Unfruitful Scouting

January 31, 2024

Decided to check out a watershed I was told held fish.  After a late start I arrived at the parking lot at 11am.  I hiked down 2.6 miles before I started my back upstream.  Water looked promising with some nice big holes.  After fishing a few of them it did not look like there were any fish left in the system.  After fishing several of these holes I decided to quit at around 2pm.  On the way out it was time divert my attention to appreciate nature.  Found several mushrooms but could not identify any with any confidence so I left them be.

Exploration of Good Looking Water

 January 9, 2024

A couple outings ago I fished a small creek that I ended up giving up on after I decided to check out a nearby river that I thought might be on the mend.  After that outing I had a friend go to that creek and he ended up fishing the same area I did and he managed some nice fish.  I decided to return and start below my last starting point and fish some areas I've never checked out.  I've caught some fish in this system but never had a stellar day.  I got a late start at 10:30am.  Area looked good.  A lot of great holding water.  I thought I'm definitely getting fish this time.  Hours passed and I only managed one rise, that I missed, and spooked two others.  By 2pm and the creek becoming more and more impassable I quit and decided to drive down to another river.

Here again I'd be fishing an area I normally bypass.  It simply gets too much traffic so I avoid it like the plague.  The spot I wanted to start was cordoned off so I had to drive further down and begin from there.  It wouldn't be long before I'd start to get into fish. 

There weren't many but I'd still be getting some.  I'm not too sure why the fishing was so poor.  Fished till dark which wasn't wise since I was in a canyon I've never been in and wasn't too sure how to exit but I made it out safely. Fishing was slow not sure why. Was it because I was fishing my heavy leader I've not changed or added tippet to for about 6 outings which is probably now 0x or greater? Was it because I was fishing an oversized sized 10 fly in the middle of winter? Probably not as I did mange rises and fish later in the day with the same set up. This is my usual set up anyways. It is possible the the fish were simply hugging the bottom and refused to come up on a dry. It's also possible that since these areas are heavily trafficked there simply isn't many fish left in the system. I'm assuming its the two latter but who knows.

PreTurkey

November 22, 2023

PreTurkey Day fishing. Got a late start and wasn't on the trail until 10am. Hiked in just under 2 miles before I started fishing. I haven't been here since July. At that time the water was high, fast and looking glacial. Now the water is low and filled with silt. River has completely changed all my favorite holes are no more. Fish are larger on average and no local "trophies" were caught. Although I did have 12 incher chase the 7 incher I had hooked. Fish are more spread out but once you find them you'll easily pick out a dozen or so in the nicer runs. Wanted to make it to the end but with about 1/4-1/3 mile left in the slowest portion (the area with no trail and a ton of boulder hopping) I decided to head back by 3pm. After all I had a two hour hike back to the car and multiple stream crossing I needed to make and I did not want to do that in the dark.

Collapsed

 September 16, 2023

Mist filled the air on drive to the mountain.  We were hoping it would be that way when we reached the trailhead.  Weren't so lucky though as once we reached elevation it cleared and it was sunny at the parking lot.  For me the hike was a struggle.  Last year it would have not been a problem but this year I'm not in great shape due to family issues.  It was hot and I was over heating during hike.  Once we crested the mountain I needed to get near the water and start fishing.  At minimum dunk myself to cool off.    Over a month ago Chul fished the creek and it was coming back looking like it's former glory.  It was definitely on the up.  Now having returned the creek is unrecognizable from that day.  Changed completely.  The large fish that he was catching in what seemed like every hole are now gone.  Our only conclusion is the summer monsoon swept the fish downstream.  We'd fish upstream looking for any signs of those fish a month ago until I was walking along the banks the ground beneath me collapsed.  I fell about feet into a knee height pool with a bowling ball sized boulder coming along with me.  The boulder hit my shin.  Unluckily much of the impact was dispersed when it hit the water.  Nonetheless it hurt like hell.  I was still in somewhat of shock and couldn't compute the damage it may have caused.  After rolling the boulder off me I got up and stood in the cold water trying to process what just happened.  Did I just break my leg?  At this point I had no clue.  I just held my shin under the mini waterfall from the plunge pool.  After the initial shock wore off I hobbled off the creek and onto the bank.  I called and gestured to my buddy who was 100 or so yards away.  I limped over to a fallen log to assess the damage.   Swelling had already occurred and I probed the area to see if it might be broken.  When my buddy came over he asked if I broke my shin.  I didn't think so.  I sat there just trying to gather myself.  Got out my first aid kit from my backpack.  After testing the leg it seemed ok.  I bandage it up with a wrap took some 5 year old expired ibuprofen in the kit and continue hike and fish.  I wasn't about to be skunked for the day and got  up to hike the way up where we knew would hold fish.  While boulder hopping I fell again ripping my pants in the process.  When we reached our destination we were finally able to get onto some fish.  Afterwards seeing how dismal the place had become in such a short period we hiked out of there.  I didn't have any issues with the shin other than bruising and swelling. 

Opinel Mushroom Knife

My first exposure to Opinel mushroom knife was probably 20 or so years ago when I saw one in a bin of a local Williams Sonoma.  My first impression was what the hell is this?  At the time I didn't know squat about Opinels in general, their history, their usefulness, their awesomeness, let alone what this oddly shaped knife was.  Despite my negative opinion I thought of buying it out of curiosity given at the time it was only a few bucks.

I never did buy it and years later I was reminded of it when I bought my first Opinel knife and went  back to that exact same store to look for it but they no longer carried it. In 2017 I finally bought one online for $26. 

The knife is manufactured in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Savoie, France made with Sandvick 12C27 stainless steel . Uniquely shaped and easily distinguishable the mushroom knife has both a curved blade and handle and is essentially a modified pruning knife with brush feature.  The blade is designed for cutting around tight areas.  Like all Opinel pocket knives it has the viroblock locking ring so you can safely carry in your pocket and  lock the blade when in use. 

The blade spine also has jimping for thumb placement when more precise movement or when more traction is needed.

Holding the knife can be held either way but with the curvature it is most comfortable pruning style for more of a peeling style cut when the you cut towards you.

The handle is their standard beechwood and the bristles are boar's hair that are stiff enough to remove dirt but soft enough not to damage delicate mushrooms.  There is also a hole that allows for a lanyard if you so chose to make one for the knife.

This is my second mushroom knife and let's hope after all the rains we've gotten this winter it'll be put to good use this mushroom season.

Local Oct 22. Nov. 1, 12, 17. Dec. 2, 11, 16, 22, 2020

October 22, 2020

Fishing was excellent on dries.  So good we tried throwing mini articulated streamers at them and they took it.

November 1, 2020

Decided to check out a piece of water we hadn't checked out in ages.  Back then we were sight casting to browns in gin clear water.  When we arrived the water was merely a puddle and doubtful any fish survived.  In addition even if fish had made t through we were unable to fish for them anyways as the area was closed due to the yellow mountain frog.

So instead we got off the mountain and made an impromptu trip to a nearby creek we hadn't fished in ages.  Once a nice fairly secluded area to cast to a mix of browns and rainbows.  The parking lot was filled and the creek was a joke.  It was crowded.  If that wasn't bad enough graffiti and garbage now lined every corner.  Fucking covid lockdowns certainly ruined everything.

November 12, 2020

Called Jim to see if he wanted to fish a local before he moved to Idaho.  He wasn't available obviously so I went out alone.  Ended up hiking around 12 miles with great results.  Fish were all healthy and on the bigger side for locals.

  November 17, 2020

Another 8-9 miles today to try out a brand new TFO trout finesse 6’9” one weight. Not bad for an entry level rod. Even better when they are on sale for $145. Must have landed at least 50 fish today.

December 2, 2020

More time spent in the local.  Caught more micro dinks than in previous trips.  Few fish in the 6-7 inch.  A couple fish in the 10 inch range. 
 

December 11, 2020

Fished Location X to see how it was doing.  After taking Luc here earlier in the year and not seeing anything we weren't expecting much but to our surprise it was excellent.   Chul and I planned on hiking in further than I did with Luc.  We stopped at one of the pools a couple miles in and I threw a cast.  Within a handful of drifts a spectacular local trout came up to take.  I yelled over to Chul and he was more excited than I.  After landing it we were stoked that the fishery was back.

More quality fish would be found throughout the system.   We fished all the way to the end and it only got better.

I'm glad our favorite local fishery is returning to it's former glory.  Let's hope the trend continues.

December 16, 2020

A few years back we checked out a fishery on the other side of the mountain range.  At the time all the local fisheries were in their prime and 'big" fish were just about everywhere.  So when we checked on this fishery we were disappointed in the size of the fish, despite getting some in the 10 inch range.  The numbers were good but we were spoiled at the time so we were disappointed. When we arrived the road was closed because of the fire damage.  So we had made it all the way out here for nothing.

 December 22, 2020

Went out again to another local.  Fishery was fishing well but the larger fish seemed not to be there.  Could have been fished out or they just weren't taking what we were offering.  This would be the last outing of the year as just after this Chul got covid and I went into quarantine.

Memorial Day Fishing

May 27,2019

Rain forecasts prevented any fishing trips for the long weekend.  Initial plans were to hit the east side but changed to a backpacking trip into a SoCal stream but that plan was canceled by the weather.    Next we planned on a northernmost local creek that I'd not fished in well over a decade, maybe even a decade and a half but after some deliberation I decided to stay closer to home and hit an old standby.

So on Memorial Day holiday we met up at a department store parking lot at the base of the mountain before Kelly gathered his gear and joined me in my SUV.  We arrived at the parking lot rigged up and  hiked in 2 miles before we began fishing.  For whatever reason my right wading boot was giving me problems for the first time.  I was getting a hot spot on my heel and it was creating a blister.  I didn't brink any moleskin or bandages with me.  So I just dealt with it until it became unbearable.  Finally I remembered I carry a rolled up wad of gorilla tape on my pack and fashioned a DIY bandaid.  I took some toilet paper and placed it in the center of the tape and stuck it on my foot.

Fishing was slow at first and the typical spots I thought they'd be were producing zero results.  I moved onto a slower deeper stretch of water and from there it seemed like it produced fish on every cast.  Must have pulled at least a dozen out of that stretch before moving on. 

Fished further up picking up a few here and there before heading back in search of KB.  I'd eventually joined him again and we fished a couple more hours before heading back but not before we stopped at the glory hole once again to let KB give it a go. After a several failed attempts to hook on rises we finally managed a couple.  We fished a few spots along the way back with some success.  There were many rises but only a few hook ups; most of the fish were too small for our size 12 hooks.

What About Bob?

With a trip forthcoming I needed to test some equipment.  Throughout the week I was texting my usual fishing buddies to see if they wanted to join me on the weekend to fish a local creek.  None were available.  I no longer fish alone at least not freestone rivers no matter the size especially ones that require you to hike far away from your vehicle.  If no one could make it during the weekend, I was going to avoid the crowds and fish sometime during the week.  I thought long and hard about who else I knew that could join me.  Then I thought what about Bob?

Knowing now that he is retired I figured he'd be able to head out in a workday.  I called him and he was game.  Weather forecasts indicated that we are going to get some weather midweek so we if we wanted to make this happen it would have to be today.  For me, this outing wouldn't be serious fishing adventure only a casual trip to test my new Orvis 6 foot 2 weight, a new Patagonia sweet pack vest but more importantly to check one of waders for leaks and to make sure I could trust my new rubber soled Redington boots.  I manged a number of dinks all beautifully painted.  The same for Bob.   The gear held up fine.

We'd estimated that we hiked 1.5 miles in before heading out and calling it a day.  Along the way I noticed several mushroom.  None of which I could identify as safe and edible so I left them alone.