Merry X'mas 2014

I came home from the Master Breeder project and got back to my regular life, meaning fishing and dressing flies.

This winter has been a mix of equal amount of warm and cold, in my opinion. Around here in Livingston, when it's too cold, it's simply dangerous to go out fishing or do any other outdoors activities. Also when it's too warm and dry, air will circulate and famous SW winds will blow...... I'd say just moderately and normally cold days are the best for fishing.........maybe.........
Anyway I was glad to go back to DePuy's Spring Creek (www.depuyspringcreek.com) and to make sure that I know how to cast! This was literally caught by the first cast at my secret yet usual spot.

Rainbows are acting hot already!! This is somewhat new for this winter season.

Regardless of sizes, browns must have recovered from their spawning phases one by one and they fight very hard!!

There are still some larger ones are lurking the creek!!

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I didn't discuss but a few weeks ago my most trusted Echo Rod had a couple of troubles after full 4 seasons of hard working. I sent it it to ECHO, via Montana Troutfitters, and they sent me a replacement = BRANDNEW = in so very short time!! I can't thank them enough!!
(I did unwrap the plastic cover on the handle, just to show you how it came back.)

It would be great if the first trout for my revived rod would be a nice one. I made a walk to a spot I had some faith in. I spotted some of the most colorful I've ever seen in the creek.

I couldn't believe the odds. The first trout for the brandnew rod means a lot.......
So here it is.......

Actions went on. I'm very sure this rod will haul in many colorful & memorable trout from now on.

Just another typical scene at DePuy's but Merry Christmas for all creatures!!

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My Atlantic Salmon Fly project is going on harder than ever.
Here's a Black Ranger as per George M. Kelson.

 

Britannia as per George M. Kelson.

The original recipe calls for Shovel Duck (or Shoveller) flank feathers for wings. They are common ducks but sellers seem scarce. For some reasons, I have another common-but-hard-to-obtain duck flank feathers in similar appearance. These are from Paradise Duck.

I hope all of you out there are having good holiday seasons.

Atlantic Salmon Flies - New Project

Just before I'm leaving for a Master Breeder project, I came up with a topic worth making a post. 

Here's The Major - George Mortimer Kelson. 

A bit of dramatic effect could conceal my mistakes!?

I have started to wonder what to do with these flies based on techniques & materials for display purposes. Since I started this subject last year, flies' destinations (framing, preserving, throwing-away, actual fishing?, etc.....) have been my curiosity, if not the responsibility.......
This season, I have to see significant improvements on my dressings. I really don't care if these will be sold or not. But I'm sure these will mean something as the very first chapter of my long-lasting pursuit of Atlantic Salmon Flies.  I have been having several framing ideas and options but I have just decided to work on this one till I'm satisfied!

It'll be a long story to explain what's this box is and how I acquired. But I have just decided flies to dress, intentions, and decorations. I don't know how long it takes to complete and I don't set the time on purpose, as Atlantic Salmon Flies are never-ending passion for me. Along the course, I will unfold my selections.  For now, I have just attached The Major above for one of three pages with the reason.

I may complete my objective till spring? Or may be not? I really don't care. It's too small to be a collection, so I'd call it Yamamoto Selection.

It's a bit too early to make New Year Resolution, and I don't meant to, but this project will keep me focused!!

Warm First Week of December

What a comfortable week it has been! After the heavy storm of last weekend, it feels like the Fall is back! Yet not so windy or overly bright.
I went back to DePuy's Spring Creek (www.depuyspringcreek.com) for full-time!

I bet the creek didn't get fished much last weekend and early this week. Indeed trout looked hungry and aggressive! Following are typical of my trophy shots. But these are some of the best December afternoons ever.

 Still there are lots of large brown trout lurking the creek!

I was surprised by this massive rainbow!!

Handsome!

Then......

Another nice brown at the end of the day!

This wasn't super big but I liked the way fished it and the spot.

More golden!

Sight-Egging Rainbow!

 See I was wearing a regular hat.....

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Following might cause queasiness even for anglers...... Viewer discretion is advised........
I pumped a stomach of a skinny 14-inch brown............. It must be the war & battle underwater.......

 I haven't taken good pictures of leeches yet........ As I caught a nice brown, I noticed a tiny creature hanging on the tail so I plucked it off with a tweezer I carry in my vest..........

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Atlantic Salmon Fly project is going well. Here's a Black Doctor (as per Dr. Pryce-Tannatt).

There will be more coming!

I will be working on the Master Breeder project next week and weekend. Most likely no update here for the next weekend. I have recorded many tying videos by today so at least I try to update one on my YouTube channel. Speaking of which, it's almost all a countdown to 100 subscribers! Please join!

Thanksgiving Week

I hope everyone had good Thanksgiving dinner and is enjoying the weekend. I did and I am.
I was busy with some other stuffs earlier in the week and managed to fish DePuy's Spring Creek (www.depuyspringcreek.com)only on Tuesday 25th. My tradition for the past couple years has been to visit back the creek on the weekend. However this year, Friday was very windy. And then on Saturday, though morning wasn't bad, the sudden & severe storm hit the area right at noon....... For the first time ever with Winter Pass, I cancelled a rod (I had called in in the morning).

So this week's fishing report consists only one day but here's another tradition of mine. Fishing during Thanksgiving week has been good! Especially when I haven't caught a memorable brown of the year in October, this week can make it up!!...........
I would say it was pretty much the very end of Fall baetis hatch........ Happy!

Then I started to look for Big Uns!! Rainbow is getting heavy now!

Nice one!

 And then I did it under the pouring rain/snow!!

A dramatic effect

It isn't quite as large as some others I had hooked & lost through this fall (I know...likely story) but it's still respectable and I'm satisfied.

 Another nice one in bright colors!

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I've been working on Atlantic Salmon Flies with great concentration. I have completed a couple of great looking ones. But for some reasons, I can't post them for now. Here are just glimpses.......

Yesterday, since I cancelled my "field work", I worked a lot inside! I shot several videos! Here's a new one for you!

Also I have created "Playlists" and categorized my patterns. Then! Number of subscribers is reaching 100!! Much more than this blog though it's a couple of years younger!! So drop by HERE and subscribe!! (no monetary gain involved). 

More Salmon Flies and videos to come! And hope to keep fishing in December!

Back to Fishing & Atlantic Salmon Flies

As forecast, this week warmed up nicely! Even too warm!? It reached over 40F for a couple of days. Is it the fall again? But also our famous November winds came back.

Anyway, I was glad to go back to fishing at DePuy's Spring Creek (www.depuyspringcreek.com). Insect hatches are not as predictable and thick as in October but hit right, it can be still fun!! Blue-Winged-Olive = baetis is still hanging on. I had a short yet viable hatch. Trout rose carefully and graciously. I had hooked but lost some potential big fish! That's all about the fall baetis fishing. I was still happy with any sizes of trout.

Checking......

Fall-run browns are still consistent.

A fellow creek occupant was trying to warm up.........

Not super big but I liked the way and spot I caught this one. Also the picture quality with the new camera of mine. See me and trout are standing out of background!!??

Almost all the same spot but definitely a different and larger Browny!! Again, besides the method and spot, I like the pic itself!!

I observed this one.........He may devote his soul and flesh to the water soon.......

As said above, baetis hatches can be good but also midge hatches are still amazingly, even crazy, good and constant!!

 Just like with baetis fishing, I have hooked and lost potential larger trout........but I was still happy and satisfied with any sizes of trout.

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Then, I was finally able to come back to another passion of mine = Atlantic Salmon Flies.
I checked my inventory and started the season.  One of important preparations was twisting silk for gut-loops. Slow but steady job! As I went through every step, my mind-set, motivation, and maneuvers on my fingers rekindled!!

It's been over 6 months since I last built one. I could be nervous, wondering if I could recall procedures and techniques or even being afraid if I had forgotten whole things!!
I had to get myself started anyway. The first pattern I chose was Traherne's Wonder.

I'd like to call it "not bad" for the start of my sophomore year.

Then I have just acquired this book. For contemporary Atlantic Salmon flies enthusiasts, this book is regarded as "voices" and "legend". I have some special feelings to this book.

Many more Atlantic Salmon Flies to come through winter till spring.
And I'm still looking for "Brown of The Year"!!