I was back on the Caney again today fishing the flats that level out from the main channel. Some of these areas can be less than a foot and some areas can be knee-deep. I seldom wade in the water on the Caney anymore deeper than knee-deep. I don’t have to wade any deeper than that to land trout there. This tailrace is packed with stocker trout in the size range from 8 to 12 inches. Of course, there is the occasional 16” and above but most of the time the stocker trout is the main course. I’ll take the stocker trout all day on a 3 or 4 weight fly rod in the fast-moving water. If I’m lucky enough to connect with a bigger trout then I consider that a bonus. All I need to make my day a success on the Caney is outstanding scenery, crystal clear water, beautiful rainbow, browns, and brook trout to bend my fly rod and I’m happy. That’s what I encountered on my Caney outing today.
Quality brown just over
the 12” stocker size put up quite a fight just off a gravel flat in a fast run. This
was my only trout to land on a near-perfect drift, “is there a perfect drift” for
the morning. I landed a couple more rainbows at the end of the drift just
letting the midge flutter in the ripples. No mistaking the take when the trout
nail the fly on this type of presentation. Presentation and patience were the main
elements for today's trip, in other words, the trout made me work for the takes.
It's really easy to wade
here because most all the time you are wading on gravel beds, and occasionally
submerged vegetation. The vegetation produces an abundance of food to support a
healthy trout population.
Cathey and I have always
been a collector of nice driftwood stumps and branches for landscaping, but I think
this one is a little out of our range!!! I spent the morning roaming
these flats enjoying another relaxing trip on my favorite southeastern
tailrace.
P.S. I have found out that a 5-hour wade trip is about my limit here, the back starts to act up beyond that. There are no boulders to sit on here like the Sipsey but lots more trout, I will take the trout over the boulders!!!
Great to see you getting out and bending those rods, Bill. That might be my level of wading anything anymore! Check out my site, I have finally finished it and have all the pages up and working together. Will be adding to my inventory... I used your quote on the success of the Krystal Beetle in the Testimonials page.
ReplyDeleteI'd take the trout over the boulders too. Looks like a pretty sweet area to fish, lots of fish to keep you busy.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a good day. Do they stock often? Browns and Bows? What do you use most of the time?
ReplyDeleteBill, 5 hours is a long time, my backs hurts in less than that.
ReplyDeleteWith small streams you are on the move so you don't feel the strain until you get home.
A very respectable brown you have there.
Mel
ReplyDeleteSo impressed with the new website; hope I can help you move more of those Beetles with my testimony of this fantastic little fly.
P.S. Will be carrying some Advil with me on my next trip to the Caney. Thanks for the comment
Michael
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tailrace with lots of trout really tuff to bite a fly on any given day--Thanks for the comment
Pete
ReplyDeleteHope everything is going well with you----8 to 9 thousands a month is released in the tailrace at three different places along a 15 mile distance---99% of all the trout that is caught is released back in the tailrace. This is a midge tailrace, so if one fishes midges they will land trout there. They stock rainbow, brown, and brook trout; the brook trout are really colorful. thanks for the comment
Alan
ReplyDeleteMy only complaint about fishing the Caney is no place to sit down; once you are on the water you are there until you walk back to your vehicle, which is quite a distance away. I just need to bring my Advil with me on my next trip. Thanks for the comment
Lester
ReplyDeleteI don't I could have got the thing to fit in a truck bed, this was one big stump still in the ground. Thanks for the comment
I remember a time when my wife, at the time, wanted to take home a rock from the Truckee River for the side of our pool. It was just about as big as that stump. Took four people to put it into the back of the pickup and really looked good on the side of the pool, but I felt the pain for days. Best that stump was left there.
ReplyDeleteThat sure looks nice Bill. I don't think I've ever fished where there wasn't a place to sit down and take a breather. One thing about Colorado is there usually is never a problem finding a boulder to take residence on. Of course the bad part is you have to hop those boulders to get to the water!
ReplyDeleteMarks
ReplyDeleteRocks is another collector item for Cathey and I but not that large---in fact we have rocks we removed off the bench in Northern Cal. 3 years ago while visit the redwood forest there with Jason. Stump will be left where it sets---thanks for the comment
Howard
ReplyDeleteI have considered carrying a folding chair to sit on one of the sand bars; but the only problem with that is I would have to lug it around with me most of the morning. I think I will start taking a break and go back to the truck for water and a snack. Thanks for the comment
That stump is nice, Bill, but it's better to leave with images of trout you captured and the beauty of that last evocative scene.
ReplyDeleteWalt
ReplyDeleteAgreed the morning fog mist over the flat is hard to beat!!! Thanks for sharing