2023 1st Trout and Winter Flies

 

The 1st Trout of 2023

A new year has arrived and it was christened with a January Rainbow. The fly of choice was an Apricot w/blood dot McFly Foam egg.  Typical of winter fishing.  Nothing too big, but beautifully colored.

Bringing the first fish of the year to hand is always a memorable event, especially with mild weather and perfect water conditions for January

Between fishable days, the winter is time to rebuild the fly box...starting with the nymph box since those are the flies that will carry through the next few months.

 Time at the Bench

Re-stocking Beadheads

Enjoy your winter at the bench

See you on the water

August Rainbow

August 2022 Rainbow

Fishing Creek PA

 

September Rain

 

As summer would have it, August and the first week of September gave us some of the lowest water we have had in awhile.  Levels were easily 1/4th what is shown in the above photo.

But thanks to the rain gods, we now have normal flows restored.  And after a few days of muddy water, things have cleared up nicely.

Since clearing up, the fly of choice has been a #14 Squirrels Nest.  Prior to that the off-color water was kind to the Golden Retriever and Apricot Egg.  

Tying the Squirrels Nest

This fat 18" bow closed out last night as the largest of a 1/2 dozen or so fish.  

Thankful for the rain. 

 See you on the water.

Topwater Trifecta

 

An evening's walk around a pond offers up a Topwater Trifecta.

 With bass raiding beds and gills chasing anything that gets close.

Add to that crappie rising for damselflys in the lily pads and you can have a pretty special evening.

4th of July Brown

 

20" Brown

No fireworks or crowds, just a quiet hand release while swallows swooped in chasing Sulfurs as the sun went down.

A Bamboo Morning

 This morning felt like a good time to dust off the PHY Perfectionist. With gin-clear water and hardly a breeze, A 4wt bamboo presentation seemed appropriate.

Dave Cottengim, Lulbegrud Creek Fly Rods (Builder)

With the low and clear water, fish were skittish. But eventually the creek gave up a few.  

I large brown on top took a Sulfur LTD, then broke me off after an impressive fight.  A nod of the cap to him.

The Sulfur LTD

And this fat 16" brown  finally came to hand, taking an RP Starling fished wet.

The RP Starling

All-N-All, a great morning on the water with the bamboo.

Big Bow of June

 

Big Bow of June

24" Rainbow

Orvis Far-&-Fine

June gave up some great fishing with nearly perfect water. Memorial day break brought this  Bow to hand.