More From Northern California

Justin out in northern California just sent me a few pics of some sea-run cutthroat trout and a nice summer steelhead that he picked up just a short drive from where he lives.  The other gentleman in the photos would be the guys showing Justin the ropes out there.  I’ve never met them, but they sound like some first class guys for showing Justin some of Norcal’s finest trout fishing.  Larry’s Brown special leech was responsible for taking all the fish caught including the steelhead.  Nice work guys!

sea-run cutty

Summer Steelhead

Another sea-run that fell for Larry's Leech

 

 

 

Categories: steelhead | Tags: , | Comments Off on More From Northern California

Driftless Area Update

Yesterday a friend and I woke up pre-dawn and made the three and a half hour drive up to the Big Green River in southwestern Wisconsin.  After gearing up we approached the first pool and saw some fish rising.  I grabbed my rod already rigged with a size 16 royal wulff and made a cast to the edge of the river.  After a short drift the fly disappeared into the mouth of a beautiful 10 inch brown trout.  This is pretty much how the rest of the day went.  Most fish were willing to eat dries and if you couldn’t please them with a dry they were still willing to take a nymph.  Tan scuds and a variation of  the prince nymph called the hot-wired prince were consistently getting bites.  No fish pictures this time but I got some stream pics.

the hot-wired prince nymph is becoming a favorite of mine.

 

 

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , | 4 Comments

Milwaukee River Restoration

I just came across this article on the Milwaukee River explaining a bit about its more recent history involving restoration projects such as dam removal, fish ladders, and planting of native vegetation along stream banks, which all contribute to cleaner water and more fish habitat.  This article also explains how migratory trout and salmon have been seen in places that anglers have not seen them in years past.   Don’t believe that old tale about the dam at Kleztch Park being the limit of their migration.  With enough rain the fish will move all the way to Grafton.  With more fishable river miles anglers should be able to spread out more.  So when you show up at your favorite run this fall and find someone in your spot don’t be afraid to think outside the box and fish where others don’t.  You just might find solitude and good fishing.

Here’s the link

http://www.onwisconsinoutdoors.com/more.php#kiesow2

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , | 2 Comments

Southwest Florida: part 2

Here are a few more photos from my trip to Marco Island, Florida back in early June.

Back in the everglades the snook seemed to be a bit larger. The downside is the quarter mile hike through snake, alligator, and panther habitat!

Doctors Pass in Naples is a great place for shore anglers to put flies in front of some fish! We saw dozens of snook crashing on baitfish off these rocks.

This guy asked me if he could use one of the mackerel that I caught for shark bait and of course I said yes.  I would have loved to watch this guy tangle with a shark!!  but instead he pulled this impressive snook out of the rocks!!  Here I am throwing a 2 inch minnow and this guy catches the big one on a chunk of spanish mackerel.

Categories: Florida, saltwater, snook | Tags: , , | 4 Comments

New Flies

I’m still playing around with some skating style dry flies for summer steelhead.  I’m hoping this weekend I get the chance to try some out on the water.  The fun thing about steelhead flies is that they don’t have to imitate anything specific or even real, so it really allows you to have fun with crazy attractor type patterns.

My other new experiment is this mouse pattern.  I took some ideas from the Morrish mouse and Tommy Lynch’s white belly waker and made this white belly mouse.   It may have some tweaking to do but I think it has potential.  Morrish’s pattern has already proven its effectiveness around the world and I really like how Tommy’s fly uses the rubber band for the tail and the trimmed white rabbit strip for the belly.  I may try adding rubber legs, but I’ll let the fish decide.

Categories: fly tying, Uncategorized | Tags: | 3 Comments

Carp on Dries: Match the Berry Hatch!

In the last few months I’ve spent more than a few hours chasing carp in the pond in my back yard with little to show.  I had made numerous attempts to carp feeding on the bottom and have only had one carp eat which then broke my line immediately.  It has been difficult to say the least…. until about three weeks ago when a mulberry tree in my back yard started to drop berries into the pond.  After I witnessed 10-15 huge carp rising to berries like trout during a thick hatch I went to the vise to tie up some berries.  Black or purple deer hair spun and trimmed to berry shape fooled the carp almost every time!  Suddenly carp fishing was as easy as casting in front of  a rising fish.

 

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: | Comments Off on Carp on Dries: Match the Berry Hatch!