Trip report

[BilletHead]

     We just had to get out in this wonderful weather yesterday. We had two goals for the day. Get Pat a rock bass and for me to get something on the vintage Fenwick fly rod. I had some Intel on the rock bass from @Ham. We more than met our goals with a bonus. Hit the Rock bass first. Caught between a dozen and 15. Fun little fish. We both used Grinch bugs in Olive,rust and black.  We were just stripping back from downstream of the hole back to us to catch. Trout got in the way and we had to catch them out as we went.  We snagged some and lost a couple bugs. I finally suggested to use an indicator to drift back and keep it off the bottom. This worked and I was the one who got the bonus. How fun on the vintage gear. 

    Measure net showed 16 inches. It doesn't look like it but it was measured. You decide. It took a black Grinch bug. We left that fun and worked upstream. Both stripping Grinch bugs or so I thought. Pat was down from me just pulling them in. I asked what color are you using? Black okay so was I but not catching like her. We worked farther upstream catching. Fish were all color combinations.

Fish would hit on the quick strip. The ones along the bank you had to mess with those for a reaction. Slower and a lot of jigging action is what they wanted. 

We ended up below the dam. Pat caught quickly and then they slowed down. Hatches were going on then. A small black caddis and some of those hard to see cream color flying critters. There were so many trout just under the surface some with fins out sipping and hitting the flys. I put on a smaller buzzball. I would drift it across the fish. Some were so picky they would follow it to only refuse but others would nail it without question. Crazy some were deeper fish coming straight up to take it. Fun. Pat finally got below me to just net the fish. 

We finally gave it up and left fish biting at 2:15. Back at the truck getting out of waders as usual I with the stiff back was having trouble getting waders off. Pat stepped up and about pulled me off the picnic table. Laughing while doing it. 

    Putting up the gear I look on the tailgate and saw a black Simi seal leach. Hey when did you start using this? As soon as we left the rock bass hole. I asked what you were saying them on. No you asked what color 😄. She did out strip my for sure. 

  About the vintage rod. Dang it works great. Standard over head casting. Using double taper 409 fly line that is rated like lines of past for glass rods. Really throws even the Grinch bug with a 4mm heavy tungsten bead. On roll casting that same fly there was some trouble getting lift on the pickup for the roll. Wind made that worse. With lighter fly I could roll and shoot it way out. This is going to be a terrific fun trout, panfish and light bass rods. I may get it out today and see if I can get some pond fish in this unseasonably warm weather. 

[Flysmallie]

Those fish along the bank will lose their mind over a zoo cougar stripped through them. The hookup ratio sucks but it's entertaining. 

I almost ran up there yesterday for a few casts. If I would have known the BilletHead's were there I would have made the trip. 

[Quillback]

Very nice, and it sure is good to get out on these nice days!

[Foghorn]

Enjoyed the report. Would have loved to see a video of you two youth's frolicking around in the parking lot!

[Johnsfolly]

5 hours ago, BilletHead said:

for me to get something on the vintage Fenwick fly rod.

I hate you using this term since the rod is not as old as I am😉😅

[BilletHead]

2 hours ago, Johnsfolly said:

I hate you using this term since the rod is not as old as I am😉😅

You my friend are still a kid to me. That rod Is only four years older than Pat and I have been married. 😆

[BilletHead]

7 hours ago, Flysmallie said:

Those fish along the bank will lose their mind over a zoo cougar stripped through them. The hookup ratio sucks but it's entertaining. 

I almost ran up there yesterday for a few casts. If I would have known the BilletHead's were there I would have made the trip. 

          Thanks Ronnie. I will remember that and harass them. 

[Flysmallie]

50 minutes ago, BilletHead said:

          Thanks Ronnie. I will remember that and harass them. 

Well don’t scare them all off!!

 I started tying some minnow cougars. Thought maybe they would commit to something a little smaller. 
 

Size 8

[fishinwrench]

21 minutes ago, Flysmallie said:

Well don’t scare them all off!!

 I started tying some minnow cougars. Thought maybe they would commit to something a little smaller. 
 

Size 8

 

You have done a fine job there, looks great👍   

But of all the streamer patterns I've ever worked on, I gotta say THAT ONE has been a bonafide loser for ME.    Can't even get a White bass to eat one during the peak of the spawning run.   🤷‍♂️  

[Flysmallie]

1 hour ago, fishinwrench said:

I gotta say THAT ONE has been a bonafide loser for ME.

 

I do offer lesssons.