Grindstone Lakes

Why I fish

 People ask me why I love to fish. Well, there are lots of reasons.
I think it is that sometimes there are just those fish that never fully show themselves. Just a splash is all I will get if I'm lucky! The line goes slack and then I'm left with an empty pit in my stomach. For the rest of the day I find repeating thoughts in my head of......  Was it the one? What the heck did I do wrong? It sure felt big?  Or, WOW that fish schooled me! 














These are the moments that keep me coming back. Always searching for that one that got away.
This is why I fish.

Catch and Release

Now that you've made a solid connection with a trout of a life time, your job begins to make sure that fish can live to see another day. 
 Remember that the less stress a trout experiences during the catching, the faster it's going to revive and this makes the releasing easier.
 Hopefully you use only barb-less hooks or flatten the barbs on the hook you'll use.
 Try and land the fish as soon as possible.
 Tightly woven nets with rubber materials are better as it will not damage the trout's scales, fins or gills.
 Fish internal organs are also easily damaged so don't squeeze them or grip too tightly. If you really need to hold the trout, clasp it near the tail and turn it briefly on its side or upside down to immobilize it. Refrain from touching or putting a finger into its gills. You're going to do this because you want to take a picture of it so get the camera ready beforehand.
 If the hook appears to be deep and not easily removed, cut the line and leave the hook in the fish.
 When releasing your fish don't just let it go.
Don't force it. Don't push water through its gills. Just hold it steady with two gentle hands. It will go when it is ready. This may take time, but be patient.
 Remember, just because a fish swims away when released, this does not mean damage has not  been done and that the fish won’t still die in the upcoming hours or days from the experience. But, by considering all of these factors and trying to minimizing their stress, the fish will have a better chance of survival to be caught again on another day.

Fly Fising Lakes in Spring

 With the unpredictable weather that spring brings, fly fishing lakes can be a challenge. With cooler water temps the fish don't always give away their location with the explosive dry fly takes of summer. So where do we start once we've found ourselves staring at a lake that seems to be lifeless?

Here are just a few things that I've learned.

First I look for any source incoming water. A fresh source of water typically provides a little warmer temperature.  Also it can bring bug larva down a stream or kick larva out of the mud. Fish tend to gather around these areas when the rest of lake is still waking up from winter.

If there is no fresh water I look for a little deeper water. I put on an intermediate or sinking line to get to the bottom.  It is my belief that the deeper water is slightly warmer in the spring than the surface water that is exposed to the cooler nights, rain, wind and sometimes snow. Also this is wear the majority of the feed is.

As far as techniques go I have found that when with fishing leaches and nymphs, the slower the retrieve, the better.  Cooler temps and less feed options have the fish wanting to excerpt as little effort as possible. Slower strips and longer pauses is how its done.

Chironomids under an indicator with slight to no movement at all is also very productive. Just make sure to get your depth set about a 12-18" off the bottom.

And when all else fails bait fish patterns work well.  One big meal for a fish can be pretty enticing when there isn't a lot of other food sources yet.

Happy Spring Fishing!!!

Sharing the outdoors with our youth

Taking time to spend a day with our youth is priceless!!

The Future of are outdoor sports depends on moments like these.



Special thanks to Gary Lewis, Matt and Dara Smith, Loren Irving and Lake In The Dunes for a great day!!

Ana River, Summer Lake Oregon

A few years ago if someone told me to break out the trout rod, tie on a dry fly and blow up the tube, we're going TROUT fishing in FEBRUARY, I would have told them their NUTS!!!

 Come to find out it can pretty good way to get a trout fix!

There are a few pieces to the puzzle when finding a way to get that fix in the middle of winter, 

   First, you need to find a tail water or spring creek that the water temps/flows aren't heavily effected by the harsh elements of winter.  Many of these waters exist where bugs and trout still go about there daily lives even though the rest of us try to hide in side by the fire.

 

Second, do a little research before you go. Find out what bugs will be there so that you'll be prepared to capitalize on the moments that will come. A Few staples in winter will always be BWO'S, MIDGES and STREAMER PATTERNS. Have these in your box but there could be something else so look it up, the Internet is an amazing fishing tool.

 Third, you need to come the truth that there is no such thing as bad weather just bad gear! The gear now days is worth buying because it opens the door to let us get out and enjoy what god created for us.

Fourth, find some friends that are just as CRAZY as you are! 

When you tell the story of that one (or more) fish that schooled you it's nice to have someone else as a witness :-)

Finally, HAVE FUN NO MATTER WHAT!!!!!

 

Winter time tying

It gets dark way to early this time of year and I turn to the tying table. Tying is a great way to stay warm inside, fill the boxes and still keep my mind focused on what I love (fishing). It is amazing how tying a few flies amps me up for a great float this weekend down the Ana River in hopes to hit the incredible blue wing olive hatch! Stay tuned for the fishing report.