Final Day- March 18

Stonefly shuck

Chul reriging his nymph rod

When we awoke in the morning Chul and I left Erica at the motel to sleep in as we got breakfast before hitting the water.  Once we saw the water we could tell that the water was now off color from runoff.  And once we crossed the river we knew it definitely was higher than the last time we hit it with Ed.  Chul took the seam across the parking lot and within a few cast he was on a beast only to pop off.  I moved to the area that I saw the pikeminnows on the last outing.  Crossing the water was tough and I was surprised I didn't fall again.  I spent the next few hours casting blindly as I could no longer see fish beyond a couple feet.  I did see a monster pikeminnow spook in the shallows while I was wading upstream.  After about an hour Chul left me there to pick up Erica.

When he arrived I was frustrated as I was fixing my leader as I had broken off once again.  Chul tried the seam once again without any luck.  they eventually reached me and Chul asked if I wanted his dry fly rod as it was reaching noon and a hatch was possible.  I accepted as he move upstream to guide Erica on a fish as she was skunked so far on the trip.  He took her to the hole we caught fish the last trip as the two hole were right next to each other.  

Leech

Caddis Larva

They returned and Erica had missed her chance.  Chul  said he missed a pikeminnow because he was located above on a boulder and had an awkward drift.  We moved back to town for lunch and waited for the water to heat up with the sun.

After lunch we headed to the area we fished on the trip with Tuck and Joseph where I caught my first sucker.  They moved downstream as I fished a few holes without any success.  I moved down toward them and watched as Chul worked a huge plunge pool.  He managed to pull out his first sucker out of that hole.

I moved downstream fishing huge plunge pools without any luck.  Throughout this process I kept breaking off on submerged structure.  It would be the theme of the week.  After fishing several pools downstream I gave up and started my way to the truck.  Chul and Erica had the same idea and popped out onto the road in front of me.  We reached the truck and decided to hit our "honey" hole.

Once we got there Erica was given the choice of where she wanted to fish.  After only a few casts she managed a small trout.  I took the head of the pool and lost two very nice fish.  One actually was strong enough to run upstream.  That fish put a serious bend on my rod and gave my forearm quite a workout.  He gave the hole some more drifts before giving in and heading home.  Another skunk.

Although the four day trip was tough and we only averaged about a trout a day, I did have a good time.   Even though these are "fishing" trips, most of the memories were made at the campfire trying to entertain one another by telling tall tales or trying to make the others laugh.  It's just too bad we were minus two clowns that should have been sharing our campsite.

Caddis Larva

An Unwelcome Kiwi Import



Stonefly

Stonefly Schuck

 

Mayfly Swimmer Nymph

Mayfly Nymph Crawler

Day Three- Washing Off The Skunk, March 17

Day three we had a choice to make.  Stay or move on to other waters.  With this technical water and Erica skunked we decided to move to easier water so that we could get on more fish.  But before we moved we decided to fish a promising section upstream with Erica staying at camp nursing a sinus attack. 

With the leader of my T&T Helix rod  out of commission, I decided to use my Sage XP 5 weight that was rigged for dry fly fishing.  I cut off the skwala fly off and began setting it up for nymphing.  Ever since my father gave me his Hardy Princess reel, its been sitting in my drawer for years not even loaded with flyline.  So I made it a point to fish it and loaded it with Rio Gold line before this trip.  I used up my 5X fluoro the day before and Chul gave me enough to add it as my dropper. 

Chul made it first to the water and began high sticking a seam.  I fished below him 20 yards.  This section was faster and deeper than it appeared.  Chul moved upstream to a confluence and fished the funnel without any luck.  I followed and as I met him at the confluence and since the other side of the river looked promising and he asked me if I wanted to cross.  Since falling twice yesterday I chose to stay on our side and fish the shallower water.

As Chul made his way to the more powerful water, I fished the left side.  On my first cast I snagged a the submerged rocks and broke off my leader at the split shot.  Pissed and without any 5X tippet I just added another nymph to my existing leader.   I moved back to the road and made my way down to the truck.  Watching Chul fish, I moved back to the water and fished the funnel he fished earlier.  Within a few casts I hooked up on a very solid fish.  When I landed her, she refused to be handled and squirmed the whole time.  Releasing her I made a few more mends in this section missing at least two more bumps.   At around noon we gave up and Chul looked for way to cross back.  When he reached me he let me know he missed a monster that broke off.

Arriving back to camp, Erica was feeling better and we started break down camp.  The plan was to start our way down south and fish a river we are familiar with and have had success.  On our way out we were able to finally see this area in the daylight and all its springtime beauty.  We missed all this as we made our way up the mountain in the dark on Thursday.   On our way out we saw a coyote cross the road only to turn back and give us the "what the hell you looking at" look. 

It seemed like forever to get off that mountain and even longer to reach the freeway.  After sometime on the road we decided to stop in one of the closest town for lunch. Exhausted we were in no mood for any crowded or loud places to eat.  Our first stop was exactly that and even though we were next in line, and after the front counters incompetence we decided to find another place to eat.   We found another that was calm and quiet.  After eating we felt better and made it back to the road.

Upon reaching our destination, we were debating whether to camp or just get a motel room.  We opted to camp but after driving around looking for a campground, we choose a room instead.   Needing a shower, it was a good choice.  I was in no mood to cook so we looked for a restaurant and ate out.  Afterwards we hit the sack and I slept like baby despite Chul's snoring.

Day Two- Disappointing, March 16

Yesterdays fishing was tough with only a few fish to hand.  When we awoke in the morning we noticed that the water had changed, slightly more off color than the previous day.  We left Erica sleeping in the tent as Chul and I drove around scouting spots.  We managed to find some areas with potential and picked up some dead wood for tonight's campfire.  The river was getting busy as more and more trucks made their way to the river.

Our Campsite.

After finding a few drop in points we headed back to basecamp to get Erica and get the day started.  We came back with the sun warming the area, noticing that our campsite was directly under a beehive.  Grabbing our rods we headed out to leave those bees alone.

Huge Crane Fly.

Our first run had a lot of potential with a lot of submerged structure with a long run.  At the head was a fast rapid.  I started toward the head and fished there as Chul and Erica put on their waders.  After several drifts without any results I look behind me and saw that Erica and Chul were on the water fishing and Chul was fighting a fish from a drift that I had no grabs.  He finally landed the fish and later told me it was slightly smaller than the one he landed yesterday.  As no more fish were willing to take our flies we headed to the truck and decided what we wanted to do.  The fishing was difficult and technical.  

Our First Run With Spectacular Poppy Bloom in the Background.

Chul Nets His Fish.

After some discussion we decided to try a tributary nearby to see if the smaller water would prove more forgiving.  Driving on the road of the tributary we could see the potential of this water.  It was much easier for our heads to grasp as it was water we were more accustom to fishing.  We drove as far as we could not seeing one fisherman on the water.  This should have given us a clue.  We stopped at the most convenient drop in point and hiked to the water. 

The banks were covered in willows and wading was made difficult with the rapids.  Time passed without a single take and we decided that downstream section looked more promising.  We left for it and found a good place to park and head to the water.  As we fished this stretch Chul managed a bump or two and while making his way to the bank he slipped on some submerged willows.  The rocks here are slick as snot and although this was smaller water it actually was harder wading.  As I moved upstream I slipped backwards, submerging myself from head to toe.  Falling on my ass, I frantically flopped my arms trying to right myself while looking for my dropped rod.  I finally got myself upright and luckily my reel hooked on some willows preventing it from floating downstream.  I got myself to the bank and dumped all my water from my vest.  And squeezed all the water out of my shirt.  Disappointing.

Contraband

Fueled by anger and frustration I returned to the water with a purpose but without any luck.  Chul and I split up and I moved upstream where I found a hole with excellent promise.  I waded into it as I couldn't cast from the bank as the willows were thick.  I made a few roll cast trying to avoid the thickets.  Tired I mucked up my leader wrapping my split shot it all over my rod.  It was a mess.  Now beyond frustrated I cleared the tangle when Chul finally made his way to me telling me he had no luck.  We looked upstream for a bit until finally throwing in the towel.  The day sucked.  Disappointing.

We returned to basecamp and I changed to my shirt before returning to the water at our camp site.  We decided to fish the hole Erica missed a fish the day before.  Chul made his way up first and I followed.  As I was making my way to the head the riffles, I slipped again and drenched my last dry long sleeve shirt.  I got up and made it to my hole drifted a few times and got hung up on a submerged boulder.  I broke off my two nymphs and split shot.  That was my cue to give up.  I was in no mood to rerig.  Chul missed a nice one before he gave up too.  Disappointing.

Tonight's Meal.  Spaghetti With Homemade Tomato Sauce With Pancetta

I borrowed a shirt from Chul and started dinner.  The meal, Spaghetti with homemade tomato sauce with imported pancetta.  My intention was to make meatballs but since I did not take the Rover so I did not have the Engel refrigerator at my disposal.  So since I only had a cooler I thought it prudent to use a cured meat oppose to ground meats so we wouldn't get sick.  Last thing anyone wants is to have diarrhea in waders.  That would end a good trip pretty fast.  I finished the meal and while tasting I noticed I just made the cardinal sin of Italian cooking, I overcooked the pasta.  I was pissed.  I hate soft pasta, its such a rookie move.  Disappointing.

Chul's First Attempt With His Dutch Oven.

Chul tried for the first time his Dutch oven.  His contribution was pineapple upside down cake.  Forgetting the butter and sugar, he improvised and used rum and coke to try and create a caramel.  After the required baking time he checked his cake only to find he burnt the fruit to a crisp.  Disappointing. 

Day One- West Side Story, March 15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Chul's birthday celebration, he initially wanted to fish Utah but due to several circumstances that dream died.  Instead he choose to fish here in California and invited some of his buddies along for the ride.  Tuck and Joseph committed early to the trip as did I.  But just days before the trip, Tuck backed out and therefore Joseph was force to bail out as well. 

Erica unimpressed with Chul's instruction.
"You ain't no Guy Jeans."

We left Thursday afternoon and packing the bed of Chul's Nissan as if it were a Tetris game.  After stuffing it full we made our way up north.  We managed to avoid all LA traffic and after about six hours we made our way up the windy mountainous road that made me feel car sick.  After a long tiring drive we made it to our planned campsite only to find it already occupied.  So we backtracked to find another.  We unpacked the truck and made camp next to the river. 

In the morning we awoke and we finally got our first look at the river.  This was my first visit to the western side of the Sierras and it's big water.  I haven't spent too much time fishing them.  We began fishing around camp.  The moment I stepped into the water, even though the water was low for the river, I knew wading some of the areas was going to be more difficult than what I'm used to on the eastern side.  We fished this area for a while and Erica managed to lose a fish at the head of the a fast seam.  We decided to drive up to the trail head and hike in to see what the river looks like up there.

The canyon was at full bloom.  The wildflowers littered the mountainside.  It was quite a sight and made fishing in such an area something special considering I spent most of my time in the eastern side its quite a change of pace.  Hiking in about a mile we made our way to our first fishing hole.  Within about fifteen minutes Chul was on fish and after a quick fight he was able to net it.  This wild fighting fish refused to stay in hand long enough for a photo.  I managed a strike only to pop off after a few head shakes.

When the fish refused anymore drifts we move up trail to find more willing fish.  Like all big water rivers, it can be somewhat intimidating.  There was a lot of fast white water runs.  Heavily weighted flies and split shot was in order.  When we made it to a certain stretch we crossed the river onto an island and once I reached it I saw some fish rising.  Considering the speed of the water and an increased risk of slipping I only carried one rod and left my dry fly rod at camp so I had to rip off all my nymphs, split shot, and indicator.  Noticing the fish were coming up on small BWO I tied on a size 18 grey compara-dun.  After a few drifts I managed a nice healthy 11 inch rainbow that somehow got around me and flew down a small rapid.  Fearing that he'd come off I stripped him back toward me and was able to land him to hand.  After a few more drifts I managed a few dinks before the hole shut down although the hatch was continuing.  We made our way back to camp but stopped at the hole where Chul managed a fish earlier before heading back to camp.

With the sun setting I set up my camp kitchen and revived my role as camp chef.  It's been a while since I've cooked outdoors so I was a little rusty.  The night's menu:  grilled USDA Prime New York Strip marinated in fresh garlic, rosemary and thyme, homemade mash potatoes and grilled asparagus all topped with fleur de sel.  I overcooked the meat to medium as I prefer to have my steaks rare to medium rare.

The night was spent with the typical campfire conversations ranging from the humorous to the crude.  Of course we spent a good time of it, making fun of Tuck for not making this trip.

Day 2 to follow...

Preview: Four Days In the Sierras

Just back from a four day trip to the Sierras.  Report to follow...

k

Watchbuys Roadshow Coming Back To Los Angeles, March 22-24

Watchbuys, the North American distributors of several German timepieces including Sinn, Dornblueth & Sohn, MeisterSinger among others, is having another roadshow.  The last roadshow I attended was back in 2007 in Beverly Hills (pictured above) which may have been their last as I don't ever recall any after that.  Although the exact location has yet to be announced, it will be held somewhere in Century City.  No watches will be available for sale, the roadshow is merely a showcase for all the watches that Watchbuys carries and allows potential buyers to view, handle and get more information on their pieces.  It is a no pressure environment where collectors can talk watches and learn more about these small German watch producers.   The roadshow requires registration as it is limited to only a few viewers at a time.  I've already signed up.

Double Hall Ball At LBCC On March 23rd

For those of you interesting surf fishing, the Long Beach Casting Club is hosting another Double Hall Ball this year, Saturday, March 23rd.  It's a free event and lasts about all day with guest speakers and local fly tiers. Personally I no longer care for fly fishing the surf as there are better ways to fish in my opinion but I did go to last year's event and enjoyed talking with some old faces I've not done so in ages.  SoCal surf fishing definitely has lost steam since its heyday in the early to mid 2000s when you used to see our beaches loaded with fly fishermen struggling to find a free hole.  Back then when Calhoun (and then Webb) taught the Marriott's surf classes, it would sell out.  People would fish the surf in the early morning before heading to work.  It was sometimes hard to find a spot at the river jetty or at Los Alamitos.  New flies were being developed constantly.  Surf reports posted on local forums would seem to updated daily.  Magazines were writing about corbina.  People were actually traveling here as a destination fishery.  All that seems to have died.  All those, with the exception of Doug, that I used to fish the surf with now no longer do, choosing instead to fish elsewhere.  If I have nothing to do on that Saturday I might go but I'm not counting the days.

Mauser Coming Out With New Rifle, the M12

The fabled rifle company, Mauser has come out with a new rifle, the M12.  Looking at the few available pictures and details, it looks like it's not an upgrade to their existing M03 but rather looks more like an entry level rifle.  While pricing is not yet available here in the States, according to some on European forums it starts at €1500, which equates to about $1950 USD as of today's exchange.  If true that is a much easier entry point than its older brother, the M03 that starts at about $5,000 USD.   Although both rifles are nice, there is only one true Mauser (at least to me) and that is the M98, the pinnacle of bolt action design.  Even over 100 years later it has no equal nor has it been surpassed.  To me its the only true rifle that can bear the Mauser banner.  That being said I'd like to check out one of those M12, I think it would be good addition to any gun rack.

The M12 is available in many of the common American and European calibers from standard to magnum.  It has a 5+1 or 4+1 magazine capacity and weighs approximately 6.75 or 7 pounds.  Classic wood or synthetic stocks are available. If you like more information on the new rifle, pictures or details visit the M12 website here.

Injured Bait Fish Fly

For the last few weeks I've been tying various trout flies for an upcoming trip and since I'm finish with my "Skwala" box.  I needed a change of pace and wanted to tie some bigger flies.  I like the idea of creating a baitfish pattern that swims on its side mimicking easy prey.  The idea for this pattern is not mine and since I can not find the website where I found it so I can not give credit where credit is do, I did modify it for my personal tying tastes.  It should do quite well in our local bass lakes and in salt.  Can't wait to try it out.  Personally I wish I had a longer shank hook for this fly.

Time to Create A Pigeon Fly

I've seen a bass take a duckling before. I've seen a trout take a mouse.  I've even seen a pike take a piglet before.  This is the first time I've seen a catfish take a pigeon, until now.  That is the River Tarn in Southwest France and that is a European catfish.

What A Difference A Year Makes...

A newt found on the trail

  Chul and I decided to hit the upper section of a local creek that we fished last week with disappointing results.  Last year this section was fantastic and we even saw an 18 incher in one of the pools  and I had landed several fish around 12 inches.  Those fish are now likely  dead or is in some idiot's intestinal tract.  It's a shame, a wild fish like that in the LA basin is next to impossible.  Fishing here is now officially dead.  I believe its a combination of a low water year and some moronic blogger who posted a picture of one of those glorious trout and mentioned the actual name of the water even going insofar as to giving direction to the exact pool where that the fish lived. 

Mugwort.  A remedy for poison oak.

The burger I was craving last week.

Chul only managed a dink and I had two fish to hand, only slightly bigger than a dink, more like a doink.  Disappointing.  The "larger" fish of the two hit the fly hard and fought for a moment only to feign death and play possum giving up as I dragged him to my hand.  The smaller one flew through the air toward me as I set the hook.  All the "good" spots were dead.  The pool where the 18 incher lived didn't even have a dink in it.  What a bust.  I fell on my ass and nearly cracked my head open trying climb some boulders.  Luckily my contour camera cushioned some of the blow to my head.  My Sage SLT 1 weight managed only a few scratched and surprisingly did not snap. 

The only pluses of the day were finding mugwort, a sage-like smelling plant that can be used as a remedy for poison oak.  We joked that we should have bagged it and gave it to Tuck so he could rub it on his dong. On last week's outing I had a serious craving for a good burger.  Not knowing the area very well we search for a burger joint eventually settling for a not-so-great hamburger stand that did not hit the spot.  I spent the next day searching the Internet to see if there were any better places that we could have gone and I did find one.  Today we decided to hit it up and I can tell you this burger was the type of burger I was craving last week, made with homemade buns and dressing, and a juicy fresh hand grounded patty served with handcut fries.  At least I had a good meal despite the disappointing lousy fishing and nearly paralyzing myself in the process.  Chul and I enjoyed our meal and was made even more pleasurable as I teased Chul for his friendship with a SoCal fly fishing personality with questionable sexuality that Chul is trying to get the insider's scoop from him on one of our local bass lakes.  I told Chul to take one for the team and let this guy have his way with him so we could get the tips to hook up one of those bass pigs.

Rip Lips Tungsten Beads

For about a decade now I've been using, despite its high costs, tungsten for various sporting applications from my waterfowl loads (which hurts at over $3 a shot) and my saltwater and bass flies using a conehead.  But for whatever reason I've yet to use them for my beadhead nymphs for trout fishing.  Perhaps one reason is that in the past I've been successful without them so I've just used brass beads.  Another reason maybe that the cost always seemed a bit much for something so tiny.  Also I tend to lose more nymphs than any other flies so I don't like spending too much on material per fly.

 

It was not until Chul was outfishing me on the Kern that I realized that perhaps its time to join the bandwagon.  Reluctant to pay the going rate at my local fly store, I looked for a cheaper source.  I found Rip Lips Fishing that starts at $12/100.  That is about half that of any fly store.  I was skeptical as to how this company can get away with such a low price.  They must be made in China although packaging makes no mention of place of origin, so they probably ARE made in China.

Heads are not completely smooth.  There is a dimple and a seam from the molding process.  Functionally it's probably inconsequential but cosmetically I'd prefer it to be uniform and a lot cleaner.  I bought some gold Waspi tungsten beads of various sizes and all are completely spherical without any seams or dimples.  Of course Waspis are more expensive and made in the US (or Germany depending on the color)  So I'd expect better quality.  We'll see if there is any noticeable difference from these discount beads.

The rear of the beads have concave tapered holes as they should for tying beads.  Early in my fly tying career I once bought some "discount" brass beadheads from a less than reputable fly shop that were obviously not made for fly tying and holes were not different from front to back.  Also it had hard edges that cut tying thread when clipped.  These rip lips beads seem to be without that problem despite the seams from the manufacturing process.

I've just completed my early spring freestone "Skwala" box.  Most are load with Rip Lips black beads or Waspi gold tungsten beads.  All ready for next weekend's trip.  Some of the flies' thoraxes are doubled up on 4mm beadheads so they should sink quite quickly.

I picked up some slotted coneheads as well.  I'll have to weight them against my other tungsten coneheads to see if there is any difference.