Stripers And Rainbows

[OKFlyFisher44]

Left the house at 4:15 this morning. Met up with Cole at his house in BA and we hauled butt down to Gore this morning. We put in at Marvals and walked downstream a LONG ways till we came to some deeper holes, with hopes that there'd be stripers hiding out.

We did OK, I think we needed to be on the water about 30-45 minutes earlier but we ended up with a few. I landed a nice striper in the 5-7lb range, I was amazed at how hard these fish pull! I couldn't budge him with my 7wt TFO...he finally tired and I got his head turned to shore to bring him in. The rest of the fish were just babies, in the 1-2lb range. Caught them on clousers, as always!

We went upstream to the Watts area to check it out. I hadn't fished here before but we did really well. I was very pleased with the water there. We caught lots of rainbows out of the 2 runs above and below the parking lot. Top flies were copper johns, san juan worms, and even caught a few fish on egg patterns.

Ran into town after Watts and ate some lunch. I highly recommend the deluxe cheeseburger at Jimbos Restraunt in Gore, good food and really nice people. We ran back up to the dam to end the day out. Water was up and really dirty compared to the last time I was up there. We got into a few fish in the run where the little feeder creek dumps in and a few more by the boulders by the dam.

Called it a day after that. We caught a ton of rainbows....we lost just as many. They seemed to be very light on the strikes today or they were just flashing at the bugs because of the murkier water...barely getting 'em in the mouths. Lots of pulled out flies today...

Had a great time....definitely going back for stripers again!

Sorry for no pictures...forgot the camera this morning.

[tsfinest]

Sounds awesome,

What time did you get to marvel? Do they open up the gates before 630?

Does size matter on the clouser? color preferences?

How far of a walk was it? more than a mile or less than?

Im wanting to try this striper run out as well.

Thanks

Left the house at 4:15 this morning. Met up with Cole at his house in BA and we hauled butt down to Gore this morning. We put in at Marvals and walked downstream a LONG ways till we came to some deeper holes, with hopes that there'd be stripers hiding out.

We did OK, I think we needed to be on the water about 30-45 minutes earlier but we ended up with a few. I landed a nice striper in the 5-7lb range, I was amazed at how hard these fish pull! I couldn't budge him with my 7wt TFO...he finally tired and I got his head turned to shore to bring him in. The rest of the fish were just babies, in the 1-2lb range. Caught them on clousers, as always!

We went upstream to the Watts area to check it out. I hadn't fished here before but we did really well. I was very pleased with the water there. We caught lots of rainbows out of the 2 runs above and below the parking lot. Top flies were copper johns, san juan worms, and even caught a few fish on egg patterns.

Ran into town after Watts and ate some lunch. I highly recommend the deluxe cheeseburger at Jimbos Restraunt in Gore, good food and really nice people. We ran back up to the dam to end the day out. Water was up and really dirty compared to the last time I was up there. We got into a few fish in the run where the little feeder creek dumps in and a few more by the boulders by the dam.

Called it a day after that. We caught a ton of rainbows....we lost just as many. They seemed to be very light on the strikes today or they were just flashing at the bugs because of the murkier water...barely getting 'em in the mouths. Lots of pulled out flies today...

Had a great time....definitely going back for stripers again!

Sorry for no pictures...forgot the camera this morning.

[DaddyO]

Yeah, I forgot to mention yesterday that the bite was really light, also. Sounds like you had a good time. If you went where I think you did to catch those stripers, I can probably show you another place or two to access the river instead of Marval. The next time I go down, I'll call you. It'll probably be a Saturday, but maybe you can come down after work and I'll show you where they are.

[OKFlyFisher44]

Sounds awesome,

What time did you get to marvel? Do they open up the gates before 630?

Does size matter on the clouser? color preferences?

How far of a walk was it? more than a mile or less than?

Im wanting to try this striper run out as well.

Thanks

We were at Marvals at 6:00 or so. The gate was open this morning so? Size probably doesn't matter too much as long as its close to baitfish in size. As far as colors...we got our fish on white/grey.

As far as the walk. It was pretty far....how far exactly I couldn't tell ya But there's a lot of nice water downstream that should hold stripers at any given time. Make sure and bring a heavy rod...my 7wt wouldn't cut it if I had hooked a 10lb fish, but it'd sure be fun! Just go give it a try....you never know what might happen.

[LB&M]

Well, I read this thread when it was fresh and thought I would really like to try for Stripers. Never done that. Then, after looking at it a couple more times I thought I am going to try for Stripers. Several years ago, before I retired I was assigned to a Field Office in the DFW area. One year I decided to work part time behind the gun counter at Bass Pro over the holidays just for the fun of it. It was fun but also lots of work. When the holidays were over I was named the best "Temp" for the holiday season. That's sort of a long story to tell you I was given a rod and reel combo (that they probably couldn't sell) Anyway I ended up with a Gold Cup 8'3" 9 wt rod and a White River reel. I put some Cortland 444 WF9/IS line on it and promptly put it in my closet. I have used it a couple of times fishing for White Bass out of my Lund.

After reading this I watched Ebay and won a new Martin multiplier reel for about half what they sell for. It came today and I traded the 444 onto it. It's not a fancy setup but casts well in my back yard and I really like the multiplier on that heavy rod. (It's Chinese of course so don't know how it will last.) I can't wait now to get down there and try to find some of those deeper holes. I am going to have to wait a little tho' as I have to watch my $$. My wife and I are heading to northern New Mexico and southern Colorado for a week or so in about a week. I hope to relearn some fly casting on the Chama in NM and Conejos and upper Rio Grande in Colo. When I get back I'll take the camper down and stay for a couple of days and see what I can do.

I do have a question tho'. Is it feasible to use a kayak to get back and forth around the deeper holes down there? When there is no release is the current workable for my kayak?

Thanks,

Floyd

ps - I also tied up some Bob Whites to try on the trout.

[Okieflyfisher53]

I have seen kayakers down there before, so yes, it is doable.

Steve