Ill Trout Bum

Here's a couple of photos from our opening day excursion to Montauk. Despite the cold temps, the fish were more than willing. My buddy caught his first ever lunker ever at the bottom of the Blue Hole first thing Sunday morning. I caught mine Sunday evening at the Rock Hole at the end of the chute. Come what may weatherwise, opening day is always a special occasion that we have come to treasure! By the way, I fished Saturday from Tan Vat up to the park during the snowstorm. I saw several other anglers wrking their way down from the park, mostly spin fishing. I had the most success stripping an olive mohair leech. Scott

I would recommend the trophy area. If the current weather forecast holds true, the park will be a zoo. We were there last Friday and fished Tan Vat to the park boundary on Saturday. Despite the snowstorm, the fish were very cooperative. I had the most success stripping an olive mohair leech. Good luck if you decide to go.

Ditto on the olive mohair leeches.

]For the past 2 years, I have been fortunate to spend time on the South Platte River in Colorado. I had several great days at Spinney Mountain and Eleven Mile Canyon. I highly recommend both. Even though they are close in proximity, they are vastly different in scenery and fishing. I don't think you would be disappointed spending time at either place.

I really like my Griffin Montant Mongoose. I've been tying heavily on it for 3 years now and no problems. Griffin updated the Mongoose for 2009. I've been selling the entire Griffin line for several years now and have had no complaints from my customers. Griffin has an excellent customer service policy and warrants their products for life. They are also still made in the USA. Check out my site at http://www.heartlandflygear.com

I definitely think the violators are more plentiful and bolder about what they do. I have witnessed first hand anglers continuing to fish beyond a limit, ( one guy had 8 trout on his stringer) using bait in the fly only area, chumming and using bait in the trophy areas. On one occasion I confronted a guy who was using a treble hook with a piece of nightcrawler in the trophy area below Montauk. He would let the worm drift way up under the large rocks and was very succesful in doing so. After noticing his success, I inquired about his technique. He was very open about what he was doing. I then asked him if he knew it was illegal to use bait in the trophy area. He said he was well aware of this but didn't worry about getting caught because none of the CPO's ever came down there. I told him the idea of the trophy area was to provide anglers with an opportunity to catch larger fish by practicing catch and release and allowing them to grow to true trophy size. He then informed me that he did not believe in the principles of catch and release and it was his right to fish there using whatever method he saw fit. I think the "me first " attitude that exists today has alot to do with these angler's attitudes. They are determined to get theirs no matter what the cost to others. By the way, I did report the guy in the park with 8 fish on his stringer. He was staying in the campground not far from where we were camped. After following him to his site, I drove to the hatchery office and told them what I had witnessed and where he was located. They seemed less than enthused and told me they wolud relay the information. I returned to camp and never saw anyone show up that day to question the guy. I think a lack of enforcement definitely reenforces bad behavior. At one time, the names of violators and their infraction were posted next to the lunker board at the lodge. Maybe a return to this public humiliation would help deter some of this behavior.

Congrats on your lunker!!! If you don't mind sharing, what area did you catch it from? I haven't been to Montauk since last May. The earlier floods had really done a number on the stream, particularly in the fly area. The top of the blue hole at that time was really scoured out and very deep. Is it still that way? How are the water levels in general in the upper areas? I am heading down on the 15th for 4 days and would appreciate any information passed along. Scott

Sorry for the confusion, I meant to say that while not tied here, Rainy's holds to a higher standard than other imports I have seen. While these flies are imported, they definitely are not cheap as far as the price is concerned. They rank up there in price with several American companies. Thanks for setting the record straight. Scott

Great photos along with a very useful report. Sounds like you had a great time. I hope the weather is as nice for Rose Holland and the following week when I finally get there!!! Scott

Thom, Good to hear from you. I do not know of trout in lake of egypt, but they do stock at Devil's Kitchen. This sounds like the area you described fishing deep water around the dam and such. Lake Murphysboro is just around the corner from me. I too have many fond memories fishing there as a youngster. It was close enough for us to ride a bike when we really had the itch to fish before we could drive. Thanks for the warm welcome and best of fishing to you. Scott

Hello All, I am new to this forum, but not to fly fishing. I have enjoyed the sport for over 30 years. I guess the thing I enjoy most is that you never stop learning abot fly fishing or tying. There is always a different approach to whatever challenge that is presented. I am always glad to share what I have learned through the years with anyone who asks. I currently live in Murphysboro, Il and describe myself as a "displaced" trout fisherman. I eagerly look forward to frequent pilgramages in Missouri to practice my favorite passtime. I'm sure there are other such " displaced" individuals in my area. If so, please do not hesitate to contact me. Through the years I have discovered many such anglers right here in my area that I never knew trout fished. By the way, for those of you who are into tying, I also operate a webiste that sells fly tying materials. You can see my site at www.heartlandflygear.com. I am especially pleased to offer mini and micro mini lead heads that are exteremeely popular for many local trout patterns. I carry sizes from 1/64th to 1/295th of an ounce. Look forward to hearing from my fellow anglers, Scott

I will be there from the 19th through the 21st. We are staying at Riverwood Resort. Hope to see you there!!

I wholeheartedly agree about the winter catch and release season. Most parks have very little fishing pressure and the large fish are not shy about taking your fly. I have been taking advantage of this program for several years. During out trips, we have seen novice anglers in our group catch large numbers of fish. One 9 year old caught a beautiful rainbow that measured out at over 7 lbs. Needless to say he is hooked for life!!

We have stayed at Riverwood on several occasions. It is fantastic! They provide all the comforts of home and the beds are incredibly comfortable. The price is very reasonable especially when you compare the value you get there to what you pay elsewhere, namely the park. Plenty of room to stretch out and the view and sounds from the deck are incredible in early morning and late evening. The fishing access at the property is good. Most areas are wadeable at normal flow. Some of the better fishing I encountered were upstream a considerable distance from the property. The only problem in the warmer months is the "aluminum hatch" that normally occurs around 9 AM. The gravel bar across from Riverwood is about 1 mile from the Bennett Spring access and is a popular stopping point.