Seriously!
...especially as it pertains to fly fishing
.
.
Express Yourself !
...think the Frankie Pisciotta Experience 
Monday, April 12, 2010
Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend....
I'm being maudlin here, but I know fly anglers can relate. Last week I said farewell to my trusty '94 Izusu Trooper. It was nearing 180,000 miles and during the last year it had recurring clutch problems and this winter at least one 4WD hub went out...maybe two; making it no longer reliable in the snow and too costly to repair.Since '98 (bought it used at 55,000 miles) we've shared many memorable angling experiences. We have visited both northern & southern California and areas of the Rocky Mountains west together.
...to all our past fishing rigs...Caio!!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Early Spring Prognosis (...and real fishing report) of BT and LT
Below you will find my prognosis/advise (...an actual report at the bottom) on fly fishing the early season on both the big Truckee and Little Truckee. Actually I'm plegarizing myself ...again!..from my articles published in 1)the summer 2009 Sierra Fisherman & 2)spring 2002 Northwest Fly Fishing (BT); respectively, and the summer 2009 Sierra Fisherman (LT) (http://www.sierrafisherman.com/).
TRUCKEE RIVER:
1) "Early in the year there are sparse surface emergences. You will observe the ubiquitous, little, black winter stones peppering the snow banks and flitting above/on the water surface; midges, March Browns, first-brood BWO, and thus far, an unconfirmed Skwala hatch. Don’t hold your breath anticipating many, if any, of these bugs getting eaten on top…"
"Early June is a fly-fan’s first real chance to trick a trout to the surface. Waning spring marks the unbeknownst, but locally beloved “Big Bugs of June” arrival; Western Green Drakes, Golden Stones and huge, winged, Black Carpenter Ants provide interesting top-water fare. The stream occupants are aware and on the lookout for the opportunity to ambush such high-caloric morsels."
2) " 'Normal' season, May into early June generally is an "iffy" proposition; wholly dependent on the winter we experience. The best strategy at this time is to explore the small, local streams or still waters. If you really insist on feeding your Truckee Jones, probe with streamers or big and small nymphs (…in tandem) in the deep runs, troughs and pools and in the lower-water column of eddies in boulder-strewn pocket-water. You will observe sparse surface emergences; some March Browns (Ameletus) at mid-day. Don’t hold your breath anticipating them getting eaten on top, nor the spring brood BWO flitting around on sunny days."
"Mid-June is your first real chance of inducing a trout to the surface. Waning spring is an unbeknown and locally loved "Big Bugs Of June" annual happening; Western Green Drakes, Golden Stones and huge, winged, Black Carpenter Ants provide an interesting menu. The stream occupants are aware and on the lookout for the opportunity to ambush such high caloric morsels. Out-sized trout, in the 18"-23" class, lose abandon of their cannibalistic habits and vacate the depths to bust the surface for the chance at these bugs. During this period, you can experience explosive top water takes along with you personal adrenalin rush."
Note: Thus far we're observing BWO's and some March Browns. There has been minimal surface feeding. Best tactic right now is to nymph and streamer fish. I'm receiving reports of Skwalas in the "canyon" and in Nevada. My last visit I guaged the water temps at 42 degrees, still a bit too cold.
LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVER:
"Mayflies are not as numerous as the midges on the Little Truckee; but, they remain a vital food item. They are eaten by the trout in all of their life-stages; nymph, emerger, adult and spinner. Their real attraction is when they emerge; providing the dry fly “purist” with exciting top-water action. Patterns that sit on or in the surface-film work best, such as Paraduns, Cripples and Comparaduns."
"The Little Truckee has several varieties of mayflies; the heaviest concentrations being Blue-Winged Olives and Pale Morning Duns. The BWO’s are multi-brood aquatics; there will be at least two full-cycles per year. Expect to see the adults late-morning to late afternoon. They will range in sizes #16-#24; the spring brood being the largest and early fall’s Psuedocleons being the tiniest. Prime-times to use spinner imitations are late morning and dusk. Bring your spring-creek “A” game when trout selectively are slurping this life-stage."
"Stoneflies and caddis are present; in lesser numbers than midges and mayflies. The stoneflies are small; size #’s 16-20. The little winter black and brown stones are seen on the snow, in and on the water, during January through March. "
"The trophy water of the Little Truckee provides fly anglers with “wouda, couda, shouda” moments. You will experience jubilation and despair here; regardless, it is fun. This river is a prime example of what is good about tail-water fisheries; healthy wild trout (a high percentage being large) and robust aquatic insect populations. It is open year around. Conversely, it also a classic example what is wrong with them; over-crowding, displays of poor stream-side etiquette and unethical fishing over spawning trout."
I haven’t done the BT for a week….nymphing…cold water…same bugs as LT…winter stones on the wane, BWO’s, March Browns?, and supposedly Skwalas..."
TRUCKEE RIVER:
1) "Early in the year there are sparse surface emergences. You will observe the ubiquitous, little, black winter stones peppering the snow banks and flitting above/on the water surface; midges, March Browns, first-brood BWO, and thus far, an unconfirmed Skwala hatch. Don’t hold your breath anticipating many, if any, of these bugs getting eaten on top…"
"Early June is a fly-fan’s first real chance to trick a trout to the surface. Waning spring marks the unbeknownst, but locally beloved “Big Bugs of June” arrival; Western Green Drakes, Golden Stones and huge, winged, Black Carpenter Ants provide interesting top-water fare. The stream occupants are aware and on the lookout for the opportunity to ambush such high-caloric morsels."
2) " 'Normal' season, May into early June generally is an "iffy" proposition; wholly dependent on the winter we experience. The best strategy at this time is to explore the small, local streams or still waters. If you really insist on feeding your Truckee Jones, probe with streamers or big and small nymphs (…in tandem) in the deep runs, troughs and pools and in the lower-water column of eddies in boulder-strewn pocket-water. You will observe sparse surface emergences; some March Browns (Ameletus) at mid-day. Don’t hold your breath anticipating them getting eaten on top, nor the spring brood BWO flitting around on sunny days."
"Mid-June is your first real chance of inducing a trout to the surface. Waning spring is an unbeknown and locally loved "Big Bugs Of June" annual happening; Western Green Drakes, Golden Stones and huge, winged, Black Carpenter Ants provide an interesting menu. The stream occupants are aware and on the lookout for the opportunity to ambush such high caloric morsels. Out-sized trout, in the 18"-23" class, lose abandon of their cannibalistic habits and vacate the depths to bust the surface for the chance at these bugs. During this period, you can experience explosive top water takes along with you personal adrenalin rush."
Note: Thus far we're observing BWO's and some March Browns. There has been minimal surface feeding. Best tactic right now is to nymph and streamer fish. I'm receiving reports of Skwalas in the "canyon" and in Nevada. My last visit I guaged the water temps at 42 degrees, still a bit too cold.
LITTLE TRUCKEE RIVER:
"Mayflies are not as numerous as the midges on the Little Truckee; but, they remain a vital food item. They are eaten by the trout in all of their life-stages; nymph, emerger, adult and spinner. Their real attraction is when they emerge; providing the dry fly “purist” with exciting top-water action. Patterns that sit on or in the surface-film work best, such as Paraduns, Cripples and Comparaduns."
"The Little Truckee has several varieties of mayflies; the heaviest concentrations being Blue-Winged Olives and Pale Morning Duns. The BWO’s are multi-brood aquatics; there will be at least two full-cycles per year. Expect to see the adults late-morning to late afternoon. They will range in sizes #16-#24; the spring brood being the largest and early fall’s Psuedocleons being the tiniest. Prime-times to use spinner imitations are late morning and dusk. Bring your spring-creek “A” game when trout selectively are slurping this life-stage."
"Stoneflies and caddis are present; in lesser numbers than midges and mayflies. The stoneflies are small; size #’s 16-20. The little winter black and brown stones are seen on the snow, in and on the water, during January through March. "
"The trophy water of the Little Truckee provides fly anglers with “wouda, couda, shouda” moments. You will experience jubilation and despair here; regardless, it is fun. This river is a prime example of what is good about tail-water fisheries; healthy wild trout (a high percentage being large) and robust aquatic insect populations. It is open year around. Conversely, it also a classic example what is wrong with them; over-crowding, displays of poor stream-side etiquette and unethical fishing over spawning trout."
Note: Here it is best to copy an e-note sent to a friend.
"LT is fishing & open. I was there yesterday in the meadow & fished it from 12:45-4:PM. I hooked 4 and landed 4; 2 @ 19”, one @ 18” and one at about 16”+; two on dries (#20 CDC Biot ComparaDun) and 2 on a #16 Rubber-legged, Black Copper John…3 # 6 lead shot. The only Brown was taped @ 19-1/4”…on the dry. Flows are at 204cfs. BWO’s emergence occurred from 1:15-2:45…..I didn’t tell you that anglers are at the Inlet.I haven’t done the BT for a week….nymphing…cold water…same bugs as LT…winter stones on the wane, BWO’s, March Browns?, and supposedly Skwalas..."
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
To Cast or Not to Cast
...that is the question.
TO CAST
To cast to trout
Is quite divine
Through the eyes
I feed my line
Hoping that this precious act
Will cleanse my soul and take me back
To that great day
Where all was new
When I could fish
The whole day through
Though every day I can’t partake
My mind and soul infatuate
Over this love I have for trout
I’ll mourn the day
They cast me out
...author unknown
Monday, March 29, 2010
Pre Spring Report...before the Snows
...durng the last few weeks several "locals" are venturing into the "Canyon" and towards the CA/NV border. Some are fly fishing in Nevada (I'm too cheap to purchase an "out of state resident" Nevada license). Below is an image of Pancho with a decent RainBow at an undisclosed CA-side location. It ate a streamer. Skwalas are emerging in Nevada and steadily moving upstream, some being observed this side of the border. Size 8, down-winged dry patterns have hooked some opportunitistic feeders aware of the presence of the Skwalas. 
Well, after getting a new rig I had an opportunity to fish a couple days. The weather has been really nice....good to get out. As they say: "March comes in like a lamb & leaves like a lion". How true it is.
On Saturday I met Monkey Pines at the inflow of the LT into the BT at 12:30. The weather was almost "shirt-sleeve"; sun, scattered clouds and a light breeze. He was already in the water casting a streamer with his switch-rod in the Uptream Pool. As I arrived on-stream, he put aside his long rod and tried some indicator nymphing. He didn't get a bump on the streamer. The water was 42 degrees and there were no visible bug activity. I went downstream to indicator nymph the right-side channel below the inflow. After 1/2 hour, nada, there; nor in the left-channel. MP got a bump. IMO, water temps are still too low for good, sustained bite.
Back to the vehicle and talked at lenght with Fish Fan; discussing some local fishery politics since he is the el presidente of new TU Truckee Chapter. This new group will focus mainly on local conservation issues. Then along came da Photographer and we ventured to the middle turn-out of the LT.
We walked through patches of snow and fished the water together for an hour. There were BWO duns on the snow-banks along-side Black winter stones; which are definitely on the wane of their emergences. We saw no risers in the 247cfs flows. I got a nice 18" RainBow on an egg pattern. I woould have used a worm/BWO nymph combo, but I didn't have a SJ.
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Da Photograher & a Leaper
Well, after getting a new rig I had an opportunity to fish a couple days. The weather has been really nice....good to get out. As they say: "March comes in like a lamb & leaves like a lion". How true it is.On Saturday I met Monkey Pines at the inflow of the LT into the BT at 12:30. The weather was almost "shirt-sleeve"; sun, scattered clouds and a light breeze. He was already in the water casting a streamer with his switch-rod in the Uptream Pool. As I arrived on-stream, he put aside his long rod and tried some indicator nymphing. He didn't get a bump on the streamer. The water was 42 degrees and there were no visible bug activity. I went downstream to indicator nymph the right-side channel below the inflow. After 1/2 hour, nada, there; nor in the left-channel. MP got a bump. IMO, water temps are still too low for good, sustained bite.
Back to the vehicle and talked at lenght with Fish Fan; discussing some local fishery politics since he is the el presidente of new TU Truckee Chapter. This new group will focus mainly on local conservation issues. Then along came da Photographer and we ventured to the middle turn-out of the LT.
We walked through patches of snow and fished the water together for an hour. There were BWO duns on the snow-banks along-side Black winter stones; which are definitely on the wane of their emergences. We saw no risers in the 247cfs flows. I got a nice 18" RainBow on an egg pattern. I woould have used a worm/BWO nymph combo, but I didn't have a SJ.
We returned on Sunday and fished together for a 1-1/2 hour session on the LT's Upper Meadow stretch. Same conditions as the day before. dP located a riser at Sweeper Two and duped it with a perfect, downstream feed into the soft-water immediately in front of a submerged boulder. The17" Rainbow confidently inhaled the #20 CDC Biot ComParaDun (picture below...leaper in the lower, right corner). Again the weather was nice, except for an occassional gust of wind.
Da Photograher & a LeaperNow it is snowing so I doubt I'll be out for several days. Good, I need to catch-up on lots of "adminstrative" stuff which took a back-seat before I got my new SUV (2007 Honda Pilot).
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Definition #2---HOLE HOG
Hole Hog:
An angler who settles into a specific area on a stream and stays there all day. They are unconcerned or oblivious to the fact that others would like the chance to fish the same area.
They are firm believers in "...possession is 9/10ths of the law."
An angler who settles into a specific area on a stream and stays there all day. They are unconcerned or oblivious to the fact that others would like the chance to fish the same area.
They are firm believers in "...possession is 9/10ths of the law."
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Spring Prognosis...fish, bugs & crabs?
Tomorrow will be the official start of spring; although we've experienced spring-like weather in Truckee during the last week. The last significant snow-fall occurred on Friday March 12th.
The snowpack and water-content is "normal" right now; thankfully because there has been two sub-par years.
Regardless of what you read on the Internet or in print about spring arriving, below in is an excerpt from an article I authored in the Spring 2002 issue of NorthWest Fly Fishing as it relates to fly fishing in the Truckee area. I'd like you to keep my suggestions in mind; especially advice (2):
"A thorough understanding of the interacting variables is what seperates the consistently gleeful fly anglers from others. Consider the following: (1) the percentage of water content in the snow is more critical than the amount of precipitation or snow pack. (2) Run-off is weather related; it can be steady and gradual or unpredictable and erratic. Sometimes, the area experiences early springs, other times late, hence you must adjust your overall angling strategy relative to ideal times and places. (3) Finally, water releases from Lake Tahoe and other downstream bodies of water at times seem to occur at the whims of the powers that be; dramatic ramp-ups and slow-downs severely play havoc with the stream biomass...not to mention angler's fun."
The above remains sage advise and has been validated by the test of time. I had to include the quote in this post because I recently received two e-mails; one advising me of an area fly fishing report and the other informing me of a new guide operating in this area. The report/forecast is from an individual who has been in Reno no more than ten years (...fly fishing for less time) and the latter is someone who has been in the Sacramento area all of five years and fly fishing for the same amount of time. What really cracks me-up is both of these individuals are east coast "transplants"...give me a break!
So, my questions are: What da-#$%* do they really know about fly fishing this area? How credible is their fly fishing reports? Why would someone hire a "guide" with so little experience fly fishing an area? Let the buyer be aware....
Today it is overcast; perfect for an a sustained BWO emergence on both the Truckee & Little Truckee. Unfortunately I'll not be on the water today; taxes and an inoperable steed (...my trusty '94 Trooper is in it's final days). The Skwalas are present and the Little Winter Stones are still on the menu (...for how much longer?).
I received a report of a 21-1/2" taped RainBow netted on Friday.
Oh...as for crabs? I'm going to the annual Rotary Club's crab-feed at the new Rec Center in town. I'll be at Richard Anderson's table; the publisher of California Fly Fisher (www.calflyfisher.com). I assure him that his magazine remains the premiere, undisputed, fly angling mag on the west coast; best writers and content.
The snowpack and water-content is "normal" right now; thankfully because there has been two sub-par years.
Regardless of what you read on the Internet or in print about spring arriving, below in is an excerpt from an article I authored in the Spring 2002 issue of NorthWest Fly Fishing as it relates to fly fishing in the Truckee area. I'd like you to keep my suggestions in mind; especially advice (2):
"A thorough understanding of the interacting variables is what seperates the consistently gleeful fly anglers from others. Consider the following: (1) the percentage of water content in the snow is more critical than the amount of precipitation or snow pack. (2) Run-off is weather related; it can be steady and gradual or unpredictable and erratic. Sometimes, the area experiences early springs, other times late, hence you must adjust your overall angling strategy relative to ideal times and places. (3) Finally, water releases from Lake Tahoe and other downstream bodies of water at times seem to occur at the whims of the powers that be; dramatic ramp-ups and slow-downs severely play havoc with the stream biomass...not to mention angler's fun."
The above remains sage advise and has been validated by the test of time. I had to include the quote in this post because I recently received two e-mails; one advising me of an area fly fishing report and the other informing me of a new guide operating in this area. The report/forecast is from an individual who has been in Reno no more than ten years (...fly fishing for less time) and the latter is someone who has been in the Sacramento area all of five years and fly fishing for the same amount of time. What really cracks me-up is both of these individuals are east coast "transplants"...give me a break!
So, my questions are: What da-#$%* do they really know about fly fishing this area? How credible is their fly fishing reports? Why would someone hire a "guide" with so little experience fly fishing an area? Let the buyer be aware....
Today it is overcast; perfect for an a sustained BWO emergence on both the Truckee & Little Truckee. Unfortunately I'll not be on the water today; taxes and an inoperable steed (...my trusty '94 Trooper is in it's final days). The Skwalas are present and the Little Winter Stones are still on the menu (...for how much longer?).
I received a report of a 21-1/2" taped RainBow netted on Friday.
Oh...as for crabs? I'm going to the annual Rotary Club's crab-feed at the new Rec Center in town. I'll be at Richard Anderson's table; the publisher of California Fly Fisher (www.calflyfisher.com). I assure him that his magazine remains the premiere, undisputed, fly angling mag on the west coast; best writers and content.
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