Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year To All

view from front door

Both Karen and I wish everyone a great start for 2016. We'll be with friends early in the evening and then back home before the New Year. It is absolutely beautiful in the mountains. We had a fabulous White Christmas and look forward to lots more snow and good health into the coming year.

the back-deck

So far the snow-talisman has been forth-giving. Currently the entire (130 survey stations) Sierra's snow-pack is at 141% of normal. But I'm hoping for lots more snow and I personally would like to see a minimum of 150% of normal for both snow-pack and water-content into April. Then we may catchup for the last 4 years. The current water-content is at 136% of normal for the Sierra Nevada.  The latter being more important than snow-pack. So bring-it-on!

...a potential "widow-maker"

Sage Words from the Icons #3

Topic: The Cone of Vision

"...The diameter of the window is 2.26 times the depth of the fish. Thus when the fish is 2 feet below the surface, the diameter of its window is 4 feet 6 inches; when the fish moves up to 6 inches below the surface, the diameter of the window is reduced to 13 1/2 inches".

...from Gary Borger's PRESENTATION

My Take: Less of a factoid; a simple Frankism is: "The lower in the water-column; the larger and wider the trout's "window"...and, visa-versa (sp?)

ANOTHER NOTE: The snow is here (keep it coming!) and the tress are lit.

Patagonia Nostalgia

...missing southern, Chilean Patagonia. This is the time of year I'd plan my annual trips there; having fly fished there 7 of 8 years during 2004-2011. Loved it, but the travel time was too long. Now I fish closer to Truckee. Although I'm seriously considering another far-away place, New Zealand.

Being there was magical...no crowds, friendly people, "old world" culture and sublime scenery...

Lagos & Lagunas Full of Willing Trout

Valley of the Moon

 

accessing another one of the myriad streams 

 

Throw-Back Thursday...

...in a land far, far away...

...circa 1968

CyberFly is Alive! #5...After a Five Month Hiatius

Well it has been a awhile since my last post...five (5) months to be exact! I'm alive, in good health and anticipating a big winter here in Truckee with plenty of snow...the forest and trout need it. Enumerable events and experiences have occurred since my last post on May 29th. My intention is to follow-up soon with numerous posts in quick succession (maybe).

Some catch-up:

#1---I'm no longer president of the Tahoe-Truckee FlyFishers (www.ttff.net); having served in that capacity for two years, 2014-15. Personally, and by consensus of TTFF's Board of Directors/members (...so they say), I've done a fabulous job after being drafted the second time in my life (see image below for the first time). I (we) continued and expanded upon what John Marcacci instilled in his previous presidential stint during 2012-13. I'm proud of my tenure leading the only...very active...exclusive fly fishing group in the Tahoe area; this side of the California border. The future bodes well because the new president, Dick Gander and the new Board of Directors, will continue and refine what has been established.

If one is serious about fly fishing  the Truckee area, join the group, because there is a lot of talent and loooong, local fly angling experience amongst members; of which they are willing to share.

#2---As of the Summer 2015 issue of Sierra Fisherman, I'm no longer an active author and Editor-at-Large. I've enjoyed my six years involvement since the magazine's inception with the Spring 2009 issue. I'd like to thank SFM's publisher, Bob Leonard for the opportunity to work with him and share thoughts and my writings...it has been fun!

Both have kept me very busy writing and energy-wise; leaving just enough time to accommodate long-time clients only. The existing drought provided limited fly angling options; most especially for those new to fly fishing or anglers unfamiliar with the area. Additionally, I concentrated on scheduled Native Sons Tours and the Reel School of Fly Fishing's skills clinics (www.tahoeflyfishingclinics.com web-site should be operable by the February 26-28, 2016 Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show). There, I'll be presenting in the Destination Theater and will be in the Truckee Guide NetWork booth (...the original "guide network")

Stay tuned...for timely, honest and reliable musings about fly fishing in general and more specifically as it pertains to the Tahoe-Truckee fly angling scene.

Tight Lines--- 
                                   

The Ants...the Ants!

The ants are in Truckee area...numerous. Don't leave home without one! Warm weather is to continue for a few days. If fishing lakes do not fret if there is wind and waves, trout are aware one of the "Big Bugs of June" is present.

TRUCKEE TRIVIA #25...answer...and More!

Answer:

The "hatch of '96" was a six-week long PMD hatch on the Little Truckee trophy water from late-June to early August of 1996. During the entire period there were predictable and consistently, surface-feeding trout. It was dry fly fun.

...an excerpt from my essay in Sierra Fisherman, summer 2009:

"Looking down from the high bluff saw I saw the bright, white mouth of an 18”-plus rainbow inhale a bug at the surface.  I then observed several mayflies flying above the stream. I thought, “Right on time!” I hastened my pace down the trail, crossed the stream and got into position for my first cast to one of the rising trout. This occurred during what is now known as the “hatch of ’96”; six weeks of a prolonged and consistent 11AM- 4PM, Pale Morning Dun hatch…and rising trout.

 This event occurred on the Little Truckee River, below Stampede dam. The “hatch of 1996” is considered the one important event that propelled the Little Truckee River to its status as one of California’s premiere fly fishing venues. At that time, it was still a “secret”; and the locals wanted to keep that way.  But, the word spread out of the area and a lobbying campaign started for “catch & release” regulations."

I'm Alive #4 & Angling Report

Yes, been awhile. Getting busy now with clinics, guiding, responsibilities as president of Tahoe-Truckee Fly Fishers and a 1 week "busman's holiday" trip to the Green River in Utah (eventually I'll do a report on the Green).

FISHING REPORT:

Fly angling in the Truckee area has been decent for several weeks. Better fish NOW and during the next 6-8 weeks. True, it is only May, but we're currently experiencing summer conditions with low, clear waters and progressively higher water temps. Last week I got a 60 degree flow temp at 6 PM on the main Truckee....not good!

Thus far there hasn't been any intense bug emergences. If looking for heads, the best times have been 11AM-2PM. The rise can last for 45 minutes to 1-1/2 hours. BWO's, a smattering of micro-caddis and late-blooming March Browns are on the surface menu. But the reality remain,...as usual...if you consistently want to be in the game, go down.
Producing surface patterns for the surface have been #16-#18 BWO Pull-Overs or Quigley Cripples and a traditional up-wing Adams, sized 14. For tandem-rig sub-surface rigs, trail #16-20 a FBPT or Disco Midge in red or black behind a larger Floss-
Worm, Hare's Ear or rubber-legged stonefly nymph.

Because of this prolonged drought there will be little water to fish come July; whether fishing moving or stillwaters...not to mention water temperatures. The trout will be very stressed and in a survival mode....Believe me, this is not a Chicken Little "da sky is falling" scenario...it is real.

Here's my May TTFF president's message Intro:

"Well we experienced a nice “dump” the evening/morning of “Opening Day”; Friday/Saturday April 24/25. We also were in awe of the previous evening’s a fabulous thunder and lightning display; seemingly directly above my home for two hours.  Both weather events are what we anticipate during a “normal” year. For this year; better late than never. Right now the trout appreciate any water they can get.

Explore our local waters…now.  By July we have no idea what angling conditions we will experience.   Do consider voluntary Hoot-Howl Closures as we did last year. No need to wait for an official mandate; use common sense. People know my mantra: "Health of the fishery comes first, public angling second and commercial guiding a distant third and last" 
 

Carry a thermometer.  Leave the water and quit fishing when the temps get to 67-68. Such occurred last year on the big Truckee about 10:30-11:00 AM. Last year my voluntary HO closures occurred around mid-July. This year it should occur earlier; assuming there is water in the river".

 

 

TRUCKEE TRIVIA # 25 ....hint

Answer to Question #25 c:    "six (6) weeks"

TRUCKEE TRIVIA # 25

Question/s:

a---What was the "HATCH of 1996"?

b---Where did it occur?

c---How long did it last?

The Ides of March...and Early Summer Angling?

...in late Winter!?!

 

      the "upper" canyon

Suffice it to say there is minimal snow-pack. Right now it should be "pre-melt" fly angling, but, we're experiencing low, clear water above Boca inflow on the BT and below average releases out of Stampede dam into the LT. Recently both Rainbows Browns in the 15"-20" range are expected; not big numbers, but quality, wild fish. The smaller trout thus far have not made a significant appearance in the catch. Personally I have not  witnessed the out-sized fish measured in mid-pounds; but the grape-vine mentions an occasional one...they're present in the "Grand Canyon of the Truckee"." .
                      
Actually the fishing is very good right now on both waters. Sub-surface methods are consistently the most effective techniques. Surface activity,  time-wise, has been unpredictable. On the BT there has been actively feeding top-water trout at mid-morning as well mid-afternoon. Fish have been "up" for as long as 1-1/2 hours; even though there are not a lot of visible adult bugs being observed. On the LT, sparse ( and that is an exaggeration) showing fish at the surface. Productive dries have been Skwala (#6-10) and BWO (#16-18). There are still some black winter stones flying around. Some think of trailing tiny (#18-22) Griffith's Gnats, FB WD-40's or JuJu Baetis.

little "winters" still around

Underwater producers have been Flesh Juans (#12-14), either chenille or floss, both Yellow and Golden stonefly nymphs (#6-16), BHFBPT, #16-18's and a red or black Disco Midge.

...an optical illusion

a "slab"...sheepishly, QUICKLY in & out of water

...fish now while we have water.

...in like a lion

and hopefully leaves like a lion...to even catch-up! We need tons.

 

 

Sage Words From The Icons #2

Topic: Being a "Purist"

"I will not limit myself to dry fly, even for fresh-water trout, because I believe that both wet and dry flies have their uses and their fasination. But I'm inclined to think it is a waste of pleasure to catch fish on a sunk fly when they could be taken on a floater".

Roderick L. Haig Brown...The Maculate Purist chapter in Fisherman's Spring

My Take: Agreed... A Frankism is "A trout fly angler is in denial if they say they do not prefer fishing a dry fly".

IMO, not many trout fly anglers would disagree. I'm of the opinion that there are few more aesthetically pleasing sights than a large trout inhaling your dry fly at the surface. Most especially if it is a selective, rhytmatically feeding trout...and you make the perfect presentation with the right pattern.

        Below....Goodrich Creek and the  ultimate challenge, head-hunting on flat water...casting upstream...channeling Halford....

 





 

Better Than Nothing

We'll take the snow from the front-end of this weather pattern. The most I've heard of is 18" at Mount Rose. My home at 6500' received 3" of extremely wet snow; most of which has melted already. It rained/slushed in town and the Truckee River along Glenshire Drive is muddy with zero visibility, having peaked at 600 cfs, now at 300 cfs. In the canyon it peaked at 900 cfs and is now at 600cfs.

A colder snow is predicted for Sunday night. We'll take whatever we can get. After Monday it is forecasted to be warm again...Geez.

TRUCKEE TRIVIA #25

Question:

The most  snowfall in recorded Sierra Nevada history occurred during the winter of.....?

Sage Words From The Icons #1

                              

  

                    Topic: POLITICS

"If the client brings it up, you can respond, if and only if, you agree. Even then, it is best to steer things in another direction. Most of us get mad when we think about politics, and angry people don’t fish well. I know, I’ve tried it.”

 John Gierach---“Guiding and Being Guided”---Sex, Death & Fly Fishing

 My Take: Over the years if a client persists with casual innuendos/probes about politics to see where I’m coming from politically; initially I let the first few attempts slide-by, ignoring the comments. If they persist, then Frankie da Curmudgeon makes an appearance.

I ’ve sort of paraphrased Gierach as in: “Politics pisses people-off. And people who are ticked-off can’t fly fish very well. The only politics I’m receptive to discuss, if you’re willing and you are paying for my time, is fishery politics."

What's to Report?

My dilemma is whether to post a quick report on the fly fishing OR the lack of snow. Simply good and bad, respectively. I'll go with the positive first.

FLY FISHING:

Both  BT and LT are fishing well. My hope was that most of these waters would be mostly inaccessible. These fish need a break, most especially those that inhabit the Little Truckee. Unfortunately the trout are not getting a break since both waters have unlimited access. Close the LT in winter!!*

We're experiencing frosting mornings, scattered cloud-cover and mild wind. Best fishing opportunities exist from 1100-1500. There is sparse surface activity...small bugs. Going deep into the bottom water-column is the preferred tactic; "low and slow". Small flies trailing a larger, high-caloric food-item such as an aquatic worm or stonefly nymph are good choices and are producing hook-ups. Prospect the "softer" water or the spill-in of pools. My original saying relative to use of lead applies; "when in doubt, add". There have been reports of streamer success; providing a chance for an apex feeder.                                                      ..small trailers...

                                           How do you say "Midge"?

User-friendly flows are occurring at both locally featured waters. Best success on the BT has been throughout "the canyon" to the CA/NV border. Here it is flowing at 225 cfs (normal this date is 300). Below Stampdee dam; it is being discharged at 157 cfs.

*Contact CA DFW and implore them to close the LT fishery in winter. I may have a petition in my Truckee Guide NetWork booth at the Pleasanton Fly Fishing Show during February 20-22. If so, please come-by and sign it if you concur with me about a winter closure. 

SNOWPACK:

As of today's date, for the Truckee River Basin's 8 measurement  stations ranging from 6456'-8801' elevations, the "D-word" is still legitimately operative. Snow-Water Content is 44% of median; ranging from 15%!-68%. Total Precipitation is 60% of average; ranging from 39%-73%. Dismal news.

This pattern is trending to what we experienced a couple of years ago, a big December (although this year there was really wet snow that didn't stick except for the higher elevations) and a sparse January and February. I'm still remaining positive for a big February and March...just for a chance for a break-even to normal!

Envy

Two of my fly fishing buddies, Jon Baiocchi and Paul Dillon had an unplanned breakfast and meeting at the San Jose CA airport. They were going in opposite directions. Jon flying east for a few days floating the Bighorn with Shelly Ehmer and Paul to a far away Pacific Ocean venue, fishing the flats at Christmas Island, hoping to trick a few bonefish and GT's and whatever else toothy fish swim in that area.

I am envious!