American

I have been on the American enough days to tell you that things are slow out there. I had a string of great clients, both a blast to be with and great anglers and fishing was just plain slow. With temperatures nearing 70 plus low and clear water the fish have the upper hand right now. The first part of the day yields the most activity. That could be because of where we are in the AM or just the time of day.

Last week I had the pleasure of guiding Gary and Jerry from the Midwest and let me tell you it was more fun than a clown on fire! Both anglers had fished in many parts of the globe for a variety of species, however, neither one had fished for steelhead. On the morning of our trip the energy level was high and channeled towards the great hunt from chrome. After launching, rigging and getting fired up we began with the deluge of nymph bombs into places where we thought the unsuspecting steelhead may be. After several passes through an area with no promising grabs we changed up. The next pass allows for our flies to be right on the "honey hole" or RRPH, WHAM, 'cator flies under with nothing to show for it. We got taken, oh well, we will get the next one! A few more passes and no love... onto the next spot.

Not too long into our next round of passes we hit a nice wild "quarter-pounder" (12" bullet), another few passes we found another one. These are the first QP's I have seen all season...

No other action in that run! We go a few more runs with nada, finally we come to some promising water. I set up the boat, give the "go" command and off the races we went, just as Gary flies dropped of a ledge, ... SLAM, we get hammered, within no time a 6-8 pound face emerges from the water. OH SHIT, game on! This must have been a buck, he thrashed for a minute, gave us a good look and just as Gary went to put on the lateral tension the moment was over. DAMN! Gary was ecstatic and bummed at same time. On average 20% of the metal hooked will be landed!

The "one that got away" was enough fuel for us to keep motivated the whole day. Every once in a while Jerry would bring up the moment and we would all mentally salivate. We would need that motivation to help us push through the day. We successfully watched indicators all the way to Gristmill with only a few goldens to show for it, no chrome landed.

So it goes, another great day of steelhead fishing.

Pictures to come soon

A big thanks to the Midwest slingers who provided great entertainment and an awesome day on the river.

February can be magical on the A, get out there and jump one!

Ahhhh....

Ahhh, ahhhhh.... ummmm, yeah...

(Lumberg style): I'm gonna need you to go ahead and book me a plane ticket to BC.

Best of both worlds

There is something so right about this, I just can't put my finger on it...

wow

Great News from Nicholas Dean Lodge!

Join me October 4-10, 2009 as we hunt for the metalheads in British Columbia!

Nicholas Dean Lodge is now offering first class dining and accommodations...

For the past years, Angling On The Fly has been sending many anglers to Nicholas Dean Lodge for British Columbia's renowned Steelhead and Salmon fishing. They have always provided a first rate fishing program, and are now increasing their level of service by offering dining and accommodations at the beautiful Yellow Cedar Lodge on the banks of the Skeena River. Read below for a message from Nicholas Dean Lodge...

Nicholas Dean Lodge is now offering first class dining and accommodations...

Hello Anglers,

This week we are pleased to announce some very exciting news. Actually, we're ecstatic! Beginning April 20, 2009, we will be teaming up with Alf and Simone Leslie of Yellow Cedar Lodge, to provide our guests with the very best in dining and accommodations in northwest British Columbia. Yellow Cedar Lodge is an impressive facility that is situated on the banks of the majestic Skeena River, on the outskirts of Terrace. Here, the lodge sits amidst impressive mountain views and a wilderness setting - an ideal spot for anglers to relax in comfort after a great day of fishing. The lodge itself is appropriately named given its construction of beautifully crafted yellow cedar posts and beams, which give it a unique character and class of its own.

The lodge features a large dining area and adjoining bar, a mixture of private single and double beds with en suite washrooms, a bar/games room, lounge, gym with cardio equipment and weights, a sauna, hot tub and a large covered porch overlooking the river. Dining is a major highlight at Yellow Cedar Lodge, as Alf is a master Red Seal Chef who goes to great length in providing gourmet, home cooked meals. Using the freshest ingredients, Alf makes home made breads and desserts, and prepares sumptuous meals including wild Salmon and Halibut from the Pacific Ocean, only a short distance away.
Tight lines and screaming reels to all...

Chad Black
Operations Manager
Nicholas Dean Lodge

More Pictures: American 1/20/09

Multiple Days, American and Yuba in a nutshell

American: I have been guiding and fishing the American frequently and overall have been please with the results. Fish are eating egg patterns, SJW's, copper johns, and other small mayflies. If you swing, think black, purple or brighter pinks and oranges. We are getting grabs everyday, the water temps are conducive to big grabs from pissy fish (love it).

If you are not hooking fish nymphing under indicators try going deeper, heavier and change your egg. The egg will get eaten, however, sometimes it is there to attract fish. Also, keep moving, you need to go to them, they are avoiding us!

American

Yuba: The Yuba has been throwing her monthly cycle at us, there have been some brutally tough days out there. Mixed in with the beatings have been a few great days, hooking good numbers of big fish. Swinging flies is still producing big, aggressive fish. Fish are are eating eggs, rubberlegs, copper johns, small mayflies. On top: the march browns are crawling around, I have seen a few here and there, the skwalas are on the same program. Fish are keying in on them now, look for bigger hatches soon!

Yuba McFatty

February is big season in the valley... big bugs and big fish. Look for monster chrome to show up in the American and big bows to start packin' on the pounds.

Oregon Coast: Ghosts of Winter

The following was written by Loganmike:

Somewhere between the mighty Skeena River and the Sacramento River lies a little piece of heaven. To be a little less vague the heaven resides on Nevergonnatellya Creek and Dontevenask River. GORGEOUS! Afterall, as steelhead fisherman, the first rule of Steel club is don’t talk about rivers. The second rule of steel club, is don’t talk about rivers! Get the point. Good, now on with the report!

This little journey started when Ryan and I jumped in the car and drove. We drove and we drove and we drove. We smoked big fat cigars, and then decided to stop and sleep.

We woke up the next day and ate eggs, bacon, potatoes and went and fished Nevergonnatallya Creek with our buddy Pete. We got to the creek about 7:30 in the morn and noticed right away it was gin clear. Normally, Gin is very good, in fact I am drinking some now, but in this scenario, not so much, even with jalapeno stuffed olives!

We drive up the creek, park, get our game faces on and start to fish down. The prospects are bleak as it is obvious we are a little late for this creek. When IT happens.

I am floating down a deep hole, ‘cator goes under, set. Head shake, head shake, Ryan lets me know that there is a fish on with a “yeah yeah yeah”. Nothing.

“DOOOODE, that fish looked like a mirror underwater!” Ahhh, that one would eat at me the rest of the trip. Why the hell did that fish not turn? SOB bit, shook, and went back to the bottom, no turn, shit!

Salt starts running through our veins as we are becoming increasingly sober on the gin clear water. We decide to check out Dontevenask River and scout for the next day.

This looks good, glacial green, flows are right. We need to be here EARLY tomorrow!

Beers, burgers, and a girly salad on the way home. Tie flies and burbon until late. Sleep, flatulence, snoring, stumbling hungover!

We are on the road early.

Coffee, breakfast to go, air is foggy with methane, the bellowing of tuba's, anticipation, and doubt!

Maybe we should go to Notnearanyofem River instead. Pete lets us know that is not an option. Thankyou Pete!!!!!!!

We get to Dontevenask River and it looks good. Real good. No one around, big trees, small water, GORGEOUS!

Pete and I walk upstream and fish down while Ryan swings down. Pete and I are skunked until.......

‘Cator under, hook set, “shit, a snag”. Then no, wait, run, BIG JUMP. I see my face in the side of this fish as Pete asks what do I do now. “Don’t Horse It!”

Brooken hook, Damnit, cheap ass hooks. That one goes to the river gods, 10 lbs for them.

Downstream we get to another nice run. Pete is casting, “get as close to that tree as you can” “Closer” “Good”. “Mend!” “YEAH YEAH YEAH!”

“WOOOOOO FISH ON FISH ON!”

Again, Pete asks me what the hell do I do. “Don’t horse it, and RUNNNNNNNNN!”

Pete is sprinting down river waist deep, I jump out and bust balls down river, get below the pissed off mirrored acrobatic that has pulled over for a second wind and bear hug it. YAHTZEEEEEE!

About 10-12. Wild as hell, My cornea’s are burnt from the reflection, GORGEOUS!

We high five, slug scotch. Scotchy, scotch, scotch. We love scotch!

We have no clue how Ryan is doing? He comes out of the woods to see us laughing and drinking, he knows. He also lets us know that he swung up a 12 lb SILVER MISTER PIGGY up river as well as a nice coho! It is a good day and now the clock has struck noon.

I manage a nice bright 21 inch half pounder out of the hole where Pete just caught the flying silverado.

We walk downriver as far as we can, till we get to Youarescrewed Canyon. I find a nice log above the canyon and fish it.

Short cast. Nothing, Drop a dime near the log. ‘Cator under. YEAH YEAH YEAH. Big run upstream. Gone. 12lb maxima broken! DAMN.

One more cast in there after retie. Snowball’s chance in hell on this one. Small hole, already one big fish in there. Usually not 2 big things in small holes like that!

A bit farther down the log. ‘Cator under. YEAH YEAH YEAH. This fish was big. Real big. Ya know when you set the hook and the fish sets the rod back in your hand. Yeah, that kinda big. The line and cator run up stream with the sound of a 757. DONE. Broken maxima again. Not sure what some of the words I yelled mean, but I am sure they got the point across.

No other fish the rest of the day. BUT, there just happen to be 3 PBR’s left in the cooler for 3 good buddies back at the truck.

Yeah, I would say it was the best steelhead trip of my life. Couldn’t beat the scenery, fishes, or company. Thanks guys.

__________________________________________________________________
My response:

Here here to an incredible trip and thanks for the write-up on the events. I must say that was one of the best trips I have been on. We had a great group and anglers, plenty of comedy, insane scenery and big coastal steelhead. To give you an idea of just how well this trip went, here is a list of words used and the approximate number of times we used them during the trip:

Awesome: 2,000
Incredible: 2,953
Shit: 12,000
Unbelievable: 4,678
Wow:1,234

You get the idea.

If you have had the opportunity to fish Oregon's coast then you know about the dense mist, heavy fog, moss covered trees, glacial green water and breathtaking hillsides. I found myself lost within the aesthetics of my surroundings.

We were fortunate enough to hit Dontevenask creek within 63.5 hours of it clearing...miracle.

As Mike mentioned I headed down river to fish solo and seek out the swingable water. I had my 11'9" 6wt scott ARC with me and a few flies. After bombing a cast out to nick the edge of the seam, letting the fly engage in the current then preparing for the grab I once again became lost in the scenery. While spacing out I felt a tug... I thought, huh… then bam! He ate it! My heart immediately began to pound, I watched the water like a hawk, looking to see if this was truly a steelhead (not sure what else it could have been). Within no time my questions were answered with a towering leap into the air followed by a stong run down river. After negotiating with the fish for a while we came to agreement that I would take its picture…

After landing, admiring and releasing this brute I felt stoned off my ass, it was awesome! GORGEOUS!

The picture was taken with a cell phone… so it goes.

What a trip, thanks guys!

American: BAM!

I guided the American today and was very satisfied... My clients and I got into quite a few nice fish today. Many of the fish came out of slower water and ate eggs and small nymphs.

I will be anxious to see how the crowds look tomorrow.

As clean as they come

Adapose attached!

Look at that face... all three of them

Overall the river was uncrowded with the exception of the the usual snaggers.

Casting Interrupted...

Yesterday on the American was spent with Mike Edgehouse and Jason Hartwick. We floated the upper river with an arsenal of rods and chrome in our eyes. Fish run, first cast, Mike sticks a hot, chrome jumper that was not landed... 3-4 pounds on a FBPT. We all swung a large run wherin Jason and I both got ripped on leech patterns (hook never bit in). Down river in another run Hartwick managed to stick a piggy while catoring (Jason is a great indicator fisherman :). Outside of that is was a quiet day.

This morning was like any other winter morning, quiet, foggy and fishy. It was only Edghouse and I as we swung our 13'7 spey rods with skagit lines, tips and goofy flies. We had gone through the run a few times with no tugs, as we got ready to go through it again we were more or less nudged out of our water by a few guys in a drift boat that must not have seen us...

On to our next spot... 6 casts, 13 minutes and FISH ON! I hooked a dandy, she jumped, she ran, she got her picture taken!

Rod:1307 Scott LS2
Line: Airflow compact skagit 510 with a T11 tip.
Fly: multicolored egg sucker.

When in doubt, fish.

American Steel

Overall the fishing on the American has been ok. I have been fishing the lower river with a few good friends on a regular basis and sporadically fooling a steelhead or two. With the exception of one day we have been sticking strong to swinging flies with spey rods. I would give you details of where fish have been hooked, however, there is very little consistency. There are no gimmie's out there, just cover water and and be methodical.

If you are looking to swing the A for winter chrome keep in mind that these fish are hauling tail through the river right now and you need to be on the move too. Fish various types of water to see if you can find any patterns. We have been fishing more of the slower tail-outs... Flies: make sure it has movement, pay attention to overall size, try big and small... Brighter colors have been catching more fish.

I did managed to stick a few nice fish under an indicator with egg patterns.

I will be guiding out there this week so keep your eyes peeled for fresh reports and hopefully a few pictures.

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Yuba With Ken Hanley

I had the pleasure of guiding/fishing with Ken Hanley on the Yuba not too long ago and we had great day. We had a nice start to the day with a few bugs hatching around us with fish working the surface. The goal of the day was to hang out, chat about fly fishing and see if we could fool a few 'bows. Without a doubt the day was a complete success, I had the pleasure of learning about Ken's recent travels and stories of the great fly fisherman that are still casting, tying, speaking, teaching and fishing. In between stories we were able to fool a few nice trout under 'cators and got a few solid tugs on the swing. I always enjoy days spent with Ken, I learn a ton and laugh my butt off with all the great stories.

Ken holding Yuba gold
Last fish of the day... good way to end it

A few months back Ken's new book, Tying Fureld Flies, was released and has been well received. If you have not checked out Ken's work I highly recommend you do. Most fly shops carry the book, check it out soon.

Thanks for a great day Ken, hope to fish with you on your turf soon!

Yuba on the swing

I have been spending a great deal of time on the Yuba and am happy to say that it is fishing well. During the winter months the Yuba can be one of the best fishing rives in Northern California for trout and steelhead. Lately I have seen a nice push of steelhead throughout the river and expect more to come in within the next few months. The last week or so the fish have been receptive to flies on the move, both emergers and streamers.

Nymphing egg patterns with caddis and mayflies under and indicator has also been producing a few fish. One of the highlights of this time of year is the BWO hatches that happen almost every day, they are especially thick on overcast days. The days that the fog was socked in the BWO's went crazy and so did the fish. There were stretches of river that had hungry fish sipping constantly. They got all over parachute adams size 18.
If you would like to try the Yuba , I highly recommend doing a walk and wade trip. While on foot we can really dive into technique, reading water, bug ID and how to use your spey or switch rod. Check out my current special and pick a day you can sneak out.

When in doubt, fish!
Ryan

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It is time... British Columbia

Now is the time to get in on fishing BC because the exchange rate is currently in our favor. Look forward to 5 full days of guided fishing in BC for world-class steelhead surrounded by incredible scenery. 2009 rates for Nicholas Dean Lodge are $3,695 CAD, convert it today and see what it will actually cost.

Join this hosted trip, we can discuss the economy in the lodge over copious bourbon

Fish with me as we hunt for massive steelhead on several world famous rivers.

Space is limited and filling up...

Corner offices rule

Mark October 4 - 10, 2009 on your calendar, you are busy that week
Visit Angling On The Fly for more details.
Contact me directly for the skinny...

If you have been fishing the Trinity lately, this is what a steelhead looks like.
If you like food... battery died before the steak came out...

Yuba Winter Special...

I would like to offer a Yuba winter special...

Here are the conditions:

1. Yuba only
   
2. Spey or switch rods only
3. Walk and wade only
   
4. $300 for one or two anglers
5. 8am to dark (flexible)
   

I will still be offering full guided trips out of my drift boat that can include fishing on the swing.

This offer is for the angler who is really looking to tackle our valley rivers with spey and switch rods, we will dive into the pools of swinging flies and look for a solid tug! I encourage anglers with all skill levels to check it out.

Please contact me for more details. Thank you!

Feather... Friday Dec 5

Guiding the Feather was fun that Friday, mainly because of the company at hand. We fished hard all day and were rewarded, overall we hooked a few stout half-pounders and two nice adults. Many of them fell victim to mayfly nymphs. Over the last few days we have had spectacular fishing weather,... cold, balmy, foggy, calm, quiet, mysterious and so on. It was very cool not being able to see 50 yards in front of you. We had a very good day, I am not sure about my clients for that day, but my sides hurt from laughing. Thanks for a great day!

Steelhead fishing will continue to be ok through Dec and Jan, look for big, bright fish to move in during these times. All the fish hooked were dime-bright!