When Fly Fishing isn’t the Goal of Fly Fishing
By Tom Chandler on Sep 22, 2006 in Fishing Report, Fly Fishing, Upper Sacramento
One of the benefits of living near a great trout stream is there’s always another trip (maybe as early as the next day), so each visit isn’t pressurized with expectation like they were when I lived many hours away.
So when you feel an urge to get out of the house fishing, but in a lazy, non-epic fashion - and Chris Raine calls with pretty much the same idea - you can simply do it.
Absolutely no points for guessing where the fish are holding….
We met on a part of the river we rarely fish - mainly because of its “fast food drive-through” convenience. And while the evening included taking turns fishing the same stretch of water - kibitzing each other in the most irritating fashion - we also managed to catch a few fish (and Wally the Wonderdog got to sniff his first trout).
Big fish (and lots of ‘em) are often the goal, but dig around in your head and maybe you’ll discover (as I did) that most of my fly fishing memories revolve around conversations with good friends. That’s not possible when you’re flogging the water like a modern-day, high-modulus Ahab.
It’s why Chris Raine and Dave Roberts score so prominently in the fly fishing buddy category - both are willing to bank sit a little and watch the river go by - and why so many other trips seem inextricably linked to people instead of trout.
Actual Fishing News
The evening hatch was a light one; we encountered a #20 BWO (maybe a #22), the #20 PED, and a weird handful of other bugs.
I’m always amused by how big a #18 BWO dry looks on the water floating alongside the #20 natural. Less amusing was my discovery that I was basically out of #20 cripples, a sign that somebody’s spent too much time at the computer and not enough time at the tieing bench. (I’ll be duly flogged with bundles of marabou.)
We’re entering the fall transition, where middays might remind you of summer, but the evenings are cold and overcast days make you wonder if the BWOs aren’t coming off (it’s probably a little early). See you in warmer clothes, Tom Chandler.
Technorati Tags: BWO, blue winged olive, Pale evening dun, fall
Frank Alessio | Sep 22, 2006 | Reply
I agree with you… I love fishing that Castella strech of the River also…. Tight lines
Tom Chandler | Sep 22, 2006 | Reply
Hello Frank! Can’t help but notice you playing a subtle gambit by so casually identifying… the wrong stretch of water.
It’s not Castella. But nice try… 8-)
Frank Alessio | Sep 22, 2006 | Reply
I am sorry… Not realy trying to play any games… I thought I reconized a strech of water…. Frank
Tom Chandler | Sep 22, 2006 | Reply
Don’t worry, this is a fly fishing site, so any and all gambits are allowed. We were fishing much farther upriver, though now I’m interested in seeing the water you’re talking about… 8-)
Frank Alessio | Sep 22, 2006 | Reply
The water I was refering to is between Soda Creek and the foot bridge at Castella. As it gets dark I like to fish down river past the camping spot by the old Mineral water hole…. You can not miss as long as you are standing in The Upper Sac…..Frank
Tom Chandler | Sep 22, 2006 | Reply
Frank: The Elephant Ears are one of my favorite features on this river. Always a bummer when they die off in the Fall. Great trout cover too.
Bamboo Addict | Sep 23, 2006 | Reply
TC, I would have loved to be sitting on the bank with you and Chris, but I was stuck with to lovely ladys from Golden West Fly Fishers from 6:30 in the morning until 7:45 last night 6 steelhead to hand and one very wipped out guide in the rowing seat. heading out again in about an hour, I need a day on the bank. OK I’m bragging but it was a great day.
David
Tom Chandler | Sep 23, 2006 | Reply
Bragging? From a fly fisher??
I never considered the possibility… 8-)
rriver | Sep 24, 2006 | Reply
I had one of those experiences yesterday that if you knew it was your last night on earth, that is how you would like you fly fishing to be. I had forgotten how good fall fishing can be. I’ll be on the river again in 15 minutes. The fish are already rising.
rriver
Tom Chandler | Sep 24, 2006 | Reply
Hey rriver. Before you go, don’t forget to e-mail me the exact GPS coordinates of the risers… 8-)