Thursday, April 26, 2007

The two D's.

"Ok little fishy.... Jackson and I know you got alot going against you. Floods threaten your water, people try to suffocate you with pollution, those bigger fish are ganging up on you and won't let you hang out with them, food can be scarce, and billy bob dunking worms and shit wants to keep you for dinner. Damn Poacher."

"Hang in there and eat up....learn from your mistakes, grow big and strong. Oh yeah.... and don't forget to make plenty of babies for me to obsess over. Don't worry though.... I'll put them back just Like I put you back (not without letting Jackson lick your face).... if I can set the hook."

Is it a coincidence that two big rivers with the hardest fighting trout I have ever hooked into start with the letter D? Even more of a coincidence the locals who haunt those waters refer to both of them as "THE D". THE DELAWARE. THE DESCHUTES.

Jackson and I have fished both of these Holy places. On opposite ends of the United States.... these rivers have many things in common. Any given trout can peel line off your reel. The fish grow very strong surviving in a huge river carved by a heavy current. Great dry fly action, and picky fish.

Even though they are not native.... the Delaware River Brown Trout will get the best of you if you are not on your "A" game. If you finally fool the fish (15 flies later, and 3 tippet changes after) Don't size a fish up.. until you land it. We know that 15'' brown felt like 20'' when it took line off your reel. These fish don;t nail flies.... they are picture perfect browns who SIP flies.


The Deschutes: The redside. Fighting Redside sounds better. I hope you can land the damn thing after you hook it...... but these fish know how to spit hooks while they are suspended 4 ft out of the water. Oh shit! I almost forgot..... the steelies. Yeah, they are there too...... this river will test your witts, and reward you beautifully. If you're lucky.


Jackson wants me to let you in on one little secret. I wont say too much...... my boy was working on the Delaware a summer ago and night fishing for large browns....... in between loud surface smacks in the darkness of the night (in between browns) he was catching these on the surface (with a 5 wt):


So..... put it on your list. 2 places to fly fish before you die.

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Menomena.

Hey Portlanders. Show your indie roots. Menomena. Trash. Beat. Menomena. Cough,cough, coughing.

Honey Holes, Reports, Pics, and Inspiration


Hotdamn! The shacknasties are just about over. This side of the world is beginning to shake off the frost and thaw out. Everyone is dusting off the cobwebs and I am beginning to read more and more positive fishing posts. I have busted out the map book and begun searching out new water I want to explore. Forget the crowds.... I am leaning towards the days filled with a hard hike, rewarded by wreckless fish and solitude. Ok, so I will probably fish the salmonfly hatch on the D. But not before I start searching out some honey holes on lesser known water. I hope fellow bloggers, fishing boards, and friends continue their reports and postings. Cheers.