Personal Best Wild Trout

Short post today, but it's one I'm proud of.  I got out to chase wild trout over the weekend, and decided to revisit a small but nice stream I hadn't fished since the pre-runoff conditions.  I really like the lower sections of this stream because it has all the challenging characteristics of a typical small stream, with one major difference: as it enters the lower section, the stream widens and passes through some mature forest, meaning there's plenty of room for casting.  This is a luxury that a small stream fisherman doesn't often enjoy.

Still, that isn't to say that the stream is easy, by any means.  A good one to take a beginner to?  Sure.  There's no shortage of textbook riffles and pools.  But between the obvious spots lie some tricky undercuts with low-hanging branches, hard-to-reach seams, and those drifts that would be easy, except you can't position yourself in the logical place because you've got to be stealthy.

I was working my way up to a pool that had a pool that was long enough to create one of those stealth-related difficulties.  The head of the pool has a few boulders scattered through it, making for great fish-holding water, but while it'd be easy to cover that water from up close, you'd spook every fish to get there.  So the alternative is fishing from the bottom of the pool and making 35-45 foot casts (do-able, but a tricky proposition with a short 1wt nonetheless) up into the boulders, making 2-3 foot drifts, and casting again.  Making things even more interesting, most of your drifts here are only visible for a foot or two before the current takes your fly to the opposite side of a rock from where you're standing.

It was on one such drift, toward the outside of the pool, that my fly drifted to the opposite side of a moss covered boulder.  Just as I was about to lift my line for another cast, I noticed a few drops of water and ripples coming from behind the rock, so I set the hook with a quick snap and my hunch was proven by the resulting head shake.

The head shake assured me of something else, too: this was not another 5" native, which usually come splashing across the surface.  No, this fish immediately pulled me the the bottom of the pool and stayed there, the green blank of my 1wt flexing deeper than it has in months.

After a spirited battle, I pulled the fish up to a partially submerged rock for a few quick photos...

And soon after, his release...

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Mid-summer's Afternoon Dream

A few weeks ago, a good soaking rain filled and cooled the streams around here.  Naturally, that also meant that nearly all of these streams were the color of coffee & cream.  Luckily, at least one of my favorite little wild trout streams was fishable, and I ended up having a great day for July.  It was good to put a bend in the 1wt again, and to bring a few fish up top after weeks of swinging & stripping streamers for smallies.  Here's a few pictures, to prove the story:

This is what most of the streams looked like.

Until I found a little slice of paradise.

Check out those fins!

Holdover from the spring stockings, methinks...

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Wild Trout Weekend

This past Saturday, I met a friend of mine to go fishing for small stream wild trout on dries.  We ended up having an awesome day, and while we didn't keep count, we estimated that we probably combined for about 50 trout brought to hand, and we both also missed our fair share.  We also both got the PA trifecta: a brookie, brown, and rainbow, all in the same day...though not form the same waterway.  It can be done, and I hope to accomplish it this summer, but we had a blast with the fish on two different streams on Saturday.

This entry will be more eye-candy, and less words, so take a look at the pics and enjoy...

This is what we were after...

Cahills were coming off, but very sporadically.  

Ironically, this was a good thing, as it kept the fish open-minded, not keying on the hatch.

My buddy's largest brown of the day.  

Now that I'm looking at it, it could be a stocked fish that wandered up into the little stream.

Tried some underwater shots.  

Getting the hang of it, but still have a long way to go...

My friend was cleaning up on a light Wulff I tied up the night before, while I took trout on a Stimulator.

The last fish I caught was a beauty.  A 12" wild brookie.

Unbelievable colors.

The release.

Well that's it for now.  More pics from this trip in a future update.  But that should be enough to get your envy going.  This weekend I'm planning on hitting bigger water for bigger fish.  Hopefully, with some success, great pics should follow!

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Chasing Wild Trout

The definition of 'small stream' varies widely from fisherman to fisherman, but I think that this little one would qualify on anyone's list.  This is 1wt water...

Light lines, light tippet, creative casting, and slow, stealthy approaches are the name of the game here.  I spooked more fish than I caught, but it was nice to get back to truly wild trout.  It's a very different kind of fishing, compared to the typical trout fishing experience here in PA.  You don't need a perfect cast or drift, you don't need to flawlessly match the hatch, and the fish are generally voracious little creatures, very willing to attack any vaguely buggy-looking imitation you throw their way.  The challenge comes in the form of the crowded surroundings, almost never open enough for a proper cast...and the spooky, wary nature of the fish that sends them for cover if they spot you.

A wise angler is always keeping in mind where his shadow is being cast, making sure that it is away from the water he intends to fish.  Also, its a good idea to walk slowly and softly, as even the vibrations in the ground caused by careless walking might spook a fish.

Crouching or kneeling is often a good idea as well, for two purposes.  First, you will cast less of a shadow, and stay out of a fish's view better from a lower position.  Second, it increases your casting room ever so slightly, which, in this type of situation, can be the difference between a tangle in a tree that will spook every trout in sight and a well-placed cast that lands you a fish.

I ended up with three fish yesterday afternoon, exploring a new stream I'd never visited before.  I found a decent access point, and for the most part stuck pretty close to that area the whole time.  Next time I visit, I'll probably venture farther downstream, as it looked like the stream got a bit wider down there.

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Introducing the 1wt

Hey all, I know it's been a while since the last post, but there really hasn't been a whole lot of fishing-related news for me to post.  With the warming weather, hatching bugs, and new toys, though, I've got lots to write about again!

The biggest news is that about a week and a half ago, I became the proud new owner of a new ultralight fly rod.

Back in early March (when we were still buried under an unhealthy dose of snow), I started talking to friend and rod builder Skip Hughes of Mile Creek Custom Rods to discuss particulars of having a custom fly rod built.  This, on the heels of barely missing an opportunity at buying a used 1wt online.  As soon as I made the decision to go for it, I checked back, and the thing had sold.

Skip, for his part, did a great job of explaining my options, popular choices, and things to keep in mind while shopping around for components.  He was also able to answer every question I had about rod building, and ultralight fly rods.  Eventually, I decided to pull the trigger, and put together a list of preferred components and sent it off to Skip.  Within a week or so, he'd ordered and received most of the components and could begin building.

He kept me posted every step of the way, and made sure to get my preference on any of the finer points that we hadn't discussed.  He also created a photo album on Facebook on the Mile Creek Custom Rods page, with shots of guides, grips, reel seats, and the rod itself, as the build progressed.

Eventually, the time came, and Skip let me know that the final coat of finish was drying on the rod, and it'd be ready to fish soon.  As luck would have it, a friend of mine was playing a gig in Erie that weekend, so rather than having to wait until mid-May (when I knew I'd be fishing with Skip at Oil Creek), or having it mailed, I decided to make a trip north.

Upon getting to finally check out the rod, i found it to be everything I'd hoped for.  Quick, responsive, sensitive, and light as a feather.  The components that I'd decided upon (with Skip's help and advice) look great together, and are functional and appealing, without looking gaudy.  Skip's workmanship is top-notch as well, with flawless finish, tight, even thread work, neat, clean assembly, and attention to detail.

The Details:

Blank: TFO Finesse 6' 9" 1 weight

This is a beautiful green blank in a shade somewhere between the olive green of the Sage TCX and the more emerald green of the Redington CPS.  It comes from the factory with the TFO logo and the blank particulars (length and weight) already printed on it, in gold.  Action-wise, I'd say it's just a bit softer than a St. Croix Avid (SC III).  It's very precise but whether because of the short length, light weight, or action, it isn't terribly forgiving for a moderate-fast rod.  That said, as long as you pay attention to what you're doing, anyone proficient in fly casting should have no problems.  As is to be expected with a moderate-fast 1wt, it struggles in a stiff wind, but surprisingly, it casts pretty well even in a slight breeze.

Guides: REC Recoil single foot guides

Skip reccomended these guides strongly and I'm glad he did.  These guides are incredibly light, look great in a minimalist way, and are unbeatable in terms of durability.  They're made of a nickel-titanium alloy, so there's no need for any kind of plating or coating that might chip off later.  Also, as a unique property of this alloy, these eyes are flexible, but have a "memory" that immediately brings them back to their original shape without any deformation whatsoever.  You can literally push these guides down flat against the blank, and when you let go, they bounce back, unharmed.  Try doing that with your stainless steel guides.  (Actually don't try that.  They will break your rod.)

For the stripping guide, I went with a tiny, single foot, titanium Fuji guide with a silicon carbide (SiC) insert.  The SiC guides are unbeatable in their smoothness and abrasion resistance, and the titanium frame and single-foot configuration ensures that it's as light as possible.

Grip: Half-wells cork grip

Nothing too outlandish here.  I've seen some of Skip's other work, and he's extremely talented.  Capable of making some really nice looking grips, he had plenty to offer, but for this rod, I wanted to go fairly simple in terms of looks.  With the low-key guides and wraps I'd decided on, I felt that straight, good-quality cork was the only way to go.  Skip chose some great cork rings and turned this grip himself, just for this rod.  It is comfortable solid, and transmits the slightest tick in the rod directly to my hand.

Reel Seat: REC CRNS Downlocking Cap & Ring

If any one part of this rod was a "splurge" in the budget, this was it.  I figure that, of all the parts of the rod, this is the part I'll be looking at the most, so why not make it look great.  To that end, I chose this reel seat, from REC's Master Series.  It's a nickel-silver (not plated, made from it) cap & ring style downlocking reel seat.  I chose a downlocking to try to avoid having a small portion of the butt protruding out to get in the way and so far it's been great in that regard.  I chose the cap & ring (with Skip's advice) for a more elegant, classic look, while ensuring a strong, consistent attachment point.  I've been really impressed by this style.  It has held my reel without budging, every time, but is so simple to operate and lets you put on or remove the reel in no time at all.  REC's rope knurl adds a nice touch, especially paired with the matching winding check at the top of the grip.

For this reel seat I chose a stabilized maple burl insert that is all kinds of beautiful.  While I was expecting a lighter color, the wood is actually nicer than I expected and I like it more every time i look at it.  It is cut specifically for the smaller reel seat, with a recessed portion along the bottom to keep the reel from working its way up the side of the reel seat (I really dont think it would move at all anyway).  The color is probably best described as a butterscotch kind of brown, with slightly darker, distinctive burl that makes for a beautiful insert, especially when coupled with the bright silver of the metal hardware, including the nickel-silver strap & ring style hook keeper.

Wraps: Olive (no Color-Preserver) with Silver Metallic Trim

This may seem like a fairly minor point...and in all honesty, it is largely a simple cosmetic preference, but this is also one area that you can't just order from a website.  A real, live person has to sit down and apply a steady hand and a well-honed technique to produce even, smooth wraps.  In this case, that real, live person was Skip Hughes, and those smooth, even wraps are on my 1wt, looking great.  The olive thread, without the color preserver, turned to a deep, translucent green and the silver metallic trim, present only as a single turn on the guide wraps and double turn on the ferrules, adds just the right amount of accent to really make the rod "pop" while still looking elegant rather than tacky.  Really, a great looking setup.

To this rod, I've completed the setup by pairing it with a Sage 3100 reel, which is simple, durable, and provides a very large arbor (to reduce line coiling memory and make for a faster pickup of line), as well as being among the lightest reels on the market.

I've spooled the 3100 with a Sage Quiet Double Taper line in DT1F.

So far, I've caught somewhere between 25-35 fish, among 4 species (bluegill, largemouth, rainbow trout, and one very small, very energetic creek chub), and this rod has been great every step of the way.  Depending on where the weekend takes me, I hope to add brookies to that list as well.

For now, though, here's a few pictures:

That's it for now!  Fly tutorials, more pics, and some randomness in store for the near future!

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