» Small Streams

The Perfect River

Dr. G — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 05:07:02 +0000

This past Saturday with the colder than normal weather, I took a break from the wakeboarding and hit a stretch of trout water that I can now call one of my new favorites. Its scenery is breathtaking, I only saw one other angler all day, it comprises most of native trout, its water is crystal clear and the fishing can be as technical as you want it. So what more can you ask for in the perfect stream? It really is a special place and needs to be preserved and respected. This is about as perfect a trout stream gets here in Utah. The weather was less than ideal for big dry and dropper, but that didn’t stop the hungry mountain trout from devouring my PMX and PT. I had always wondered what this stretch of river had to offer, but always found myself either fishing before it or below it. I guess that’s what most of the fishermen do by pure negligence to the other great waters that surround it. I started the day walking about 3 miles of the river to get away from anyone and everyone. I wanted this day to be me, the river and the fish. I don’t know why, but sometimes I just get that way. I really wanted to fish for Cutthroats with dries and everything else came second hand. As I approached the first decent run, I cast my flies into the lower section of the run and bam! A fish caught me by surprise as it launched itself after my floating flies. I had done it!

I had fulfill my days desire exactly like I wanted to. After that I worked my way upstream working all the fishy spots catching Cutts and Browns along the way, but a few hook-ups stick out a little more than others.

The big surprise of the day was right at the base of a little waterfall. There was a little open slot (maybe 2×2) between big boulders that looked like they could hold a fish. Bubbles covered the surface, so as I went to lift my rod to recast I notice some pressure and then a big head came out of the water. I instantly realized I had a huge cutty on. It rapped me around the rear by log, then shot across the stream and wrapped my fly line around my pole and then like a train it shot down stream and snap! It was easily pushing 20 and an eye opening experience to be under control from now on. (because this stream does hold some surprises) The next cast to the above run produced a very nice brown. Go figure…

As I was working my way up stream I noticed a nice little run on the opposite side of the stream. It wasn’t very deep, maybe a foot, but it had an off color bottom and overhanging bushes making it likely that a fish would hang out waiting for the next grasshopper or beetle to fall in. I got into position, made an OK cast and just like it should of , a nice cutty rose slowly and inhaled my PMX. It was as picture perfect as you can get.

The next bend in the river presented what once was a very large beaver dam that had been blowout creating the best hole in the river. I as analyzed the hole I noticed what I though was a log, was really a fish sitting about haft way down in the water column. I crawled up the bank to get a birds eye view and with a better view I noticed that the hole had two nice fish working its main current. After studying them I decided to give my dropper a couple more feet and with that I casted my flies into the run. As they drifted over the feeding fish, one of the fish moved up, instinct set in and I set the hook and had a nice brown on the other end. After letting the run settle for a min I could see that the other larger fish was still working the upper end of the run. I tried to make multiple casts at the fish but only catching the side of the old beaver dam and breaking off my outfit. After a new outfit I cast my flies to what I thought was too far left in the eddy, but out of no where the larger fish moved over and grabbed hold of my pheasant tail and gave me a great fight through the old logs of the beaver dam. It ending up being the most beautiful native cutthroat I had caught all day. As it danced in the water the reds, oranges, greens, and tans were as brillant as they were intended to be.

I would have to say that the highlight of the trip was some of takes I had while site fishing my way back. The first was a cutty in really shallow flat water, it was sitting on the bottom of the stream. I thought my cast would for sure spook it, but just like some of the other takes it moved up a couple feet to eat the dropper and the fight was one and off with in seconds…The last was just before I got back to the car. I spotted a rising fish and as I got closer I saw what I thought was a nice cutty. I casted up to it, but only had a take from a tiny fish. I tried a couple more casts in different seams, but with one last desperation try I cast back to where I saw the fish. The water turned and the large trout hammered my pmx in less that a foot of water. As it raced by me I noticed it wasn’t a cutty, but an oversized brookie. I got all excited, but it was short lived as it ran under a log and snapped the line. It was OK…I was fulfilled. It really was a perfect day of fishing on a perfect little trout stream.

The Annual Lancaster Boys Fishing Trip

Dr. G — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:26:59 +0000

This years trip up north was awesome as always. All the in-laws (14) got together and for our annual fishing/camping trip that we wait for each year. The fishing in the area was a little hit and miss. With the huge snow pack we had this past winter some of the rivers were high and muddy and others were clear and pristine. The key was to think out of the box and try new places. (Since there are 100s of streams in the area) For me these trips are a chance to step back and enjoy the solitude of being alone on a high country trout stream, since the in-laws fish in the morning, golf in the afternoon and fish again at dusk. But for me the fly fishermen the best time to be out is in the middle of the day, plus I don’t really golf when I’m in some of the best native cutthroat land. So I wake up late tie up some huge #2-4 dry flies and am off chasing hungry native Cutthroats by 10, until I’m beat from hiking through willows,usually dusk. This years trip was a little different in a couple ways. One is the fact that a couple of my other brother-in-laws that normally don’t come, came and they don’t golf either so they decided to come with me on some of my trout chasing trips. The other is that this year I had a hidden agenda, I was going after the 3 of the four native Cutthroats in WY. To start the “Cutt Slam” program that the WY DNR has put on. Basically the “Cutt Slam” is to catch the 4 native Cutthroats in WY. Take a pic, state where you caught it, and date. Then submitted the application form to the WY DNR and they will send you back a nice hand drawn certificate of completion. The key to the program is to get people aware of the native cutthroats that inhabit the state and to make them learn and study them in the process of trying to catch them. (Where to find them, what they eat, etc…) Luckily in my quest, we were staying in the perfect area to do it all in the same day. The Tri-Basin Divide is the area where three watersheds start and where you can catch three of the four native cutts. The Bonneville, Colorado, and Fine Spotted Snake River Cutthroats. I was able to spend a beautiful afternoon catching the three different species, as well as help 4 first timers catch their first fish on a fly rod. So in all it was an awesome trip with people I love, in a place that I love and doing what I love. How can you beat that for 5 straight days…Plus it was nice to have some sun this summer and no a single rain drop which was odd for this year. But best of all I am 3/4 to completing my “Cutt Slam” and in the research I was able to find a couple new streams that yeilded big cutties that have become some of my new favorites in the land of my in-laws.

Over The Mountain…

Dr. G — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:02:00 +0000

Got an invite Fri night from my best friend to fish with him and his bro on one of their favorite close by small streams. After hearing that the water was running clear, I was in and just had to get the ok with the wife. When we got to the river early Sat it was running high and muddy…Suck!!! I hung out for the first 45 mins watching Scott wrestle a little Cutt and enjoying their company. As we moved higher up the canyon I almost threw the fishing aside (since I had my bike) to hit a Mtn bike trail I have on my hit list. As those guys stopped, I decided I would go ahead in search of clear water and hopefully some rising fish. My wondering lead me over a Mtn and down into a valley with a little fast running clear stream. After 1hr of teasing little cutts on big flies, I decided I better check back on the rest of the group. When I got back they were gone, so I decided to try the other fork and after doing a little 4X4, I found myself again over the mtn. in a familiar canyon I had fished when I was a kid. After cruising down the canyon, I noticed the creek was running clear and perfect. I stopped at a fishy hole and was rewarded with some feisty little browns. As I moved up the creek each hole held a surprising amount of fish for the size of the creek. I only made it about 100 yrds up the creek before I decided to call it a day and just hangout by the riverside enjoying the beautiful spring colors, bugs, birds and everything else that makes small mtn streams special. It was a good day…

Rainbow Deprived (Part 2)

Dr. G — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:59:00 +0000

When I returned from New York the fallowing Thursday, I was hoping to be greeted by a blanket of snow, but to my surprise. I returned to 50 degree weather and less snow then when I left.

So instead of opening day at Sundance I would hit my favorite little stream in search of yet more large running bows. I fished from 1pm until 5pm. It was an amazing day on the river!!! I stared at the inlet and worked my way back to the Jeep. In every promising spot I would hook up with bow after bow on my little 6ft 2# and these fish were bigger and better fighters then last weeks batch. The average fish ran around 16′ and was bright and radiant like a colorful rock star.

(Two casts produced these two)

I couldn’t believe that I was the only one on the river with so many nice fish. I don’t like to count fish, but that day it didn’t matter because I couldn’t count that high anyway.

Tail Slap!!!

Rainbow Deprived (Part 3)

Dr. G — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:59:00 +0000

Saturday brought a new light and an opportunity to try a new location. I had decided on the Weber River above Echo, but as I was about past the Daniels turnoff, I decided to cutt down the x-mas tree first and fish the Provo as it empties into Deer Creek for running Bows. After a two hour detour trying to find the perfect tree, the tree was on the Jeep

and the 12 degree temp was now around 25* I fished the upper water first with only a 17′ brown, so I moved lower and got into a nice little side stream and finally got into the red striped rainbows I was dreaming about.

After a couple hours of fun I cruised down to meet Jeff, Grif and John. We had decided earlier to meet at 12pm and go form there. I talked them into hitting my productive little stream. The situation had changed dramatically in just a day. With it being Sat. the river had already been hitt hard all morning and the fish still had sore lips. Also there were too many fisherman for such a small stream, but we delt with what we had and between the four of us still managed to catch and release over 20 bows. As the sun disappeared behind Timp. our day came to and end on this stream.

I dropped off Jeff and Grif and headed straight for my brown honey hole to see if they were still there in numbers. As I approached my hole I was greeted by high flying browns and I knew that the day would end just right. In the last 30 mins of daylight I caught 4 browns over 17′, but it was my last fish that sealed the deal.

It was a picture perfect brown, measuring 20′. It was dark, but yet golden yellow.

As I released the beautiful fish to be caught again, I knew my day was complete. I walked straight out of the river and back to reality. I had left my house at 6am and returned at 6 pm without a single meal or break to relax. As I was thinking on my 15 min drive home, I couldn’t help think about what I had accomplished in my days outing. I had done everything I set out to do and in the process gained a deeper understanding of God, life, career, goals, friendship and nature all while fly fishing. Some people can’t beleive I take fly fishing to the extreme levels that I do, but until they feel and experience what I have. I will still laugh.

I am rainbow deprived

So Rainbow Deprived! (Part 1)

Dr. G — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 22:04:00 +0000

I had been hitting the brown trout spawn pretty hard and felt a a little deprived from their northern cousins the rainbow trout. I know a few good waters that have falling running bows so I decided the last few times out to target them excusively. The Friday after Thanksgiving was my last free day before a week in New York, so I decided to make the most of my free day. With a text from Mallary and Greg at 6:30 am the days line up was set and a little 5 foot stream would be are playing field. The morning was brisk with a new thin layer of snow that banketed the surrounding mountains.

It was a beautiful morning and a good sign of good things to come. We fished the upper section of the stream with constant success for 12-17′ bows.As we moved up river and past a large beaver dam we switch from the running bows to local browns. I hooked up first and Greg finished the day strong with a par of brown with one pushing 18′.

We left the river early with a sense of accomplishment and frustration (Mallary, had one of those days were her hubby out fishes her and she gets all the tangles) We had visited the river early before the crowds, caught the bigger fish and left before 12…

Rainbows Spawn in the Spring, Right?

Dr. G — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:42:00 +0000

There are certain places I feel I have to fish each year during specific seasons. If I don’t get the chance to make it out, I almost feel cheated and saddened about the lost tradition. So with this in mind. On Friday, I was only going to work until 11am and then meet up with Hoss for a little fishing on a local stream. This weeks fishing destination was a small stream that holds some nice Bows that think it is the spring I guess. I don’t know what it is about this location, but for whatever reason it is, the bows move out of the lake and spawn in the late fall instead of the Spring. Maybe one followed a Brown and the rest fallowed like sheep??? When we got to the inlet we started working our way up the small stream. In our first location I quickly hooked up with 3 smaller Bows and got the question off our back to if they were running. As we moved up river we found the perfect smaller eddy. We caught fish after fish. I was amazed how many fish were holding in the little 10 foot run. That couldn’t have been deeper than 4 feet and 5 feet wide. After that Hoss and I moved from spot to spot looking for a hog, and catching 12 inch bows, with an occasional 15′. The other amazing thing was the weather we have been having. Its the end of Nov. (21st) and I was wearing a t-shirt and was still hot. This past week has been one of the best weather weeks I can remember in the history of late season fishing. If this keeps up we won’t be ice fishing this year. Pics are limited…due to a slippery camera and water…but Hoss came to the rescue and gave me his secret: put the camera on the jeep dash and crank up the heat and dry it out completely. I did it and when I got home it was as good as new. It was a great time spent with Hoss and the tradition that burns in my heart lives on.

Chris, Travis and Not Dane…

Dr. G — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 21:36:00 +0000

Almost a year ago a group of co-workers took a trip into the Mtns in search of catching a trout for the first time on a fly rod. That day turned out to be a complete success with 50+ trout coming to hand. This Saturday morning a similar outing was designed but, with the intent of refining our skills and taking our fishing levels to new heights. Everything was going as planned, but, just as luck would have it Dane was no where to be scene at 8am. So Chris and I headed up to a section of river that was a sure bet and a spot to raise our confidence. The fish were running strong and the catch rate was off the charts. (I have never scene them that thick) We only fished from 9 am- 12:30pm, but that was enough we must have caught and released over 30-40 fish and quick released that many. It was a fun morning and time well spent and remembered. Too bad Dane, too bad… Did I mention it was the perfect fishing day. 50+ degrees, no wind and sunny on Nov 8th while we were fishing in the sun, others were Skiing at Snowbird only 45 mins away. I love the diversity of Utah.

Look close and you might be able to see some fishes!!!

Today we only used 3 flies Glow Bugs, Copper Johns and Brassies

Big Fish of Trip maybe 17′

In memory of the Dane Pose!

Off Roading, Brookies and Browns

Dr. G — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 22:42:00 +0000

With a free Friday morning to do whatever I pleased. I was having the hardest time deciding on a location to fit my desires. Its what I was thinking when I feel asleep and the first thing on my mind when I woke up at 6 am. I even sat in bed tossing and turning until I decided, I had better just go and where ever I end up will be better than working. It came down to the Price, Provo and AF. With a left hand turn the decision was made to chase the elusive high country Artic Grayling and Beautiful Brook Trout of Silver Lake Flat.

I sent in the coordinates on the GPS and was off. The narrow dirt road leading up to the lake was full of rocks and everything my Jeep loves to climb. As I reached the lake I was surprised to find that it was as low as I have ever scene it. The lake was only a 1/3 full, due to reconstruction on the dam. I decided to try the inlet which in most unfamiliar lakes will produce. To my surprise as I was walking down to the water I could see a few rises in the early morning mist. I tied on a #20 Para Adams and an Orange Griffin Gnat. My first cast produced a nice take, but the fish must have been joking. I missed about 5 fish in a row and thought “Man, what am I doing wrong? Maybe they are Grayling with their small mouths???” So I decided to try the “God Save the King” Technique. It where you save God Save the King before you set the hook. It must have worked because for the next hour and half I hooked and release about 90% of my fish. The Brookies have their fall colors and were remarkable. I left and decided to hit Tibble Fork to see if the Browns were up in the river. The spawn was on and the Browns were everywhere. I hooked up with a handful of fish and decided I had had my share of fish for the day. (That’s a great feeling for fly fishermen) Didn’t see and Graylin, but the Brookies and Browns were enough to feel my cup and restore my confidence.

Reunion Weekend

Dr. G — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 20:45:00 +0000

So I have been looking forward to this weekend for a long time. It was the weekend of the Clegg and Lancaster reunions in Star Valley. I know what your thinking that would stink to try and joggle both, but I’ll tell you what we did it and it was a blast. My little bro Gunner and sis Addie came along for the trip and were tons of fun to hangout with even though they sleep almost the whole drive both ways. We got to the Clegg reunion Friday evening, which was up at the Star Valley Ranch said are hello’s, ate some dinner, talked fishing and were on our way to set up camp at the Lancaster’s before it got to dark. That night we had a hot dog roast and hung around the fire telling stories and rekindling friendships. The next morning didn’t come soon enough knowing that we would be fishing one of my favorite little streams in the world. I woke up at 4 am and tossed and turned until 5 am, when I finally decided to get up and check what time it was. In doing so I woke up the whole camp with the car alarm going off as Addie opened up the door. When Aaron, Gunner and I finally got to the river. I was evident that it was going to be one of those great days on the river. When we finally got to “The Meadow” right off the bat Aaron holds up a nice Cutty that he had landed on one of his first casts. Gunner and I moved over to where Aaron was and I hooked up with a nice Cutt on my Copper John dropper. We ended up catching 9 Cutts in that hole within an hour. The highlight of that hole was the nice 17 inch Cutt that Gunner caught on one of his first cast into the first of the run. It was great to see him make a nice cast and then watch as his top fly shot down and he was hooked up. The rest of the morning we tried a couple more spots and caught another 6 fish, but just as the fish started to key on my top fly we had to leave. In all I caught 7 fish and 4 of those were on my big #2 Royal PMX and the rest were on my Copper John or Hares Ear. It was great to be on the river for at least a couple hours and enjoy the time with family. Its memories like these that make reunions so special. The rest of the day we spent either at the Clegg’s or Lancaster reunion for their main programs. To top off the trip we jumped off the bridge into the Salt River with Deon and Scott (which was a blast) and stopped by the Red Barron for one last homemade shake and greasy food.