...And It Continues

This current weather event is the third 3'-6' snow-drop in 3-4 day storm cycles we've experienced in the Truckee-Tahoe during February. Currently, the snow-water equivalent is 161% of historical median and precipitation is 127% of average to date. According to my calculations, projected snow--melt/water run-off is 204% of normal (161 X 1.21= 204).
It sure is "purdy" when there is a break in the weather...giving me an opportunity to do some snow-clearing on the back-deck via  pushing and shoveling.

Then it gets dark again, wind commences with drifting snow and at times there are white-outs. In-between there is serenity and quiet.

 

and then it dumps again!

and we provide some fodder for the little, non-migrating, chicadees  

Yikes!!!...Kidney Stones & Welcomed Snow

Yesterday I had a kidney stone-event. To say the least such is very painful. Karen drove me to the  ER in Truckee. The staff eventually subsided the pain via a couple of doses of Morphine. A CAT-scan revealed the existence of a "small" kidney stone. Actually that was good news in lieu of more a severe abdominal crisis.

The last time I had kidney stones and an ER visit was in the mid-80's. Then we actually lived in Kidney-Stone Valley; the area around Mt Diablo in the east-Bay Area. The region had a disproportionate incident of kidney stones...something to do about the water.

I'm home today watching the snow fall. To date the Truckee region has 109% of snow-water content and  91% of total precipitation. After this current series of snow events ends this Tuesday I project both aforementioned percentiles will increase; really wet,  heavy snow now (getting colder for great powder skiing) and anticipating 3+- feet at the higher elevations.

Good news for the trout and the forests. As for fly fishing; limited access (think snow shoes) on the BT and progressively more access as one drives east of town to the CA/NV state-line.

Trophy LT water is currently unavailable.

Close the LT to angling during the winter!

Standard times to be on the water are 11AM-3PM. Fish "low & slow" in the deep, quiet runs and pools.  If sunny, there is possibility of viewing a feeding snout at the surface. Bugs and flies...small; exception is the start of an Skwala emergence....and do not forget about the Winter Stoneflies

Out with the Old...In with the New Year

Truckee area creek

I'm wishing everyone a Happy 2019

Another holiday season will soon be in the rear-view mirror. Time flies...seeming like the older one gets the quicker the time goes by. Karen and I have been fortunate having enjoyed another healthy and somewhat most of the time, a prosperous 2018...until we look at our current, updated retirement portfolios.

This past year's furthest, non-angling travel has been to the east-coast, specifically to Virginia, for close friends' surprise wedding anniversary event. Personally, from a fly angling perspective, there has been two out-of-state adventures; famous tailwaters, drifting the Big Horn during late Spring and early Fall on the Big Mo. As for my own local angling, I've become a "fair-weather fly angler" (read, optimum conditions...ideally head-hunting only!). I'm progressively minimizing my guiding activities; seeing/catching-up long-time clients and very selectively meeting new ones. I'm working with a great group of competent guides and am confident when referring. My main focus is now conducting skills clinics and local "tours".

CyberFly!!..one of my numerous monikers.

For 2019, as always I'll make my appearance at the annual Pleasant Fly Fishing show. Currently, I musing over several out of state/country excursion options;  a couple of Montana trips, my first immersion into the salt (Baja or Bahamas) and a possible return to the southern Hemisphere, either southern Chilean Patagonia, which I  really miss having spent 7 of 8 years there for 3 weeks at a time (2004-2011) OR my first visit to New Zealand.

Coyhaique area...almost a 1000 miles south of Santiago Chile 

The LT's  infamous "Bate Cave"...no bats there, swallows , yes

Winter Here & Summer There

When we get that first blanket of snow in the Truckee area; we're elated, liking the seasonal changes, a bit relieved that the fire season has ended and looking forward  to Christmas time with some family and friends. It is also a time I personally get nostalgic about my early 2000's fly angling ventures to southern Chilean Patagonia....see bottom six images

... Front door view, Dark sky in-between snowfall 

Back-yard  forest...pontoon-boat under deck  

...sun and blue skies

...no wind...quiet

west-slope Andes foothills, stream & vista

Lago Pollox

lots of multi-colored lupine

trekking to a spring creek and  its tiny "laguna"

small creeks...up and over

Valley  of the Moon...to the Rio Nireahou

FRANKISMS #2

a Cast Laid…is a Cast Made

This Frankism is more appropriate when dryfly/emerger fishing to a steadily, surface/in-the-film, feeding trout. So please quit slapping the water or immediately pick-up an errant cast.

Before making your presentation, when casting upstream, calibrate the correct distance…AWAY from the targeted fish. Then, make the cast. Your first, good cast affords you the highest percentage of a take. AVOID "lining" the trout with the fly line; leader only, ideally off to one-side of the trout's window (aka cone of vision)*...Unless you are a proficient curve or hook caster.

Measuring the cast also applies while casting downstream. When making a "fly-first" presentation REMEMBER to strip enough line off the reel and lay at your feet so the you can effectively present the fly via "bump-feeding"...past the targeted feeder if there is no take on the first drift.

When casting from the side, do a reach cast, it will extend your drift and minimize your mending.

*The window's circumference is relative to the depth of the water; the shallower the water the smaller the window...the deeper the water the larger the window.

Let'em Breath!

Sage Words from the Icons #14

"If fishing is like religion, then fly-fishing is high church."

TOM BROKAW

Still Waiting....

Let'em Breathe!

...for the big Browns bulking-up for winter. Thus far no luck nor success. Mornings have been in the single-digits. We need some cloud-cover and mild, wet  precipitation; snow nada.