A North Carolina Photo Essay

Some of the nicest fish I netted this winter were taken on Sz. 18 Eggs, and Sz. 22 & 24 Midge Pupa

Small dry fly box Sz. 20 and smaller, very effective as most people won't go this small

Despite a harsh winter, some really nice fish have been brought to the net

I like my fish pictures with the fish in the water, or at least close.  Suggesting friendly handling and releasing

Sz. 20 Parachute Baetis emergers, very effective

Copper Johns, ready for the river..  An interesting thing about these is the epoxy flash on their back suggests  the gas bubble on the body of an emerging adult nymph (or in this case, about to start it's emergence).  

The highly pressured water of the Davidson River, NC

Even in the winter months, there were Baetis hatches on the Watauga River, Tenn.

Watauga River 'bow

A nice Brooktrout

My nicest NC winter rainbow to date, hooked on a Sz. 22 Midge pupa while hanging out just below a bunch of fishing pressure.  It just took a little switch up from fishing where I had been on other visits.

Some Skagit "Tips" from the Swedes

        It's been a great winter for honing fishing skills here in Western North Carolina.  However, there have been several very cold fronts that have slowed things down mid winter this year.  From what I hear, it has an been unseasonably harsh winter.  It is impressive how quickly things can change from warm to cold and vise versa.  When the weather gets very cold and snowy, it's a great time to research future trips, tie some flies, and keep fishing "conceptually".  I am looking forward to heading back to the North West and getting out on the great rivers.  The plan for the summer has not been set as of now, but I am having "Steelhead Dreams" for next year...         
         To diversify our techniques, sometimes it's great to see what they are doing on the other side of the pond.  I came across these guys, Mattias Drugge and Tobbe Hedin from Sweden, a couple of pro anglers who host a great show called Fly TV.  Here, they give a very clear explanation and demonstration of the Skagit style Spey fishing.  I enjoy watching their videos, and I hope that you do also! Fish ON!

A video tutorial from a true master

Gary Borger.  Tyer, Author, Instructor, and a Professor in Biology.  This video contains excellent information about techniques, tactics, and entomology which will help you catch more trout!  One of my favorites!  Enjoy!

Rocky Ford Creek, Wa

        I was hearing about a fly fishing only spot in Eastern Washington.  I got skunked just looking at creeks on the map, checking the regs, and going out to look.  There are two or more Rattlesnake Creeks in Washington, one is productive, but the one I checked has been soaked up by irrigation.  Finally, a codger started talking to me while I was out bouldering, "I don't know why anyone would want to do that rockclimbing stuff.  I fly fish.."  He started naming fishing spots where he fishes.  It's important to give some time to, and to listen to people, tidbits of information might be quite useful.  I started fishing here on my days off, and my hobby started to form a snowball that would later turn into an avalanche of passion.  I began to get more serious about researching, and locating the fishy water.  Now I really enjoy the whole process...

Rocky Ford Creek, Washington, Fly Fishing Only, Catch and Release Only, and No Wading Allowed.  An incredibly tuff place to fish, huge Rainbows, and I mean huge!  Anglers keep a lot of pressure on them.  If you can hook them, not get broken off, and figure out how you are going to land them...  You're really getting some!

Spent Spinners found in the film in Rocky Ford Ck.

An adult Mayfly during a prolific hatch

Some sz. 20 CDC spent spinners tied in my van to match the ones that I had found in the film at Rocky Ford

The shucked exoskeleton of a golden stone fly nymph found on the edge of the Wennatchee River.  Maybe a size 6.

A beautiful Rocky Ford Rainbow, easily 20"+ caught on a sz. 20 emerger...  I decided I needed a net after the first visit here.  Fishing with a net is the only way to go at any spot.  I still need a bigger, longer landing net for this place.

It's been a while

        since the last post...  Three years!  A lot of things have happened, career changes made, and epic waters fished.  Stay tuned as updates are soon to follow.  Big trips are on the horizon, including some Salt Water fishing for schooling red fish on the South Carolina Coast with one of the best guides in the area!  It's an exciting time, and I'm getting my fly box ready for these aggressive fish that I only heard about a month and a half ago!  I hear it's quite the addictive endeavor.

       More is soon to come from my trip from Washington to my current location of North Carolina, learning more about fishing pressured trout and winter fly fishing all along the way.  Thanks for viewing!

Silver Creek Preserve, Picabo, Idaho 

Size 22-24 Midge fishing, Big Laurel River, Western North Carolina

Some late season cutthroats

As I look back at this post, and as I was fishing (and waiting out) wet conditions on the Little North Fork of the Coeur D'Alene River, in Idaho, I thought to myself what a great learning environment Whatcom County, WA was.  Searching for spots to fish in the area, and wondering, "are there fish in there?"  You bet there are!  If I saw someone fly fishing it was exciting, because it was uncommon.  This ritual of searching for the water, finding the spot, and then hooking some fish is what it's all about!  Tight Lines People!

The Beginning of Millers Killers Hand Tied Flies

The humble beginnings of my fly tying and fly fishing began around the mountain town of Glacier, Washington.  Far enough away from the nearest fly shop to realize the need to go DIY.  As is usual in the progression of an angler, all I wanted to fish were dry flies...  Despite knowing the fact that fish feed 90% of the time sub surface.  This would all change in the coming years as I lived in different areas and began seeking out the more productive waters.




Some nice wild trout caught on dries...  Enough to get anyone hooked!