Day Two- Not Quite What We Were Expecting

After waking and having breakfast we headed down to the river along our campsite.  We started with dries and it was not long before fish started to take my Never Sink Trude.  Chul had noticed that the water had dropped at least two feet from the last time he fished here three weeks ago.

Chul brought a stomach pump to see what the fish were eating and he found out that the fish were consuming just about everything.  Most flies were tan to olive colored from sizes 18 to 14 for the mayflies and larger stones were size 10 to 8.  After a couple hours of dry fly fishing catching fish similar to teh previous day's, we decided to move further downstream to nymph the bigger fish.

Water downstream is faster, larger and more treacherous so I took each step carefully.  We started at a big hole we were confident that held fish.  None were willing to take my golden stone nor my two buck chuck fly dropper.  Chul fishing at the end of the run managed one before moving further downstream.  As I moved to him I saw a covey of mountain quail brood.  It's nice to see the quail breeding despite the drought conditions.

It took me a couple hours before I could get a fish to take one of my nymphs after I switched to a filo fly.  The fish took the filo fly in both original tie and Kern emerger style, a Kern emerger hare's ear, and a Stalcup biot mayfly nymph.

At about 1pm we headed back to camp for lunch and a little siesta.  The morning session was disappointing as none of the fish with any size showed.  Typical holding areas that I like to fish held none or at least none were willing to take my fly.  Chul suggested I fish more of the faster water as that was where he was taking his fish on a bird's nest.

With no big fish making an appearance down river, we moved upstream to a tributary for some dry fly fishing.  Once we made it to the water though the BOA wire on my Simm's boots came apart.  So we made it back to the truck and I borrowed Chul's boot.  He was fishing with river shoes and had brought his Simm's as a back up.  I'm not having too much luck with boots lately.  We choose then to leave the tributary and returned to the main river.  To get there though we crossed a fern field that showed evidence of a big bear.  We first found a large pile of scat.  Later we found his bedding as a large area of ferns were matted down.

As we moved into the fern field we saw more evidence of this big bear.  Rotting logs were torn apart and there were several raspberry bushes.  Since the ferns were  about waist high we wisely decided to no longer take this route as we did not want to surprise a napping bear.  We got out of this field and took the long way around in a more open area.

This particular area was a shallow area perfect for dry fly fishing.  The Never Sink continued to produce fish.

Trout still were unimpressive, at least for this river, and most were at best in the nine inch range.  They were nicely colored though but I couldn't still feel disappointed despite the numbers were were catching.

Chul moved to his favorite area that had a long section of a deeper faster run.  I left him there moving downstream as he re-rigged to Czech nymph.  I moved down until I ran into another fishermen so I moved back to Chul.  As I approached him I saw he hooked up on a rather nice fish only to see it break off.  When I finally reached him he said it was a 15 incher and how the hell did it break his 5X tippet.  Later we were trying to analyze how the fluorocarbon failed.  The only thing we could come up with was that since he keeps his vest in his garage the heat must have compromised the line.  I moved upstream and fished a hole right in front of a fallen log.  After a few dinks I managed my best fish of the trip.  According to Chul this fish would have been considered disappointing on any of his previous trips.  Not sure what has happened to this river.

Making our way back to the truck we checked out a nearby waterfall and fished some of the pools.  I managed a few dinks and Chul manged a nice 12 incher that had swallowed a hook deep and had about 20 pound mono sticking out of it.

By this time we began to get ready for the evening hatch.  We checked another area down river that has produced in the past.  Again the hatch did not occur until just before the sun went down.  At this section the fish were rising more consistently.  I managed several on a parachute PMD. 

It was getting to dark to safely fish and we headed back to camp.  I prepared steaks for us in a Japanese style with grated daikon, chives, fried garlic, and soy, served with Japanese potato salad.  Drizzle had us concerned that we might get pissed on during the night.

Day One- Finally Made It Here

Despite multiple invites to this river throughout the years, I have never been able to make a visit.  It was not from a lack of interest though, as all the reports I heard back were always filled with nice fat trout.  So we were hoping for some of the same.  The World Cup put a kibosh on a planned fishing trip for me in late June.  If I'm relegated to every four years I simply refused to miss all the games so Chul went ahead without me.  After hearing his stellar report, we planned a trip right after the tournament was over hoping the water was fishing the same.  At that time the water was slightly higher than optimal, so three weeks should be just about perfect, at least that was the theory.

My First Fish From This River, Hardly The Lunker I was Hoping For.

On Friday Chul picked me up in the morning to make the long journey north.  Several side trips made the journey much longer but we finally made our destination in the late afternoon.  After setting up camp, we headed upstream to some holes known for great dry fly action leaving us a few hours of light.  On the first pocket, it failed to produce any rises.  Odd as it had always produced fish.

Moving on we hit a long run that after a few casts started to produce rising fish but none of any significant size.   According to Chul, in the past dinks were uncommon and fish were normally in the 14 inch range with several chances at fish in the 18 plus range.  Catching a 12 incher was considered a letdown.  We managed several 8-10 inch fish before we left to another portion of the river that is known for a hot Pale Evening Dun hatch just before sundown.  We arrive hoping to see trout boiling but we saw none, nor did we see any PEDs hatch.  It was not until 8:15pm did a hatch occur.  We only managed a handful of fish to rise, none of any considerable size, before it was too dark to wade safely through the river.

Preview: A Few Days Away, The Post World Cup Trip

Wind, Dinks, And A Broken Rod At NPH

The World Cup is now winding down so my free time can now be indulging  my outdoor pursuits.  Conditions were ideal on paper with a strong tide, and warm water.  What we didn't anticipate was the heavy wind that made casting and controlling the pram less than ideal.  Chul reported mackerel hitting at the bait barge last weekend.  Fish generally don't get too big in this bay, in fact its been over ten years the last time I seen any fish of any specie over two pounds so I decided to rig my favorite 5 weight rod.

With the pitiful yet tenacious little trolling motor struggling to fight against the tide, it took what seemed like eternity to reach the barge.  After the long journey the wind made it next to impossible to cast at any distance.  After a few drifts, I managed the first fish of the day, a small mackerel.  And on next fish I managed was a stronger fish and as I fought it, my rod suddenly snapped.  I managed to bring it hand only to notice that I foul hooked this mackerel.  I switched to my spare rod a seven weight.

As we struggled to fish in the wind I managed another fish while Chul was fighting his first of the afternoon.  This mackerel was larger than the two previous but on a seven weight it was hardly was entertaining.  Fed up with trying to battle the crappy conditions we opted to held in the bay where we could use the multimillion waterfront homes as a shield against the howling wind.  I only manged two more fish, a pair of dink sand bass before we called it quits.  What a waste of perfect conditions.  Had it not been for the damn wind, this could have been one of  those epic 50 fish days.

Looks like I'll have to send in my five weight rod again for repair for what seems like the hundredth time.

Tiemco Fly Pit Lanyard and C&F Design Vertical Belt Patch

Here is a couple items from two Japanese fly fishing companies that are currently unavailable here in the states.  The first is the TMC Fly Pit Lanyard (given current exchange rates this item is about $32) and the second is the C&F Design Vertical Belt Patch ($20).

A recall a few trips ago that my fishing buddies were mocking the lanyard as a fishing accessory.  While I agreed that the current stock of lanyards available here in the states look pretty ridiculous I did state that the method of carry was a good idea.  So when I saw this new item from TMC Japanese site I made sure to have my folks to pick me up one while they were in Japan.

The lanyard is adjustable for length so that it can dangle as short or long as you wish.  Neoprene tubing adds comfort to the neck.  Two accessory rings are attached to each side and are adjustable to desired location.

Compared to C&F fly patches, this TMC is disappointing.  First unlike their counterpart, this Tiemco is made in China.  The foam is not slitted so will eventually be needed to be replaced.  Also it will not securely hold the hook as slitted foam.  Despite this does allow for more flies to be carried and the two halves are separated by a dry fly and a wet fly section.

Ventilated side holes allow water to escape and evaporate.  Overall I'm not too impressed and I might just replace the fly patch with a C&F version.

My intention is to use this for trips similar to my first turkey hunt when we backpacked into a valley thinking we may have had a chance at trout.  On trips like that when fishing is not the priority, I like to keeps things minimalistic and lightweight. 

For me, Southern California trout fishing rarely do I ever fish with streamers so I almost never carry them.  My fly boxes are generally organized in such a manner that streamers get their own box.  Most of my regular fishing spots don't warrant me carrying an extra box.  So as a result I almost never trout fish with streamers.  I wanted to change that so when I saw this new item from C&F I knew I wanted to add it to my collection.

This patch is simple and lightweight, its basically made of foam and lined with plastic.

A magnet secures the lid and the flies within.  The slit pattern is their streamer pattern.  I don't think it will carry many but for what I need it for, it will be more than adequate.

This patch is intended to be carried on a belt or strap via a Velcro attachment that can be rotated 90 degrees. 

"We Are Not Leaving This Canyon Without A Fish"

Last weekend Chul checked out our favorite local watering hole and found that in one section, fish despite the low water conditions were still somewhat thriving.  So after work we decided to check it out further up.  For whatever reason I was not myself.  I simply could not keep up and was fatiguing way too fast.  With temperatures high and since it was already past 2 PM, we decided to checkout out the lower sections.

On our way in we ran into a pair of Fisheries Resource Volunteer Corps members and chatted them up.  They believed that maybe a grow site upstream as the lower section was covered in algae, most likely from fertilizers.  We left them and headed to check out the lower section. 

The lower section was low and the large fishing holes were all blown out from the last storm.  On the way upstream we found two rattlesnakes, one baby that was stream side and another fully grown adult. 

I came across this rattler when we bushwhacked our way to the trail.  The adult was coiled up hiding under a boulder.  I could only see its profile but I knew it was big.  It was at least 4 or more inched tall.  Our intention was make it back in town by six but as we wasted too much time exploring the lower.  Despite having little energy in the fuel tank, we decided to head to the headwaters where Chul knew the fish were holding.

Because of my low energy it took longer than usual to reach the upper sections.  When we reached it I saw a group of three college aged boys that at a distance looked as if they were fishing.  As we approached them we noticed that they were trying to spearfish these precious and vulnerable trout with makeshift wooden spears.  Chul rightfully lectured them as they crossed a hole I was fishing.  What a bunch of numbnuts who watched way too many "survival" TV shows.  Idiots.  They left and we hoped they did not ruin the few large holes left.  Apparently these dipshits did not spook the fish.  We managed several good fish with Chul having the best and most fish of the day.  Unfortunately the best fish of the day, a healthy 12 incher was lost when I tried to help land it and it flopped off the line.

Feels Like I'm Studying Back In University

Honestly I never thought I would liked turkey hunting.  Sitting silently and motionless in camouflage waiting for a bird to come into range to shoot it on the ground didn't really appeal to me.  So when I was invited on a hunt I was somewhat reluctant.  To make it more appealing and add a bit more of a challenge I decided I was going to take one with an air rifle. 

My knowledge of this bird is somewhat limited and so I went into the season I had to rely heavily on my hunting partner's knowledge to try to get us onto birds.  After the first hunt I started to do so last minute studying trying to help improve our odds.  When the hunting season ended I decided I'd study up to help increase my chances when the fall season begins.

I picked up The Wild Turkey: Biology & Management from James G. Dickson. This book seems to be the most complete book I've seen regarding the subject of this elusive bird.  The information goes beyond hunting and hunting techniques and that information is only briefly covered.  It is filled with much more, just about anything you'd like to know about all the six subspecies of turkey found here in the US.  There is so much information it reminds me of a college textbook.  With this book I'm hoping I'm going to be much more prepared for next season.

Midnight Run, Skunk in the Air

Maybe it was the lack of moonlight but our midnight run to the bay was unsuccessful.  Tides and water temperatures were ideal.  My buddies who have fished the bay at night have always told me the their biggest fish out of the bay have always been at night.  So I was pretty eager to try it once Chul booty fabbed the boat to be night legal.  Both of us managed after making hundreds of casts to get a fish a piece to the boat only to have it come unbutton right before we could land it.  On a particular drift we literally and figuratively smelt the skunk in the air.  We saw it as a sign.  It wasn't going to happen for us. I never knew real skunks lived at the beach.   After about two hours we packed up and left to head home and hit the pillow.

Walther KKJ .22 Hornet

One of my favorites from the old man's collection is a somewhat rare hunting gun, the Walther KKJ (Kleinkaliber Jagd, small bore hunt).  Available in .22LR, .22 Hornet, and .22 WMR, the KKJ was introduced in 1957.  My father's is chambered in .22 Hornet. 

The rifle has double set triggers and an extended five shot magazine that sits flush with the trigger guard.  Magazines if one can find them are currently fetching over $250. 

The walnut stock is in typical German styling with a hump back butt.  The butt plate is plastic.

This gun is Ulm proofed in 1974 and is a later model. 

As evidenced by it's safety, earlier models had a cross bolt safety catch mounted through the stock preventing the trigger to be depressed.  Later the safety design was moved to the end of the bolt.  The receiver is grooved to accept 11mm scope mounts.  I am still looking for a period correct cold war era German optic to place on this gun.

Until then I must settle with irons.  The rear leaf rear sight is adjustable.

Here is the exploded parts diagram for the rifle.  Design of this gun changed throughout it's production so the right parts are hard to come by if not impossible.  So hopefully there won't ever be a problem with this one or we're screwed.

All in all it's an interesting post war German hunting gun that I've admired in my old man's gun cabinet for years.

Few Hours On The Bay

Overcast and windless, today would have been a good day for largemouth fishing but that didn't happen.  Instead we chose a last minute trip to the bay for few hours in the afternoon.  While not epic, the fishing was solid.  Each of us managed a handful of calicos and spotties with Chul losing a solid unknown fish that buried him in the weeds before it came unbuttoned.  Most of the fish landed were in the pound range none of which were all that spectacular but all fought harder than what their size would indicate.  All Chul's fish were caught on a chartreuse/orange clouser.  Mine were all on an olive/ orange wall banger.