Roaring River (7-7-08)

This was my first time to Roaring River in a few years. I saw much more of the park than in my previous trip. Can't go there without checking out the hatchery and the spring which feeds it and forms the river making it all possible. Met Ryan and his cousin Stephen there. They were new to fly fishing but held their own and landed some nice fish. Fish were looking up and could be caught on the surface using a Chernobyl Ant or hopper pattern.

Buffalo Shoals 1-08

Fished with Nick and Les at Buffalo Shoals (where the Buffalo runs into the White). Had a good time. Lots of trout to be caught. Nick caught his first fish on a fly rod and then many more after that. Had a pair of bald eagles circling just above us most of the day one day.

CANADA

Well, I'm finally getting a few pics from Canada up. Sorry, if you've been waiting. I spent about ten days in Canada with Nick and Les in August. We had an awesome time after a long drive there--Nipigon and Big Woods areas of Ontario. We didn't run into any trout as it wasn't the right time of year but we caught many Northern Pike and many Smallmouth. We met some great people while there. A group of school teachers from Wisconsin hooked us up in more ways than one, showing us their honey holes and fixing nice shore lunches for us. Enjoy the pics.

Back to Beaver (10-20)

New sign that replaced Catch and Release Only sign at Beaver Tailwaters

I said I'd get out and fish every weekend in October. It didn't happen. I did get out a lot but did more hiking than fishing. Finally did fish this last Friday and it was my first time to the Beaver tailwaters in about a year. The weather was a perfect 65 degrees with lots of sunshine. Had to go with extra light tippet (7X) because of the sun and had more break offs. This was my first trip there since they changed the Catch and Release Only trophy section to a 13-16 in slot limit artificials only section. I did have many more quality fish but that may have been because I was fishing some big-fish, deeper hole water. I usually see big fish down through this section but they were more enticeable today than most other days, maybe due to the time of year, the fall color, and the prime time for egg patterns. I fished the Thorne's Fire Egg and the Y2K all day and caught 40+ fish, and several that were 15 to 16in (very good for Beaver). Had to drag one very fat rainbow to the bank as I had no net. On my way out I stopped to talk to another fisherman who fished upstream of me much of the day. He introduced himself as Bob Knowles whom I've known through reading to be the designer of the Y2K bug. Must have been satisfying for him to watch me catch fish all day long with his very innovative fly. Fat Beaver Rainbow, Thorne's Fire Egg

Fall color along the White River

Not much fishin goin on

Haven't been out much lately except on the OGC pond with students I work with at the center. Did fish the Harbor Meadows ponds over the summer quite a bit and did fish Sugar Creek one day with a guy I work with. Caught some smallmouth and some other bass that I couldn't identify....maybe Rock Bass. Hope to get out soon. With the many inches of rain we got these last few weeks it might make for heavy water releases so might be awhile. Time to hit the vice, get out in a few weeks maybe.

Norfork and Rim Shoals (June 1,2)

Last time on the water was June 1 and 2nd. Fished the Norfork early on 1st all morning. Had several fish on various midges though nothing worked consistently--a fish or two on one midge and then nothing, switch and catch a few more then nothing, switch.....and so on. At Rim Shoals the Y2K bug was by far the best fly. Never had any really big trout but lots in the fourteen to fifteen inch range. Lots of wildlife over the few days I spent out. I saw a single turkey on two different occassions and both times the turkey was in flight. Turkeys fly pretty dang well but it was an odd sight I have to admit. Camped at McClellan's Trout Dock and enjoyed every minute. Not many others on the water so made for a nice outing. I had a few scarey times while out this last time. I took a really sharp turn going way too fast in my truck and somehow my tires kept me on the road. I also had a huge rock explode in my campfire, sending firey sticks down on top of my head. Finally, I had some trouble crossing back across the river at Rim Shoals as the generation had increased and I almost had a really good swim or worse. The current was really strong and my legs were shaking from the workout when I finally did get back across safely. A good reminder to always be very very safe when wading and to remember there is always some risk and one should always be very careful. Thanks be to God!!

March Madness (trip 3/23-3/25/06)

I finally had several days to fish this spring. And what better time than the March Caddis hatch. I'd not been in on the Caddis hatch in full swing the last few years. I won't miss it again. I had the pleasure of fishing with Les Watson, a fellar with lots of experience on the White. Thurs(23rd) we fished at Rim Shoals. I caught several rainbows on dry Elk Hair Caddis patterns. Les fished a bronze serendipity and did even better than I (numbers wise) though didn't have any fish go full airborne for his flies as I did on two occassions. We camped in a little one-room cabin at the Buffalo City access (Buffalo River confluence) and fished about a half mile up stream (navigatable by boat) the next two days. We picked up a few fish on many different Caddis and egg patterns but Old Reliable, yes the Whooly Bugger, was the best fly. We fished the faster water without indicators, keeping our lines tight, and picking up most of our fish on the swing. We caught 80+ fish each over the three days. I tied for hours before I left for the trip and I like to photograph my flies. So, here are a few pics. Lower White River

Our lil cabin ($50 a night)

R & R Caddis (Pupa)

Serendipity (Caddis pupa/emerger)

Graphic Caddis, guitar pick background (Pupa/emerger)

Z wing Caddis (emerger)

Elk Hair Caddis (adult)

Whooly Bugger

Check Out My New Custom Framed Fish Picture

Carrie bought me this print a year or so ago. I finally got it framed and it sits above my fly tying table in our home office. The original remains in White River Angler and is a commissioned work that the Ark Trout Unlimited had done a few years ago. They made a hundred prints and Carrie bought me one as an anniversary gift.