Beavers Bend Fly Shop

Fishing Report 2/15/12: Epic.



Met my client for the morning trip at the river, and hit the water at 7 am. The rain was on and off till about 9 am and stopped all together, and it was beautiful day, compared to the last couple of days up there. Upper 50's no wind, clear water, not one person on the river but us and the very hungry Trout. The water was 6 inches or so lower than usual, so it made fun for spot fishing.



The morning bite was absolutely outstanding. We started at the bottom of the Evening Hole, working our way upstream, and spot fished only 17+ inch fish or any sized Brown Trout, passing up all the smaller trout, if we could help it. But, sometimes a smaller trout would bite while drifting a fly to a larger one.



When we would find deeper pockets, I had my client work them hard till we knew we hit every corner with 3 different flies, and, then again, we would just keep on the move looking for the big girls. When we would spot one, I had him cast 4 ft upstream of the target and drift the fly of the hour, in the trout’s faces.....



We would drift the fly to the target about 5 times, then switch rods with a different fly, and do the same thing. If that didn’t work, I had another rod ready, with another fly. Out of one of the three flies/rods we had, 90% of the time we would get at least a hit or swipe from the target. A couple of the fish, were so aggressive, that they came 4-5 ft and attack the fly. When we would see one charging on the fly, we knew it was going to go aerial. Due to a couple before hand did the same thing.



I think we had one of the 18 incher's jump 11 times, pulling drag till the end. A fish like that jumping out of the water a foot and belly flopping is a classic site.



We hit the Bluffs and blanked there. Moved up to the next pool and worked the swift water and seams. Again throwing all three flies and moving. He picked up about three good ones in that pool before moving on to the next area.



We hit last elbow before it goes up to the Cold Hole, and blanked. Water was a bit lower and fish moved downstream. So we walked up to the 1st hole below the Cold Hole. Then I spotted one of the massive 25 inch PLUS Rainbow Trout a couple pics down you will see it. Started casting at her with no looks. Tried one of the backup flies and she took it immediately, jumping half way out of the water and doing a massive head shake like a Big Gulf Speckled Trout does. Amazing and beautiful site. During the head shake, he shook the barbless hook right out. It was a sad moment till the next cast produced a 19 inch solid fat female. We picked up a few more and moved up to the Cold Hole.



Then I spotted a dull shape in the water and told him to land next to the floating leaf that was in front of the targeted fish. He lands the fly perfect, mends perfect, and gives the rod a twitch. Then the reel starts singing! He even jumped the beast once, clear out of the water. I wish I had my Video Cam out for that one. So, we ended the morning with a massive fish. -Cold Hole Fish at that!





The release:

Hold fish upright with its nose in the current and hold the fish with out moving it back and forth.