1-18-2010

The rain fell lightly to Earth as the day began. Eagles and Dippers went busily about their work, no different really than when we go to the office. But today my office is here. At a river teeming with fresh Steel. In the last 1o days over 100 have returned to the hatchery and that does not include the lovely wild fish. With anticipation running high I hit the first pool. Water temp 42 and almost clear skies. What else but a Winter Stone? Went carefully through with no action but saw a drift guy on the Island below hook one. At the next pool I switched to a sink1/2 belly and swung a smaller Duncan's tube. Almost immediately at the top I was into what turned out to be a lovely resident trout. One that by this states rules and regs would be considered a Steelhead without ever tasting the salt. A lovely wild fish. Further down the run another resident of smaller size. NICE. On to another pool and again the Winter Stone. The fly looked pretty enticing swimming through the run but did not coax up any love. Did see a 1" long lovely cinnamon brown caddis, I will start tying brown bodies on some of the stones for sure. Off to the last pool of the day. As you can see in the picture the light is perfect, the day is perfect. The Stone bobs and weaves it's way through the water in an irresistible manner. All good but no love. I will be back Thursday