Not Much Fishin'

I haven't gotten out to do any fishing lately but I've been researching some spots for later this winter! I've also been frequenting local pawn shops in search of old fishing lures to sell on Ebay. These are the ones I'm most excited about.

 This is a segmented plastic and fabric shad.

These two are the Seneca Salmoneer. These may adorn my tying desk until I decide to sell them!

I think these are felt bladed fly fishing spinners. 

 The eye on this spoon caught my eye when I found this one. I think it's pretty old.

This musky lure is pretty sweet.  I'll be back out this weekend in search of more treasures!

Trip Report: Too Cold!

Yesterday I received a call from a non-profit that I recently interviewed for informing me that I got the job! I planned a celebratory fishing excursion for the afternoon but I couldn't push myself to get out in the sub 20 degree mountain air. I decided that if I found myself bored at any point I would make the trip. I'm waiting for a shipment of hooks so I couldn't tie flies..so I decided to liven up my mobile tying box.

I had the fish outlined before I realized I didn't have the right colored markers! It was supposed to be a brookie. After this I couldn't find anything to do so I decided to give 'er a shot.

With bluebird skies it was nice to soak up some sun. I rigged up before I left and I didn't bring any other gear. In this spot I got one little nibble on a purple size 14 double bead cluster midge pupa. I fished it under a size 18 rainbow warrior in a tandem rig.

As I was casting I noticed tons of tiny little midges (sz 24?) cruising around the surface. I didn't spot any fish taking them off the surface however. While casting I snapped off my flies and thingamabobber. I'm not a fan of this brand of strike indicator. They leave kinks in the line, twist it up, and cause bad tangles. I'll have to get my hands on some biostrike, a biodegradable indicator putty that I've preferred in the past. After losing my rig I decided to take a walk, taking pictures and searching for risers along the way.

 I've heard that this stretch of the river has some nice pike in it. If this is true I'll be hunting them in this area from the kayak in late spring!

I plan on paddling to these bars in mid-late summer to chuck foam hoppers into the current. If I were a big trout I'd be hanging out here.

Stay tuned: I may head out for a few casts on Saturday if the forecast is correct.

Trip Report: Spring Pond Success

As planned, I headed to a couple spring ponds in the southern unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. I hoped this trip would set a good tone for the new year's fishing exploits, but as I packed the car I felt a slight twinge in my back. Not to be deterred I decided to tough it out. Armed with my brothers 3 and 6 wt rods, his vest, and a mixture of flies tied by the two of us I pulled into the first spot a little after 11:00.

What I saw as I reached the bank astonished me. Weeds stretched to the surface clogged by algae. The deep bluish gray spring fields which normally harbor copious amounts of decent brookies were green. I've fished this spot throughout past winters and have never seen any of it iced over like parts were today. I did still manage a few little ones.

 These four (and a few more) came on a sz 10 prince nymph tied by my bro. I also tried a partridge soft hackle and some midges with no luck.

 I wish more trout water had this regulation. Maybe one day this guy will grow up to be a lunker!

After fishing for a little over an hour at this spot I headed to another spring pond about 8 miles away. Right away I ran into an older feller who guided for a time in the Adirondacks. He showed me a handy knot to use for tiny flies and taught me how to tie bubble back midges. After chatting with him for a bit I tied on a red size 22 stripped quill zebra midge and got at 'er. I tried fishing it with an indicator but had trouble putting it in front of their noses. Then I lost the indicator and twitched it as close to the bottom as I could. This only produced two strikes, one of which resulted in a successful catch.

I sight fished the midge right past his nose and he nipped it! He didn't put up much of a fight but it was nice to catch a nice Wisco brownie.

What I learned today: Montana's rivers have left me spoiled!

Tying Up A Storm

I'm back in Wisconsin until Sunday afternoon and with tomorrows predicted high in the mid 40's I'd be a fool to not use my Wisco license one last time. There are three spring ponds that open for trout fishing January 1st and I'm going to fish two of them tomorrow. In preparation for chasing winter brookies I've revived my midge box with some new sizes, colors, and styles.

Last season I caught a 17 inch brookie from one of these spring ponds but I forgot my camera, so of course no proof! The first time I stopped at these ponds I spotted a few huge brookies. Until I caught one I thought some bucket biologists dumped in a few bass. I have see a big 'ol pike in there. Anyway, I hope to pull in a few bigguns on little flies.

For the last week I've spent almost every free moment tying up zebra midges for sale. Anybody interested?

 Stay Tuned: We'll see how well these flies work tomorrow...