Fishing Forum

I got a chance to do some more stream fishing yesterday. Wow, what a beautiful day to be out!! The weather was warm and calm, and the trees were amazing in all of their best finery. It was hard to believe that some of the leaves were that vivid. Some were such a bright florescent orange, I thought at first it was a group of hunters sitting together. I don't think I have seen them that shade of orange before. Strange and amazing! I took a few pictures but they really don't show what it was like in first person.




All of the planets must have been in alignment, because the fishing was good too.

I got to the creek at about 11:30 and since I already had an Adams on, I left on and fished with that until the poor fly gave up its last wisp of hackle. I was up exploring a different section that had a lot of beaver ponds and brush to beat through. The cutts seemed to be few and far between in this area, and I didn't see many young of the year in there. There is an unscreened irrigation diversion close to this area, that I think accounts for many of the moving fish and the young from above there. It makes it hard for fish recruitment.

Don't get me wrong. I am not against irrigation, I just think it should be done right for all of the resources.

I decided to move to a different section and try the fishing there. It was great! Lots of baby fish and plenty of other sizes, but it was still hard to sneak up on them in the clear shallow water, especially with a bright orange hunting vest on. At least with the leaves all colors, I blended into some of it. If I wasn’t cautious and moved too quick though, they spooked that run and two or three runs up.


There were still lots of hoppers around so I finished the next hour or two with hoppers and caddis flies. Some of the fish made some historic dashes out from under willow roots and just smashed my fly. It is a good thing they hooked themselves, because I was so startled that I would have pulled the fly away if I'd had time. Unfortunately many of them made another mad dash back under the willow roots and I never got another look at them.

I even had one where it straightened the hook on a small caddis fly I was using. Must have been a bad hook, but......I like to think it was a HUGE fish!

Most of the fish I caught were 8 to 12 inches, but most of my pictures are of the 15-18 inchers. I love looking at the different markings and spot patterns on cutthroats. They are such a great fish for small streams like this!




I did have a net with me on this trip, which is an amazing accomplishment for my memory!


I like this measure net. It is heavier and larger than my usual stream net, but it does make it easier to land the fish. The real problem with carrying a net on small brushy streams is.....well the brush. I had to use a cord to tie it behind me so it would stay. Then it was harder to get free when I needed it. Does anyone have an easier way to tote one?

Anyway, back to the fish.... Sorry there are waterspots on some of the pictures. Some of the fish objected to having their picture taken, and I didn't notice the splash on the lens to wipe it off.

























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Excellent report as usual. Awesome stream cutts wow! Makes me think I should have explored some creeks. The weather was awesome.

Windriver
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Wow, those are some great looking cutts, especially from such a small creek. I wish this time of year would last longer as it's so perfect.
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beautiful pictures......man i love those small streams. I keep my net behind me using a magnetic attatchment to the d ring on the neck pad on my chest pack. keeps it higher up so it doesnt snag as easy and super easy to grab the net....and when i am done, the magnet is strong enough i can just put the net behind my head and the ends find themselves.
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I use one of those magnetic attachments as well, and I don't know how I ever got by without it. I highly recommend getting one as well.
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An elastic cord on my vest at the back is what I have now, but I am still getting hung up on the willows. So I started tying my net down closer to my back, and that keeps it from getting hung up, but is harder to get out when I need to use it. Maybe my cord is too long. I am thinking of removing it and using the magnetic holders that you guys suggest.

Good to know from some actual users that they work well.
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i bought mine from sportsmans warehouse in idaho falls. you get the magnet and a elastic chord....i shortened the chord to about 8 inches so its on my back, not my shoulders.
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When fishing rivers, I use this one

http://www.cabelas.com/nets-wading-staff...ok-3.shtml

Being bamboo, it is surprisingly light and that is a big plus. The handle is the hook, so I hang it from a belt, or a pocket if I am wet wading. Nice thing, you can hang it anywhere, and did I mention LIGHT.

Plus I do put a leash on all my net.

I have a bunch of those magnet things, even custom nets that have them built in. They are cool. If I do use them, I have them mounted with the magnet attached to the net end in the center, so the handle is hanging down my back. This puts the net area right on your upper back, less likely to catch trees, plus much easier to reach back and grab the handle at waist hight. You can even lean swinging the handle to the side. Then I attach a cord or a zinger to the end of the handle and hook to my belt.
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That bamboo one is really nice. I like the hook handle, and I like light!!

I think the main problem is in having the net down and handle up. I do need to reverse it.

I carried my measure net this time and I liked having the easy tape measure feature, but it is too big for brush. The old aluminum cheapy net I used to use is smaller, but the net has some holes in it now from catching on things etc. It is almost embarrassing to tote it, as it is so ratty. Most of the time on streams anymore I haven't used a net at all because of the hanging up etc., but I do like having one for the fish. I lose fewer and they can recover in the net. I really don't even mind them releasing themselves, if they wouldn't take my fly with them!!
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Most people do carry them handle up, that is the way they come, but I started reversing it many years ago and what a difference. Easy enough to rig. A zip tie in most cases.
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I finally reversed my net so it hangs handle down this year. FG had mentioned it a few years ago but only when the thing was falling apart recently did I try it. I do use the magnets and find brush less likely to catch the net and pull it down.
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