Fishing report 9/28-29 The Good, the Bad, the Ugly
Sept 30, 2021 8:11:04 GMT -6
jonbo, gui, and 1 more like this
Post by czoscar on Sept 30, 2021 8:11:04 GMT -6
This year has been most difficult (the Ugly) with my planning, then needing to cancel, a camping/fishing trip to YNP, then more recently to Colorado due to a series of unfortunate and difficult issues. With my part time virtual teaching schedule picking up this Oct/Nov/Dec I along with the wife, dog, and an exchange student from Japan, made a quick trip to BB/LMFR on Monday for two nights of camping. Arrived late Monday afternoon and campgrounds were practically empty (after a stop at the Fly Shop to pay our respects to Roberta).
Got to the EH around 4:00 pm after setting up camp and for first time for me I was the only person in sight. There may have been someone up by the Bluffs but I had the EH all to myself (the Good). Water was warm so wet waded and air temp was very warm. I had forgotten my temp gauge but according to Roberta water temps were high 60’s. It was a bright sunny day and high 80’s.
I fished the EH until dark and worked hard it from the Bridge upstream to where I could see the bluffs and was only able to catch one nice stream born Bow. There was a sporadic hatch of tiny dark brown bugs but no fish activity. Again being the only person on the river it was most enjoyable despite lack of any fish activity other than one nice bow that took a size 18 rs2 fished below a size 14 hares ear. The flow and levels were low along with it being very warm - I did not expect fishing to be great so not disappointed nor surprised at lack of fish activity.
Day two (Tuesday): We had a young man with us that is an exchange student from Japan has been staying with us this summer. He had never fly fished and bought a one day non resident license for Tuesday so I set him up with my spare fly rod and we fished from the 40 foot hole up to the bridge below the EH for several hours with me catching a stocked Bow but otherwise no fish activity. There were however lots of canoes and kayak activity throughout the day (another warm bright sunny day). With water levels low there was often a logjam of kayaks grounded and trying to get to the deeper water at the 40 foot hole.
We both went up to fish the EH around 4ish and again no other fishermen were seen anywhere on the river. I did see one other fly fisherman wading below the bridge downstream from the EH earlier in front of Hickory Campground that day but that was all. I did manage to catch a beautiful wild Brown on a small size 18 rs2 fished below an attractor and indicator. That was the only fish caught but we did see a bit of activity in one part of the EH with small fish seeming to be taking tiny emergers. I could not identify what they were feeding on and tried numerous tiny dry flies but other than a look or two no takers.
Day 3 (yesterday Wed): We needed to be back early so did not fish - we broke camp after a good breakfast and I did see several spin fishermen working the river along Hickory Campground as we departed. They had arrived late Tuesday. A quick visit with Roberta then the drive home.
That was a much needed break, albeit a short one, but it was great to have a bit of quiet solitude fishing despite the warm temps, warm water, and lack of fish activity. Catching a nice Bow and especially the beautiful nice Brown was icing on the cake.
Tight lines and stay safe everyone.
Oscar
Got to the EH around 4:00 pm after setting up camp and for first time for me I was the only person in sight. There may have been someone up by the Bluffs but I had the EH all to myself (the Good). Water was warm so wet waded and air temp was very warm. I had forgotten my temp gauge but according to Roberta water temps were high 60’s. It was a bright sunny day and high 80’s.
I fished the EH until dark and worked hard it from the Bridge upstream to where I could see the bluffs and was only able to catch one nice stream born Bow. There was a sporadic hatch of tiny dark brown bugs but no fish activity. Again being the only person on the river it was most enjoyable despite lack of any fish activity other than one nice bow that took a size 18 rs2 fished below a size 14 hares ear. The flow and levels were low along with it being very warm - I did not expect fishing to be great so not disappointed nor surprised at lack of fish activity.
Day two (Tuesday): We had a young man with us that is an exchange student from Japan has been staying with us this summer. He had never fly fished and bought a one day non resident license for Tuesday so I set him up with my spare fly rod and we fished from the 40 foot hole up to the bridge below the EH for several hours with me catching a stocked Bow but otherwise no fish activity. There were however lots of canoes and kayak activity throughout the day (another warm bright sunny day). With water levels low there was often a logjam of kayaks grounded and trying to get to the deeper water at the 40 foot hole.
We both went up to fish the EH around 4ish and again no other fishermen were seen anywhere on the river. I did see one other fly fisherman wading below the bridge downstream from the EH earlier in front of Hickory Campground that day but that was all. I did manage to catch a beautiful wild Brown on a small size 18 rs2 fished below an attractor and indicator. That was the only fish caught but we did see a bit of activity in one part of the EH with small fish seeming to be taking tiny emergers. I could not identify what they were feeding on and tried numerous tiny dry flies but other than a look or two no takers.
Day 3 (yesterday Wed): We needed to be back early so did not fish - we broke camp after a good breakfast and I did see several spin fishermen working the river along Hickory Campground as we departed. They had arrived late Tuesday. A quick visit with Roberta then the drive home.
That was a much needed break, albeit a short one, but it was great to have a bit of quiet solitude fishing despite the warm temps, warm water, and lack of fish activity. Catching a nice Bow and especially the beautiful nice Brown was icing on the cake.
Tight lines and stay safe everyone.
Oscar