Crane Fly time, and the one that got away.

Now that Hendrickson and Grannom hatches are behind us now it's the slow time before the next super hatch "Sulfurs."

There are plenty of bugs on the water tan, olive and black caddis, but the Crane flies are starting to hatch.  For me that's when I go back to nymphing and fish a Walt's worm, Sawyer's Killer Bug or my K.I.S.S. Crane fly larva.  One thing I've noticed is that there are no subtle takes, more like a Bullet train.

The Bullet train story I have is of one that got away.  I hooked a monster brown I'd estimate 24" plus, no wait I think it was 30" plus.  Either way it was a good brown with shoulders that hit hard and I was running me up and down the pool.  I'd lost him when during the fight a 16" Rainbow took my top dropper went one way and the Brown went the other.  The train derailed and I was left with smaller fish was at the end of my line.  The expletives flew, and I was cursing what was a respectable Rainbow, because it blew my chance at the fish of the day.  Why was I not fishing 20 lb. Fluorocarbon?

I should have packed up and headed for home but the fishing was too good, so I stayed and landed many more fish, but non as large as that 38" Brown.

Here are some of fish who recently fell victim to the K.I.S.S. Crane fly larva and one Rainbow who ran interference.

Crane Fly Larva in the jaw.

Rainbow who ran interference.

Nice wild Brown.

The beast I landed.

A Fall Review

This year, the fall fishing was more like fishing in the spring.  Our water levels shot up after hurricane Irene.  Some say it was a 100-year event, but I think it was closer to a 500-year event.  The high water levels weren’t bad; it just wasn't what you'd expect.  The trout that remain have good water levels, and judging by the river gauges the ground water is recharged.

The other difference was the foliage. It hung around longer because of the drought-like conditions in the late summer and excessive rain in the fall.  That's not a bad thing.  I use the dropped foliage as a clock to know what bugs to use and where to find the trout.  It's just a guide. I also use it consciously and unconsciously to locate per-spawn Brown Trout and Rainbows that are looking for egg. 

The two biggest impacts on the fall fishing was hurricane Irene and the early wet and heavy snow.  Irene moved a lot of boarders, which altered pools and habitats. Now my old home waters are anew.  The early snow and downed foliage caused lots of property damage.  Cleaning up cut into my fishing time more than anything else. Besides these minor obstacles, I got my share of trout and spent some fine days on the water.


Here's the usual trout porn from this fall's outings.

CDC UV Caddis - Caddis, Caddis Everywhere...

Caddis are abundant on most rivers, but the Madison and other rivers in Yellowstone country there can have blizzard hatches.  Never leave home with out a caddis pattern in your box. Here is one that is quick, easy to see, and floats like a cork.

CDC UV Caddis

Hook: Standard Dry Fly Hook Size 10 - 10
Thread: Tan

Body: Hairline Tan UV Ice Dub
Under Wing: Natural CDC (3-4 feathers)
Wing: Elk or Deer Hair

This is a another pattern which follows the K.I.S.S. rule. It's simple, fast to tie and works everywhere. You can variety the color of the body to match the caddis in your area, the UV dubbing adds some nice sparkle to the pattern, you can also substitute the UV dubbing with an Anton blend for similar results.

While fishing in Yellowstone country this past July this was my go to caddis pattern if I wasn't throwing large Salmon Files.

It caught selective trout in the Henry's Fork, Brook Trout, Rainbows and Grayling in the park.

Attach your thread.

Dub the body.

Tie in the CDC under wing.

Tie in your Deer hair.

Trim Deer hair and whip finish.

 Below are some of the trout taken with the CDC UV Caddis.

Yellowstone Brook Trout

Henry's Fork Rainbow

Madison Rainbow.

Spring Photographs

Here are some photography from this spring, that don't fit into grip and grin category.

Spring Bloom

Sulphur Dun

Sulphur Molt

Midge Meeting

Light Cahill Spinner (Male)

Hatchery Brown

Wild Brown

It must be football season.

While we have to stock our NJ streams it's always nice to see and catch stream beard trout. Our water because of summer stream temperatures favor Brown Trout, but we do get natural reproduction of our native Brook Trout, Browns and Rainbow. Mind you we need colder temperatures for the Brookies and Rainbows.

So why it must be football season (American Football for those across the pond.), well the photo below should explain it all. This Rainbow one possible two years old that managed to survive predation and anglers. It's been a while since I caught one of the beauties.

Wild NJ "Football" Rainbow.

Size matters...

Size matters only when your fishing with your buddy and dinner is on the line.

But I could catch these wild Brown Trout all day.

Just a brilliant wild Brown Trout.

Just look at this bright red adipose fin.