BWOs Everywhere

Huge BWO hatch this month. Insane hatch is more accurate.

Ended my recent whitefish streak with a couple bows. Funny how whitefish are considered second rate. I don't think any one has told them that, because they fight like angry tanks.  I've learned to recognize the very specific head shake on hook-up, so now I'm less surprised when those golden scales come to the surface.

Today, the fly of choice was a micro mayfly, with a skwala stone up top and some split-shot to get into the feeding lane.

This last one took a baetis and gave me a good run.  Post-spawn I believe, and had the scars to prove it.  Huge gash on the head, and the tail was worse for the wear.  Some nearby construction workers were hooting and hollering while I reeled him in...urban fishing, right?

These self-shots are taken with a fancy tripod called a river rock.  Boom.

Fishy and Nippy

Spring is peeking out from time to time. 

Lots of food brewing under the surface. 

Scored a pontoon, and got it repaired and ready to rock.

Tributaries feel the winter the most.

Stoneflies are all over in the afternoons.

Texture.

Not much for video games, but this is straight out of Assassin's Creed.

Experimenting with shooting the iPhone through my fishing glasses.

Shoulders.

Icy Indeed

Doug Ouellette ties this Stone-daddy.  It's got a reputation the size of the national deficit and yet still manages to deliver.

 

Ice in the guides > not fishing

Hard to see, but a river mink was making his way across the anchor ice.  Click the pic to see him a little better.

River > Lake

Got this guy to come back after a missed grab.  That doesn't happen on the Truckee.

Did the full Pyramid experience with my buddy Ryan.  Some guys love the Pyramid thing. He's one of them.  I get it.  That said, my first love is the Truckee, and days like this cement that in my mind.  He got a few nice fish while I got pounded on my ladder.  Click to enlarge.  If you look closely, you can see me violently shivering.

Learning & Teaching

Convinced a long time friend and avid vegetarian to come try fly-fishing.  Gary did wonderful, and was a great sport.  Gary is interesting because he used to be a strip club bouncer, and has trained in jiujitsu for a long time...but he also has a real heart for animals.  Never was I so happy to practice catch and release.

Power stance.

Dad hired Gilligan for a half-day session.  He got us into some great fish.  Gilligan is a great guide, and I highly recommend him.  He's direct but easy to be around, and pays attention to you to make sure you learn while you're out.

Been reading through Ralph Cutter's "Fish Food".  Last night, read about Stoneflies dropping out of vegetation that hangs over the water.  Decided to put into practice my "research" and on the first cast, this hefty hen grabbed my stonefly.  Thanks Ralph.

Browns are such a blast to get into, even the lil guys.

Took a friend of mine that frequents Pyramid down to the Truckee.  He was skeptical, but in the first 5 casts he got a hold of this nice rainbow on a midge.  Gotta love the winter colors.

There's many ways to spot a planter.  Worn fins and muted colors are dead give-aways.