Fly Fishing Stories
2010 Ice Off
Aug 15th
So this years ice off came at the worst possible time. By the time the lakes started to unveil themselves I was already well under the grasp of religiously fishing some local BWO hatches. When Strawberry was just getting good, I drove right past it and to the 
Green River for the week, missing out on some of my favorite fishing of the year. But it wasn’t a complete bust this year. Jord and I were able to sneak away chase some big kitties as they patrolled the ice free shallows. The day started off slow as we got to the lake to find that the ice that was open the day before re-froze, leaving us sitting around from 7am to noon waiting on the ice to peel back. Since we had some free time we managed to clean up the garbage around the lake and Jord was able to catch a little cutty as it moved into the shallows of the spring. Once the ice softened up we fished hard for the few fish that were active enough to want to eat in the freezing water. Even though the catch rate wasn’t a typical ice-off experience, it was still nice to be there and have the chance. My favorite fish of the day was a big momma tiger that I spotted just feet from the shore, when I casted over her. I told Jord that she wouldn’t eat, but as my fly floated over her face she opened her mouth and sucked it in. I was so surprised that I didn’t even set the hook, giving her all kinds of time to spit it out. As luck was on my side the hook stuck and I found I had a tight line and a big grin.
Rip
Jun 2nd
Everyone that fishes a water enough creates a special bond with that water, it fish, its wildlife and all its surroundings. You begin to enjoy just being in its presence and enjoying its company. Fishing becomes an excuse to just be there. Over the past 10 years I have develop this kind of bond with a local water that I call my home water. I have spent countless days walking its banks, studying its attitudes and chasing it fish. This past spring I was happy to see a few of my favorite fish, made it through the long hard Utah winter. One fish in particular caught my eye this past spring. His name is Rip, he got his name because part of his right lip is ripped off. (Probabley by some careless angler) I have caught Rip at least 10 times in the past three years. Being one of the average fish in the area Rip was always a sucker to a well presented dry fly. From 2009 to 2010 Rip had gained an inch finally reaching, I would say his full potential at a true 20 inch Brown. With this added length must have brought some of that 20 inch trout wisdom, because as I fished this area Rip eluded me. I hoped he hadn’t died, be caught and miss handled or just found a new section of river. Then on a rainy overcast afternoon, as I was fishing my way up the run. I reached the head where the larger fish lay claim. On my first cast I watched as a beautiful brown slowly rose to my para BWO. I set the hook and the fish was on. It fought hard pulling me deep and then trying to take me down the rapids. After two desperation leaps Rip had come to my hand once again. It was great to see that my old friend was doing alright and that he now laided claim to some of the best water in the area. Over the next two trips I was able to hook and land Rip each time on a para BWO in the same area. Each time after I landed Rip I knew my day was complete and that I could break off my flies and head home in respect to this great fish and friend.
First Trip:
Memorial Day Surprise
Jun 2nd
Memorial day is a great day to honor those that have fought for our countries freedom, to do what we want, like fly fish. I woke up thinking about the men and women that have given there lives for my freedom. I though what better way to honor their legacy then to go and take advantage of the land they fought so hard to protect. 7 am found me knee deep in the Lower Provo River targeting only large rainbows and browns in a popular spot named after a famous vacuum. The morning started off quick as a 21 inch brown slammed my over-sized playboy bunny on my second cast. It fought great and tried to bull dog me up river, but I wasn’t using 12 test for nothing.
On my very next cast I got a strike, but the fish seemed to fight differently than a normal trout. It wasn’t very fast and it would only try and dive. As I got it to the shore, I saw the markings of a perch and thought how in the world did a perch get that streamer in it mouth? But as got a better look, I noticed it was a feisty little Walleye. WOW! That was a surprise. Its not everyday that you get the chance for a Walleye to bite a fly on a Walleye lake let alone on the Lower Provo River. I was pretty excited for the rest of the morning. I landed a few other trout, but nothing could top the surprise of the day.
Annual Green River BWO Trip
Jun 2nd
This years Green River trip was full of firsts. It was the first Utah Fly Fishing Club Member Outing, the first time my little bro was going to see where he was going to be living for the summer. As well as a first float for Sarah and throw in a couple new waters and we had an adventure in the making.
The trip started off early Friday morning, as Mallary and I made our way the over the Mtns, throught the desert and back up to the Green River. As we reached the summit of our journey we were greeted with a heavy snow storm that slowed our pace to walking speeds. After what seemed like days, we reached the Flaming Gorge Lodge. We met Jordan and Sarah found out where their new home would be on guide row and helped them quickly un pack, so we could get on the river. We finally loaded the boat at about 1 pm in hopes of hitting the BWOs just right. Things didn’t go exactly as planned with the BWOs, but the nice thing about the green is that if one thing isn’t working, something else usally does. We found success site fishing for big bows as well as midge eating browns. The float was a huge success as everyone in the group caught multipal fish as well as Sarahs first fish on the green. One of the highlights of the float had to be the late day streamer action that we had in the lower sections of the A section. Black buggers were the go to fly and the fish were chasing them almost every cast. The day was topped off with a warm home cooked meal at the Lodge and then back to the trailer to recount the days experiences as well as refill our fly boxes. The next morning we awoke to blue skys and a crisp morning breeze. With a tip from a neibor we decided to try an out of the way desination that is said to have some nice fish. This little creek didn’t disappoint and was a great place to spend a morning. The rest of the day was set up to float the green again. The difference was this time we knew what to use and where to focas on. With the snow and wind giving us a break we had an awesome float. (You know those days you dream about) The highlight for me was that for the first time I was able to fish from my drift boat while floating the green. It was great change, even though I really do enjoy rowing. As sun began to set I knew our time on this speacial river was about over, but the memories gained by all will hold us through until our next visit. Even thought I am not on a river, it is alway with me.
The Green River member outing was a huge success in both a good time and great fishing. In all we had 11 members of UFFC join us as well as a few that converted to the maddness while on the river. The weather wasn’t exactly perfect and I can’t recall if the sun ever came out, but those that came couldn’t care less about getting a tan. The wet overcast weekend was something we hoped for and it didn’t let us down. In all it was a great weekend filled with many memories and adventures shared by all that participated. So those of you that came thank you for the experiences and many life lesson learned. For those that couldn’t make it, we hope that you can join us on our next member outing.
Here our a few pictures that I hope will help tell the story of the Green River UFFC member outing.
(Click to see more) More >
Lets Do Lunch
Apr 13th
I have been spending way too many lunch breaks on the LP lately. Some days are better than others, but a bad hour is better than good hour eating lunch at my desk. One this particular break the wind was howling and the BWOs that escaped onto the rocks found refuge from the hungry trout, that seemed to be eating ever cripple that passed their lane.
Green! More Like White
Apr 6th
I get ask to go fishing with others almost on a daily basis, but this time it was different. Griff was turning 13 and all he wanted to do for his b-day was to go fishing with me, his dad Jeff, best friend Preston and best friends dad Todd. The plan was set for a 2 day float trip down the coveted Green River in NE Utah. This was going to be a trip of firsts for our group. It would be the first time Griff and his dad experience the Green as well, as Preston and his dads first time fly fishing. I couldn’t think of a better
way to spend a b-day as well as a first time fly fishing then on the Green with your boys. I knew this trip was going to be special. The trip started out with a forecast of 1-3 inches snow, but as we got to the summit and ready to drop down to the lodge there was already 3 inches of snow and it didn’t seem to be letting up. The Green River Canyon was a surreal experience to see the high red cliff walls covered in a blanket of snow. I couldn’t help hoping that the snow would stick around a give us some amazing scenery and most importantly epic fishing. I must have done something right, because the snow never quit the whole time we were there. Being 1 of only 3 boats on the water we took our sweet time enjoying the best runs and holes. Todd started the trip off catching a nice brown on his 2nd cast ever on a fly rod. (Beginners luck to the max)
After a great start we had a nice consistent day of catching and missed hook-ups. One of the high lights of the trip was Dave’s monster bow he caught after fishing for it for over 30 mins. It was amazing to see him focus on this larger fish, until it finally fell to a #22 midge. Hooking it was only haft the battle. This fish fought hard! It tarpon leaped at least 5 times giving him a truly trophy of a fish. It was his largest trout ever and by the shaking of his hands, it won’t be one he forgets. More >