Trip Report: Skittering Caddis

I got out of work a few hours early this afternoon so I headed to the nearest stream hoping to find some fish rising to caddis. Temps measured in the mid 60's and winds blew around 10mph. I began fishing under the sun but clouds quickly moved in.

I found a few fish feeding actively on the surface but the hatch was not going strong enough for fast action. I landed a few on the dead drifted skittering caddis as I worked upstream including two nice fish that I failed to land.

 These two were the big fish of the day. They both put up a good fight. I'm still getting used to fishing with such a fast action rod and had a little difficulty playing them in such tight quarters. After fishing my way upstream I turned around and skittered the caddis through riffles and runs and through deep pools (like an emerger, kinda). I landed the majority of my fish this way including this guy who smiled for the camera!

In around two hours I landed 18 trout. The biggest measured around 14 inches with most between 10-12. All ate a dark gray size 16 skittering caddis dry fly. I've got some work to do around the house this weekend but I'll definitely get out for a little fishing on Saturday. Hopefully the caddis will still be poppin'.

Trip Report: Finally The Caddis

I've gotten out and done a fair amount of uneventful fishing lately trying to break in the new fly rod. Early last week I began seeing caddis showing up on a stream very near my house but the trout weren't payin' no mind. After a few nicer days at the end of the week I decided to get out today with the intention of finding a good caddis hatch and a little solitude (not easy on the catch 'n keep opener). I arrived on stream around 830am to find sunny skies, temps in the mid 60's, and nobody fishing ahead of me. I should clearify: no people fishing ahead of me.

I landed a few smaller trout on the pink squirrel of prey before spotting a few clouds of caddis and a couple rising trout.

 Fish rose for around 2 hours and eagerly ate my size 16 deer hair skittering caddis. The dark green one seemed to work best but I landed a fair amount on a gray one as well. 

After landing around two dozen trout on the dry caddis I returned to the pink squirrel of prey. Clouds built throughout the day but never really worked to my advantage. Luckily fish were a lot less spooky today. They were pretty aggressive in the afternoon in fact! 

This trout was the big fish of the day. I landed another around the same size but he flopped out of my hand while I struggled to get my camera out. Same story for the two rainbows that came to hand. They had beautiful colors too. By around 330 I was ready for some water and a snack. I contemplated heading to another spot to catch the evening caddis hatch but decided instead to head home and relax (tie flies).

I moved pretty fast today and covered around 2 miles of water. All fish landed came on the squirrel of prey and the skittering caddis dry. The new fly rod casts like a dream and the wood grip adds a ton of sensitivity. My only issue so far is that the action is almost too fast. I'm used to setting the hook with a long, slow pull but this rod requires a fast, sharp set. I missed a ton of fish today but landed well over two dozen. I'm looking forward to getting out again soon so stay tuned.

Some Fishin' and Some Buildin'

Over the last few weeks I've been gathering materials to build myself a sweet fly rod. I already have a four weight but wanted to build something that catches the eye! I meticulously scoured the net for materials and settled on building a 9 foot 4 weight.

 The epoxy finished setting this afternoon so I haven't gotten a chance to fish with it yet. I can't wait!

I also recently purchased a very inexpensive 9 foot 8/9 weight blank, a cheaper grip, and reel seat. I spent $30.00 on those materials and have the rest of the components which were scavenged from broken rods that people have sent my way. This evening I finished wrapping the guides and within the next few days it should be finished. It'll be a great Steelhead/Bass/Pike rod!

In between work, bouts of crappy weather, tying flies, and building fly rods I've found a few opportunities to hit the water. Some friends were in town over the weekend and we hit two great spots. 

The weather was a little on the chilly side still. We fished with a bunch of different kinds of nymphs. Hares ear, pheasant tail, and san juan worms had the best showing. We spotted intermittent risers although tons of midges fluttered along the surface unmolested all day. Fish were pretty spread out too.

 I rolled a couple decent fish. I kept thinking I was hung up on the bottom. Every time I'd tell myself to just set the hook hard going forward...then I'd do it again.

This guy was my big fish of the day. Caught on the San Juan Worm. It was great to get out with friends. The weather looks to change for the better toward the end of the week so I'll definitely get out to try the new 4 and 8/9 weights!