2025 BLOG

 

"OUT OF THE DOLDRUMS"

The year of 2024 has flown by, and brought quite a bit of welcomed change along with it. Between my recent relocation, accompanied by considerable travel, amazing life-changes and the struggle to keep up with everything, this page has been left to collect dust.  So...it's time to both catch things up and do a little upgrading in video technology. Please have patience as things will be changing for the better. While this year's winter fishing has had its moments, timing has been limited.  My efforts have turned more to the tying bench than time on the water. Which in itself is not bad, since tying is much needed when it comes to my fly boxes.  The past couple years on the water have brought about a few changes to the Home Water box however, and I will be posting a few of those changes in the very near future.

My goal this spring will be to highlight a Home Water Box. Narrowing things down to those dozen-or-so patterns that you either never leave home without, or always seem to fall back on by days-end.

March Brown Nymph

1st up will be the March Brown Nymph.  This pattern is a product of a long time pattern of mine, the (Squirrels Nest Nymph). The last few seasons have brought changes from the original Caddis pattern, and is now proving to be an excellent year-round March Brown pattern.

(Video Pending)

The tying bench is coming around. Next up, a video station.

  

Thanks for the visit and see you on the water.

Home Waters in August

A little August time

A chance to get a little evening time in August as waters drop after a bit of rain. Getting a house ready to sell and moving 2 homes has been an exciting but taxing time.  But the end result is well worth it.

A couple of Browns and a smallish rainbow came to hand for the evening. Just a little wet wading and nymphing to close out the evening.

No real identifiable hatches on the night. But recent rains had temps bouncing, so no surprise.

A perfect way to close out an evening and ring in August.  

See you on the water!

 

Moon Lake State Park

 Moon Lake State Park

With a cool calm morning yesterday I figured it would be a good maiden run of the new kayak.  I was told that Moon Lake had a good lily pad end, so I was hoping for some warm-water action.

The report was correct and the pads are where I pointed the Pelican towards.  Since it was my first time out with a purpose on the kayak I figured this would be a morning with its share of frustration. Managing the paddle, fly rod and anchor, getting in position to cast was full of a few tangles and cursing.  But I eventually started to settle into a rhythm of sorts. It's definitely not as comfortable as my Cumberland float tube. 

It wasn't too long before fish came to hand.  3 Bass on the day, a few bluegills and one nice crappie.  Had a few pickerel rushes that I pulled the fly away on in excitement. And missed quite a few hook sets while fussing with the new line management on the deck of the kayak.

 In review of the kayak.  it functions perfectly and as hoped for.  The tube is far more manageable with a fly rod.  And more comfortable. But for covering distance, the kayak wins hands-down.

7.5" wingspan

As an addition, I was lucky enough to come across a Cecropia Giant Silkworm Moth. An uncommon and beautiful specimen as well.

See you on the water

Calm Waters for May

 Waters have receded. Welcoming in May

We are back down to just about normal levels

Which is a good thing since we are in such close proximity.

See you all on the water!

April Went Out Kicking!

 

April showers did their best to remind us that nature is still in charge.  It went out kicking and in turn scrubbed the winters debris from the stream

By Sunday evening water levels were threatening and still climbing

After a few nervous checks on the water through the night, Monday morning showed a creek that was dropping. But it wasn't done doing its work yet.

20" diameter tree 150' tall

While looking over the mornings destruction, a tree came down off the bank about 100 yds upstream.  It was swept immediately downstream like it was nothing more than a sapling. 

 

Tuesday morning things were looking a little better and we were able to get an idea of what all had been reshaped.

Wednesday morning we are almost back to normal.  Looks like no real negative changes, with some depth added to the run.  I'll take it.

Hope everybody rode the storm out safely.

See you on the water.

Claret & Ginger....And Brown.

With an hour left of an 85 degree day, I was less optimistic than normal.  Expecting less activity due to the abnormal heat we were experiencing. I began the night with a dual nymph rig. Tying on a Squirrels Nest Drake as my bottom fly and a C2C on a dropper 12" up.

The Fish were there, but slowly to the take.  They were taking both flies equally with the largest bow choosing the SND. 

I worked the run pretty hard and pulled a few fish for my efforts.  Fairly slow as I had expected, but still a great night to be on the water.  As I worked my way down to the main pool, I began to notice a number of fish working.  The shadows were getting long with only about 30 minutes of prime light remaining.  I drifted the nymphs through the slot where the fish were feeding with no luck.  Not able to see what they were feeding on I decided to try a wet fly that I figured just may split the difference.  

Claret and Ginger

Hook:  #12 Standard Nymph

Thread:  Claret Danville 

Tail:  Dark Barred Ginger fibers (Hen Neck)

Abdomen:  Claret tying thread

Palmer:  Dark Barred Ginger (Gape Length)

Rib: Small Copper Wire

Hackle: Dark Barred Ginger (Gape Length x2)

Removing the indicator and clipping off the nymphs, I tied on a Claret and Ginger Wet.  It is a staple in my box wherever there is a steady March Brown hatch. I fish it as a classic wet, swinging it just below the surface. My first cast produced a roll, but I was too anxious and pulled it away.  My mind raced...I knew it!  Taking another step downstream I cast again and was rewarded with a large roll and take. Setting the hook to 3-4 heavy head shakes and an immediate run downstream, I was along for the ride. It took the remaining light to land it, putting the finishing touch on a great night. 

 

It was a joy setting the hook on a brown of this size on a classic wet fly swing.  A refreshing change of pace in the current world of Euro-Nymphs and lobbing heavy rigs.

See you on the water!

EASTER 2023

 

My Grand-Daughter Lillian's Easter artwork captures the hatch of the day.  I'm thinking a Green Weenie and Wooly-Worm should match it adequately. :)

While only 2 of my daughters were on hand this year, along with their fiances and the Grandson, we were able to have a very enjoyable holiday.

The Grandson with Pop Pop, watching the Hatches

We did get some fishing in. A beautiful rainbow on a clown egg rig Sunday morning, while under the direct supervision of Brook

Benjamin and Aunt Becky on their first meeting

A fat Bow on the Little Crappie Fly 

It's still unclear who stole the first scoop of the apple-crisp?

Brook probably knows the guilty party, but she's sworn to secrecy.

All-n-All, a Great holiday.  Family and a little fishing.  Hoping to have the whole crew for 2024.

See you on the water!