Greetings all,
I've been lurking on this site for quite a while now and I realize that I am probably slightly out of my element. I only fly fish and I know the majority of you fish in a different world than I do.
Having said that...THAT is why I finally had to join.
I've been fly fishing since I was 10 years old and fly fished exclusively for trout until about 2 years ago when I made a challenge for myself to catch every species of fish in Utah on a fly and using fly fishing gear (you can see the challenge at Utahonthefly.com in the UTOF Challenge forum). I planned to do it in the span of a year, which proved to be a little optimistic...but I've had fun trying!
I've learned a lot more about the various species and it has made me a better fisherman. Generally speaking, fly fishers know trout... but not much about all the other species. I've had a lot of fun fishing where few fly fishers would roam.
Of course, I realize that fly fishing isn't really the best way to fish for many species, but it's the method that I choose.
Anyway, I'm now only 4 species away from completing my goal. I still need to catch a:
Lake Trout
Striped Bass
Pike
Muskie
Anyway, I'm looking for info and/or help in completing my goal and I know from reading these forums for a while that there are some of you who really know your stuff with regards to some of these species.
Can I split some gas for a trip to Striper boils at Powell? How about a boat ride around Pineview for that Muskie I've been trying to catch from a float tube?
I understand the Lakers come shallow at Fish Lake in the fall...
Anyway... Howdy. Good to meet you all.
Brent
Welcome aboard Brent!
I was once a fly-or-die guy myself for many, many years but between fishing with my kids, new friends and this board I've learned that there is more than one way to skin a cat, although the long rod is still my favorite.
Good luck with your goal. Those are some challenging fish by any method let alone on a fly rod. I'm sure there are some guys here that could give you some help though.
FM
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Im not sure if I understood this but your fly fishing for muskie. Im curious as to what your using pattern wise
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although i bet our muskie might be different than other states. alot of people fly fish for muskie and pike. its nothing new. i dont personally know what kind of flies to use but i bet a big ole streamer would do the trick just fine or a large muddler. muskies hit crappie rigs all the time and i heard of at least five situations of it happening last year. good luck on the pike though not alot of places to fish for them. your best chance is redmond and though it might not be a big one you could possibly hook one down there. its the only decent population of them in the state i know of now. stripers shouldnt be hard just go on a boil and use flies they use on wipers. help this guy out fellas whats the name of that fly. crystal something?
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I spent several years in a fog thinking that the only way to catch a fish was on fly rod. Now my eyes are open and I am able to use any gear required to catch the fish that wish to go after. It is good to be FREE again. Good luck and let us know how the fishing goes as you continue your quest. DKS
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Hey Stout, nice to see you joined over here. I've been over here for quite awhile now, I don't post near as much ast he others but I feel more than welcome here. I'm a fly rodder 99% of the time, occansionally I'll pick up another rod but like you I'm interested in catching everything with my fairy wand. Your goal to every species in Utah is something I'd like to accomplish but my time frame is extended way beyond what you've challenged yourself.
Good luck with those last four, don't get discouraged, some of them may take awhile.
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i've not cought a pike or musky on a fly but i have some friends that fly fish for them back east.. they hate takeing me fishing with them because i cheat.. i just fish with big top waters,buzz, and spinner baits.. and catch more than they do most the time.. but they are like you they want to catch it on a flyrod and thats cool with me.. Xman is right your best bet for pike would be Redmond..only one problm with Redmond is that the fish only bite in the colder months. and for the last 3 years the pike have not been hitting lures very good at all..the guy's i fish with back east for pike use big patterns like mouse, frog, crayfish. bird. popper, big stremer in blue and silver, red and white, black white with silver body.. but at Redmonds i think a mouse pattern woud be your best bet.. seen a guy down there last year catch 5 fish in 2 hrs on a home made mouse crank bait so a fly mouse might work good as well..
musky fly fishing is about the same as pike fly fishing.. a lot of work with not to meny fish to show for it.. but a noble goal to try for..
if you need some help with Redmonds let me know i have fished the lake for years and cought some pike evey now and then.. BTW Redmond also has some big LM Bass in it as well.. talked to a friend that was there a week ago and cought 3 LM Bass 1 was over 3 lbs.. but i have seen 5 and 6 pounders come out of redmonds.. Note he cought 3 Bass but got bit by about 10000 mosquitos..so right now is not a good time to be there..
hope that helps a little..
dude on fish?
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Thanks for the replys guys.
It's good to know I'm not in the wrong place. Ichthys, Fishmagnet, DKSRenegade, TubeDude... and others. Thanks for the info, it's good to know I won't be looked down upon because I'm a fly fisher.
and Fuzzy... from what I understand, Redmond is pretty much my only real shot at a Pike, and I've also heard that the cold months is when you need to be there... so I'm planning to be there then.
I would love some info if you are willing to share. Either here on the forum, or in email...whichever you prefer. So, do I need a boat for Redmond? Would a tube due or do you walk the shore? I've heard a red and white streamer is a good ticket...but those other suggestions I haven't heard..so I will get busy on a mouse pattern and others.
and by the way... Ichthys and others who may be intererested..I would be happy to tell you what I can about the species I've caught so far. Just let me know.
and Trouthungry... if I had even had a follow for a muskie, I could tell you what pattern to use... but as of yet... I don't know either!
I understand it needs to be pretty large...lots larger than most fly fishers think would catch fish... I'm not sure about color... It seems the guys here who seem to get them quite regularly use a florecent orange bottom lure with perch colors... does that sound about right? As for me, I've fished big zonkers, deceivers in perch colors, and large clousers...but, as I said... I can't confirm that any of those work.
Anyway. Thanks again all.
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the large thing for muskie doesnt always apply too pineview. i have noticed more people hooking up on muskie with small stuff thats why i included the crappie rig catching muskie cuz it has for the last three years or so. i would say more than anything is lure presentatino in the water. you need it at the exact depth. if you can tie a muddler up with decent color and work it with weights and a million casts im sure it would eventually work.
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