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!