Zonker

I was lucky enough to spend most of Monday on the river (the Ausable). I fished for the first couple of hours, spending a lot of time just looking at the wonderful scenery. The weather was perfect; Caddis were in the air and so were a few Blue-winged Olives, but no trout were rising (the water is still cold). I was using a double nymph rig without any luck. I fished about a half mile of pocket water, not spending much time in one spot. After having a snack I gave up on my nymph rig and switched to a size 8 Zonker with a split shot about a foot and a half above the streamer. I slowly drifted it down the feeding lanes behind and in front of boulders and slowly retrieved it across the current down river. I managed to lure a large trout out from under an overhanging boulder. I didn't notice it taking the fly until I started my retrieve. The weight of the fish bent my rod easily; it rolled, showing off its wide body, and then my line went limp. I lost him. As I pulled my line in, checking the fly, I heard a strange noise like a creature from a different dimension. Sure enough, it was my cell phone. I had to end my fishing for the day just as I started to do something right. It wasn't a great day of fishing. But as I look out my window at the snow falling, I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to stand in the river in the sun and lose a big brown trout.

Some pictures of a Split Winged Parachute

DATE: 4/19/2010 6:52:00 PM

Here are some pictures of a Split Winged Parachute. This one is tied with cream dubbing and white wings but I also tie Blue Winged Olives and almost every other color combination.

Cold and Wet

DATE: 4/18/2010 10:20:00 PM

It's been a cold and rainy couple of days. The Ausable River is running high and the fishing has been very slow. I bundled up and headed out around 2 pm yesterday; a light rain was falling and I knew the river was up, because I could hear it from my house. The view of the snowflakes falling on Whiteface was more than a little discouraging, but I trudged down the steep bank to the river anyway. Before I left, I told my girlfriend I would be back around 6 . . . but after only a couple of casts I knew I had greatly overestimated my determination. I drifted my fly through every pocket and run, even though I had made up my mind that it would be a miracle if I caught anything other than a bad cold. I firmly believe that there is more to fishing than catching fish; I often tell myself and others, "Well it's just nice to be out here." Standing in the river as the rain started to fall harder, I realized this wasn't one of those days. Looking over the river one more time, I decided it was time to go inside and sit by the fire. Foul weather isn't a complete bummer, it gives me a chance to tie flies. I tied a dozen split-winged parachute flies that I really enjoy. It's a pattern that I first saw in John Gierach's book, Trout Flies. It is a very petty fly and the feather parachute post is more delicate then the typical calf tail or turkey T base posts I usually use. For those of you who haven't seen this fly, I will post a picture soon.

Another Great Day

DATE: 4/15/2010 8:01:00 PM

I just walked back from the West Branch of the Ausable River to my house it is about 4 pm. I have something to do this evening or I would still be out enjoying the wonderful day. It is supposed to rain tonight. I hope not, the water level is perfect. I did have a little luck this afternoon I caught one nice brown trout about 16 inches long. I was using a dropper rig, a size 10 bead head prince nymph with a size 16 bead head caddis nymph tied to the bend on about 26 inches of 5x tippet. The trout took the bead head caddis. I use this set up a lot and more often then not I hook the fish with the smaller fly. I will be out fishing for most of the day tomorrow. I am going to check out a few different areas on the Ausable. Check back soon for more updates.

Spring Fly Fishing in the Adirondacks

DATE: 4/14/2010 6:56:00 PM

I decided to start this blog late last night, hoping I could create a place to help fly fishermen keep up to date with my neck of the woods. I assume most people don't care what I ate for dinner or what Gus, my new puppy, chewed up last night. My neck of the woods is the West Branch of the Ausable River and the surrounding area. Spring is here and the water level has come down. After a chilly night in the 20's, it is shaping up to be a very nice day with highs in the 60's. The fishing is slow because of the low water temp, but I have been successful nymphing in the pocket water. The trick is to almost bump the trout on its head with your fly, so fish pockets and holes where you know there are fish. Easier said then done, I agree, but on the West branch of the Ausable If it looks like there should be a trout hiding behind that rock, then there probably is. As the fishing season progresses I hope to take the time to write little updates as often as possible. Please feel free to share your comments, fish stories, and other related stories. Try not to criticize my less than perfect use of the English language; my English major girlfriend has been working on it for a few years now (believe it our not I am getting better) and what does that have to do with fly fishing anyway.

Welcome to Ruff Waters Fly Fishing

DATE: 4/13/2010 4:27:45 AM

Welcome to my blog. Please check back soon for new entries.