Steelhead Dreams Part 2 - by Todd Moen from Todd Moen Creative on Vimeo.
Last Video for a while. I'm just getting lazy.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Southwest Florida Report
I was down in southwest Florida a week ago and the fishing was slow. The snook population does not seem to be back to where it once was. Further evidence that the intense freeze was devastating. Good news is that the FWC are requiring catch-and-release until 2012 for snook on Florida's west coast, which is a step in the right direction. We caught a couple, including a nice one well over 30 inches but that is all. We did get a handful of big ladyfish, which are a blast on the fly (still not even close to a snook). Also, I had an interesting encounter with a BIG bull shark on the flats. Pictures and stories to come.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Trouble in Chicago River
The Chicago river is not the cleanest river in the U.S.A. So what!? No kidding! Duh! Well, read the following:
"Although [the Chicago river] supports six million people "it is one of the only rivers in the country where undisinfected sewage is dumped directly into the river every day," says American Rivers. "Unless the Illinois Pollution Control Board requires disinfection of this wastewater, Chicago residents and visitors will face increasing health threats."
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in early May 2011 ordered the state to clean up the river."
Click here to see link to MSNBC Rivers of Controversy
I don't know how that statement sounds to you but "undisinfected sewage" sounds pretty bad to me. FYI the Chicago river connects to Lake Michigan .2 miles from Ohio street beach. For sure, there are river currents and lake currents to consider but the point is that we play where we . . . well you know. Just something to think about.
Tight lines.
"Although [the Chicago river] supports six million people "it is one of the only rivers in the country where undisinfected sewage is dumped directly into the river every day," says American Rivers. "Unless the Illinois Pollution Control Board requires disinfection of this wastewater, Chicago residents and visitors will face increasing health threats."
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in early May 2011 ordered the state to clean up the river."
Click here to see link to MSNBC Rivers of Controversy
I don't know how that statement sounds to you but "undisinfected sewage" sounds pretty bad to me. FYI the Chicago river connects to Lake Michigan .2 miles from Ohio street beach. For sure, there are river currents and lake currents to consider but the point is that we play where we . . . well you know. Just something to think about.
Tight lines.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Prom Dress Fly
Base: Waddington Shank (size will vary).
Hook Connection: Beading wire.
Hook: Octopus style hook size 2-1/0
Body: Pearl mylar, pearl Ice Dub, white arctic fox tail.
Wing: Glow Flashabou (or any Flashabou of your choice)
Hackle: Large mallard flank feather.
Eyes: tungsten or lead-free db of your choice and 3D stick-on eyes.
Instructions
First, secure the WS in the vice and create a thread base. Second, lash wire to the WS leaving a trailing loop that is large enough to accommodate the hook. Third, secure pearl mylar tinsel and wrap forward roughly a third of the hook shank towards the eye, tie off and trim. Fourth, where you have tied off the mylar, create a medium size ball of Ice Dub and tie off. Fifth, create a dubbing loop and fill the loop with an inch (or so) of arctic fox. Sixth, spin the loop and wrap it around the WS (be sure to stroke the fibers after each turn). Seventh, apply a generous amount of Flashabou by securing the Flashabou at its middle and doubling it over. Be sure that the Flashabou extends all around the hook shank and completely covers the arctic fox (like a dress, although I'm not sure that's where the name came from). Eighth, wrap the mallard feather forward so that the fibers slope back toward the hook. Finally, tie on the eyes using a figure-eight wrap.
The Story
A few months ago, I came across this fly while looking over the online fly shop www.flyfishusa.com. The website includes the fly's story and a how-to video, which is worth checking out. Then, I got a shot of the fly in action while watching Scott Howell's new video Skagit Master II - also worth checking out. In short, the fly was designed by Scott Howell and is, essentially, the fly fisherman's spoon. The fly is bright with lots of movement. Moreover, the fly is fairly simple to tie and invites adaptation. Since it is made from synthetic materials the color combinations are endless. I tied this particular fly in glow - thinking about bright early-run king salmon. However, all silver is a logical choice. How about fire-tiger? Or, gold with an orange back? I'm looking forward to swinging a few of these through the favorite tail out.
Tight Lines.
Monday, March 14, 2011
SUCCESS!!!
Introduction
The 2010-11 season was a tough one for steelhead - at least for me. The few opportunities I had to get out on the water were met with low clear water, high and bright skies, and cold temperatures. Typically those conditions are tough conditions to pursue steelhead. But good fisherman catch fish in tough conditions. Well, after a couple of goose eggs I was beginning to doubt my fishing acumen.
However, my steelhead season ended with a bang! While this season has put a nice dent in my ego, last weekend marked the start of my road to recovery. See a couple of the better shots.
Some Fish Stories
Guide and good friend Jeff Hubbard took us out for a great couple of days on the water. We (My Dad and I) hooked about 5 or 6 a day and landed about half that many (not impressive but hey that's fishing). As my Dad likes to say "hooking them is the hardest part." In any event, the fishing was interesting. At times the conditions were typical spring i.e. air temps around 40, water temps around 38, some bedding fish, some hopped-up chromers. At other times fishing was reminiscent of winter i.e. air temps around freezing, water temps in the mid to low 30s, subtle takes that gradually gained momentum. For instance, on Saturday morning, the air temps felt warm, the water temps were close to 40. At the second hole a chrome hen crushed my fly and freaked out. She fought as fresh as she looks. The morning bite was great. In the afternoon a cold front moved in and the bite shut off. The second day was tougher. I had another big chrome hen take my fly. However, the take and initial few seconds were so subtle I thought it was a trout. After a couple of moments she got into the fight. She took off down stream and started bucking on the surface. We stayed connected long enough to haunt me until next November - she was big.
The big buck pictured with my Dad acted much the same way as my big hen. First, a subtle take followed by a few cautious moments. Then, he got into the fight and fought like a champ.
Some Additional Observations
As I mentioned, we saw a number of fish hitting the gravel. To each his own but I suggest you leave these fish alone. We must remember that some rivers, like the Pere Marquette, are totally wild runs or have wild runs. Ever year more people get into the sport, which is great. But all too often people can't help themselves and go after those big fish in the shallow clear water. Hey, I'm guilty of hitting the gravel in the early years. No more. If you're new to the sport don't get into the habit. If you've been doing this for a while it's time to quit. bob the pools, swing the runs, let those bedding fish support the population.
Tight Lines.
The 2010-11 season was a tough one for steelhead - at least for me. The few opportunities I had to get out on the water were met with low clear water, high and bright skies, and cold temperatures. Typically those conditions are tough conditions to pursue steelhead. But good fisherman catch fish in tough conditions. Well, after a couple of goose eggs I was beginning to doubt my fishing acumen.
However, my steelhead season ended with a bang! While this season has put a nice dent in my ego, last weekend marked the start of my road to recovery. See a couple of the better shots.
Some Fish Stories
Guide and good friend Jeff Hubbard took us out for a great couple of days on the water. We (My Dad and I) hooked about 5 or 6 a day and landed about half that many (not impressive but hey that's fishing). As my Dad likes to say "hooking them is the hardest part." In any event, the fishing was interesting. At times the conditions were typical spring i.e. air temps around 40, water temps around 38, some bedding fish, some hopped-up chromers. At other times fishing was reminiscent of winter i.e. air temps around freezing, water temps in the mid to low 30s, subtle takes that gradually gained momentum. For instance, on Saturday morning, the air temps felt warm, the water temps were close to 40. At the second hole a chrome hen crushed my fly and freaked out. She fought as fresh as she looks. The morning bite was great. In the afternoon a cold front moved in and the bite shut off. The second day was tougher. I had another big chrome hen take my fly. However, the take and initial few seconds were so subtle I thought it was a trout. After a couple of moments she got into the fight. She took off down stream and started bucking on the surface. We stayed connected long enough to haunt me until next November - she was big.
The big buck pictured with my Dad acted much the same way as my big hen. First, a subtle take followed by a few cautious moments. Then, he got into the fight and fought like a champ.
Some Additional Observations
As I mentioned, we saw a number of fish hitting the gravel. To each his own but I suggest you leave these fish alone. We must remember that some rivers, like the Pere Marquette, are totally wild runs or have wild runs. Ever year more people get into the sport, which is great. But all too often people can't help themselves and go after those big fish in the shallow clear water. Hey, I'm guilty of hitting the gravel in the early years. No more. If you're new to the sport don't get into the habit. If you've been doing this for a while it's time to quit. bob the pools, swing the runs, let those bedding fish support the population.
Tight Lines.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
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