Opening Weekend

[DoveTail]

With the heavy rains mid during mid Feb and the spring boiling a brown mud out, things have cleared up a lot but the water is still stained. The trout still had their mouths full of worms, eating as many as they could. Looks like another heavy rain system will bring some rains to the area. That could make a muddy situation this weekend.

With the worms in the water, the trout were going after flies that were red worms, a tan and anything that looked like a worm. They were also feeding heavily on sowbugs.

One guy had some bright red/pink looking big cone shaped things and they were tearing those up. He also had a bright orange mini jig and that worked well.

Lots of people and lots of fish being caught. Larry's Fly Shop said two 20" were brought in and sent to the taxidermist.

[Paola Cat]

Dove ... Thanks for the report. I'm going to try ot make it down on the 7th. It rained pretty good here (KC area) last night. Probably continued on east. Hope the conditions aren't too bad. PC

[DoveTail]

The radar summary only shows about 1" of rain for the spring basin area so it probably will be okay. Plus, it only takes 1 week for it to clear up.

When it was chocolate mud back in Feb, the next day it had cleared up to 2 feet of visibility. The surrounding areas got some significant rains. I am sure the river will be really muddy (AND SWIFT). At least you won't have to use 7x in the stained water. Plus, if someone cast over you a 6x will hold up better on line crossings.

I used 6x this weekend and did just fine.

The crowds really thinned out on Sunday. Then Sundays are a little slower as the fish are spooked from all the activity on Saturday.

[flyfishmaster]

WHAT A WEEKEND!!!!

Could anybody ask for any better weather or what?

Well our annual trip to BSSP for Open day was nothing but great. Good food, good weather and a lot of hungry fish. Three of us started up in Zone 2 in the riffles below the bridge and the other two in a our group fishing down in Zone 3. All of us had great fishing and the fish we kept were a very respectical size.

Since the water was up (guessing 8+ inches) and off colored we all started out with colorful "sloppy balls" (my version of glo balls) with a scud dropper. I could not even tell you the number of fish we caught. We really did not start caughting them on a regular basis until 30 after the whistle. At that time I moved about 40 feet down stream and caught and landed fish on 14 straight casts. In the after noon is when we started catching the big fish.

Sunday was also very good. We decided not to make down at the whistle and got there about 15 minutes later. The fishing for me started up as it ended the previous day. 10 fishing in about 25 minutes. The water was clearer and the the best flies for me that day were the size 20 Buckskin and a size 18 Red Crystal Scud on 6x tippet.

The crowd by us was not bad! Most people were moving around a lot so as soon as some body moved next to me. I would move just a bit to change the angle and delivery that is all it takes once in a while.

Now my bitch section. Lets look to etiquette...

• To all those "shufflers" out there... Why do you need to do it on "OPEN DAY"? Don't you have any confidence in your skills or casting or flies? Why even use a Fly rod, why not use a "Cane Pole".
  
• Now for you people that like to crowd. I don't mind fishing in tight quarters other wise I would stay away from opening day. But when there are multiple fly fishermen in a row throwing nymphs w/indicator (about 20 feet apart) then some one steps in the middle and starts throwing a "softhackle?". I think this guy was a moron. I think he go the hint after my 5 straight casts over this line made him change his fishing style. He finally left after 3 minutes.
  

Later,

FFM

[mhall02]

Fished zone 2 as well, got there around 930 and did better than I thought I would, size 16 light tan skud did the trick. As far as far as jumping in betweeen two guys that are 20' apart, well, its opening day. Really in some spaces you had no choice but to jump in like that, if you wanted to fish, right or wrong, that is the way of it, just had to make really shot drifts. Maybe that is what your close neighbor was not doing I take it? I also noticed, some guys need to learn how to roll cast, come on, it is a State park on opening day.

I didn't see any lunkers caught or see any on stringers, what were some of the big ones that were caught?

Weather was great and plenty of hungry fish.

[brittsnbirds]

fly-

Good to hear you did well with the stained and high water.

I agree with you about the crowders. It would be one thing if they stepped in and started using the same technique, but to step in and do something the opposite....well that is plain and simple rude. Nothing upsets me more than that type of behavior. Unless it is a youngster. I have a little more tolerance especially if they ask what I'm using. Then I have the opportunity to convince them to use a similar technique. They may learn something new!!

[Paola Cat]

FMM ..... Man, that stained water at BSSP can be good! Sounds like a great opening day. I've actually been twice (in my 32 years of fishing BSSP) and did real well each time. I'm with FFM and Britt on this etiquette thing. Etiquette and crowds are the main reasons why I don't go on opening day anymore and the reason why I try to stay away on weekends (except during the C&R). I've had that same "soft hackle" guy experience in the same spot as FFM on way too many occaisons. I've got some stories about fishing in this area that are just unbeleivable as far as etiquette is concerned but I'll save those for "road stories" or another occaison. I'm trying to get down on Friday ... hope the crowds are light. PC

[flyfishmaster]

I didn't see any lunkers caught or see any on stringers, what were some of the big ones that were caught?

I did not see anybody land any big fish or see any on a stringer. Heck in the past when somebody up by the bridge caught one there would have been a huge cheer, but I did not hear any this year.

On Sunday, I had a really nice one on twice, but threw the hook after a few minutes both times.

Mhall,

You mentioned you made it down to the riffles by 9:30 I will still there. Which side were you fishing from? I have a fairly good memory too, what hat and vest do you wear? I'm sure I might have seen you.

later,

FFM

[Trout Stalker]

I got to see openning day for the 3rd time in my life. I don't fish this time, just watched everybody get tangled with each other. I just can't find any joy fishing elbow to elbow.

TS