Crane Creek was good to me this morning

[Crippled Caddis]

Dacvid wrote:

<Sounds like three would be a good number to fish with...one to spot fish, one to spot snakes and one to carry the fly rod.>

Sounds like a workable plan----so long as everyone tippy-toes.;o)

[OnTheFly]

Tim that is one of the nicest fish I have seen caught in that little creek. Like you I have seen some real monster (in length) hiding in places that you couldn’t even dangle a fly into. The fish I have caught over there don’t really seem to be picky what you throw at them just but those fish are danged easy to spook. My best trip ever was in a November snow 10 plus years ago….caught about a half a dozen trout on a hopper in the snow.

[Crippled Caddis]

OnTheFly wrote:

<I have caught over there don’t really seem to be picky what you throw at them----caught about a half a dozen trout on a hopper in the snow.>

Er---yeah, I wouldn't call that too picky! ;o)

Crane sounds very much like any heavily pressured, skinny water, extremely clear small stream that puts a heavy premium on woodsmanship and streamcraft. There are fish there but they aren't fools----nor do they surrender to those who are. A site that yields its' treasures to those of a sniper mentality and approach rather than the "Hail fellow, well met" sort.

No bumblers or peacocks honored. I can live with that, though as I age I no longer have the muscle control required to ghost through the woods like an aboriginal patience will still yield stealth for a reward.

Drab clothing? Always! It never ceases to amaze me when I see fishermen in white tee-shirts or equally bright accouterments along with gear that sparkles like the displays at a custom car show. Do they REALLY think that fish are blind? CC

[drew03cmc]

Seems like you have it figured out CC. Gorgeous fish, Tim!

[Crippled Caddis]

drew wrote:

<Seems like you have it figured out>

Nah----never been there to my sorrow. Just thinking aloud based on the comments of those who have and past experience with similar waters.

The commentary on bright clothing and gear however is a long-time wonderment to me. I dress about the same whether fishing or hunting; in either case I want to be as inconspicuous as possible. All wild predators blend into the background of their habitat and I want to emulate them as much as I can. That doesn't mean I'm one of those who wear camo at all times. (tho it's probably a good practice) Subdued natural earth tones suffice if one practices good tactics. I'm even starting to knock the gloss off of rod blanks before wrapping them and using black or dark colored hardware to prevent excess flashes. Extreme care such as that becomes more important on such difficult waters as Crane creek, but observation when fishing any water will prove to the observant that letting the fish know of your presence lowers your odds and I need every advantage I can eke out.

Man has been called the 'supreme predator' and I can't believe we earned the apellation by not thinking about the task at hand. CC

[brownieman]

drew wrote:

<Seems like you have it figured out>

Nah----never been there to my sorrow. Just thinking aloud based on the comments of those who have and past experience with similar waters.

The commentary on bright clothing and gear however is a long-time wonderment to me. I dress about the same whether fishing or hunting; in either case I want to be as inconspicuous as possible. All wild predators blend into the background of their habitat and I want to emulate them as much as I can. That doesn't mean I'm one of those who wear camo at all times. (tho it's probably a good practice) Subdued natural earth tones suffice if one practices good tactics. I'm even starting to knock the gloss off of rod blanks before wrapping them and using black or dark colored hardware to prevent excess flashes. Extreme care such as that becomes more important on such difficult waters as Crane creek, but observation when fishing any water will prove to the observant that letting the fish know of your presence lowers your odds and I need every advantage I can eke out.

Man has been called the 'supreme predator' and I can't believe we earned the apellation by not thinking about the task at hand. CC

CC, you are exactly right...one must blend with the colors that surround them and most fish will see you long before you see them.

One thing works well for me due to one thing.

Any species of fish while idle always faces upstream expending as little energy as possible to hold their position...if they are heading downstream they are either in pursuit of or escaping from something.

Due to this I always fish upstream...approaching from directly behind them is the only way to sneak up on them undetected.

I have actually crawled up gravel bars on my hands and knees ( the water being too deep to wade) if I know there is a large fish that I am in pursuit of...if you stand upright...well...that fish is outta there...might as well chunk rocks in the water, lol

[Crippled Caddis]

brownieman wrote:

<Due to this I always fish upstream.>

Bof'us! ;o)

[Terry Beeson]

You know how to catch a unique trout?

Unique up on him...

You know how to catch a tame trout?

Tame way...

I crack me up...

By the way, CC.... Jeet yet? Yontew?

("I reckon he tryin' to focus...." LOVE that joke... )

[timsfly]

You are right, I was on my knees and in tall grass when I hooked that one the other day, he hit the fly just feet from where I was kneeling, he never knew I was there untill it was to late. I was a big suprise for him, but he is waiting for me to come back, I'll not disapoint him, I'll be back in a few days. He and I are regular combatants, and he is in one of the eaiser holes to get at.

[Crippled Caddis]

Terry wrote:

<By the way, CC.... Jeet yet?>

Nope---but I'm asittin' on dead ready!

<Yontew?>

Whatchacookin'?