Feb 15th Part 1: Shadow of Big Fish

It's still in a winter month so the weather here could be a bit unpredictable or mixed of wet stuffs. But at lease we have no problems with this mild winter!!

As I planned, I went to Yakima for the third time. I will try to get up there once a week till the end of March. First of all, I am just quite happy to go to the river and I can wade in. I am still learning but also getting some touches and feelings of this river. I am still observing accesses, spots, structures, and characters of waters but also now am starting to think about or even select my tactics and flies and where to fish and to explore.

Today, I fished up the Canyon Road. This little one was caught by accident on a Rubber Leg. I was walking upstream as I left my line unattended and let it swing downstream.....

As I fishing with nymphs upstream, I finally had a potentially big hook-up!..........gone........ See the scale on my $3 Serendipity. I felt bigger than trout from past two days but who knows? It could have been a foul-hooked also......

Then a real big accident!! As I was walking upstream the bank, I was like "WHAAAAAT???" and "OHHHHHHH MEEEE OHHHHH MYYYYYYY!!!!".

It was a carcass of Coho salmon (I couldn't identify so I showed the picture to Steve at Worley Bugger).

I just felt "what a mother nature................." I'd say it's about 300 miles of our driving from the mouth of Columbia (Portland area) to where I was standing. But these salmon and steelhead have to go through all the dams, all kinds of anglers, and other environmental issues (there's a nuclear plant along the Columbia in WA.....). Furthermore, they are swimming upstream while we drive cars!!

According to Steve, there actually are lots of Kings and Cohos that come all the way up to upper Yakima and local anglers often hook them accidentally. FYI, fishing for steelhead and salmon on purpose is not allowed in Yakima River.

This one must have served its life and purpose. Must have been quite a journey....

But also I did imagine and day-dream that someday (hopefully soon), I would be hooking into this kind "accidentally" while swinging big soft-hackles in Yakima.........

Yakima River - Day 2

I went fishing to Yakima yesterday, 9th Tuesday. I originally planned to go on Wednesday 10th, but the weather forecast called for snow/rain. It was not actually that bad as I am typing this. But for sure today, 10th, was colder than Tuesday. So I made a right decision.

Since I've already got some information at Worley Bugger last week, I started fishing at Umtanum access. I did read waters well. At least well enough to walk and fish upstream without falling in. I hooked a 12-incher with an olive Bridle Stone. It didn't come to my net or camera.....

I drove up to the town of Ellensburg and dropped by Worley Bugger for some tying materials and information and for a lunch..... BTW, Pappy's Smoking BBQ is one of the best drive-thru I ever visited.......

I could go back to the section above Ellensburg as I did last week but I wanted to try several spots that I observed as I drove to the town. Mile Marker 20 to 22 looks very fishy to me along with great accesses. This is about a 1/4 mile above MM 20.

In the afternoon I fished upstream from here for about a half mile. No actions at all though the water looked very fishy. I was about to give up and walked back here where my truck was parked. Yet it was so fishy, I did one more try with a black/coffee rubber-leg.

I first thought it would be a whitefish if not a brown because the fish went deep rather than running. As I reeled in this 16-inch fat rainbow came in.





She was really heavy for its size, maybe for spawning. I understood why it went deep rather than running!! i hope I didn't stress her much for reproduction......

First thing in the morning before I start fishing, I observed a big bird. He (or she) was standing almost like a statue. I could tell it must be a species along the riparian area but not for sure its name. Would anyone please let me know?

Though I am catching a few trout a day, I seem to get some touches of this river. What I heard and read is that Yakima holds 600 - 800 trout per mile while some famous rivers in Montana, like Madison, hold 2000 - 3000 per mile. So at this point, every trout that came to my view and camera are worth. And fortunately, I have not seen any whitefish!!!!!

I will take advantages of winter time in Yakima in terms of low flow and less crowds. And hoping for 18 to 24" individuals that will pull my reel to the backing!!

Winter Pastime Flies

January was really crazy for me mostly about the job. Now in February things seems to get settled as supposed to be. As in my last two posts, I could get out for some fishing and I have just found there are some more fun around here. Yet I still have a bit more slow and relaxing time. I'm waiting for a Regal vise to come any moment!

Meanwhile, I am reading lots of books and spending some relaxing time at my bench. Some serious tyings but also I think now is time to express some imagination!!

Valentine's Day is coming. A happy flower fly to you somewhere!!

Then I have just tied a gigantic Chernobyl Ant!!!

Actually it was tied with a safety pin just to play with......

It is simply fun to sit at my tying bench and mess with some materials every now and then. I have just placed the Chernobyl Ant onto my backpack so even other kinds of insects/bugs/terrestrials would get disgusted when they try to sneak behind me!!

Also hoping it might even protect me from buffaloes, bears, and misc in Yellowstone country.

My First Day at Yakima

Yesterday, Feb 1st, my objectives were: first to drop by one of the fly shops in Ellensburg, Worley Bugger, for information of Yakima. Mostly about the public land access so I don't get accused or shot. Certain spots and effective flies were welcome to hear also. Second to shop some materials and to order a Regal vise (yes!! I think my tying skills seems qualified to own one!!) there. Third to fish some in the afternoon. And finally to drive back home along Yakima Canyon Road before it gets too dark.

Tim at the shop is a very passionate person about his and fellow anglers' enthusiasm for fly-fishing. I didn't know the history of Yakima River and he was the main act of converting the Yakima to a catch-&-release fishery. I'd like to see more people like him around here.

A bit after 12:00 I grabed a Snickers bar, then I headed to an access where Tim pointed me. Though he did tell me exactly good looking spots, hatches, flies, etc, Yakima is such a big river. So my attitude was to observe first. See if he I can find where he told me and how it looks to my eyes.

There are lots of information and situations in my head. Most of waters look very good for streamers (I tied on some), some deep runs and holes for nymphs (stonefly and mayfly nymphs, caddis and midge larva, and also eggs and worms), and some good looking riffles to swing soft-hackles for midge and baetis hatches for this time of the year. There might be some dryfly fishing for midges and baetis too.

Well I didn't see any surface actions. I fished down-stream with streamers and soft-hackles as observing my surroundings. I didn't get any actions at all. I though it was still OK since my objective for yesterday was to learn and observe and I had to get home before it got too dark for driving the Canyon. So I fished up-stream with nymphs, that I consider the best when walking up-stream, at some spots I passed.

Since Yakima holds Rainbow, Cutthroat, and whitefish, I had a great confidence in my tying and selection of nymphs. $3 Serendipity is a catching machine for rainbow and whitefish in Madison River. I like this slim yet dignifying looking tied on the straight shank hook.

But yesterday, I somehow tied on this curved hook version. Whichever, this fly represents broad imitations. Mayfly nymphs, caddis/midge larva, or maybe a little aquatic worm.

This is the spot that really interested me for nymphing. My experience with nymph fishing at Madison River was lingering in my head. I cast some near-side from the main current to me and then cast to far-side beyond the current. It was a deep run but not wide so when I aimed the far-side, I did a high-stick rather than mending.

My Thingamabobber sank at the first cast to the far-side and I set the hook at "!" above. I first felt "hey I have just saved my day with whitefish, not so bad, I can go home". But it didn't fight like whitefish, instead I started to see some golden flash as I retrieve the line........

It was a beautiful and handsome buck Westslope cutthroat!!, measuring 16-inch.

Look at him. He took my $3 Serendipity confidentially in his mouth.

My first catch at Yakima was this very beautiful Westslope Cutty. It meant a lot to me. I love the native Westslope in my area, especially when coming up to my dryflies. Though certainly not the biggegst in the river, I didn't expect to see this kind till summer in Naches area.

I fished some more up-stream and walked back to my truck. I drove along the Canyon and checked out some access along as I planned. It was a very fruitful day.

I was told there are 18" to 24" rainbow in Yakima that really pull out our lines but it's hard to hook and land. It sounds like a very big challenge worth making efforts. I have hooked and fought some 16" to 18" rainbow in Madison River. Though I have caught bigger brown but rainbow's running is one of a kind regardless of its size.

I will try to get to Yakima once a week in February and March. Then I hit the road to Livingston, MT in April. I am sure I must develop some skills and knowledge by fishing Yakima. I might even have some days to fish Yakima after my Livinsgton trip before the run-off and the irrigation starts.

Hopefully I can provide more fishing reports with great pictures here!!

Yakima River Winter Plan - Introduction

I am really enjoying the mild winter here in eastern WA. I suddenly wanted to try Yakima River for the first time. I knew and everybody around me told me about fly-fishing in Yakima since I moved here. But it didn't seem to match me (vice versa). Floating is popular instead (I could use "because" here) that the wade-fishing seems limited. As far as I had driven through, it is because of private lands and water levels change by season. Yakima is one of the most irrigated rivers in the world. Furthermore, when I first made a driving, it was early July three summers ago (might have been on 4th of July), I saw lots of recreational floating people with bikinis or shorts. Also, water was way high and slightly brown. Indeed it seemed to serve for recreation better than for fishing. While in most of Western trout rivers, that time of the year is the prime season. So all the Yakima information from books and online seemed more like just ads. I recall all of these feelings made me plan to trips to Montana, especially for wild brown trout......


Other reason I couldn't put myself into the Yakima was the car expense. Driving my big F-150 (Big Fella) around costs a lot. Then my work/town car had been an old Subaru, which was not trusted for fishing. For this reason, I stopped exploring around here and rather saved fundings for Montana trips.


But last June the Subaru broke down and I bought a GMC Sonoma from my co-worker. It works pretty well for work and town with much less mileage than Big Fella now. I named it G.M. (Gallatin - Madison). It really looks like this.

Now here are several more feelings that have changed my views recently.
If I could, I wouldn't want to go to Rocky Ford. But my favorite waters in Naches are not fishable till summer. I don't want get bored in this mild winter. Finally, I felt if I put myself into it, I can do something because I've been making over 600 miles one way to Montana and catching trout there. And then I got tired of people around me (at here or when I go to Montana) keep asking me see if I fish Yakima. I say "no" and explain with a couple or several resaons above. Though I haven't really fished, I could easily tell the water level is low in the fall and winter for wade-fishing (no demands for irrigation). And I know most of the river is open-year-around.

I got all the perfect reasons and the perfect time that I have to get out!!!

Enough introduction!! I will write more about my first day.

New Gears for 2010

Right after I found that I need a new line and reel, I made a quick move with some thoughts. Line was broken but my Scierra XDP (X-treme Drag Performance) reel is still great as it has been. As long as it works why would I abondon it? By the way, this Scierra made in Sweden is extremely tough. (A big) However the company and its distributers left US. So there is probably from no more to only a few left in the market. Fortunately I own two!! I will use this to my future 5wt rig. Here's a close look of Scierra XDP along with a Salmonfly at Madison River.

Now about the new gears that I have just received. For the line, I chose RIO's Grand. There were a couple of RIO lines in my mind but I finally decided to buy the Grand. It seems to fit my style: first it claims to go with the fast action rods as my Sage 6wt and then the versatility I can expect in any situation. From tiny baetis or midge flies, heavily weighted nymph rig, and to large streamers.

As for the reel, for the first time, I got out of my limit. I generally look for reels somewhere between $100 to $150 with fancy lookings. Scierra XDP above is the perfect example. This time, I spent a bit more than that. I decided to go with Lamson Waterworks' Guru model. I confess here that this is the first time that I own a large arbor reel.........

I might as well have purchased a spare spool for full-sinking line. This line is Kelly Galloups's design for extream streamer fishing.

I bought these from Creekside Fly-Fishing in Salem, OR. Though I haven't been to the shop, mostly because I have to pass Portland area......, Rich and Kathy have been very kind to me through all of my purchases via online and emails.

Actually, the biggest reason I have been dealing with Creekside is that they don't have sales tax in Oregon and the shipping/handling is only a few to none........

I am laughing at myself and/or any other fly-fishers that we'd like to spend a copuple to several hundred $$ for our gears yet we are trying to be cheap on those taxes and shipping rates.......

Anyways, I will test these new gears pretty soon.

First Few Trout for 2010

I went back to Rocky Ford last Thursday, 21st. Though my previous attempt was failed two weeks ago, I didn't feel some sort of bloody revenge or anything. I just wanted to get out. Rocky Ford is one of a few options around here in winter. Now it might be a time for me to explore Yakima River for another option........

I got out with my 4wt, which is always fun to fish with. I consider this rig as a classic and an all-rounder for me. 4wt & 8-foot with a so-so reel and a double taper floating line (both from Cortland). This handles most of situation for smaller dry flies and nymphs at smaller streams. Here's my rig with a brown trout from Armstrong's.

I didn't get any action in the morning with dry flies and soft-hackles for Baetis and midges. Well, I couldn't get knocked out twice in a row, so I moved to the upper end of creek and tried to salvage the day. And I did. In the afternoon, midge hatching was very strong. This tiny soft-hackle "peacock herl & yellow larva style" that i learned from sylvester Nemes' book seems to be a regular of my blog.

I caught a 12-incher as the first one for this year with this fly. But I failed to take a picuture or two. I kept going. I caught 3 more small trout!!

Trout here is triploids from the hatchery so in a way, it is pretty rare that I was catching this small fish. Maybe in other words, within a year or so there would be more large trout.

The very last fish was the typical of Rocky Ford, 18-19" & 3lb, again on swinging this tiny soft-hackle of mine. I felt a really big tug. It leaped several times and I felt I was relly "ON" since last November. I thought it leaped more than I expected for trout I ever caught at here or maybe I might have fought on it as if with my 6wt and larger tippet. It snapped off my 6X...... But I was really satisfied and might as well go home.


While at the parking lot, an old gentleman talked to me. He happenned to be the same gentleman from Seattle who asked me what fly I was using when I had the best day at Rocky Ford in last September. This Mini San Juan Worm was a hit on that day, so Mr. Duane remembered me as a "Mini SJ Worm" guy!!!???

Thank you, sir!! But that's not really what I am!! I am a soft-hackle enthusiast who loves to swing, sir!! Please look at my older post for my soft-hackles and great success at Madison River in Yellowstone Park section!! (I'm pleading "not guilty" for being simple or being almost like a bait-fisherman with a SJ Worm ..........just kidding \("_")/ ).

Mr. Duane is a Montana origin. We talked about rivers and shops in common.

Rocky Ford is always crowded and sometimes several people are a bit annoying. But also there always are some good people like him. It is always nice to make friends at the river.

Ring Finger Rejuvenating

Nothing to do with fly-fishing but a personal matter. Last October, my left ring finger was smashed very badly during the job. It was a combination of an uncoorperative cow and facility.

It was so touchy and miserable for a few days. My co-workers and people at the dairy farm asked me if it got broken (I knew it was not) and suggested me lots of things such as to apply some ointment, drain blood, etc. Then they even laughed at my finger because it looked like a typical cartoon-like bump!! It was not funny at all!!

My finger was healing well, almost all no pain as days went by. A month later, it still looked like this. It was the last day of my fall trip at Depuy's. I was afraid that the blood clot would not be gone.

Well, the healing process seems slow. As of today, it has finally become like this. Within a week or two, I must be cutting the last appearance of blood clot.

I was so happy that I was wearing a ring?

It's a "reversed" egg fly with a golden chenille ring!! Notice my effort that I even tied in the embryo.........

I couldn't help but posting these to show how happy I am. When I was a kid, this kind of process seemed took only a few weeks after, say, hitting my fingers with a hammer instead of nails.

Whatsoever, this mild winter here in eastern WA seems to keep me going without getting bored. My recent fishing report will be posted soon.

If anybody wants to see more creative(?) and artistic(?) flies of mine, let me know. I have a couple of pictures already and I am always thinking about to make more.

Dutch Box

I think I just finished my little project during the winter. At least to the certain point. It's been in my mind and is still going on.

I've read this article at MidCurrent. I have visited Blue Ribbon Flies in my every trip, met Craig in person, but have never looked at prices of Dutch boxes at the counter because I could tell it's a bit too fancy for me. But last December, I finally decided to get two (one for my brother) within my budget. Yet I ordered online so buying without actually seeing them for the prices was a bit gamble to me. But I was very happy when they were shipped. I wanted to have a "lucky box with all good luck flies".

All Dutch boxes are hand-crafted, numbered, and dated. Each one is only one of its kind. Mine is read as below, crafted with cherry tree.

On the top (lid side), I tied and set (from top row) mayfly, caddis, midge, special ones, terrestrials, and nymph. One color and one pattern for each pattern or insect imitation.

On the bottom, I set larger flies, mostly large soft-hackles. Of course including my Coyote.

Furthermore, this box fits in the left-upper pocket of my vest (right at my heart). As said above, I had not seen it bacause I ordered online. Amazing! I just felt that was meant for me!

Somehow, I don't feel its weight or something square from inside. It does make me feel I am well equipped and gives me some confidence. As long as I keep this box in my vest, I know I always have right flies in any situation even when I forget or leave other boxes in my truck or motel room. I am not sure if this is going to protect me from bears or buffaloes though........

Somehow when I tried to tie one fly only for each pattern, I felt they came out a bit inferior for my eyes to the same patterns that are already in my other boxes. I am not sure. Maybe. I may have to re-do some, would add several more patterns, or arrange rows. This is why I feel there's something constantly going on with this lovely item. I'll update later. And I will find out my trout luck for this year soon!

Worn-out Line

After I came home from my first fishing day for 2010, which was not succesful (2 posts below), I cleaned my line. When I go fishing clean waters in Yellowstone area for several days, I don't clean every day. But whenever I fish around here in eastern WA or practice some casting spontaneously, I have to wash, clean, and coat the line with line dressing.

This time I felt some unsmoothness while I was coating. I had to see a couple of cracks on my line.

This is a 6wt Western Drifter from Cortland. For the past two years, this has been working for me very hard. It was basically with 0X leader/tippet. I could tapered down to anything; 0X to 2X for large streamers, 1X to 3X for nymph fishing (with an indicator), 3X to 5X for dry fly fishing in Madison, swinging soft-hackles, and down to 6X for midge/baetis fishing when I needed to.

I will both thank and appologize to it that it had to deal with some tree branches above and rocks in the river bottom.

I haven't broken my rods yet, which is a good thing!, yet I am thinking about to replace reels/spools along with matching lines before the season starts.

I have several products that I am looking into, but this line served me very hard......Thanks, pal.