First Trout For 2016

Finally, I get to fish the Sipsey again; December the 15^th.  2015 was my last trip. We had 2” of rain in Jasper Monday and I figured that the generators would be running full blast all week. Wow, was I surprised when I checked the generating schedule Wednesday. Thursday and Friday would be free of generation. I picked Friday, 70 degrees a little overcast and a slight wind would hopefully trigger some activity for me.
Apparently everyone else thought Friday was the day too; didn’t make me no never mind, I was going to fish!!

I was anxious to try out my new Prestige Plus fly line from Cabelas. I also want to see how effective the furled leader works fishing it on a downstream retrieve. I’ve never fished this type of leader, and understand from information I’ve read it really enhances a dry flies drift. I was ready to accept the fact that I would be changing leaders to fish the nymph and dry throughout the afternoon. I won’t complain if it improves my catch ratio.

Nymphs are my go-to pattern on the Sip, so the nymph was tied on and I was off to access 5. All the heavy rains had changed the color of the water to aqua green.

Numerous stockers were brought to hand this afternoon using my 9 ft. 3 weight StreamFlex which made me think at times I was landing 12” trout. I talk to one guy who was landing the stockers using a 6 weight----way OVERKILL!!

A guide trip in progress right below me, four fly fishermen above me and more on up the gorge; plenty of company.

This fatty put up quite a fight before I finally netted it. I thought I was going to lose this fish, because I kept thinking my 6X was going to break with each hard run it would make. 

Unusual markings on this little guy---I am wondering if this is a rainbow, what do you guys think??

The only downer for this trip were the coils I kept experiencing all afternoon forming at my feet; I am going to assume I spooled the line on wrong. I kept hoping I would get a chance to try out my new furled leader but no surface activity was present the entire afternoon. I was told by one guy that the hatch occurred early morning, so guess when I will be back? --------as if I needed a reason to come back!!!

Revisiting my Big Bluegill Site

I know many of you save your favorite sites especially those that deal with fishing. I have numerous fishing sites that I have saved over the years. Every so often usually once a year I update the sites and discard the ones I don’t visit anymore and revisit a few that catches my attention. While organizing yesterday, I found my old bluegill site that I created back in 2010 on Big Bluegill Website. I noticed while visiting the site they had given it a new look but still keep the same format. The site now shows the number of individuals who are visiting while you are logged in which I like.

I decided I would reacquaint myself with the group so I did a short post on my Pelican Boat I purchased in 2014. I also updated all of my images. The website is similar to a fishing forum and the closest I will ever get to a Face book type page. One can just post an image with a comment similar to Face book and get a quick comment.

I hope to post a few of my bluegill outings there this season which begins in a few weeks.

Cabela's Prime Fiberglass Fly Rod

Cathey and I stopped by the new Cabela’s in Huntsville Friday on our way to see our daughter’s family in Tennessee. This store is larger than the one we visited back in the summer in Nebraska. I was really impressed with all the merchandise I saw in the store especially in the fly fishing department where I spent the majority of my time. The main reason for the stop was to purchase some new fly line and some waist waders. I haven’t replaced my 3 weight fly line in four years and wouldn’t replace it now but the loop broke and I didn’t want to use a knot to connect leader and fly line. I clean all my fly lines at least 4 or five times a year and I assume that is why it lasted as long as it has. The price of the fly line is ridiculously high so I was looking for a quality line, at a reasonable price

Cabela's Prestige fly line was exactly what I was looking for.  

I feel my chest waders with the seams wearing are nearing their last wade and will need to be replaced for this season. I’ve wanted to try some waist waders for some time not only for the comfort in the summer months but for the depth of water I wade in now. I never wade in water nowadays above my knees.

After suiting up in a couple of pair, I finally settled on Cabela's Breathable Premium waders.

As always when I visit the big box sporting goods stores, I find something that I think I just can’t do without. Well, today was no exception; after touching the surface and feeling the flex of Cabela’s Prime fly rod I was impressed big time!! The 7’ 1” ---4 weight was awesome, but a number of anglers looking at the fly rod in the store as well as me all agreed that Cabela needs to add a 3 weight in the 7 ft. series. I have fished with numerous fiberglass fly rods over the years, but the Prime is in another class, simply put; it is the best fiberglass fly rod I have ever touch!!! 

*********Check out the reviews on this fly rod*********