monger

Lots of people meet there before heading off to the hills

Thanks Don. I guess I will have to try some nymph hooks and see if they will stay up in the water column enough for the type of fishing I'm doing. I'm still landing most of the fish on R50 hooks but I have to continually bend the hooks back. Hard hits by 10 lbers tend staighten things out. Most of the hook ups are in the corner of the mouth suggesting they are taking the fly on the turn. I'll go tie some flies on heavy nymph hooks and do some experimenting. Cheers, Rob

I am looking for dry fly hooks. It's pretty hard to float 2x heavy scud hooks. 2457s are awesome for nymph fishing...but I am fishing ON the surface. I also think one needs a straight hook if any stripping is to be done as curved hooks tend to roll. I guess I'll just have to suffer the consequences of big fish and keep bending the hooks back. It's such a horrible problem to deal with. If only I could get all those pesky 18-20"ers to ignore my flies now. Thanks for the replies boys

I'm having problems with hooks bending open on large fish. I've been using Mustad signature R50 hooks which seem to be better that Tiemco 100s. Any other suggestions for strong dry fly hooks. Boatman fishing can be a bit violent at times. Partridge Capt hamiliton nymph hooks...YH1A. Medium wire, 2x long......any reviews? Daiichi ?

There was one last year along the shore at Lake Sundance. He looked a little out of place sitting on a paddle boat. I used to see them quite often while tromping through the cattails while duck hunting. Like Conor says, they have an interesting croaking call.

Typically they are very shy birds that hang out in cattails. That's why you don't see them much. They "hide" by sticking their bill straight up and making like a reed. Sounds like this guy was pretty hungry.

Hey Oagie it's good to hear from you. The perch at Sundance are missing you. Have you caught a steelhead with your fly rod? Kevin and I might have to make the trek up there to see you some time. Cheers, Rob

Nice chunky fish. Looks like you had a fine day

Best place for 5mm neoprenes is Cabelas ($69 US) plus shipping. Their wading boots are pretty good as well. I like neoprene for April/May and October lake fishing. Never tried float tube fishing for 12 hours in breathables, but neoprenes work.

No eggs, just meat

Squawfish.........northern pikeminnow

Thanks for sharing Frank. It is like a different river down there. The scenery is great and a lot of the fish are colored a little different. Looks like it was a fine day for a float.

I've had similar "tests" with giant lake fish eating emerging chironomids on the bottom of the surface film. It is so satisfying to finally present a fly that fools your quarry. These hunts are way more fun than blindly hucking worms in good looking water.

Great blue spotted trout Brian. No bobbers certainly is more fun

Probably secondary infection from a wound caused by an osprey or eagle (or large treble hook)

That fish is from Lake Sundance. I caught her 3 weeks later. The one in the Bow is a different fish

Great fun to go back and revisit the old spots. Looks like the Waterton. Cool to find a toad.

Interesting, fly line is supposed to be 30lb test. For years I used 14lb mono for nymphing. I don't lose many flies and fish get landed very quickly.

There can be times when a fish streaks away that the hook is not actually in the mouth. Once the right angle is achieved the hook pulls out. Perhaps such a situation could have occurred. We just use a piece of 12lb maxima for streamer fishing

Great adventure. Thanks for sharing your pics of those crimson jewels.

Nice healthy fish, good job

Steve, I've never had one attack a Cutt. I guess I don't troll them long enough

This funny looking thing interrupted my dry fly fishing. Man he has a big head! Nice day for a walk along the creek today

Awesome fish! Very cool to get rewarded for years of fishing. However, since this was an accidental by-catch when fishing for pike....you cannot brag or show it off to anyone. After it is finished getting stuffed it must be hidden away and never spoken of again. I'm curious what kind of fight this tank put up?

Do you really need an 8wt for 20" fish?