Hi guys,Skipped a few days there again, but then again, it seems like March 1st was just yesterday as a very busy guide season all folds into one and it dies off here for me…
Fact is, while there has been a few slow “catching” days in the mix we still haven’t had a bad fishing day without at least a few, if not many, shots at Steelhead. Some days they bite better than others, but either way, we have continued to put folks on fish each and every day out…
I had a quick trip today where the guys had to be off and back to the shop by 12:30 and we still managed to bag several and hook a bunch more. This included a very comical double dipper (pictured directly below) where the first fish, a bright buck, blew a hole thru my net, had to be re-netted quickly with the line still going thru it and then have another stuffed on top real quick! (Bought a new net bag as soon as I got back, I guess that was one too many fish this season for that one!)
Yesterday was a bit tougher with more traffic around, but we caught a great Brown (Pictured directly below) to make our day and had at least a half dozen Steelhead that got the better of us. Fortunately, I had the same folks the day before in the mid river and we did great…
It’s been a blast out here lately and I am sad to say that the clients will start to run short here on us from here on out. I had a cancelation for tomorrow, have Friday open, am out with Stuart on Saturday then don’t have another trip besides our annual cutting float on the 24th until opening day (That I’m hoping will move up.)
John has Friday open as well, is off on Saturday, is cutting on the 24th with us, but is otherwise also open until the opener.
John and I came across a good push of new fish in the mid/lower river the other day and it looks as though a few of those have made their way upriver already. It’s still not “over” by any means, but keeping the pulse is the key to success and covering lots of water. Don’t overlook the pools for drop backs and new fish alike…
A big thanks to Jim & Dave, Ernie & Randy, Dick & Phil, Lev & George, Jay & Patrice as well as Ron and Russ from today. These are the folks that shared the boat time with me since last report and have kept my spring a great one to remember.
We continue to see trout rising in the afternoon on a number of different hatches and on some days the Streamer bite has been on as well. I’ve been finding plenty of Steelhead to play with on my Steelhead trips thus far so I’ve only targeted trout a couple of times for short periods to break it up, but I am more than ready to break out the trout rods all day any day for the next round of adventure!
here’s a couple of cool shots my client took of a Pileated Woodpecker that let us get within four or five yards of it while floating by…
Eggs, fry patterns, stones, hares ears, hexes & pheasant tails have been the go to flies on Steelhead for me, but some off the wall stuff has been working on fish that have either seen a lot or are new to the game. Don’t be afraid to try that pattern you’ve been wondering about in the box if nothing else is working. You may just be surprised!
A big thanks as always to all of you for your support this spring! The store is still fully stocked for both Steelhead and Trout and we have openings at the motel for those of you that are still coming up. The guys will be happy to help you…
Tight lines all,
Steve
Alaska 2012
Want to fish some of the best rivers in Alaska (Katmai/Bristol Bay Area) without spending an arm and a leg??? Then join us for this summer’s BBT Alaska trip ($500 per person holds your spot)…Week one: July 28– 4, 2012 and week two: August 4 – 11, 2012. We have room for twenty guests each week. OUR PACKAGE PRICE PER PERSON IS $2,295.00 ($200 LESS THEN BOOKING DIRECT) and includes:
• Six full days guided fishing
• All your lodging and meals
• Transportation to and from the Airport in King Salmon, AK
An incredible Alaskan fishing experience with an affordable price
Naknek River Camp…home of one week!
Katmai/Bristol Bay Area is known for LARGE Rainbows
You will also see some wild brown bears
Our trips are timed to hit the first waves of Silver Salmon
Grayling can be caught on dry flies
…and you will catch more char then you can imagine
Argentina 2013
The dates are January 12 – 19, 2013…we are taking deposits now to hold your spot! Treat yourself to a trip of a lifetime! The package price per person based on double occupancy is US $3,450.00 and includes:
• Six full days guided fishing (with expert, local bilingual (Spanish-English) fly-fishing guide)
• All your lodging, meals and beverages (including beer & wine with meals).
• Transportation to and from the Airport in Bariloche
BBT in Argentina 2011 from John Karakashian on Vimeo.
Plus, here are a couple pictures that Pedro, the head guide of Fly Maniacs, recently sent John…
