Flies Used: Stimulator, Red Copper John, Olive/Black Woolly Bugger.
Other Details: Fished the North Fork of the Feather River at the bridge at Seneca Road downstream from Lake Almanor in the morning from 9am till 11am. Access was really tough and the water was really stained due to a lot of rain. After lunch, fished Indian Creek just upstream from Indian Falls. Again, constant rain and temp's in the 40's to low 50's made conditions really tough, especially for a beginner fly fisherman. Just as I was getting ready to call it quits and head back to camp, I hooked my first fish on any kind of stream. I'm pretty sure it is a mountain whitefish. Not a trout like I was hoping for, but I will take it!
Flies Used:Black Midge Dry #20; Beaded Micro Mayfly #18; Dark Lord #14; Green Beaded Pulsating Caddis #18; Brown San Juan Worm #16; Black Midge Emerger with a white wing #20.
Other Details: Fished from Hangman's Bridge upstream about a mile, along Highway 89 before, after and along Highway 4.
Flies: #14 Orange Stimulator, #16 Elk Hair Caddis, #6 Black Stoneflies, and a #10 Kern Emerger.
Other Details: Fished directly above Johnsondale bridge the first evening when we arrived. All fish caught were on dries. The next morning we hiked in on the "Forks of the Kern" trail. Fished all day indicator nymphing and dries in the evening.
The Upper Sacramento River originates in the shadow of Mt. Shasta. The Upper Sac, as it is often referred to, flows through the town of Dunsmuir, California. The Upper Sac is intertwined with the railroad and Interstate 5. The interstate runs right along the river, and many of the hot spots named by fishermen are named by the off ramp.
In 1991, tragedy struck the Upper Sac when a rail car overturned above Dunsmuir releasing toxic chemicals into the river. For 35 miles, the Upper Sac was, in essence, sterilized. Since then, the recovery of the river, the fish, and it's aquatic life has proven an overwhelming success.
The Upper Sacramento river is a freestone river and has some of the easiest access to trout you can find. There are many access points along the river from Interstate 5. Rainbows can be caught in the 14" to 24" range using dry flies and nymphs.
One place all fly fishers should not pass up is Mossbrae Falls. As seen in the photo above, water spills over the edge of a small cliff in many parts making it look like a bunch of small individual waterfalls. The best way to get to the falls is by hiking along the railroad tracks upriver from Prospect access.
Flies Used: Stimulator with a Red Copper John dropper.
Other Details: It was my first time ever on the East Walker, and as luck would have it I caught my first Brown Trout ever today. Landed 3 Browns mixed in with one fat little 15" Rainbow. I fished from about 9am until 4pm. I hoped to catch more fish, but I'm still fighting a steep learning curve.
Erik Vail Tucson, AZ Silver Creek, AZ March 2007 Caught 1 Rainbow 18" Fly Used: Tan Elk Hair Caddis #14 Other Details: Parked at the parking area at the end of Hatchery Road. Hiked one mile up the creek through three fences. We fished up to the hatchery runs.
Normally, our fishing days are spent together. As my Dad would describe it, my brother Sean and I like to fish like “commandos” on a mission. As the years pass, there is more attention paid to the other aspects of fly fishing, such as, photography and on recent trips, boiling water along the river for an afternoon coffee break. But for this trip I admit we were fishing hard and at times get overly focused on the mission of catching trout.
It was September 2006 and the trip was a weeklong battle. On the “Final Day” of our annual trip, Dad was tired and in need of a day off. So Sean and I headed out from the condo in South Lake Tahoe to the East Carson River along Highway 4. This area is above Hangman’s Bridge where the non-fly fishing anglers frequent. Surprisingly, we had most of the river to ourselves. Late September is a time that we enjoy because most of the summers angling crowds have returned to their post Labor Day routine.
Sean and I stopped along the river near a bend. A large rock protruded from across the river creating a deep crystal clear pool. Since there was no surface action, we went directly to indicator nymphing. It was an exciting opportunity to sight fish with a nymph rig. There were pods of fish lurking near the bottom, so it was only a matter of adding the right amount of weight to entice the trout to strike.
Soon we were experiencing the action we anticipated. Get the right drift and we were rewarded. It was a mix of browns and rainbows and a surprising wayward whitefish. We seemed to have the most action with a #14 Prince Nymph nearest the bottom and a #16 Red Copper John drifting nearer the surface. This combination seemed to work everywhere we fished.
The first stop produced some steady action and after Sean landed a hefty 22” brown, we agreed to leave on a high note. The fact that a sightseeing couple and their water bound Golden Retriever arrived also helped with our decision to move on.
We moved up river a short distance and decided to park above the Highway 4 bridge before the turn off to Wolf Creek. The second spot was similar to the first with a large rock on the opposite side. This rock created a deep slow run below a swift narrow section. What was different about this location, the shadows of the fish near the riverbed were much LARGER.
Sean and I began fishing the run by alternating between the head and the tail out. After some initial frustration with getting hung up on the bottom and having to re-rig a few times, Sean moved down and across to fish the opposite bank. With his departure, I had the whole run to myself. The current was circling back as the water slowed and deepened. As my nymph rig drifted past and began curling back toward me, my line suddenly stopped. I immediately raised my rod to set the hook and it was solid and not moving. My first thought was, if I am hung up again, I don’t have any more Red Copper Johns. A spilt second later; I felt the heavy pull toward the middle of the run and the fight was on! I wasn’t sure if this was a monster or I had foul hooked a mediocre sized fish. The latter would have been harder to live down. Over the next 15 tenuous minutes, I was working hard to manage my line and prevent the painful experience of losing a fish of a lifetime. At the same time, Sean is encouraging me with “keep the rod tip up” and “move down, move down” and the like. What was preventing me from racing straight down river was a rocky bank and steep drop off.
I carefully moved back to the bank when it became necessary to chase after the fish. Luckily, Sean was in the right position to assist with a net. After a couple of anxious attempts to land it, the fish decided to make a run toward the opposite bank. Seeing the last opportunity to net the fish, Sean high stepped through the water like a like running back with the goal line in sight, and finally, netted the rainbow. With a brief inspection, Sean shouted from 50 feet away, “yep, it’s in the mouth”. What a relief!
After the ritualistic photos and brief video, I released a 26.5” rainbow back to the shadows. Like most fly fishing experiences, it is best shared with friends and family. Which makes the only down side to the whole day was that Dad was relaxing in the condo after a long, hard and exhausting fly fishing trip and unable to share in the “Final Day” adventure. Get your rest Dad; there will be other trips and other fish.
Flies Used: Dark and Medium Brown San Juan Worm #16; Green Laser Midge #20; Silver Beaded Black Zebra Midge #20.
Details: Took a boat to areas between Lee's 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.
Flies Used: Hopper #10; Red and Copper Copper John #16; San Juan Worm (small/brown)#16; Green Beaded Pulsating Caddis #16; Dark Lord #14; Trico Drowned #18.
Other Details: Fished along Hwy 395 about 4 miles and 7 miles upriver from the end of the town limits of Walker, CA.
Size and Species: Brown and Rainbow Trout 17"-17.5"
Flies Used: Midges! Midges! Midges! #20 Green Disco Midge, #22 Flashback Midge Larvae (basically black thread on an invisible hook).
Other Details: Fishing was extraordinary. Did not fish it for too long but definitely worth it. Nymphing the whole time. There were a few people but plenty of water. Even though the river is big find any and all softer water. They are in there. Scenery+Fish+Weather= Amazing!!!. Had a rainbow take me like 70 yards downstream. Fell and banged up my knee while sprinting after him. It was pretty awesome.
Flies Used: Orange Stimulator #14 and Red Copper John #16.
Other Details: Fished the gorge area above Pleasant Valley Lake. Beware of sudden changes in water flow. The AM fishes best until the water begins to rise. Fished with my son Greg and friend Dan Wallentine.
Often times I am asked by beginning fly fishers about which fly rod to buy. I go through all the typical questions about what type of fly fishing are you going to do and what can your budget afford. Without a doubt, I direct my friends to consider Echo Fly Rods. I have been using the Echo Classic for many years and believe this is the best rod below $150. I can spend 2 or 3 times that amount and still not find a fly rod that casts as well and fits all my needs. The latest design in the Echo brand that is equivalent to the Classic is the Echo Carbon priced at $170.
Echo Fly Rods are the brain child of Tim Rajeff. For most of the fly fishing world, Tim Rajeff is well known for his fly fishing and casting skills. He has won countless casting competitions and is on the shortlist of fly fishing authorities worldwide. With his casting prowess, Tim is the perfect match between a fly fishing professional and equipment innovator. He recognizes the need for a high quality product at a reasonable price.
In addition to a great fly rod, Rajeff Sports stand behind their products. The warranty that comes with Echo rods is a valuable feature of the purchase. As an example, I was casting my well-used Echo Classic and the tip section snapped in half. After contacting Rajeff Sports, I sent the rod back with $30 and it was replaced. A brand new rod, case and all within 10 days. Awesome!
If you are looking for a new rod, regardless of your skill level, I recommend Echo Fly Rods. You will be completely satisfied. I am.
Other Details: Fished upper section from 11:00 to 3:00. Water was murky from recent flooding. Air temp was low 40's.Tried using a dropper, but no success.
Other Details: Fished near Lake Alpine on Ebbett's Pass. At first I thought there were only brooks in the stream but decided to fish right under the dam and caught 4 rainbows in 5 minutes. 3 of them at this good undercut bank with a riffle in the middle, and 1 in a big slowwwwwwww moving pool about 3 1/2 feet deep.
Flies Used: Tungsten Bead Rubber Leg Copper John #12 and a Black Stone Fly #10.
Other Details: Caught 2 Rainbows and fished with Don Van Schenck. TBRL (Tungsten Bead Rubber Leg) Copper John available through The FlyShop in Redding, CA's online catalog.
Flies Used: Brown Elk Hair Caddis #16 and Red Copper John #18 as a dropper.
Other Details: Fished the gorge area near Pleasant Valley Lake. Beware of sudden changes in water flow. The AM fishes best until the water begins to rise. Also fished the North and South Forks of Bishop Creek with no success.
Now that Spring has here and venturing out with your fly rod is a reality, it's time to discuss some ways to maintain your equipment. Some will say, the most important part of your gear is your rod or your fly reel. Yes they are important. But I believe that care and maintenance of your fly line is paramount. Whenever I give advice to beginning anglers, I always instruct them not to skimp on the fly line. There are some ways to cut costs when you are shopping for rods and reels, but try casting a cheap fly line and you will quickly become frustrated. Once you have invested in a GOOD fly line, here are some tips to care for and lengthen its' life.
1. Regularly clean your line. Sometimes the line will become soiled with a variety of contaminants and will need some attention. During this time, as you run the line through a moist cloth, it is a good time to inspect the line for cracks and defects in the fly line. If you need to use a mild soap, make sure to run the line through a second time with a wet cloth to remove any additional soap.
2. During the off season, or when your line will be stored for long periods of time, pull the fly line off the reel and loop it in large loops and hang on a hanger. If fly line remains on your reel for long periods, it will create memory and can crack if it is tight on the reel. It will take some time before the straightens and is usable, especially in cold weather. Just before I head out to the water, I will pull off the first 30 to 40 feet of fly line and pull it through my hands, creating some warmth from friction and will straighten the line.
3. Next, whenever you cut into the fly line to tie on your tapered leader, it is a good idea to place a tiny drop of waterproof adhesive on the cut end of the line. A fly line can have a hollow core and if left open, can cause floating line to sink. Water can seep in and make presenting the fly unnatural. A tiny amount of waterproof adhesive applied with a toothpick will do the trick.
4. Lastly, be aware of how much you cut the fly line. When new leaders are attached to the fly line, especially weight forward lines, the amount cut can effect how the line casts. It has been my practice to attach a 4 to 5 inch section of 20# monofilament with a nail knot to the fly line and tie a perfection loop on the other end. This way, I can easily change leaders with having to cut into my fly line. Also, it's a lot faster.
In this era of budget consciousness, I can't afford to replace fly line annually. It may take a little more effort, but it is well worth the time to maintain the most important part of your fly fishing arsenal, the fly line!
Flies Used: Red Copper John #16 and Parachute Adams #12.
Other Details: Fly fished for the first time with the Wallentines on 5 miles of private river and ponds along the Lake Fork to the confluence of Cottonwood Creek.
September 12th and 13th, 2008 Rainbows from 8" to 14"
Flies Used: #10 Stoneflies, #10 Kern Emergers, #12 and #14 Rubberleg Stimulator, #12 Dave's Hopper and #12 Foam Hopper Other Details: Hiked in on the "Forks of the Kern" trail again and camped out for a night. Fished for a few hours the first evening and caught a few smaller fish on the Dave's Hopper. Fished all day the next day. There was about an hour and a half span in the afternoon when fish were taking our Hopper's almost every other cast.
Other Details: Fished the tailout of the slow section below the campground and then upstream at and below the Hwy 120 bridge. Indicator nymphing was the ticket at this time of year. The weather was sunny; cool in the morning warming into the 60's.
