Trout Spey Revolution and Southern Oregon!

There have to be a few instances when you can't spey for Trout, but I can't think of any...ok well maybe up stream dries. 

Join the Revolution!

The Trout Spey Revolution has begun and for good reason, it is deadly effective. With more and more Manufactures jumping on the trout spey revolution the fishing possibilities are endless. Companies like Airflo, OPST, Echo, and LTS all make tactical spey gear for both double and single handed fly rods. 

With todays short fat skagits I can throw mini intruders, monster zonkers, and huge meaty flies that I never could before. This has taken my Williamson river fishing to a whole other level. I was finding traditional skagits to long for some of the runs I fished before as they didn't leave me much room to strip. The Williamson is a fishery where the strip is an essential as those large Predatory Redbands like to see movement. With Todays shorter skagits, and switch lines you will have plenty of running line to strip after your swing. Beyond their "stripability" these short bruisers make it easy to cover all of the water column. all I have to do is carry a Skagit and tips. I fish from a light Polly intermediate to a 6' chunk of T7 with my 220 grn Commando Head, try doing that with at regular 6wt weighted forward. just think of the possibilities that a chunk of t7 will bring to your favorite trout stream...To the Williamson its been a revolution. 

If skagits and stripping aren't your thing, you can still join the revolution. Companies like LTS are making triple density scandis that turn over like butter and land so gently that they wont be noticed by even the wariest of trout. the cool thing about these type of heads is that they swing strait. there is no heavy back taper that swings lower than the fly. They also come in several different sink rates. from the FHI to the 135, they will cover any water you'll find. 


Its a brave new world, the Trout Spey Revolution has begun, those who have become part of its movement are growing their trout game exponentially, the sky seems the limit as to what new presentations we can come up with. With all these new tools at hand, you'll be able to open up areas you previously thought were out of your reach. More importantly, you'll rediscover the fun. Only one question remains...will you join the revolution?

The Rogue River is rolling.

I was allowed to be a part of a family fishing trip yesterday--being a part of these memories is what makes guiding so much fun.

One of the things Nathan and Don will talk about for ever is Nathan's First steelhead. We were drifting flies through the run when Nathan's line paused and looked as if it was hung on the bottom. He started to take up slack and I said " looks like you got the bottom." As Nathan pulled the slack in, it looked like he had snagged the bottom up river, I started to say, "yep, its the bottom," but before I could get "Bottom," out of my mouth a nice male steelhead makes a rocket jump, pulling Nathan's line out of the water with it. I could see a mix of joy, and controlled panic on Nathan's face as he followed my instructions as to how to fight the fish on the switch rod. 6 crazy jumps, a couple good runs, and about 10 minutes later Nathan was able to put his hands on the Rogue River Brute--His First Steelhead Ever!

The day ended well. There were six clients spread over 3 boats, drifting different sections of river that were over 30 miles apart, and all 6 scored a steelhead--some multiple fish--two of which caught their first steelhead. This is almost unheard of in the steelhead world, but not on the Rogue River! Have I mentioned lately how much of a blessing it is for me to be able to guide such a river system?!? What a Great Day, with Great People, On a Great River!!

The Rogue River has runs that go for ever!

Classic Rogue River Steelhead Water!

Don's Nice  Rogue River Hen Steelhead

Nathan's First Steelhead--He will never forget the Rogue River after this one!

Absolutely Awesome...and Free!

If you haven't read this yet you should! Quality. http://swingthefly.com/magazine/fall-2013-1-2/

Is it the tug, or the fight?

I am around big fish a lot, but I still enjoy the tug of the small ones. Maybe its all about my roots, or just that connection with the wild. We have a small lake close to our house that is full with warm water game-fish. When the boys(my Labs) give me that, I gotta swim look, we run off to this small lake. I whip out the 3wt and just have a ball! Seems funny to all my friends that I would enjoy such small fish, but these fish always take me back to the time when I was a kid- a simpler time when didn't have to catch the biggest fish in the river. A time when every tug was a gift, and it was more important to enjoy the water and all her depths hold. As a Guide its my Job to get my clients into the big ones, but I hope I provide more than that, I hope I pass on the same reverence for the tug that I felt as a kid. Regardless of the size, or numbers of fish, fishing should be fun, and if it takes little pan fish to remind me of that fact so be it.

Small Lake, Small Rod

Just like a Kid!

What a fight, almost slipped the drag!

Guppy Candy

Can I get Him Dad?

We may have came up with the ultimate Trout swinging line.

Swinging flies has to be one of the most exhilarating ways to catch Fish, and Double handers are the best tool for such a job, especially on rivers where fish become boat shy. I have found the I can reach out, way past the disturbance of my boat and oar strokes, with a switch rod, but a floating line with tips didn't provide the right angle to present the fly properly to fish holding mid depth. Guide's wouldn't be caught dead without their clear, or camo intermediate lines for these situations, but they don't cast well as a spey line. This is where I ran into problems, There are no Clear Spey type lines out there. I had tried throwing Skagits with clear Polly Leaders but I pulled the anchor and had a hard time trying to get the high floating thick Skagit to fish right. Sure they work great for the wide swings that steelhead like, but for the Williamson, and Wood River trout's preferred narrow swing they were nearly impossible. Thanks to Steve Godshall, I think we have overcame some of the obstacles that kept us from using our switch rods on these waters.  The line Steve built is a complete intermediate, with the first 19' a clear mono-core head that's subtle enough to lay on still waters without spooking fish, yet large enough to turn over large water soaked leaches. This head is driven by a short, Skagit style head that provides enough power to easily shoot line 70' or 80', which provides plenty of distance to get away from the boat. The line does take a little getting use to as its a complete 27 foot intermediate head on a 11'  4wt  rod but once you adjust its easy. The line is 295 grains and loads the rod well. As good as it cast, it fishes even better, exactly what I was looking for! Although we only had a couple hours to fish we managed to swing up a few fish--something that would have been hard to do just fishing tips. I love this line and can't wait to have one built for my 6wt. Steve Godshall is the Einstein of fly lines. After a some brainstorming we came up with a line that swings for weary Fish in some of the hardest places, Steve made my ultimate line come true--thanks Steve.

The Line Loads Well

On the Swing

Little guy

That's more like it

Best Place on Earth

      

Big fish aren't all there is!

As a guide it seems like I am always after the real toads, and rightfully so, but sometimes it is great just to get back to the basics and wade a solitary, high mountain stream. The Upper, Upper Rogue is that stream for me. During my fourth of July camping trip, I was able to sneak out with my small glass rod for a couple hours of fishing. Here are some pictures to remind you about the basics of our sport. For me, it was the place where I was introduced to my first trout lie. Its places like this,  that will always bring me back to the simple style of life that my father introduced to me so many years ago. Its places like this,  that I'll always gravitate back to, to recharge. What a Blessing! Enjoy!

Awesome River

Gotta get down

Love Swinging

Swinging the ledge

Wet wading just like when I was a kid

A Trophy, for this section of river!

Bending the Glass Rod

Love this Place

Going Back In--Thanks For the Fight--pure blessing!

Klamath Lake is off the Hook!

The Klamath is off the hook right now! A good friend of mine, T.J.  had a great weekend over there! The fish are moving to cooler water as the lake warms, if you know where to go, you can catch these fish on the move. Use all your classic patterns and presentations. Please, remember if you get a real sluggish fish break him off or land him fast as he is probably heat stressed, then move—heck most of the good fish are in the cold water anyhow. If you have never fished the Klamath you need to. Check out T.J’s face book page at  https://www.facebook.com/hookedonlife?fref=ts

T.J. Red Band

More Color

Clean Fish

Lake fishing is hard work!

The Williamson River, Wood River, and Klamath Redband Report

With the barometer falling the fishing slowed on the Williamson River, but we were able to connect with a few. I am positive, without some of Brent’s closed swinging methods, I would have never caught any fish. The river is clearing and getting cooler, making it the ultimate destination for swinging for trophy trout. There have been several over 25” caught in the last couple of weeks and it’s bound to get better with the promise of the Hex hatch and warmer weather. The Wood River is fishing well with several double digit days. It is still stained making it a good bet for swinging big flies. If you can get the chance to fish The Klamath Basin you should take it, June is a great time of the year to experience its riches!



A Rogue River Boat on the Wood River



Fresh out of the Lake (notice the Lice)

 

This Small Trout thought it was a Steelhead, I love the way the Williamson, Wood, and Klamath Basin Redbands fight this time of year!

 

The Williamson River an old Friend!

Brent at the office.

The fish of the evening. 

I grew up fishing this river and always did well, but last night was better than I have ever seen it. A large part of that was due to Brent Hublitz of Trophy Troutfitters. He fishes the Williamson different than I ever have, which added some tools to my box. Brent clearly out fished me, even to the point of talking to a potential client on the phone while fighting a fish. Thank goodness I landed the biggest fish of the night or I would have to listen to how bad he out fished me  until I get him on the Rogue later this fall. Not really-we had a great time.

Awesome River

The one that go away in the Klamath Basin

I love catching Redband Trout this time of year they think they are steelhead. I am really sorry for the poor video, but its hard to video and fight a fish at the same time. I finally lost this fish in the tules, he was above five pounds!

What a sunset!

Redband Trout Food!

What a place!

Rogue River Special a part of Rogue River History!

Willie's Boats are Great Boats, but they are trimed wrong inline fishing. When I put someone in the back it would plow and became a whale. I have always been partial to the flatter Rogue River Special, but I lost hope of ever owning one as I had heard Alumaweld quit building them. Then I met Brett, he had Rogue Marine Bulid my new boat to Jerry Briggs classic Rogue River Special standard. This boat was adapted from both Glen Woodridge's, and Bob Pritchet's designs. Unlike most drift boats you see on the river nowadays, mostly McKenzie style, the Rogue has a flatter, wider bottom at the stern, making it a great boat to motor. The greater surface area also provides more lift when held, making it a more stable platform to fly fish out of for the person in the back. This is the main reason for me to change boats. My Willies was cramped and rode bow high with someone in the back.  One of the other advantage of this boat is that it holds its line better, but if your use to pivioting on a dime like a McKenzie, the Rogue will take some getting use to. I am proud to be stepping in the guiding shoes of the greats here on the Rogue, rowing their water with their design. Here's to the good Ole Rogue River Special, may she never die! This is the boat Born out of the river I love, I shouldn't be rowing anything else. 

She Is Special

17' 48" Rogue River, My willies would have been bow high with just Max in the back

  

Kings

Hooked a King today and found out a 8WT was way to light for a bright chromer! I casted upstream and would work my line perpendicular the rod--a kind of slow drift/swing. The Chinook hammered it and made three runs, jumping all the way. He just about spooled me.




Best Hole on the River! you can acess it from the butte creek side of deanmen.

Its Hard to see, but I was keeping my line perpendicular to the rod tip, just enough tension to to feel a hit, but not so much to pull the flies off the bottom.

Add caption

This is what your flies should look like if you get the modified swing right, I only could achieve it about half the time.

Fish On! right after this Picture he dang near spooled me. Last I saw of him, was almost to the rocks at the hole below me, there was nothing I could do!

Nate's Wired Worm

There are flies that just work regardless of rather you think they should or not. The Brassie is one of those flies, but good isn't good enough when you can improve on a design. This flies success is most likely due to its diving ability-the thing sinks better than a rock. It flows through the current like a real bug, but what if it had arms to match the drift, well that's where my wired worm comes in!

I always start with a heavy hook for Steelhead nymphs 

Add a bead (I super glue them on) and add a couple of rubber tails (they suggest several different bugs) 

Tie in the color of UNI Wire you like (I tie this is several colors)

Wrap the wire forward making a abdomen, tie in your favorite chenille give it a couple wraps to make a wing case.   

Add hackle 

Wrap hackle forming the beckoning moving legs that a Upper Rogue Steelhead  cant  resist.

I fish this fly dead drift until it reaches quartering down downstream then I will swing it to dangle. Try it on your rivers!