Fishing Forum

Needing to redeem my lack of Uinta success on the fly lately I decided to go somewhere where I knew the fishing is always good.....so Fish Lake Loop up Dry Fork Canyon was selected as the target.

Met up with FlyFishingLover, Aquaman and a new member.......Delement87. He was number 50 that I have fished with (TDT has fished with more members). We got started at a cold and not as colorful as last time trailhead. I swear it was like the start of horse races.....the boys mussled the ranks, leaving me in the dust!


In about 2 hours of pure uphill bi pedal motion we reached the 1st of 3 lakes.....Round Lake.


Everyone but Aquaman set up their fly gear in the trees. I tied on a Zebra Midge and on the 2nd cast got an Artic Grayling. The new fly line I bought the day before DOUBLED my fly casting distance.....worth every penny!


After 2 small Cutthroat Trout and another Grayling the action died off....so I switched to the "Cinnamon Ant" which turned the fish of Round Lake into ant killers. Aquaman bailed for higher lakes while the 3 fly guys remained, enjoying the calm weather that makes every fly fisher bust out the dry flies.


Soon asperations turned to the higher lakes. So we bailed and before we knew it we were at Sand Lake.


Known for stunted Grayling we did not spend much time, only getting a few dinks on the Zebra Midge.


Two other matching clothed ovis dorks...oh wait I ment fly fisherman were there and told us that the fish were much bigger up at Fish Lake (duh) and when asked what flies were working up there they said, "terrestrails, I will give you a big clue, use it on the green all the time". I should have asked them if it was close to my favorite fly......the RFP (Random Fly Pattern).

Left Sand Lake and got up to the gem, top of the trail, king of the hills.......Fish Lake. First thing we noticed was just how LOW the water level was. The area around the dam was just a long, shallow, skinny channel. The fishing was ok.



Eventually we moved to the "natural lake basin"....where the fishing was WAY better!


Throwing a Zebra Copper John I got 3 fish in 3 casts! I forgot just how big Grayling's eyes are.


When the wind calmed down the reflecitons started up and the dry fly action just went RED HOT!


I am not kidding when I say the Grayling were hitting my Cinnamon Ant every single cast. Most of the time the fly sat on the water less than 10 seconds! There were a few times where the Grayling went sailing.....hitting the fly before it could even touch the water!


I did not snap a lot of pics thanks to the low battery symbol on the camera....and the fact I was trying to get as many as possible! Aquaman left without saying goodbye and when the sun went below the ridge FFL let us know he did not have a headlamp. So as we got to leaving I got a suprise on the end of my line.....a Brook Trout.....which was a perfect way to end the day....and a perfect fish for number 70!


We packed up and hiked down. At the river crossing it went from daylight to pitch black fast! In the dark we ran into some deer and the noise of many crashing bushes. Aquaman was waiting at the trailhead for us. Using spin gear and worms he got 23 fish.....both FFL and Delement87 lost count at 50 fish and I got 70. Between the 4 of us we got well over 200 fish for sure! It was a GREAT day and exactly what you expect/want after hiking all that way. Thanks Delement for joining us....it was great fishing....oh wait I ment CATCHING with you!
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Nice sized grayling, as usual great pics. Glad you found some flies that worked.
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As a flyfisher, I always find it amusing when running into Murky and Lurky the pretentious Orvis twins (there's alot of them) and they give such detailed fly info as they gave you.

I remember years ago i ran into one of those twins, asked what he was using and he responds "chironomids". I d inwardly and thought..hmmmm which one of the over 10,000 is he possibly using.

Now when I run into one of the twins and I get the "chironomid" answer I look at them with a puzzled expression and reply "really?...male or female"?

Great report..beautiful pic's!
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Nice! You are sounding like a veteran fly fisher these days. Good on ya, but respect the true veterans, please.
The term Orvis Dork, I have been labeled that as well, but if it makes one feel better saying it....then knock yourself out.
Sorry, Montana, but I rarely share what I am using with strangers. Not my job and really not being ignorant as there is no rule that states you must share with everyone. Friends is another story in fact I provide the flies.
Terrestrials is a great answer. One I would be happy with. Hoppers is a safe bet. ANT you pulled out the Cinn Ant so, they did actually help you.[cool]

Great job men and teen.
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Yeah there was a time we were fishing Alpine Lake and there was just one fly guy.....we asked what was working and he said.....Random Fly Pattern.

We walked to a different part of the lake and when we started getting into fish the guy came over and asked what WE were using! We were happy to share.

FG I have been in a situation or 2 where I did not feel like sharing info....I think we all have. However I just told them, "sorry the angler I am fishing with would prefer me not to share what bait we are using, and I must respect that."

It is a better response than, take a guess, screw you or R.F.P.
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I guess I was revamping my post when you answered. The last part of my post. They weren't A holes to you, you said they mention Terrestrials. You pulled out an Ant which is a terrestrial. Why was this a bad thing?

I agree, share when you want, but it should never be a requirement.
And again thanks for the sunny post on this cloudy day.
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[quote flygoddess]
Terrestrials is a great answer. One I would be happy with. Hoppers is a safe bet. ANT you pulled out the Cinn Ant so, they did actually help you.[cool]
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Acutally I tied on the Cinn Ant long before I ran into them, so they were not as helpful as you implied.....in fact any fly would have worked as long as it floated! Delement was using a Royal Wulf and a HUGE dry fly that had no name (at least I have no clue what it was). When dry fly action is that HOT it does not really matter what you throw at them....if it floats they will take it!
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Great report and looks like a great day. Probable be snowing up there later this month so good time to enjoy the last of summer. Even though I own some Orvis rods I'm with you on those that think fish care that they dress in the same proper outfit and generally being unfriendly toward fellow fishermen of any kind. Now that you've fly fished a season those Orvis boys don't have much to offer you in way of fly selection. You're obviously a good enough fishermen that using your own judgement will result in out fishing most of those guys most trips anyway. They may even think there is one go to fly and don't get that most of us are just being friendly making small talk. We probable aren't even going to use their suggestion anyway. The second thing to point out is the guy mentioned the Green, probable frequents section a like the rest of them. Worse than just being a lousy fish farm full of stunted trout that don't in anyway behave as a wild fish, it's full of guys like him. So if you've never been take his comments on fishing the Green as a warning about the general experience of the place.
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Wow. I am done here.
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Are you sure they are "Orvis" dorks, or might they have been "Simms" dorks??

Anyway, he actually was paying you a back handed compliment by saying that the terrestrial is used on the Green all the time. He assumed that you must really know what you are doing fly fishing, and therefore fished the Green River, which is one of the most technical fisheries in Utah.

For future reference the "Terrestrial" he was implying is a a cinnamon colored "Triple Double" which is an ant pattern. You guessed right from the beginning, and he thought you would know that. []

Nice report though, and great pictures.
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Ha ha ha I love it that you put men and teen.

Im sure you will love this picture
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ETDT watch out for the man eating graying.
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Keep up the great work!
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Will do!!!! [cool]
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So, what exactly is an "Orvis Dork"?
As long as I've been fishing, I don't ever think I've seen one, let alone two. Or maybe I haven't noticed because I don't know what to look for.
Maybe you can define the meaning to me and others that aren't quite sure of the label.
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[quote mojorizing]So, what exactly is an "Orvis Dork"?
As long as I've been fishing, I don't ever think I've seen one, let alone two. Or maybe I haven't noticed because I don't know what to look for.
Maybe you can define the meaning to me and others that aren't quite sure of the label.[/quote]
I have some bad news for you......if you don't know what one is then you probably are one!
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[quote TyeDyeTwins][quote mojorizing]So, what exactly is an "Orvis Dork"?
As long as I've been fishing, I don't ever think I've seen one, let alone two. Or maybe I haven't noticed because I don't know what to look for.
Maybe you can define the meaning to me and others that aren't quite sure of the label.[/quote]
I have some bad news for you......if you don't know what one is then you probably are one![/quote]
Come on, that's one of the lamest answers I've heard in a long time.
Really now, give us the defination of an "Orvis Dork". Or is it just something you heard someone else say?
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I dont know I could be wrong but I always thought a "Orvis Dork" was a yuppie like person decked out in Orvis gear who tries to only look good not fish well.

@FG,

I don't even know why you try the more you argue with them the more you attempt educate them and well " you cant fix stupid "
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[quote sinergy][/quote]I dont know I could be wrong but I always thought a "Orvis Dork" was a yuppie like decked out in Orvis gear who tries to only look good not fish well.[/quote]





Why would one not want to fish well?[]

I admit, I am at a loss on the definition on this as well. I am sure there are many. It all boils down to unjust name calling though.
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I dont know I guess they could fish well I just thought it was someone who dressed the part not fished it but I guess you do have a point I mean I like nice things and Ill admit I like technical gear, abit of a gear junkie myself... Huh food for thought...[shocked]
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