Winter Wrap-Up
Temperatures are starting to rise, the days are getting longer, and it’s finally starting to feel a little like spring! It seemed like this winter dragged on past it’s time, but the reality is we started late.
Back in December air and water temps were still mild and I got some fishing in before the snow started to fall. Eventually the snows did begin, but it was right around the holidays and we postponed the winter experience by heading south to see family. We also took a day and got on the water with Charleston Shallows to fish for winter reds. It was a great way to wrap up the year and I ended up catching my largest SC redfish on fly (to date).
After getting home, winter really settled in and the fly tying began. We’re lucky to have such a diversity of species to fish for within a short drive, but that means lots of boxes to fill with a variety of patterns. I found myself going on binges, starting with crab patterns for stripers, moving on to Hendrickson emergers, then pike poppers, etc., etc… We should be fully stocked for this year, with the exception of some cicada patterns (but I’m working on that).
In March we had a few “warm” days that pushed our cabin fever beyond a bearable level, so we headed across the border to fish open water. Fishing was tough, but we managed to hook a couple trout while not getting frost bite. Then the cold returned with a firm grasp that has loosened slowly this April. Even with the cooler temps, we were into fish by mid-April, but that is for another post.
Giving thanks
Instead of the the typical turkey-day traditions, we decided to go swing flies for steelhead this Thanksgiving. The fishing was slow, but we still managed to get some tugs and even landed a couple fish. Here’s some evidence.
Dudes
Dudes, sports, guests, clients whatever you call them, people paying guides are the reason many of us like my self get to make a living doing something we love. This video is a combination of two days fly fishing on the Big Hole River in SW Montana with two of my favorite “Dudes”. We had a ton of laughs, beautiful weather and great fishing. These two closed down my guide season for the year, and provided an excellent ending to a fantastic guide season.
For more videos and thoughts from Southwest Montana check out the blog, evoanglers.com.
Beetles & Mayflies
In southern Sweden, the peak of dryfly fishing is in June and the big Ephemera Danica is on the trout’s menu. However, in our narrow minds, it took us some time to understand that the trouts are both lazy and efficient creatures that sometimes want another snack.
From Troutification on vimeo.
Sweet carp footage
Not an action packed flick, but lots of up-close video of feeding carp. My favorite is the big carp with a smallmouth escort. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made a decent cast to a fish to have a smallie grab the fly first.
Spring can’t come soon enough…
