Mix it up on your tenkara adventures
The Good:
Matt and I got out last week to fish a creek we really enjoy but had not fished since spring. As is typically the case, by the time Matt and I took care of our family obligations in the morning, the cloud cover was gone and we were facing a bright, sunny day. Full sun is wonderful for my tomato plants, not so great for the trout fishing.
When we arrived, the newly rehabbed section of the creek caught our eye. The work was completed sometime this summer, after the last time we fished the creek. I think the pictures speak for themselves. The Aldo Leopold Trout Unlimited chapter did an incredible job restoring the creek. I had fished this same section last year prior to the rehab work, and it was miserable: difficult to fish, muddy,steep banks and few fish. I managed to hook one under a dilapidated foot bridge, but that was it, and getting to that fish was pretty unpleasant with overgrown brush, lots of deadfalls and stinking marsh. In contrast, fishing it this year was relaxing and enjoyable.
When we arrived, the newly rehabbed section of the creek caught our eye. The work was completed sometime this summer, after the last time we fished the creek. I think the pictures speak for themselves. The Aldo Leopold Trout Unlimited chapter did an incredible job restoring the creek. I had fished this same section last year prior to the rehab work, and it was miserable: difficult to fish, muddy,steep banks and few fish. I managed to hook one under a dilapidated foot bridge, but that was it, and getting to that fish was pretty unpleasant with overgrown brush, lots of deadfalls and stinking marsh. In contrast, fishing it this year was relaxing and enjoyable.
Cleared and repaired banks will make this section shine.
Despite the beautiful rehab work, I think someone forgot to tell the trout that they should move into their new digs. I caught one eight incher, and we spooked a few others, but that was it. Of course, we were fishing at the wrong time of day under bright sun, so that could have something to do with it, too. This is one situation where I think it would be good for the DNR to stock the stream, at least to jump start it. I think it will go on to be a self-sustaining fishery, but it could use some help to get going. Stream temps were about perfect at 59 degrees, and with plenty of structure and holding water, I think this stream could really be something in the next couple of years.
The Big:
Once we reached the end of the rehab work, we hiked back to the truck and drove up stream to the section we typically fish. We started a the bridge pool were Matt had a couple of monster rainbows break his tippet earlier in the season. I thought about switching to some 4x or even 3x just in case, but decided to try my luck with and just stay with the 5x I had rigged and ready. We know this pool is pretty deep, and while we have caught some nice medium size fish with unweighted or lightly weighted flies, we know the big boys lurk deep. I peered into my fly box looking for something tempting with a little weight to it. I grabbed a bead headed San Ron Worm I tied up a while back, a pattern I really don't have any experience fishing.
I cast the the SRW towards the head of the pool, letting the current and weight sink the fly. Imagine my shock when I saw what looked like a leviathan rainbow rise from the deep and absolutely crush the SRW. I got a solid hook set on him, but now what? I knew there was a good chance that if I tried to play him at all he would bust the 5x tippet. I think instinct took over, and I thought "I have to get this guy on the bank before he breaks off". I basically ran backwards, towing him towards the bank. As soon as the fish was on the bank, the tippet snapped and the fish started to flip towards the water. Not my most graceful performance.
I cast the the SRW towards the head of the pool, letting the current and weight sink the fly. Imagine my shock when I saw what looked like a leviathan rainbow rise from the deep and absolutely crush the SRW. I got a solid hook set on him, but now what? I knew there was a good chance that if I tried to play him at all he would bust the 5x tippet. I think instinct took over, and I thought "I have to get this guy on the bank before he breaks off". I basically ran backwards, towing him towards the bank. As soon as the fish was on the bank, the tippet snapped and the fish started to flip towards the water. Not my most graceful performance.
A 16 inch Rainbow that Mike caught from the "Monster Pool".
The Ugly:
We moved on up stream from there and were alarmed to see how much some of the stream had silted in since spring. Some of the better pools and runs were just ruined. Many of the fish were hanging out in the soft, shallow inside corners, making them just about unapproachable. Matt managed to hook a couple of nice medium size browns from tight under the bank, and we both got into a few chubs, but that was it. It will be interesting to see how the stream winters over and what it is like in the spring.
So, we managed to catch a few fish despite undesirable conditions. We also had a great time, which is really all you can ask for.
Our trout season here in Wisconsin is winding down, but Matt and I have some other adventures planned for fall and winter. Stay tuned!
- Mike
So, we managed to catch a few fish despite undesirable conditions. We also had a great time, which is really all you can ask for.
Our trout season here in Wisconsin is winding down, but Matt and I have some other adventures planned for fall and winter. Stay tuned!
- Mike
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