Great Day On The River

[Justin Spencer]

Fished with friend Steve Farr in his driftboat from Kelly to Sunburst on Monday and caught fish the whole way. Either my patterns rock (if I saw them at a flyshop I wouldn't pay a nickel for them) or the fish were biting on everything. Caught fish on several different hand tied stone patterns, hare's ears, princes, and a couple different rubber legs patterns tied with a little peacock herl at the head which Steve thought represented a caddis pupae. I just tied them because I thought they looked cool and buggy. Gloden Brown, Olive, and Orangish Brown all caught fish in the stone and caddis patterns. Missed lots of fish also which I assume were on the smaller dropper flies. Caught somewhere between 15-20 fish no big rainbows most being 10-12 inches with the biggest bow maybe 14", also caught 1 smallmouth. Saved the best for last catching a 17" (see pic) brown at the first riffle past Blair bridge public access, and an 18" Brown just 50 yards up from the Sunburst boat ramp. I saw this fish come out look at the stonefly and eat it. It then ran straight upstream so Steve anchored the boat. Finally got him turned around and as he came downstream he wrapped around a rock where we thought we had lost him. Steve was able to row back up past the rock where we coaxed him out and eventually got him to the boat. I called my wife on the cell phone and she ran down to the ramp with her camera to snap a few pics before we sent the fish back to his lair. This past week some nice fish have been caught at Sunburst by our campers including a 22" brown and a 20" brown.

[flytyer57]

So is Kelly to Sunburst better than Sunburst to Dawt? I've floated Sunburst to Dawt twice now and never once seen a trout or a smallie. Only sunfish and suckers. Maybe I should start the float above Sunburst?

[Gavin]

Sounds like a great trip Justin...Planning to come down with Creepy late next month..

Sunburst Dawt...can be good...Fish the Islands between Sunburst & Patrick, around Riverside, and the faster runs below..To get the whole experience...I'd put in at Kelly paddle up to the Springs & float down to Blair or Sunburst one day, then float from Blair or Sunburst down to James the next. Cheers.

[Justin Spencer]

On cloudy days I fish to James, on sunny days Kelly to Sunburst, but there are just as many fish downstream and probably more smallmouth, however if I was looking to fly fish smallmouth I would go elsewhere. You won't see many trout on this river as they are very secretive and most often in the fast water or tucked in the rocks in the tailouts. Lots of eagles, otters etc. These fish are skittish because the rainbows aren't stocked and the browns that are, are only stocked once a year so if they don't learn quickly they end up as dinner!

[flytyer57]

On cloudy days I fish to James, on sunny days Kelly to Sunburst, but there are just as many fish downstream and probably more smallmouth, however if I was looking to fly fish smallmouth I would go elsewhere. You won't see many trout on this river as they are very secretive and most often in the fast water or tucked in the rocks in the tailouts. Lots of eagles, otters etc. These fish are skittish because the rainbows aren't stocked and the browns that are, are only stocked once a year so if they don't learn quickly they end up as dinner!

Good info. I'll have to try to remember that the next time I'm up that way.

And I thought I saw a stonefly on the bill of my hat for a few seconds there at Sunburst before I launched. I'll have to bring some stonefly patterns along next time.

[Tito Degiosio]

Fished with friend Steve Farr in his driftboat from Kelly to Sunburst on Monday and caught fish the whole way. Either my patterns rock (if I saw them at a flyshop I wouldn't pay a nickel for them) or the fish were biting on everything. Caught fish on several different hand tied stone patterns, hare's ears, princes, and a couple different rubber legs patterns tied with a little peacock herl at the head which Steve thought represented a caddis pupae. I just tied them because I thought they looked cool and buggy. Gloden Brown, Olive, and Orangish Brown all caught fish in the stone and caddis patterns. Missed lots of fish also which I assume were on the smaller dropper flies. Caught somewhere between 15-20 fish no big rainbows most being 10-12 inches with the biggest bow maybe 14", also caught 1 smallmouth. Saved the best for last catching a 17" (see pic) brown at the first riffle past Blair bridge public access, and an 18" Brown just 50 yards up from the Sunburst boat ramp. I saw this fish come out look at the stonefly and eat it. It then ran straight upstream so Steve anchored the boat. Finally got him turned around and as he came downstream he wrapped around a rock where we thought we had lost him. Steve was able to row back up past the rock where we coaxed him out and eventually got him to the boat. I called my wife on the cell phone and she ran down to the ramp with her camera to snap a few pics before we sent the fish back to his lair. This past week some nice fish have been caught at Sunburst by our campers including a 22" brown and a 20" brown.

Nice Brown got me looking foward to coming there in oct might have to try and make a trip sooner

we caught some nice fish yesterday on the point I love it when the big fish bite it's a wonderful thing

well I'm up at 5 again can you guess what I'm doing this morning oh yea bring on the morning rainbows

See ya in oct