The SFS team enjoyed a couple days chasing some hearty Redband's in Oregon last weekend. Brett's snapped Helio's (his advice: don't try to double haul an 8 inch double bunny leech on an 8wt)was soon forgotten as he landed his first fish a 25 incher. The kid, Stephen (ten years old) hooked his 3rd fish ever a 24 inch brown (wish I hooked fish that size when I was 10). Over the next couple days we landed more nice redbands averaging 22-26 inches (a nice average). The fish grow big here and they fight like crazy leaping 3-4 feet into the air, a spectacular sight to say the least. The browns we managed were relatively small for this area 18 inches or so but still fun to catch. All said and done we had a good time.
Oops! Oh well it's only an $800 rod...curse...curse...
How to cure a broken Helio's
The next generation. "Damn I'm all out of quarters."
Cows in the morning mist.
Eat your veggies boys.
That's your 3rd fish ever?
Wake up!
Average sized Redband at this spot (a measly 5 lbs).
Herb Clarno getting some much needed R&R after some rigorous campaigning. If you live in Humboldt county don't forget to vote for him (County Commissioner Seat C).
by Luke Harris
My wife, son and I recently spent some time at Bottle Creek ranch near Winnemucca. The creek itself was experiencing some serious runoff (the highest I've ever seen it) so we didn't fish it this time but still had some fun flying the Northern Nevada skies and mud slinging in Herb's truck (we got stuck once but don't tell him). Later in the week, Herb and I hooked up with fishing pal Ray Keener for a trip to South Fork Reservoir (a SFS team all-time favorite). We did pretty well, Ray and I fishing buggers and nymphs while Herb threw a Kastmaster on spin gear. The trip was a blast.
Who booked a morning flight?
Birds eye of Bottle Creek Ranch.
SFS in training pretending to lay the groundwork for a much needed Bass fishery.
An early season rattler hiding in the sage.
A thorough inspection of the runoff.
"Are we stuck Dad?" "Naw."
Ray and Herb demonstrating their piscatorial know how.
Let me first explain that I’m a true nymph fisherman. This was how I learned to fly fish, and this is how I catch 99% of my fish. I enjoy it. I don’t usually use an indicator on moving water but instead rely on feel. This is how I take all my big fish. The last 2 trips however, have changed this and I’m now addicted to a fishing method entirely novel to me.
After miles of wading during run-off I recently spotted a feeding rainbow. Nearly a rods length away, I froze instantly. Whew, he didn’t see me. I immediately crouched down and moved downriver from him. While I quietly observed his movements I noticed several naturals drift over his feeding lie undisturbed. This does exactly build confidence in one who’s about to try and dupe a big trout on a dry. But, I remained confident that “I will catch this fish.”
So I removed my split shot and snipped off my double nymph rig. Watching his movements carefully, I attached ~3ft.of 5x tippet and tied on a #14 parachute Adams. This being about the only mayfly pattern in my box, that closely resembled the naturals that were hatching.
I then moved into position I proceeded to make my first offering. My first cast was greeted with a stiff gust of wind that I luckily was able to dump off to the left side of his feeding lie. I waited until the gust passed, then made a nice curve cast so the line landed on one side while the fly landed in his feeding lane. The Adams hit the water and I watched in amazement as the big rainbow surged forward and attacked my presentation. I was so overzealous that I immediately went to set the hook and ripped the fly from the fishes mouth and well into the bushes behind me. @#&% I exclaimed as I broke off the fly in the tall brush. I immediately thought that I had ruined my only chance at the trout of the day - but as fate would have it the fish remained unfazed.
I watched the fish as I tied on the same pattern. The whole time thoughts of articles about fish rejecting patterns they’ve seen circled through my head. My only hope was that he had not had that much time to inspect my initial offering.
I waited again for the wind to settle and then recast. I was again amazed as the large trout surged toward my offering then pounced on the fly. This time I was more calm and collected and was able to set the hook appropriately. Below is a picture of the ~20in fish that made me an addict. The other fish I saw surface feeding on top, but was able to catch without switching to dry flies.
Good luck.
This is the 20inch fish that made me an addict.
This other fish I saw feeding on the surface, but was able to catch without switching to a dry.
My brother and I left Reno on Saturday afternoon to meet Gramps for two days fishing in the Mother Lode. With unstable weather patterns and snow over I-80 we had no idea what to expect. We fished Don Pedro reservoir on Sunday. Though the morning started out promising the lake level began dropping rapidly and consequently so did the fishing. Gramps and Adam managed the only Largemouth of the trip using conventional gear and the fly fishing was incredibly tough that day yielding me very few fish at all. The show stealer on Sunday was of all things a nice Crappie caught by Gramps. The real action however, would happen the next day.
We launched at Tulloch Reservoir the following morning before sunup and Adam quickly had a smallmouth to the boat. The fishing only improved throughout the day. Gramps and Adam had constant luck on plastic worms as did I with a good old black woolly bugger on type 3 sinking line. At some points we were getting at least a bite every cast. I also managed to hook Crappie, Panfish and even a trout.
Though we failed to boat anything big, all and all it was good to be fishing from Gramps' boat again. As always, we had a killer time and can't wait for the next outing.
The Fee Area
The only Largemouth of the Trip were minuscule though we spotted some big cruisers up to 7lbs
Fishing the Truckee in the spring has its rewards. It can be tough to gauge the flows and weather, but a few nice days in row should put the trout in a biting mood.
Fragrant Blossoms and sunny skies are just a snippet of the many benefits for the springtime Truckee angler. Here's another:
A picture perfect May Day.
Check the flows ahead of time. Unseasonably warm weather can raise the water rapidly and shut down the bite. Always wade with care.
I decided to give this eight inch egg sucking bunny leech a test run with my wife's cat. She definitely took the bait. Since I wasn't allowed to keep the hooks on I was only fishing for the grab. Hopefully the Big Browns will follow suit. Please excuse the poor film quality.
It was late fall in 2009 when I was approaching one of my favorite holes along my favorite river. The leaves were turning fiery yellow, mist was rising from the water, and I had spent more time happily admiring my surroundings than actively fishing. After a few smaller fish I was eager to come to this larger and more volumous pool. My pulse quickened as I rounded the corner, but was just as soon let down to find 2 people already there. After whispering a few choice words under my breath I decided to pass them by and fish further upstream since they were only shore fishing with spinners.
As I approached, an overly enthusiastic man gave a friendly howdy and the typical “Catchin' Any?” greeting. Gosh that eats at me! While the river is public domain - most of these people had recently moved here with the boom in the housing market. And now the subsequent bust has left thousands unemployed with nothing to do during the weekdays when I take MY days off. I gathered myself, smiled, and told him I caught a few earlier. My response was barely all out before the man, beaming with pride, told me to go look at the brown his girlfriend caught. Now I was irritated. I muttered something of how they’re beginning to spawn and should be released, but that of course fell on deaf ears. So, obliging the two, I walked back downstream about a 100 ft. to where he told me the fish was tethered. I approached quietly and at first didn’t see anything but a lone crawdad. Then the familiar fish form materialized in front of the crayfish. About the time I saw the brown, he also saw me. Around 23” it was definitely a nice fish, certainly one that needs to pass on his genes to future progeny. The fish started bucking and pulling at his leash. His muscles strongly contracting for the freedom of the main current. I looked at what was holding him back - a long piece of ~6lb. monofilament tied to a tree branch. One more strong jerk and the mono snapped. The fish slid slowly and quietly into the depths - the way big fish do when you spook them, and you know you’ll never see them again. I smiled then bolted upstream past the couple. “That’s a really nice fish” was my comment as I quickly moved on crossing the river and wading out of sight. I often wonder if they thought I released their catch. But if they happen to be reading this now, know this, don’t use light line for a stringer! Brown Trout - 1 Couple - 0.
Welcome to the Sierra Fly Swatter fishing blog. Our intention is to provide compelling and informative content regarding the world and culture of fly fishing. Based out of Reno, Nevada our home waters include of course the Truckee River and Pyramid Lake as well as the Sierra Nevada Range as a whole and far beyond. We hope to hear from you. Please send us your comments, suggestions,hate mail and recommendations.
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