Date: March 30, 2008
Location: EP Spot
Air temp: mid 40s
Water temp: ??
Hatches: midges
Fish landed: 9
Present members of the Fly Anglers Guild :|: Upper Midwest Chapter, for this outing were:
Xan
After a lovely breakfast of bacon, English muffins, bacon, and bacon tea, I set off for an afternoon run at the Curd. I had some intel that Coach was at the Eagle, but I arrived too late. Finding a used car lot had appeared there, I made my way to the EP Spot, finding only a couple parked cars.
I started off in some slow water at the tail end of a run. Midges were coming up, and my emerger quickly took a couple nice hawgs. A 15" and 16"er came to hand, along with a couple other nice fish.
I headed downstream and landed some more fish on a red Copper John, all but one of decent size. The early season continues to be wicked hella rad. Word.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Oscar Party
Date: March 29, 2008
Location: Bridge & The Great Lawn
Air temp: mid 40s
Water temp: 46
Hatches: midges
Fish landed: 11
Present members of the Fly Anglers Guild :|: Upper Midwest Chapter, for this outing were:
Timbo
Quickdraw
Xan
The mid 40s weather had persisted since I last visited the Curd River. Timbo wanted to try the area he and I had explored last year, which is conveniently located near Quickdraw's favorite spot. We first arrived at the Bridge, and seeing as there were no cars there, we decided to take advantage of the fresh water.
QD had been riding the skunk so far this year, and if any spot would kill the skunk, it was this one. Holy shit-balls... the skunk was killed. As I was still setting up by the car, QD was landing his first fish of the year in his money run. Timbo went down to join him as I headed upriver. I landed a plump brown on my first cast, and soon brought two similar trout to hand.
Timbo made his way up to my locale, having only caught snags. During one snag, QD had pulled a Booter and caught a 16" pig. Timbo would have his due, however, as he started landing fish just upstream from me.
When QD joined us, he had landed 8 fish, 5 of which were plump, two of which were pigs. After we had fished out the two prime stretches near the road, we got in the car and headed not far upstream.
The day continued much as it had, despite the cold, cutting wind. We fucked around and got a triple double. Quickdraw was on FIRE, setting what is probably a new personal record at 17 landed trout. Timbo netted close to that, while I was also able to get over double digits.
When we dream of the start of fishing season, we dream not only of being able to fish again, but of days like this. The best bets for primo conditions are at the beginning and end of the season, and this day hath now been written in the Fly Angler's Guild lore.
A day like this needed a fitting end, and we obliged with spicy curds and burgers at the EPB&G.
Location: Bridge & The Great Lawn
Air temp: mid 40s
Water temp: 46
Hatches: midges
Fish landed: 11
Present members of the Fly Anglers Guild :|: Upper Midwest Chapter, for this outing were:
Timbo
Quickdraw
Xan
The mid 40s weather had persisted since I last visited the Curd River. Timbo wanted to try the area he and I had explored last year, which is conveniently located near Quickdraw's favorite spot. We first arrived at the Bridge, and seeing as there were no cars there, we decided to take advantage of the fresh water.
QD had been riding the skunk so far this year, and if any spot would kill the skunk, it was this one. Holy shit-balls... the skunk was killed. As I was still setting up by the car, QD was landing his first fish of the year in his money run. Timbo went down to join him as I headed upriver. I landed a plump brown on my first cast, and soon brought two similar trout to hand.
Timbo made his way up to my locale, having only caught snags. During one snag, QD had pulled a Booter and caught a 16" pig. Timbo would have his due, however, as he started landing fish just upstream from me.
When QD joined us, he had landed 8 fish, 5 of which were plump, two of which were pigs. After we had fished out the two prime stretches near the road, we got in the car and headed not far upstream.
The day continued much as it had, despite the cold, cutting wind. We fucked around and got a triple double. Quickdraw was on FIRE, setting what is probably a new personal record at 17 landed trout. Timbo netted close to that, while I was also able to get over double digits.
When we dream of the start of fishing season, we dream not only of being able to fish again, but of days like this. The best bets for primo conditions are at the beginning and end of the season, and this day hath now been written in the Fly Angler's Guild lore.
A day like this needed a fitting end, and we obliged with spicy curds and burgers at the EPB&G.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Back in the Saddle
Date: March 23, 2008
Location: Curd (Bridge)
Air temp: low 30s
Water temp: ???
Hatches: black midges
Fish landed: 4 (browns)
Present members of the Fly Anglers Guild :|: Upper Midwest Chapter, for this outing were:
Xan
It was time to stop fucking around. Fuck this winter, fuck the ice, fuck paltry fish. Resurrection. This was the word. On Easter, it hath be. I fired up the golden chariot and headed to Quickdraw's favorite spot on the Curd. This is a place with trout, trout with girth, in places I have known.
The gauges on the Curd were measuring normal water levels and flows. The ice here, if there had been much, was gone. I went right to the sure run, and the river provideth.
In quick time, I was into trout. I landed four right away, two around 14" and plump. After the 4th, I spent a goodly amount of time trying to retrieve my flies from a high tree branch, because I'm a cheap ass. The 5th trout proved elusive. The first attempt freed itself mid-fight. The second was landed, but of undetermined hooking. The third, I merely flipped in place.
I made my way out of the run and decided to drive to a spot up-river, which I had heard was newly open to public use. I found the area still posted, and with the temperature dropping slightly, I called it good and then called it a day.
It begins again. Now.
Location: Curd (Bridge)
Air temp: low 30s
Water temp: ???
Hatches: black midges
Fish landed: 4 (browns)
Present members of the Fly Anglers Guild :|: Upper Midwest Chapter, for this outing were:
Xan
It was time to stop fucking around. Fuck this winter, fuck the ice, fuck paltry fish. Resurrection. This was the word. On Easter, it hath be. I fired up the golden chariot and headed to Quickdraw's favorite spot on the Curd. This is a place with trout, trout with girth, in places I have known.
The gauges on the Curd were measuring normal water levels and flows. The ice here, if there had been much, was gone. I went right to the sure run, and the river provideth.
In quick time, I was into trout. I landed four right away, two around 14" and plump. After the 4th, I spent a goodly amount of time trying to retrieve my flies from a high tree branch, because I'm a cheap ass. The 5th trout proved elusive. The first attempt freed itself mid-fight. The second was landed, but of undetermined hooking. The third, I merely flipped in place.
I made my way out of the run and decided to drive to a spot up-river, which I had heard was newly open to public use. I found the area still posted, and with the temperature dropping slightly, I called it good and then called it a day.
It begins again. Now.
The Iceflow Cometh
Date: March 22, 2008
Location: Warwick
Air temp: low 30s
Water temp: ???
Hatches: ?
Fish landed: skank
Present members of the Fly Anglers Guild :|: Upper Midwest Chapter, for this outing were:
Xan
With week 2 being too fucking cold, and taking week 3 off to "recharge" in San Francisco, I headed back to the Warwick to see if the recent thaw had shed its icy exoskeleton. I had received reports that conditions were good below the dam, but I was keen on visiting my favorite haunts above. Indeed, most of the ice was gone, though the banks still had a stubborn (and thick) layer.
While I could now wade in the river, the flow was stronger than normal and the water carried a dark tint. I tried my two money spots, but it was all in vain. Cold and unusually tired, I called it early and went home to sleep for 14 hours.
This winter cannot end soon enough.
Location: Warwick
Air temp: low 30s
Water temp: ???
Hatches: ?
Fish landed: skank
Present members of the Fly Anglers Guild :|: Upper Midwest Chapter, for this outing were:
Xan
With week 2 being too fucking cold, and taking week 3 off to "recharge" in San Francisco, I headed back to the Warwick to see if the recent thaw had shed its icy exoskeleton. I had received reports that conditions were good below the dam, but I was keen on visiting my favorite haunts above. Indeed, most of the ice was gone, though the banks still had a stubborn (and thick) layer.
While I could now wade in the river, the flow was stronger than normal and the water carried a dark tint. I tried my two money spots, but it was all in vain. Cold and unusually tired, I called it early and went home to sleep for 14 hours.
This winter cannot end soon enough.
OMG WTF LOL
Date: March 15, 2008
Location: Natty Trench(canyon)
Air temp: mid 30s
Water temp: ???
Hatches: Not a GD thing other than the little black midges flying around everywhere
Fish landed: Skunk
Present members of the Fly Anglers Guild :|: Upper Midwest Chapter, for this outing were:
QuickDraw
Yetti skins
Eric the Red
Scooter
non members
Coach McGuirk
well this was a few weeks ago, alls I remembers is: The skunk is still on my back, and this is a big stinky one(I'm thinking Skunk-Ape). I got one strike all day which was sad, but what's sadder is no one else caught anything, we were fishing in a fast and high chocolate milk like substance. there were tons of black midges coming off but nothing was rising or biting.
we finished the day off at Coach's with some fine cheese products; cheese filled bread sticks, cheese curds, and jalapeño poppers, everything was excellent.
pictures to follow when I get the film developed(yea that's right film, as in: ye olde film camera)
Location: Natty Trench(canyon)
Air temp: mid 30s
Water temp: ???
Hatches: Not a GD thing other than the little black midges flying around everywhere
Fish landed: Skunk
Present members of the Fly Anglers Guild :|: Upper Midwest Chapter, for this outing were:
QuickDraw
Yetti skins
Eric the Red
Scooter
non members
Coach McGuirk
well this was a few weeks ago, alls I remembers is: The skunk is still on my back, and this is a big stinky one(I'm thinking Skunk-Ape). I got one strike all day which was sad, but what's sadder is no one else caught anything, we were fishing in a fast and high chocolate milk like substance. there were tons of black midges coming off but nothing was rising or biting.
we finished the day off at Coach's with some fine cheese products; cheese filled bread sticks, cheese curds, and jalapeño poppers, everything was excellent.
pictures to follow when I get the film developed(yea that's right film, as in: ye olde film camera)
Monday, March 10, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Opener 2008 - Day 3 - The Cold
Date: March 3, 2008
Location: Warwick & Canyon
Air temp: low teens
Water temp: ???
Hatches: Little black midges
Fish landed: 2 (1 brook, 1 brown)
Present members of the Fly Anglers Guild :|: Upper Midwest Chapter, for this outing were:
Xan
Quickdraw
I took Monday off to continue my fishing binge. QD joined me as I went for the trifecta, three streams in three days. Sadly, this was not to be, which we learned soon after getting to the Warwick.
The winter was harsh indeed. Seeing as the river was frozen, we headed to the Canyon, where success had been found the day before.
While the temps read in the teens, the wind chill made things unpleasant. We started fishing the Beta Hole without much luck. We hiked downstream, where I caught my first brookie of the year. A smaller brown followed, both having been caught in my "go-to" run.
Finding things too cold for man and fish, I hiked down to find that Quickdraw had come to the same conclusion. It was so cold, that while cleaning ice from his guides, the tip of his rod broke off. We called it a day and headed for warmer pastures.
Location: Warwick & Canyon
Air temp: low teens
Water temp: ???
Hatches: Little black midges
Fish landed: 2 (1 brook, 1 brown)
Present members of the Fly Anglers Guild :|: Upper Midwest Chapter, for this outing were:
Xan
Quickdraw
I took Monday off to continue my fishing binge. QD joined me as I went for the trifecta, three streams in three days. Sadly, this was not to be, which we learned soon after getting to the Warwick.
The winter was harsh indeed. Seeing as the river was frozen, we headed to the Canyon, where success had been found the day before.
While the temps read in the teens, the wind chill made things unpleasant. We started fishing the Beta Hole without much luck. We hiked downstream, where I caught my first brookie of the year. A smaller brown followed, both having been caught in my "go-to" run.
Finding things too cold for man and fish, I hiked down to find that Quickdraw had come to the same conclusion. It was so cold, that while cleaning ice from his guides, the tip of his rod broke off. We called it a day and headed for warmer pastures.
Opener 2008 - Day 2 - The Fish
Date: March 2, 2008
Location: Canyon
Air temp: mid 30s
Water temp: ???
Hatches: Little black midges
Fish landed: 7
Present members of the Fly Anglers Guild :|: Upper Midwest Chapter, for this outing were:
TP
Xan
After seeing the swaths of ice at the Curd river, TP and I headed to the Canyon. We found it to be in pretty good shape, and as the air temps pushed north of 30, the fish began to cooperate as well.
I started at my normal honey hole, and landed a few right away. I later met up with TP, who was fishing Booter's favorite run. The fish started rising, and TP had great success with a BWO.
We made our way down to the Alpha Hole, fishing the usual spots along the way. Lance's munny run proved productive as always. As a mist came in, we fished our way out, satisfied with a solid day in the Canyon.
Location: Canyon
Air temp: mid 30s
Water temp: ???
Hatches: Little black midges
Fish landed: 7
Present members of the Fly Anglers Guild :|: Upper Midwest Chapter, for this outing were:
TP
Xan
After seeing the swaths of ice at the Curd river, TP and I headed to the Canyon. We found it to be in pretty good shape, and as the air temps pushed north of 30, the fish began to cooperate as well.
I started at my normal honey hole, and landed a few right away. I later met up with TP, who was fishing Booter's favorite run. The fish started rising, and TP had great success with a BWO.
We made our way down to the Alpha Hole, fishing the usual spots along the way. Lance's munny run proved productive as always. As a mist came in, we fished our way out, satisfied with a solid day in the Canyon.
Opener 2008 - Day 1 - The Ice
Date: March 1, 2008
Location: Club
Air temp: high 20s
Water temp: 33?
Hatches: Little black midges
Fish landed: 1
Present members of the Fly Anglers Guild :|: Upper Midwest Chapter, for this outing were:
Quickdraw
TP
Scooter
Xan
Coach (non-member)
An addendum to QD's post for this day (this post actually has words but no photos):
It has been a long and brutal winter, and it ain't over yet. Unlike last year's snow bowl, the Club spot was sporting more ice than Daunte Culpepper. Sections of river still had a foot of ice over them, even in places with a decent current.
I was able to land a decent brown not far from where we parked, and then spent the rest of the day walking around, breaking chunks of ice and sending them downstream. I did this in tribute to Fruit Booter, who spent much of last year's opener doing the same. Unfortunately, this year he is currently serving time in an Indian prison for his crimes against cattle.
It was a slow day, but people were able to land some fish. Scooter and I had to leave early, and missed the curd fest at the EPB&G.
Another season has begun. The madness...
Location: Club
Air temp: high 20s
Water temp: 33?
Hatches: Little black midges
Fish landed: 1
Present members of the Fly Anglers Guild :|: Upper Midwest Chapter, for this outing were:
Quickdraw
TP
Scooter
Xan
Coach (non-member)
An addendum to QD's post for this day (this post actually has words but no photos):
It has been a long and brutal winter, and it ain't over yet. Unlike last year's snow bowl, the Club spot was sporting more ice than Daunte Culpepper. Sections of river still had a foot of ice over them, even in places with a decent current.
I was able to land a decent brown not far from where we parked, and then spent the rest of the day walking around, breaking chunks of ice and sending them downstream. I did this in tribute to Fruit Booter, who spent much of last year's opener doing the same. Unfortunately, this year he is currently serving time in an Indian prison for his crimes against cattle.
It was a slow day, but people were able to land some fish. Scooter and I had to leave early, and missed the curd fest at the EPB&G.
Another season has begun. The madness...
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Spike Owens
Date: March 1, 2008
Location: Spike Owens
Air temp: mid 60's
Water temp: ???
Hatches: BWO
Fish landed: 6
Present members of the Fly Anglers Guild :|: Western Chapter, for this outing were:
Chubnut
Jazzhands
As part of the annual company ski trip Jazzhands and Chubnut hit the lower Owens. I have to say that there is something super bueno about being able to go from skiing at Mammoth to fishing the lower Owens in 65 degree weather, surrounded by snow capped mountains by driving a mere 45 mins. Ah California...
After a bit of a confused hike Jazzhands and I opened up on the lower Owens. Jazzy shook the skunk first with a nice brown but Chubnut soon found his stroke landing 3 browns and 1 rainbow right in Jazzhands mug. Jazzy was kind enough to land 2 of Chubs fish until he could take it no more and snaked Chubs spot. Such indiscretions do not go unpunished however, even in California, and Jazzhands landed no more fish that day.
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