Lone Wulff
10-15-2011, 09:28 AM
The temperature on the truck thermometer indicated a crisp 44 degrees – not unbearable, but unusually cool for this time of year. There was a brisk, October wind blowing too. As I donned my gear at the trailhead, the agony of hiking in waders briefly entered my mind. I quickly dismissed the idea though thinking the walk would warm me up, and once on the water, I would hopefully remain oblivious to the cold by catching a bunch of fish.
Early on, despite how cool it was, most of the activity was on the surface. Numerous fish popped out of the water attempting to engulf the dry. They all were a little late though and missed it as it floated overhead. Each time this occurred, I could tell they were browns beginning to sport their spawning attire. They looked like sticks of butter slashing at my fly. Eventually, they started coming to hand.
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/kdurrett_photos/10-2-201122004.jpg
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/kdurrett_photos/10-2-201122015.jpg
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/kdurrett_photos/10-2-201122020.jpg
Arriving at a large, deep pool, I decided to change my tactic. I clipped off the dry/dropper, tied on a heavily weighted nymph beneath an indicator, and went deep. It was the right decision: a solid 11+ inch ‘bow.
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/kdurrett_photos/10-2-201122003.jpg
Moving back into pocket water and short, shallow runs, I switched back to the dry/dropper. Throughout the rest of the day, the better fish came from isolated rock faces against the bank where a narrow current either deflected off, or ran parallel to it as it hurried downstream.
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/kdurrett_photos/10-2-201122017.jpg
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/kdurrett_photos/10-2-201122008.jpg
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/kdurrett_photos/10-2-201122010.jpg
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/kdurrett_photos/10-2-201122019.jpg
I didn’t get a picture of the nicest one of the day. It was a hefty 12 inch brown that made an early departure as I fumbled with the camera. Oh well, at least I got a picture of its little brother.
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/kdurrett_photos/10-2-201122018.jpg
It was a decent day to be out there.
Early on, despite how cool it was, most of the activity was on the surface. Numerous fish popped out of the water attempting to engulf the dry. They all were a little late though and missed it as it floated overhead. Each time this occurred, I could tell they were browns beginning to sport their spawning attire. They looked like sticks of butter slashing at my fly. Eventually, they started coming to hand.
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/kdurrett_photos/10-2-201122004.jpg
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/kdurrett_photos/10-2-201122015.jpg
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/kdurrett_photos/10-2-201122020.jpg
Arriving at a large, deep pool, I decided to change my tactic. I clipped off the dry/dropper, tied on a heavily weighted nymph beneath an indicator, and went deep. It was the right decision: a solid 11+ inch ‘bow.
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/kdurrett_photos/10-2-201122003.jpg
Moving back into pocket water and short, shallow runs, I switched back to the dry/dropper. Throughout the rest of the day, the better fish came from isolated rock faces against the bank where a narrow current either deflected off, or ran parallel to it as it hurried downstream.
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/kdurrett_photos/10-2-201122017.jpg
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/kdurrett_photos/10-2-201122008.jpg
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/kdurrett_photos/10-2-201122010.jpg
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/kdurrett_photos/10-2-201122019.jpg
I didn’t get a picture of the nicest one of the day. It was a hefty 12 inch brown that made an early departure as I fumbled with the camera. Oh well, at least I got a picture of its little brother.
http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/kdurrett_photos/10-2-201122018.jpg
It was a decent day to be out there.