Wear these under your wool socks. These are usually a white, tight fitting poly blend sock that helps you avoid blisters. These can be found in the same section as the hiking socks.
• Parka: A nylon (preferably Gore-Tex) hooded parka. You don’t have to bring a big winter jacket. You’ll spend the coldest time (night and early morning) in your sleeping bag. At night you will be in our tent, in your down sleeping bag—nice and warm. But in the morning and evening it will be pretty chilly. The Gore-Tex is helpful because it is waterproof, yet breathable. If you don’t have Gore-Tex, you will have to bring a poncho in addition to a parka to keep yourself dry if it rains.
• Balaclava or Wool Cap: In the morning it might be good to have a balaclava or a wool cap to pull down over your ears. I really appreciate having this during the mornings and evenings.
• Hat: Bring a hat that will give you good protection from the sun. One with ear and/or neck flaps is best. They aren’t real “sexy,” but you won’t be walking any catwalks up there, and least not the fashion industry kind.
• Gloves: Not ski gloves! I usually bring a thin pair of fleece gloves. Mine are fingerless, since they are designed for fishing. These prevent the cold mornings and evenings from biting hands too hard. You could also bring a neoprene glove.
• Shoes: This is very important. You want lightweight hiking shoes—more like tennis shoes than hiking boots. No work boots or steel toed boots! Consider brands like Hi-Tec, Merrell, Columbia, North Face, Salomon, etc. You don’t need a high top. Low or mid top are just fine.

Miscellaneous

• First Aid: Bring a small first aid kit. Again, think small! If you get seriously injured not first aid kit is going to do much for you anyway.
• Mole Skin: This is a product you can get at any hiking store. It is an adhesive you put over the top of hot spots (pre-blisters) so they don’t become blisters.
• Compass: All good Boy Scouts carry a compass.
• Pocket Knife: Don’t bring a machete or a Samurai Sword, but a small Buck Knife or something like that.
• Sunglasses: Don’t forget your sunglasses. If you plan on fishing, try to bring polarized sunglasses. These take the glare off the water and allow you to see right to the bottom of the stream—you can see the fish as clear as day.
• Hand Towel: A small hand towel to dry yourself off after washing by the stream. No need for that 3 pound cotton beach towel.
• Digital Camera
• Head Lamp: Wal-Mart sells these for cheap. Having a head lamp prevents you from having to bring a big flashlight. If you want to bring a small, pen sized flashlight you can do that as well. But, you will need the head lamp because we will be hiking in the dark at times.
• Nylon Cord: You can get 25 to 50 feet of nylon cord at any outdoors store. This can be used for various things: tying food up into a tree (so bears don’t get it), securing tents, etc. It’s just good to have some on hand.
• Garbage Can Liner: One two-ply, large Hefty bag for putting your pack into it if it rains.
• Hiking Poles: Not everyone likes to use poles, but I really like my adjustable hiking poles. Your local camping store or online store has plenty to choose from.
• Bear Canister: There are a few areas in California’s High Sierra where special food storage rules apply. They don’t want the bears eating your food. Most states don’t require such a thing, but make sure you don’t get caught by a ranger in a “bear canister zone” without one or you will be fined. Trust me, I know!

Fishing Gear

• Fly Rod: A 4 or 5 piece rod in a hard plastic tube is preferable. A 3-weight is all you’ll need.
• Fly Reel: To match your rod.
• Leader: Bring a handful of 7 and 9 foot, “7X” leaders. You may never change your leader the entire trip.
• Tippet: One 25 yard spool of 2 or 3 pound test.
• Forceps: Just like the ones doctors use. These are locking clamps that act as “needle nose” pliers so you can remove the hook from the fish’s mouth. You can get these for cheap at the fly shop.
• Fingernail Clippers: Use these to cut the excess line off your knots, etc.
• Flies: For High Sierra fishers put an assortment of the following flies in a small fly box or 35mm film canister to save space. Since just about any dry fly will work in remote waters, these are just suggestions.
o Elk Hair Caddis (16/18)
o E/C Caddis (16/18)
o Adams (16/18)
o Grasshoppers (10/12)
o Stimulators (12/14)
• Fly Floatant: Either powder or the wet goopy stuff. I have had days in the Sierra when I have caught upwards of 100 fish. You’ll need a full canister or tube of floatant, trust me.
• Fanny Pack: Bring a small fanny pack that you can carry your tackle in. A “polar creel” works too.
• Stringer: Just get a one dollar cord stringer. Don’t start keeping fish until the end of the day. You can catch a quick 5 to 10 fish and cook them within minutes. That’s fresh fish folks!
• Fishing License: Don’t forget your fishing license. It probably won’t be checked. But it’s the law so get one.

Etiquette

Here are some things regarding etiquette for you to consider…

• Team Spirit: Make sure you and your hiking buddies act as a team.
• Selflessness: Treat others as more important than yourself. The Golden Rule is essential. Help others put up their tent. Get up early and get the stove going so others can continue to sleep. This is just being cool to your buds. They will return the favor, hopefully.
• Quiet Feet in the Kitchen: Wherever you decide to set up your “kitchen,” make sure people aren’t stomping through the area kicking dust into peoples’ food. We say, “Quiet feet in the kitchen.”
• Park Rangers: If a Park Ranger crosses your path, remember, they are there to help you. Some can be jerks who care more about plants and animals than people, but most are decent. Do what they ask, even if it seems unreasonable. They are just doing their job.
• Bathing: Bathing upstream from camp is strictly prohibited! The stream is your drinking water and cooking water source. Bath downstream or away from camp.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

San Juan River, NM Fly Fishing Report

Sean Wallentine

Sacramento, CA

San Juan River, NM

May 2004

Caught 34 Rainbows and Browns up to 22"

Flies Used: San Juan Worm #16 (cream and brown); Red Larva #18; Black Beauty #20; Flashback winged midge #20.

Other Details: Parked at the church lot. Mostly fished the main channel and the upper flats. The lake was turning over, creating off color water and lots of moss.

San Juan River, NM Fly Fishing Report

Darin Wallentine
Tucson, AZ

San Juan River, NM
May 15-18, 2006
23" Rainbow Trout

Fly Used: Rust San Juan Worm #16

Technique: Indicator Nymphing

Other Details: Caught this one in an area below Texas Hole near a drop off at the point of a large island.

High Noon on the West Walker by Darin Wallentine

The day began like every other morning when we are fly fishing. Mostly filled with anticipation and anxiousness, especially when we are headed to a river we have never fished. The planning for the trip began months before, and for this trip, information was not easily obtained. In the end, fly shops and outfitters were mostly vague, general and not much help. That all changed when Sean made a last ditch phone call to the Toyabi Motel in Walker, CA (not sure the motel operates under the same name). After the pleasantries, the motel owner Carol, had some details for Sean that would prove invaluable.

Her instructions were specific. She said, as you drive south out of town along Highway 395, reset your odometer at the end of the guardrail and drive 4 miles. There is a pullout next to the river with some tall trees and that is where the Alper’s Hatchery plants some extraordinarily large rainbow trout.

On our arrival, based on Carol’s instructions, the West Walker looks like any other river in the Eastern Sierra. Sean, our father, Dan, and myself rigged up and ventured down river and began fishing our way back to our car and break for lunch. It was a mildly productive morning with a few fish here and there. We were right on schedule. We arrived in the area of the car and it was pushing 12 noon. Just before I decided to stop for a sandwich, I hooked into, and landed a beautiful 22” rainbow trout. I thought to myself, I just bagged the biggest fish of the trip and its high noon. Without much time to bask in my glory, Sean announced his hook up with “this is a nice one”. Just below our parked car, at the 4 mile mark, Sean had on a trout that refused to break the surface. I moved up river to see if I could help and Sean was easily persuaded to accept a hand with netting his fish. Little did I know, my Measure Net (which is capable of measuring a 26 inch fish) was a bit small for the fish Sean had hooked. After a surprisingly brief 5 minute struggle, we were able to land Sean’s prize and it measure 27.5” and was estimated at 9.5 pounds!

We learned a valuable lesson from this trip. It’s a good idea to call the motel that’s near the river where you want to fish. Especially when they are the host for the annual "Big Fish" Fishing Tournament. Thanks Carol!

West Walker River, CA Fly Fishing Report

Don Van Schenck

Sacramento, CA

West Walker River, CA

August 2007

Caught 4 Rainbows up to 19"

Flies Used: Orange Stimulator #12; Dark Lord #14.

Other Details: Fished four miles upstream of the town of Walker, CA and some other spots farther upriver.

Putah Creek, CA Fly Fishing Report

Christian Hill

Colorado Springs, CO

Putah Creek, CA

December 20, 2008

Caught 1 Rainbow, a 30"+ monster

Fly Used: #12 Egg Pattern

Other Details: I fished with my buddy, Sean and his friend Alan. We fished Putah Creek at "the point" and downstream a bit from 7am to 4:30pm. After a brief malfunction of my polarized sunglasses, Sean and I stalked these huge rainbows. Sean had a higher vantage point and helped time the setting if the hook. I battled this monster for almost an hour. A fish of a lifetime!

San Juan River, NM Fly Fishing Report

Jared Griswold
Franklin, TN

San Juan River, NM
May 2004
Caught 34 Rainbows and Browns up to 18.5"

Flies Used: San Juan Worm #16 (cream and brown); RS2 #20; Red Larva #18; Black Beauty #20.

Other Details: Parked at the church lot. Mostly fished the main channel and the upper flats. The lake was turning over, creating off color water and lots of moss.

How To Post Your Fly Fishing Reports

When the concept of the Virtual Fly Guides was in it's infancy, the focal point was to create a network of fly fishers willing to share their personal fly fishing reports. That is still and always will be our mission. We encourage fly fishers from around the world to share their experiences the same way a professional guide would. Here's how to start.

1. Click on the link below the VFG Logo on the right of the Virtual Fly Guides Blog page or here on Post Fly Fishing Reports. This will direct you to the Virtual Fly Guide Reports page. We encourage posters to join us with creating a username and password, but we allow anonymous posts as well.

2. To post a report, click on Fishing Reports and find the region and then the state you are posting for.

3. Click on the state you want to post for and then click on reply and add your report. When posting your reports please include:

Name and Residence, Location Fished, Date Fished, What You Caught, Fly Used, Other Details and Attached Photo.

4. To include a photo, check the Attach Image box, click Browse and attach the image.

5. Then click the Upload button at the bottom of the window.

6. Lastly, click the Submit button to complete your post.

Please only submit fly fishing content. Any non-related content is subject to deletion.

If you have any questions or problems please email us at thevirtualflyguides@yahoo.com

Thanks,

The Virtual Fly Guides

Silver Creek, AZ Fly Fishing Report

Dave Siwarski
Tucson, AZ

Silver Creek, AZ
March 2007
Caught 2 Apache Trout up to 16"

Fly Used: Red Larva #18

Technique: Indicator Nymphing

Other Details: Parked at the parking area at the end of Hatchery Road. Hiked one mile up the creek through the three fences. Fished up the creek to the hatchery runs. Fish the creek to the left of the first hatchery run.

Pheasant Tail Frostbite...The Go To Fly

Whether I’m hanging a dropper beneath a Royal Stimulator or dredging the stream bed with a nymph rig, my go to fly is a Pheasant Tail Frostbite. This is an emerger pattern that I have slightly modified from a popular pattern sold at The Fly Shop in Redding, CA. I can be rigging up on the side of a river I have never fished or returning to a familiar spot, I usually tie on the Frostbite. I assume the Frostbite got its name from the white antron yarn that protrudes through the front of the fly near the eye of the hook. Again, it’s just a guess.

It’s been my fly fishing experience that regardless of the location or the hatch, the Frostbite will imitate a variety of emerging mayflies. It seems like fly patterns have evolved over time to include, in most cases, a bead. The Frostbite is tied with a copper bead, the antron protruding through the front, on a curved emerger/scud hook. I usually tie it in sizes 16 and 18. Behind the bead is peacock wrapped with a dark underbody and copper wire wrapped to make the body look segmented. Instead of me trying to explain the details, here is a close up of the Pheasant Tail Frostbite.
I have been tying my own for a long time, due mostly because it is nearly impossible to find in fly shops. Similar patterns can be found, but not exactly like the one above. I can’t tell you why it is so effective. Whether it’s the white antron, the bead, or the shape of the hook, the Frostbite is the most important fly I carry in my fly box. Which reminds me, I need to tie some more!

Montana Lake, AK Fly Fishing Report

Larry Davidson
Anchorage, AK

Montana Lake, AK
May 17, 2006
23" Rainbow Trout

Fly Used: Egg Pattern #10

Other Details: Let the egg pattern slowly drift and sink to the bottom.

Lees Ferry, AZ Fly Fishing Report

Erik Vail
Tucson, AZ

Lees Ferry, AZ

April 2007

Caught 8 Rainbows up to 14"

Flies Used: Medium Brown San Juan Worm #16; Copper Bead Green Zebra Midge #18; Silver Bead Black Zebra Midge #18.

Technique: Indicator Nymphing (short and long line).

Other Details: Took a boat to areas between Lees Ferry and Glen Canyon Dam. Fished the upper river near Duck Island (below Mile #10); Mile #12 island; Mile #13 along the west bank; and Mile #15 from the west side bank and riffle areas toward the dam.

Weather: Chilly mornings on the boat ride, occasional overcast, rained one afternoon and cold, last day sunny and perfect conditions. Average daytime temp's 60's to 70's.

Ponds at Double Eagle Resort Fly Fishing Report

Ross Kingsley

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Ponds at Double Eagle Resort and Spa, June Lake, CA

May 23, 2008

22" Rainbow Trout

Fly Used: Black WD-40 #20

Other Details: It was extremely cold and snowy. Fishing was pretty good but took a lot of patience. Had to go indicator less because they would spook. Ponds had rainbows, brooks, and browns.

Yellowstone Autumn: A Season of Discovery in a Wondrous Land

For those of you fly fishers who dream of a time of solitude and trout in one of the last locations of true wilderness, this book may speak to you. I know I will be looking for my own copy. Here is an article from the High Country News. Enjoy!

Yellowstone Autumn: A Season of Discovery in a Wondrous Land
W.D. Wetherell
166 pages, hardcover: $24.95.
University of Nebraska Press, 2009.

An engaging blend of history lesson, fly-fishing essay and philosophical treatise, Yellowstone Autumn describes a veteran writer's three weeks of solitude in Yellowstone National Park. Walter Wetherell makes the trip from New England to commemorate his 55th birthday -- his official entry into late middle age, as he sees it.

Standing outside his cabin during his first night alone, Wetherell marvels at the sound of a bugling elk, "one of the few sounds in nature worth traveling two thousand miles to hear." But his transition from modern life isn't easy. He has trouble making decisions: "Since anything is possible, the choices can be a bit overwhelming, and there is nothing stopping you from changing your mind." So he does -- many times. He has difficulty relaxing, then gets angry about his inability to relax. And just as his daughter had predicted, Wetherell suffers through spells of homesickness.

In the tradition of Henry David Thoreau and Edward Abbey, Wetherell contemplates his relationship to the land, people and wildlife, including old bison bulls, his wife, thermal pools and his own body. He broods over his membership in the "sandwich generation" -- squeezed between the demands of growing children and aging parents. He reads the historical accounts of the region's early explorers and inserts himself into their stories with imaginary journal entries: "Jake Smith came up to me this morning while I was splashing lake water in my face; he stuck a willow branch in my hand, ordered me to catch some trout for breakfast."

Although it's October, temperatures soar into the 90s, and Wetherell laments the effects of global warming on the park: "We go to Yellowstone like we stare up at the stars -- to see a place unspoiled -- and if we are messing up its weather, then soon there will be no reason to go at all." But despite the heat and his mental meanderings, Wetherell succeeds in fly-fishing 20 rivers and two lakes. And when he returns home, it's to realize, gratefully, that Yellowstone "had supplied me with a deep reservoir of solace to help me through the coming year."

Fly Shop vs. Online Shop

This was written in response to an article on the Field and Stream website. To view the whole article and the comments click here on Fly Fishing Purchases: Fly Shop or Internet?

The rapidly growing extinction of the local fly shop is a sad commentary of our current age. Technology and online shopping is a reflection of society. The fly fishing industry is no different. Stopping in to a local fly shop to pick up supplies or to just hang out and share stories is the Mayberry-like atmosphere we are losing. The biggest benefit of the local fly shop, in my humble opinion, is to mentor the new fly fishers. Teach the basics and instill the responsible practices like “catch and release” and the like. And most of all, sharing your knowledge so others can enjoy this extraordinary experience of catching fish on a fly.

It’s my belief that fly shops, outfitters, and professional guides have to accept some of the blame for the demise of their livelihood. The focus for many has become the almighty dollar. The push from fly shops to manipulate customers into believing that hiring a guide or buying a ton of stuff is the only path to success are symptoms of this trend. On more than one occasion, in different locations around the west, fly shop representatives have demonstrated this attitude that the customer is clueless and if you don’t follow the advice of the shop, you are more or less an idiot. The attempt to make fly fishing a mystery has contributed to their destruction. Whatever happened to customer service?

Not all shops are like what is described above. My local shop here in Tucson, Dry Creek Outfitters, has gone above and beyond to demonstrate customer service. In addition to catering to their clients, the shop hosts a Lie and Tie, where fly fishers can come and hang out, tie flies, and share stories. There are others shops who have not given in to the pressure sell mentality and I applaud them. If your fly shop is suffering from the growing trend of losing sales to online shops, ask yourself, are they putting the customer first? Fly fishing is much too fun keep secret. Share what you know and maybe you will have a customer for life.

Fly Fishing Isn't Always About Catching Fish

With the advent of digital photography and the explosion of technology, a day on the water casting to rising trout can become a day of other interests. Carrying a digital camera has become just as important as most of our fly fishing paraphernalia. The obvious use for our cameras are landed trout and action pic's of fishing buddies. What has crept into the multitudes of "fish pic's" are some of our favorite scenic photos. I hope you all will take time along the streams to enjoy the nature around you and capture the beautiful places where trout live. Here are some of our favorites.

Slough Creek, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Whitney Creek, High Sierra, CA

Madison Junction, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Lake Reflection, High Sierra, CA

East Lake, High Sierra, CA

Barrel Cactus near Glean Canyon Dam, Lees Ferry, AZ

Gearing Up...... On A Budget

When you are ready to buy fly fishing equipment, you may find it a bit overwhelming. There are countless manufacturers of rods, reels, fly line, leaders, clothing, and on, and on, and on. We have recommendations on what we prefer, but ultimately your purchases need to match where you are going to fish, what species of fish, and how much your wallet can handle. Virtual Fly Guide Co-Founder Sean Wallentine makes a great point about fly rods, "You don't have to spend thousands of dollars to catch fish. Start with the cheap stuff. A good fly fisher can catch fish all day with a garage sale fly rod."

Here is a list of equipment we recommend to get started:

Fly Rod: 9 foot 5 weight rod

Fly Reel with an adjustable drag

Fly Line: weight forward 5 weight floating line with backing. *Backing is used to attach the fly line to the fly reel.*

Tapered leader 5x

Tippet material 5x or 6x

Assorted flies

Here is a list of optional equipment we recommend:

Fly vest or fanny pack

Fly Box

Clippers: to trim leaders and tippet.

Polarized Sunglasses: used to limit glare from the sun on the water so you can see into the water, most importantly see the fish.

Net

Waders

This is by no means a complete list. As I said earlier, there are countless companies selling fly fishing equipment, tools, gadgets, specialized clothing, and every conceivable thing you might just have to have out on the water. The Virtual Fly Guides believe your equipment does not need to break you financially.

Project Healing Waters, a must see!

To visit Project Healing Waters go to: http://www.projecthealingwaters.org/

Knot Tying Refresher: Part 6 Improved Clinch Knot

The Improved Clinch Knot, or sometimes referred to as the Fisherman's Knot is one of the most well known and easy knots to tie. When the pressure is on, fish are rising all around you, and your buddies are landing fish, tying knots goes into auto pilot. That's the way it is for the Improved Clinch Knot. Growing up as a kid and fishing with your dad or grandpa, this is the first knot they teach you.

Application: This knot is used to tie flies to the leader or tippet.

Step 1: Feed the leader/tippet through the eye of the hook.

Step 2: Wrap the tag end around the running line approximately 6 times.

Step 3: Bring the tag end back through the area between the eye of the hook and the first wrap.

Step 4: Take the tag end and place it back through the area between all the wraps and the line.

Step 5: Lubricate with saliva or water, pull tight, and trim close.

Rig Up For Nymphs

Setting up your rod with a nymph rig is a bit more involved than setting up with a dry. We have found in most instances it can be more productive. Especially when there is no fish taking insects off the surface. Ninety percent of a trout's diet consists of aquatic insects beneath the surface of the water. Here's how to rig up for nymphs.




Step 1: Use a nail knot to attach a 6" to 8" section of 20 pound test monofilament to the fly line. In the other end of the monofilament, tie a perfection loop.

Step 2: In the thick end of your 7 and 1/2 foot 5x tapered leader, tie another perfection loop. Take the loop on the tapered leader and place it over the loop in the 20 pound test section. Then run the thin end of the tapered leader through the loop of the 20 pound section.

Step 3: Take a 12" section of 5x tippet and tie it into the tapered leader with a double surgeons knot. *Just above the double surgeons knot is where the split shot will be crimped on.*

Step 4: Tie in your fly with an improved clinch knot. For a two fly rig, take a 12" to 16" section of 5x tippet and tie a Duncan loop in one end, place the loop around the bend of the fly you have already tied on and cinch it down. Trim the excess. Then tie in your second fly like the first.

Step 5: To finish rigging up for nymphs, attach an adjustable strike indicator (attach using the manufacturers instructions, it's simple to do) to your tapered leader. *You attach it so that it will be 1 and a 1/2 the depth you will be fishing. If the water depth is 3 feet, attach the indicator 4 and 1/2 feet from the first fly you tied.*

Step 6: Lastly, attach the split shot just above the double surgeons knot, so the weight will not slide down to the fly. *Often times, you will need to make an educated guess at what size weight to start with. The goal here is to get the flies on the stream bed. If the split shot, or flies, repeatedly get hung up on the bottom, switch to the next smaller split shot. Conversely, if your rig repeatedly drifts down stream without getting hung up, or not hooking fish, add one size larger split shot. Remember, deeper water, bigger weights, shallow water, smaller weights.*

Pyramid Lake, NV Fly Fishing Report

Joe Specchio

Fernley, NV

Pyramid Lake, NV

February 6, 2009

Caught an 18" & 20" Lahontan Cutthroat

Flies Used: Double Wooly Bugger, green-black on the point, and white as the dropper.

Other Details: Fished from about 10am till 3pm. Started off at Howard Bay on the southeast area of the lake. After a couple of hours there with no follow-ups (Pyramid fish often follow your bug and take it about 10-12 feet in front of you when you can see it!), I decided to move over to the other side of the lake to Cattle Guard Beach to fish deeper water. The catch is you have to be patient and let your sinking line go all the way to the bottom. The fishing has been slow like this so far this season, but the prime time at Pyramid usually starts around the end of February and runs through the first half of May. If it is like last year it should be great. Temps were in the low 40's with off and on rain.

Rig Up For Dry Flies

The easiest way to rig up your fly rod to start fishing is with a dry fly rig. The flies that will float on top of the water. For the ease of changing, we recommend a loop to loop connectionbetween your fly line (with monofilament attached to the end of the fly line, with a perfection loop) andyour tapered leader. We also recommend tying in some tippet material to the end of your leader, because you will be changing flies from time to time. At the end of your dry fly set up comes your fly.

Step 1: Use a nail knot to attach a 6" to 8" section of 20 pound test monofilament to the fly line. In the other end of the monofilament, tie a perfection loop.

Step 2: In the thick end of your 7 and 1/2 foot tapered leader, tie another perfection loop. Take the loop on the tapered leader and place it over the loop in the 20 pound test section. Then run the thin end of the tapered leader through the loop of the 20 pound section.

Step 3: Now that your tapered leader is on, use an improved clinch knot to tie on your fly.

*To prevent shortening your tapered leader after changing flies throughout the day, we suggest tying in 12" to 18" of tippet to the end of your tapered leader. Make sure the tippet is always the same size or one size smaller than the tapered leader.*

Knot Tying Refresher: Part 5 Double Surgeons Knot

The Double Surgeons Knot is a frequently used knot for most fly fishers. Since the tapered leader will get progressively thicker after a day’s worth of changing flies, adding some tippet to your tapered leader will allow you to keep the leader at the right length. This will also allow you to make the leader and fly land on the water without a plop. Since you will be using this one regularly throughout the day, practice this one and become proficient.

Application: This knot is used for lengthening the leader by tying in another section of leader or tippet.

Tip: Make sure you give yourself enough line to overlap. There’s nothing worse than getting close to finishing and then struggling to complete the knot. Especially when fish are rising and your buddy is landing fish left and right.

Step 1: Take a section of tippet material in one hand and the leader in the other hand and overlap the two sections about three to four inches and hold the lines together.

Step 2: Make an overhand knot by running the longer end of the tippet and the shorter end of the leader.

Step 3: Make second overhand knot, just like the first.

Step 4: Lubricate the knot/loop with saliva or water, pull tight, and trim close.

What is a Virtual Fly Guide?

Our Vision
By sharing our reports and experiences in fly fishing, we encourage other fly fishers to do the same and become Virtual Fly Guides. Regardless of your skill level, or how many days you spend on the water each year, everyone can learn from everyone. Our vision for the Virtual Fly Guides is to create a network of fly fishers around the country, and around the world, who guide each other by sharing their personal fly fishing reports.

Our Philosophy
Our main philosophy is, fly fishing is too much fun and trout live in too many beautiful places, to keep it all secret. Let's be honest, we can see the impact of our population on every river, lake, and pond. Whether it's trash, monofilament, or beer cans, people treat these precious resources with disrespect. As fly fishers, usually without exception, a desire to maintain pristine settings is of the highest priority. That's why, we believe, that sharing our fishing reports with other fly fishers can actually have a positive impact on the fish and fisheries. We practice "catch and release" and have a caretaker mentality when it comes to the places we fish. We trust other fly fishers will do the same.

Our History
The Virtual Fly Guides were born out of a combined 40 years of fly fishing experience. We contemplated how we could share our fly fishing experiences with others. Being the self-sufficient fly fishermen we are, we love to explore the places where trout live. The problem is you have to start somewhere. Whether it's in the local fly shop, word of mouth, or online, the information is usually difficult to come by. Typically, fly fishers, along with fly shops, are not eager to share their secrets and prime fishing spots. Don't get me wrong, some fly shops are very helpful, but other times you walk out the door of the shop feeling like you missed something or only got half the story. So, in September of 2006, we were headed toward the East Carson River near Markleeville, CA and the gears started turning. We knew we were onto something, but we had no idea what it would look like. One thing led to another, and we took the first big step and created this site. We've narrowed the focus of the Virtual Fly Guides into one main theme, "Fly fishers guiding each other by sharing their personal fishing reports".

Knot Tying Refresher: Part 4 Duncan Loop

The next knot in the Knot Tying Refresher is the Duncan Loop. The Duncan Loop is my favorite knot of all. Not that I’m a knot nut, or an entomology freak, but there are aspects of fly fishing that make the experience a memorable one. Hard to believe any of that has anything to do with a FISHING KNOT! It doesn’t. The Duncan Loop is the most used knot in my fly fishing arsenal and the most useful. Learning this knot will make you a better fly fisher.

Application: The Duncan Loop, sometimes called the Uni Knot can be used for tying a fly to a leader/tippet and for tying a section of tippet to the hook shank for multiple fly nymph rig. It is also useful for any fishing application that needs a knot that is adjustable.

Tip: With any knot, it’s always best to lubricate the knot/loop with saliva or water, then pull tight, and trim close. Tightening a knot without moisture can cause the monofilament to burn making the knot weaker.

*Weak Knots=Lost Fish.

Step 1: Make a loop with the line leaving approximately 4 inches.

Step 2: While holding the loop make a bend in the running end of the line and hold them both together.

Step 3: Take the tag end of the line and wrap the line around the running line and through the loop 3 to 4 times. *This knot/loop will slide along the running end of the line allowing you to cinch or loosen the loop as needed.*

Step 4: Lubricate the knot/loop with saliva or water, pull tight, and trim close.

A Golden Opportunity by Sean Wallentine

It was a hiking expedition, not a fishing trip. Lucky for me our planned route just happened to take us straight through Golden Trout country. Of the seven guys on the hike I was the only fisherman.

Our goal was to hike from Horseshoe Meadows along the Pacific Crest Trail all the way up the backside of Mt. Whitney. Since we were going to descend down the eastern slope to Whitney Portal, we left a couple vehicles in the Whitney Portal parking lot. Like canned sardines we piled into a Ford Expedition, drove down, over and up to the Cottonwood Lakes trail head and parked in the Horseshoe Meadows camping area.

Hiking long distances over mountain passes is not enjoyable to me. I wasn’t relishing the idea of aching muscles, blisters, or worse. A heavy pack pressing on my collarbones and a not-so-soft waste strap slowly bruising my hips with each step wasn’t a happy thought. Yes, the scenery is beautiful and being in such a picturesque landscape is wonderful, but the dominating thought in my mind was tossing a dry fly into a seldom-fished trout stream.

Most avid fly fishermen are not long distance hikers or mountaineers. Let’s face it; most fly fishers these days would rather park, take ten steps and cast. Even I enjoy a good roadside trout stream, but never had I trudged 12 miles into the back country to a trout stream that flows at 12,000 feet elevation.

How many serious fly fishermen fish Lower Rock Creek every year? Some do, but not very many and not very often. And that’s exactly what made me excited about the prospect.

I had no idea what to expect. Our leader was Ralph Drollinger. Ralph is an accomplished High Sierra peak bagger. He has successfully scaled all 300 of the peaks on the High Sierra’s ridge. He’s probably crossed more trout streams than John Muir. Even though he’s not an angler he assured me that I would have great fishing opportunities.

I packed my seven-foot Sage rod, a cheap little fly reel and some light leader. Into a small fanny pack I tossed fingernail clippers and some dry flies. After visiting Ralph Cutter’s website I figured his E/C Caddis pattern would get the job done.

We set out on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 19, 2001. Three or four miles later we arrived at Chicken Springs Lake and made camp. The next day we rose early and headed up the trail toward the Lower Rock Creek Ranger Station. From Chicken Springs Lake to Lower Rock Creek was approximately 9 miles. It was a long, dusty haul. Everyone was tired and sore upon arrival.

The stream was beautiful. The flow was plenty sufficient to support a strong trout population. The trail brought us to the edge of a small waterfall that dropped into a deep pool. To my dismay, Ralph and the others were contemplating continuing on another 5 miles to Lower Crabtree Meadow before nightfall. As tired as I was, and as interested as I was in the stream we were resting beside, I argued quite strongly that we camp for the evening. I must have been convincing.

We picked up and walked downstream about a tenth of a mile below the waterfall, made camp, relaxed and washed up. While everyone else lounged around, nibbling on typically pathetic backpacking morsels, I began to rig up.

I was surprised at how much energy I had when I began to pull my fly rod out of its case. I was exhausted, my left knee began aching and my feet were hurting quite a bit. But all of those aches and pains diminished as soon as I began to approach and survey the stream. I approached a small plunge pool and prepared to cast. I couldn’t see any fish, but I was confident they were there. A couple false casts to get the cobwebs out and I landed the fly in a dead section of the pool. Then the fun began.

Less than a second after my fly touched down, a small golden darted from out of his hiding place and rose boldly to the surface taking my offering. After a startled dart this way and that he released himself. To say the least, that was quite encouraging. One cast; one take.

Just then two hikers from our party, Aaron and Russell, approached the bank. They silently watched as I gently laid my size 16 E/C Caddis into the same plunge pool. On that second cast I hooked and landed my first Golden Trout – a small, but stunningly beautiful 7-inch fish. We all marveled at how beautiful the fish was, and I explained just how unique an experience it is for a fly fisherman to land his first Golden Trout.

I moved upstream and found that just about every inch of water was productive. The next several casts also yielded fish; one after another, after another.

In some of the deeper pools I could see more than a dozen fish resting or slowly cruising near the stream bottom. Easily spooked, these trout on some occasions caught sight of me and scattered like shadows of lightning. Casting skill was unnecessary on this stream. All one needed to do was find some cover and gently place the fly somewhere on the surface of the water. As soon as the fly touched down, just about every fish in the area would begin moving toward it. On some occasions fish would race one another to my fly.

In deeper pools I would literally set the fly on the water without casting. Immediately fish would point their noses toward the surface and float gently toward the top. Sometimes they didn’t rush at all, but instead nonchalantly sauntered up to my caddis imitation and gently inhaled unsuspectingly.

One pool was nearly unreachable due to the dense bushes and trees that were guarding it. So I reeled my fly all the way up to the end of my rod and threaded the rod threw a 12-inch opening. I let out about 10 inches of line and set the fly on the water. Of course a fish immediately took my fly, but I then wondered how I would finish the transaction. I had to bring the fish all the way up to the end of the rod and bring him to me before I could release him.

After an hour or so of fun I went back to camp and asked if any of my buddies wanted to give it a try. None of the six men had ever held a fly rod. One by one I guided each of them along the stream and instructed them on the basics of fly fishing. Each and every one of them caught several fish. They had a great time. In a little more than two hours fishing we caught nearly 40 Golden Trout.

The next morning we rose early. We planned to hike another 5 miles or so to Lower Crabtree Meadow. I rose a little earlier than everyone else so I could steal a half hour of fishing before we departed.

The stream was shrouded in the faint darkness of the morning. The air was cold and I imagine the water temperature had dropped during the night. The fish were sluggish and less interested in feeding. But it didn’t take long to get them interested again. I landed a half dozen then finished packing so we could move on up the trail.

Early that afternoon we dropped down into Lower Crabtree Meadow. We made camp on the northeast end of the meadow in a stand of trees along the stream. The meadow was idyllic. Whitney Creek plunges and spills its way into the meadows northeast end and then slowed down, meandering along, splitting into two or three channels in various sections. It finally reaches the western end of the meadow and disappears into the trees.

I soon learned how much harder it is to catch Golden Trout that can see you. The day before on Lower Rock Creek I had plenty of concealment behind shrubs, fallen trees and large rocks. Lower Crabtree Meadow was barren of all such cover.

As in all such cases, I had to do whatever I could to conceal myself from the field of view of the fish. I ended up spending a lot of time on my knees trying to keep my long casts out of the foot tall grass that covered the entire meadow. The longer casts became essential, and staying low was effective.

I also found success in standing a rod’s length away from the stream and dappling just over the stream’s grassy edge. It wasn’t necessary to determine whether there were fish just over the edge where I was dappling, because there were fish everywhere in the stream.

Another fun technique was casting upstream, purposely bouncing my E/C Caddis off of the grassing edges. Yes, I risked getting caught up in the grass, but more often than not my fly would bounce off and fall naturally onto the surface, tempting even the most wary golden out of his shadowy safe haven.

The meadow fishing was great fun, but I did want to explore a little upstream in the trees. Inside the tree line the stream became very similar to Lower Rock Creek; plunge pools, fallen logs and plenty of cover for the fish and the fisherman.

Since the fish were so willing I was tempted to test my casting skills and try some presentations I normally wouldn’t. I would pick out little landing zones in back eddies and tiny spots between rocks. Of course, I would only seldom land my fly where I wanted to, but when I did I was reward nearly every time.

About 30 fish later, I decided to be social with my hiking buddies. We sat around and nursed our aches. Into the night we sat around the fire and discussed the following day’s ascent of Mt. Whitney. It’s the price you pay for such beautiful fish. I had already begun to miss these Golden Trout waters.

Any angler in decent physical shape should not pass up an opportunity to commune with the Golden Trout of the High Sierra. Even a beginner can readily catch these willing fish with a little common sense and effort. A scant amount of tackle and a few of Ralph Cutter’s E/C Caddis is all you need.

Don’t forget your camera, your good camera. All of my pictures turned out less than desirable. Don’t make the same mistake I did. You will want memories of these beautiful fish.

Knot Tying Refresher: Part 3 Perfection Loop

Tying the perfection loop is a matter of preference. Some fly fishers prefer to tie their tapered leader directly to the fly line. And others, like me, prefer to utilize the loop to loop method of attaching a tapered leader to the fly line. It has been my experience that there is no significant difference in casting with the loop to loop. In fact, it is much quicker to change out a damaged leader for a new one. It’s all about keeping your fly on or in the water.

One of the issues of tying the tapered leader directly to the fly line is that every time the leader needs changing, the fly line has to be cut. After some regular changes, the fly line can be altered to the point of negatively affecting the usefulness of the fly line.

When using the loop to loop method, a 3 to 4 inch section of 20 pound test needs to be attached to the fly line with a nail knot and a perfection loop on the other end, thus, creating one half of the loop to loop. The other loop for the loop to loop connection is tied to the thick end of the tapered leader.

Application: Any fly fishing application that requires a static loop and for the loop to loop connection for attaching a tapered leader to the fly line.

Tip: There are some brands of leaders that have the perfection loop already tied.

Step 1: Make a loop to the rear of the line. The end of the line should be going to the tier’s right. Make sure you leave yourself some extra line.

Step 2: Take the tag end and wrap it around the base of the first loop. This will create a loop in front of the first loop. Be sure to hold both loops together.

Step 3: Take the tag end of the line and place it between the two loops and hold it all down. The end of the line will be pointing to the tier’s left.

Step 4: Reach behind the first loop and grab the second loop (the one closer to you) from behind and pull it through.*It is important to make sure that the tag end of the line doesn’t slip out.

Step 5: Lubricate the knot with saliva or water, tighten, and trim the excess.

VFG April 2009 Fly Fishing Spotlight

Captain Mahalo Bob

Honolulu, HI

Honolulu, HI

February 27, 2009

Species: Golden Trevally and Bonefish

Fly: C&C Special

Other Details: Aloha these past few days the winds have been very strong up to 30mph plus and low light conditions. However, I guided Jeff into landing this VERY RARE 6lbs. Golden Trevally and his Father in-law Cliff, managed to hook a nice 3 1/2lbs Bonefish. Hopefully, the winds should come down a notch or two next week so we can have better conditions.

Visit Captain Mahalo Bob at: http://www.mahalobobsfishingadventures.com/

See more fly fishing reports from the Virtual Fly Guides at:

Virtual Fly Guides Forum

April Installment of VFG-TV 2009

Knot Tying Refresher: Part 2 Nail Knot

The second knot in this series is the Nail Knot. It can be tied by hand with a few utensils, either a nail (hence the name) or a narrow straw. It has been my experience; the easiest way to tie a Nail Knot is with a product called the Tie-Fast Knot Tool. It can be found in fly shops or where fly fishing equipment is sold. This is one of the tools I could not live without. Just like the name describes, it makes tying a Nail Knot a cinch!

Application: The nail knot is used to attach the fly line to the backing, the tapered leader to the fly line, or the 20 pound monofilament section that has a perfection loop for the loop to loop connection. Just in case you don’t have the tool, here is how to tie the Nail Knot.

*Cut off approximately two to three inch section of coffee stir straw or use a nail.*

Step 1: Hold the straw near the end of your fly line and overlap the monofilament and fly line approximately 4" to 6".

Step 2: Take the end of the leader and wrap it around the straw or a nail, the fly line and itself toward the end of the fly line.

Step 3: Make about 5 wraps toward the end of the fly line.
Step 4: Tighten the monofilament by pulling on the tag end with one hand and the leader with the other. Trim the tag ends of the leader and the tag end of the fly line.
Step 5: Tighten the monofilament by pulling on the tag end with one hand and the leader with the other. Trim the tag ends of the leader and the tag end of the fly line.