Flyfisher

Blue wing olives are remarkable. I've been on late season hatches (rather light hatches mind you) when the afternoon air temp. tops out at about 3 C. Most duns over feeding fish never make it off the water before being picked off. Those that do might make it onto a cold rock only to sit there shivering if Mays shiver haha. Some do make flight.

In my experience late fall is when you find fish spending more time in tailouts more so than other times of the year. I recall one stellar afternoon on the Livingstone during a hatch of mahogany duns. Many fish feeding in very shallow tailouts. Stealth was key.

That last photo is a beauty!

I see what you mean. Was there minimal current?

Could be just how the image appears on my screen but I see 3 for sures (large fish) and 2 smaller maybes downstream of the 3. No visual clue as to 2 more somewhere. Good post. Got anymore similar photos?

Three.

Began learning some new casting techniques last season. Was shown a roll cast mend that keeps a dry fly drifting drag free in conflicting currents much longer than say a reach cast followed by regular mending. Working on and making good progress at placing my offering in tight places such as narrow openings in log jams and tight spots, in and between large woody debis cover and under over hanging vegetation. Those seemingly frustrating and inacessible places westslopes hideout. In. The Arrow Cast comes to mind. Lots of fun stepping up the skill set.

And Teck is in the process of opening another mine in the valley, go figure. The authors claim that the Elk River caught cutthroat in the photo is likely a hybrid is somewhat misleading. Visual confirmation of genetic purity is highly inaccurate in the absence of DNA sampling.

Biology class was never that good. Good one!

Good one Doc, thanks.

Is that a marabou tail and beard?

As well, at the end of a days fishing or when storing a reel make sure the fly line is wound very loosely on the reel.

One easy change would be to start making people aware of these issues beginning early days in school. Otherwise I think a change of ways may well be a lost cause. The motor head culture (ORV) is a relatively modern day prime example of reckless ignorance gone awry.

My experience with stimies: high and dry, the higher they float in the meniscus the better they work.

Good post. It's all to easy to become complacent about taking the time to recognize and access potential hazards in and about moving water at any time of year.

No problem, just go the day before.

Fish porn at it's best.

Thanks for that. Entertaining, interesting and thought provoking.

Yes, they need to be identified and protected. However I think it is questionable that in all cases they should be closed to angling if a localized population can support a well managed C&R fishery. Of course fundamental to this would be defining and implementing "well managed".

In of itself a shorter season won't do much. The scope of threats to westslope survival goes well beyond angling pressure. Resource management has to change.

Flies, I wouldn't, I don't. My landing net is included in disinfecting my gear.

A 10 min. soak in Quat Plus. Product available online from Grand & Toy. Consult supplier for dilution rate. This product at correct dilution rate is harmless to gear. Used by Fish & Wildlife in BC. https://www.grandandtoy.com/en/product/167412321_Dustbane_Quat_Plus_DisinfectantCleaner.aspx#review-tab

Outstanding photo! Beautiful cutthroat.

Nice Fish!

Great shot!