After which I bundle her into the car and we get the hell out of the house, because:

1) The weather’s nice (much nicer than yesterday), and

2) If we stay, she’ll drive me crazy

So much for the sensitive father.

The Opener

Yesterday’s general trout season opener saw crowds on the McCloud, a fair number of bodies on the Upper Sacramento, and a generous turnout at Joe Kimsey’s remembrance at Dunsmuir City Park.

(Which is a lot to cover during a short nap.)

A "Rough Skinned Newt"

Here’s the fly fishing story: Wayne suggested a place where he thought we could catch some trout despite the high water, and I knew exactly where he was talking about.

We’d both fished it independently over the years, both liked it, and this time, it produced (as it has in the past).

No real shortage of trout or rafts

With Joe Kimsey’s remembrance at 3:00 — and us the victim of a Meski-delayed start — we basically fished 150 feet of river — and had six grabs between us.

I even got one to eat a dry, but speed set him. Later, I nymphed one up, but he was downstream, and neatly wrapped me on a branch (I saw him just before he broke me off, which I assume was on purpose).

Just in case anyone forgot what I look like just before losing a trout...

Wayne got four grabs, landed one, and our time was up.

My take?

It’s pretty much as advertised; the river is high but wholly fishable… in places.

And in those places, the fish could be pretty good.

Still, with temperatures finally set to hit 70 degrees this week, we’re seeing the Upper Sacramento in what is probably the best shape it’ll be until most of the way through June.

In other words, enjoy it.

Joe Kimsey

At the Dunsmuir City Park gathering for Joe Kimsey, one person noted that all the elements of a successful Joe Kimsey day were present: cookies, cake, a trout river, and women…

Those that knew Joe will miss him. Those that didn’t might wonder what all the fuss is about, but how do you explain a true character?

Instead, here are a few photographs:

A few photos of Joe -- right in front of his Upper Sac (he let the rest of us fish it)

I could only fit a portion of the attendees into this photograph

See you on the river,
Tom Chandler

Do you know where your trout are?

Today’s Plan

Given that the small streams I want to fish are hopelessly snowbound, the start of the general trout season remains largely symbolic.

Still, even a symbolic fishing trip offers us hope of a trout, and yesterday, I packed Wally the Wonderdog and Little M into the truck and reconnoitered a lower-level small stream.

This year’s abundant snow stopped us on the road – a good two miles short of what I thought was my goal.

The good news? A first glance, the stream levels seemed entirely fishable.

Until I realized I was looking at a side channel (the main channel was raging).

Still, I saw enough to suggest a trip back in the middle of today.

It’s either a symbolic drive in pursuit of symbolic fish (the probable theme should I get skunked), or an attempt to fish something no one else is going to fish (at least not today).

The romance of the latter is inescapable, and “hasn’t been fished this year” is a phrase that exerts a peculiar hold over most fly fishermen – hence the opening day circus on some of the better-known waters.

I guess my small-stream jag of the last few years hasn’t run its course; It’s still “Go Little, or Don’t Go At All” here at TU.

See you after opening day, Tom Chandler

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And while the participants in the excerpted (and intriguingly written) Boston Globe story seem to enjoy the camaraderie, an opening day like the one described – complete with truckloads of stocked fish jammed into small area being fished for by truckloads of anglers (jammed into a small area) – sounds a lot like one of the seven circles of hell:

Just before 6, a handful of latecomers scamper down the river banks trying to squeeze in with the elbow-to-elbow anglers. They are met with glares and sarcasm.

At the top of the hour, the fire siren wails, signaling the start of the derby. Before the single blast ends, there will be several trout hooked; that is guaranteed. The river is stocked to the gills by the state and the local merchants – 400,000 fish statewide and roughly 100 more by the merchants. The fish are hungry. They are well-fed at trout farms and then released into the wa ters, in some cases just days before the April 18 opening.

The scene is surreal. Fishermen line up on the rocky banks of the river, facing their fellow anglers, sporting waders in the river, 20 yards away. If they were wielding muskets instead of fishing rods, it would look like a Revolutionary War battle.

Surreal describes it, though I may have been a bit harsh in describing this as one of the circles of hell. It’s more social event than solitary fishing getaway, and one interviewee after conjures up the memories of openers past – usually involving friends or family – and not big fish.

Still, it’s hard to ignore passages like:

The tie-ups never lead to fisticuffs, fishermen say. But sometimes they try a person’s patience. Keith Szmajlo is standing knee-deep in the river, casting into a watery hole. Across the banks, a man with no sense of etiquette is casting into everything but fish. After several tangled lines, Szmajlo talks politely to him through clenched teeth, before being forced to move on.

“People who can’t fish shouldn’t be using lures,” he says. “He snagged me once in the boot and my buddy once in the neck.

“Still, I look forward to this all year. It’s a great day.”

I’m curious. Have the Undergrounders squirreled away memories of scenes like the above – memories they enjoy and cherish?

See you on an uncrowded stream somewhere, Tom Chandler.

fly fishing, fishing, opening day, boston globe, excellent outdoors writing

While the Upper Sacramento River is open year-round, the day retains a lot of its former meaning to the fly fishermen and residents of the area. Don’t believe me? Read last year’s pre-opener post.

It’s as much about the promise as it is the reality, which often includes high water, storms, crowds, and reluctant trout not yet tempted to the surface by the bigger bugs of spring.

A winter trout that's presumably still in the Upper Sacramento for opening day.

Some anglers are heading up to fish the McCloud River (which really is opening) or one of the smaller streams (which I’m not going to talk about here). In short, there are a lot of choices. In this economy, will there be a lot of fly fishermen?

What can you expect if you do come?

The Fly Fishing Forecast

Like all forecasts, this one’s almost certainly wrong (no fly fishing trip plan survives first contact with the trout or your fishing buddies), but the Underground’s not afraid to make the tough calls for our readers.

Forecasts of stormy weather and snow storms have passed into oblivion, and while it’s expected to be cool (highs in the low 50s, chance of rain), the weather actually looks pretty good.

Big Bugs

Yes, there have been scattered reports of adult stoneflies (the prehistorically named Pteronarcys Californica) buzzing around the river, but are the trout on to them? Somebody knows, but they’re not telling us.

With the weather forecast running colder (it’s been 80+ degrees the last two days – near record highs), the stoneflies might not be much of a factor the coming weekend, but anyone who shows their face in the area without a few of the dries and nymphs in their box will be shot (yes, we’re legally allowed to do that up here).

Need to stock up? Head for the Underground’s Fave Wasting Time Hangout (the Ted Fay Fly Shop in thriving downtown Dunsmuir)

Big Water

It happens every year; the rivers sit empty – and wholly fishable – prior to the opener, and the week before the opener, the temperatures climb, sending enough snowmelt through the system to make the rivers no fun to fish.

Right now – with a couple days of high temperatures – the Upper Sacramento is running near 2400 cfs, and is off-color. With a couple of cooler days forecast (highs in the low 50s, below freezing at night, so bring warm stuff), the flows will likely fall.

Naturally, the downside is the colder it gets, the fewer stoneflies we see. Optimists suggest we could see some decent BWO hatches in the cool, cloudy conditions, but those are the same Pollyanna’s who still believe in the Easter Bunny (bring your BWO boxes just the same).

And yes, the snowpack is already seriously depleted, so while we’re not going to see a big blowout runoff period (well, probably not), we are going to suffer some seriously low water come late summer and fall – especially in the smaller streams not buffered by a lake (like the Upper Sacramento).

All in all, I’d happily take the runoff now, but when life gives you lemons, you make lemon tarts (because we like them better than lemonade).

Big Fun When You’re Not Fishing

I’m hardly Dunsmuir’s tourism coordinator, but I do realize the Undergrounders aren’t one-dimensional creatures with a singular focus on fly fishing.

Some of you are interested in sex and food too.

I can’t help with the former, but food’s a different matter, and here’s the Underground’s Quickie economic stimulus post for an economically depressed area fighting 18% unemployment Guide to Eating in Dunsmuir.

Fast Food

Want to eat and run? The Burger Barn (11:00 am to 7:00 pm) is an Underground Fave (south end of Dunsmuir’s “downtown” area, right next to the fire hall). I suggest the classic triple cheeseburger (check that health insurance first), or the very tasty “combo” sandwich (ham, turkey, roast beef).

You can also grab a Subway sandwich in the gas station just north of the Central Dunsmuir exit, and if you find yourself a couple exits south of town (Castle Crags), don’t overlook the “couch potato” burritos at Ammarati’s gas station (a runner up to the slaw dog as Fly Fishing’s Ultimate Fuel).

Slightly Less Fast Food

In this category, we got choices.

Underground Fave The Wild Thyme is a cool new shop we reviewed here. The descendant of the much-loved Gandy Dancer Cafe from years ago (regulars are licking their lips already), the Wild Thyme is open from 10:00 – 3:00, and if you don’t try the Jamaican Jerk or Cuban Steak sandwich, you’ll be shot (again, we’re legally empowered).

An Underground Fave, the Wild Thyme Cafe open 10:00-3:00 Thurs-Sat

Regulars in the area will also know about the Cornerstone Eatery (big lunches), and the Brown Trout Cafe (on Sacramento Ave) also ranks high, though more for snacks and breakfast than huge meals.

And yes, you’ve got other choices, but I’ve never actually eaten at a couple of them, and yes – this is a blatant Underground “favorites” list (so sue us).

Want Breakfast?

The Cornerstone, Brown Trout, the Hitching Post (just north of Central exit) are Dunsmuir’s breakfast spots, though Saturday’s early risers will have the option of eating at the volunteer fire department’s traditional Fishermen’s pancake breakfast/fundraiser (at the fire hall downtown).

The Pricey (but Tasty) Stuff

You want a really nice dinner? Seng Thong’s (right by city hall) and Cafe Maddelena (Sacramento Ave – across from the rail yard) both deliver in spades – though you’ll need to make reservations on opening weekend.

Otherwise, diners will be treated to the spectacle of your face pressed up against the glass, salivating over the great meals being served.

Seng Thongs is a justifiably famous Thai/Vietnamese restaurant (the two-doors down Blue Sky Room bar also feeds people right out of the same kitchen).

Cafe Maddelena’s serves really tasty Mediterranean fare, though dinner for two at either restaurant will likely spiral up towards the $75 range.

Conclusion? Great food, but make reservations.

Special Bar-B-Que Rib Event!

Uber-bamboo fly rod builder Chris Raine will barbecuing (the real slow-cooked stuff) his famous ribs on Saturday night (5:30-8:00) in front of the Brown Trout on Sacramento Avenue – a fundraiser to help repair the famous Dunsmuir fountain.

Special Bonus for the Undergrounders: Stop by, buy some ribs, and mention the the Trout Underground, and Raine will give you one of his $2000 bamboo fly rods right there on the spot for free. We are not making this up (yes, we certainly are making this up).

What’s the Underground Planning?

Last year I fished the Upper McCloud with now-famous brownliner Singlebarbed, and while I love that river, I won’t be repeating that experiment (too many people, too few trout).

Everything, it seems, depends on the flows, and yes – there might be a small stream in my future. As always, expect to hear about it afterwards (I’m trying to avoid the crowds of nubile young groupies who follow the Underground’s every public move).

See you on opening weekend, Tom Chandler.

Don’t get me wrong; I love fishing this river in the fall and winter, but opening day has largely became something that happens to other people’s home waters.

This year, things feel different. The Upper Sac is fishing tough, and apparently there’s a small gland in my brain stem producing "Get Out of Town" hormones, and I’m thinking hard about a handful of other streams and rivers.

The backcountry remains mostly out of reach, though I haven’t completely given up on one  particular adventure ski/fly fishing trip (you’ll know about it after it happens).

Given our cold, dry (damned to hell) spring, it turns out a lot of the normally blown-out smaller waters will be wholly fishable, and you could say I’ve noticed.

We got choices, Undergrounders. So what are yours?

That’s not a forecast designed to make the Underground’s Edgy Staff Happy

In short, I’m asking: with California’s Big Opening Day Clock counting down, where are you planning to fish?  (If your opening day isn’t soon, or has already passed, then just play along, and let us know where you’re fishing).

See you on Opening Day, Tom Chandler.