TIME: 11:00 AM TO 2:30 PM
WEATHER: PC, Low-50s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: Norfork River, 1st and 2nd Islands above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED: #14 T-Worm, #20 Furnace Cockleburr, #26 Parachute Black Gnat
ROD USED: 9 ft 5 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Wayne. Wayne and I both struggled, by Wayne’s standards, but each of us picked up a dozen or so fish. Fish were moderately rising to midges, and I took about half of mine on the #20 Furnace Cocklebur and the other half on the #26 Parachute Black Gnat. One 12-inch brown jumped completely out of the water to take the fly in mid-air, and another brown took a fly right next to a boulder sitting in an area where I typically would not fish. All in all, it was a really fun day as I always immensely enjoy fishing with Wayne, and we had the water to ourselves.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Norfork River
TIME: 11:00 AM TO 1:00 PM
WEATHER: PC, Low-50s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access and 1st Island below McClelland’s
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork River Scud, #14 T-Worm, #20 Furnace Cockleburr
ROD USED: 9 ft 5 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Mel and Slim. Initially, the Norfork was running 2 units so we headed off to fish Roundhouse on the White. Kay called and said they turned the Norfork off, so we turned around and headed back. Supposedly it was turned off at 8:00 AM, but for some reason, it did not get turned off until 9:00 AM, so we waited, and waited, etc. Finally, we waded in while the water was still high, and the fishing was terribly slow. We then worked our way upstream to the island below McClellan’s. Slim managed to catch a few fish on the way up. We got into slow rising fish at the tip of the island, and managed to fool some pretty nice fish on dry flies. I caught more than a half dozen on the #20 Furnace Cockleburr, and Mel and Slim also caught fish.
WEATHER: PC, Low-50s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access and 1st Island below McClelland’s
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork River Scud, #14 T-Worm, #20 Furnace Cockleburr
ROD USED: 9 ft 5 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Mel and Slim. Initially, the Norfork was running 2 units so we headed off to fish Roundhouse on the White. Kay called and said they turned the Norfork off, so we turned around and headed back. Supposedly it was turned off at 8:00 AM, but for some reason, it did not get turned off until 9:00 AM, so we waited, and waited, etc. Finally, we waded in while the water was still high, and the fishing was terribly slow. We then worked our way upstream to the island below McClellan’s. Slim managed to catch a few fish on the way up. We got into slow rising fish at the tip of the island, and managed to fool some pretty nice fish on dry flies. I caught more than a half dozen on the #20 Furnace Cockleburr, and Mel and Slim also caught fish.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Norfork River
TIME: 9:00 AM TO 1:00 PM
WEATHER: PC, Low-50s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: Norfork River, 2nd Islands above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED #14 Gray Norfork River Scud, #14 T-Worm, #20 Furnace Cockleburr
ROD USED: 9 ft 5 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Mel. It was a SLOW bite, and no fish were interested in the scud. I did manage to catch only 4 or 5 fish on the #20 Furnace Cockleburr. Mel also managed to fool a few fish. He fished the previous afternoon and did fairly well on a dry fly.
WEATHER: PC, Low-50s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: Norfork River, 2nd Islands above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED #14 Gray Norfork River Scud, #14 T-Worm, #20 Furnace Cockleburr
ROD USED: 9 ft 5 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Mel. It was a SLOW bite, and no fish were interested in the scud. I did manage to catch only 4 or 5 fish on the #20 Furnace Cockleburr. Mel also managed to fool a few fish. He fished the previous afternoon and did fairly well on a dry fly.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
White River
TIME: 8:30 AM TO 12:00 PM
WEATHER: PC, Mid-70s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: Bottom of Roundhouse Shoals and downstream of Ships Ferry Access
FLIES USED: #14 Beadhead Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymph dropping a #16 Tan Scud; Peacock Ice-T Mini
ROD USED: 9 ft 5 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Kay and Ron. Initially, we fished Roundhouse Shoals, but very little action. I caught one fish. Moved to Shipps Ferry; water was a little high, but we fished the #14 Beadhead Flashback Pheasant Tail nymph solo. Both Ron and I caught a couple of dozen fish each; my largest fish was a 15-inch rainbow.
WEATHER: PC, Mid-70s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: Bottom of Roundhouse Shoals and downstream of Ships Ferry Access
FLIES USED: #14 Beadhead Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymph dropping a #16 Tan Scud; Peacock Ice-T Mini
ROD USED: 9 ft 5 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Kay and Ron. Initially, we fished Roundhouse Shoals, but very little action. I caught one fish. Moved to Shipps Ferry; water was a little high, but we fished the #14 Beadhead Flashback Pheasant Tail nymph solo. Both Ron and I caught a couple of dozen fish each; my largest fish was a 15-inch rainbow.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Norfork River
TIME: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
WEATHER: PC, Mid-70s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud, #20 Dunn’s Dun
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Kay and Ron. Upon Ron’s arrival we immediately slipped into waders and began fishing. The Norfork fished really slow, but Ron managed to pick up 4 fish on the Gray Scud. I caught 4 fish as well. Ron is becoming an excellent fly fisher, and just needs to spend lots of time on the water. Kay picked up a couple fish downstream in a very difficult area. None of us caught any real big fish; most were in the 12-14 inch range.
WEATHER: PC, Mid-70s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud, #20 Dunn’s Dun
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Kay and Ron. Upon Ron’s arrival we immediately slipped into waders and began fishing. The Norfork fished really slow, but Ron managed to pick up 4 fish on the Gray Scud. I caught 4 fish as well. Ron is becoming an excellent fly fisher, and just needs to spend lots of time on the water. Kay picked up a couple fish downstream in a very difficult area. None of us caught any real big fish; most were in the 12-14 inch range.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
White River
TIME: 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM
WEATHER: PC, Mid-70s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: Bottom of Roundhouse Shoals and downstream of Ships Ferry Access
FLIES USED: #14 Beadhead Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymph dropping a #16 Tan Scud; Peacock Ice-T Mini
ROD USED: 9 ft 5 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Wayne. Initially, we fished Roundhouse Shoals, but very little action, at least for me. I caught 3 fish; Wayne picked up a dozen or more. Moved to Ships Ferry where I fished the #14 Beadhead Flashback Pheasant Tail nymph solo. Wayne caught about 2 dozen fish and I caught about a dozen and a half. No big fish were caught.
WEATHER: PC, Mid-70s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: Bottom of Roundhouse Shoals and downstream of Ships Ferry Access
FLIES USED: #14 Beadhead Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymph dropping a #16 Tan Scud; Peacock Ice-T Mini
ROD USED: 9 ft 5 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Wayne. Initially, we fished Roundhouse Shoals, but very little action, at least for me. I caught 3 fish; Wayne picked up a dozen or more. Moved to Ships Ferry where I fished the #14 Beadhead Flashback Pheasant Tail nymph solo. Wayne caught about 2 dozen fish and I caught about a dozen and a half. No big fish were caught.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Norfork River
TIME: 2:00 PM TO 4:00 PM
WEATHER: PC, Low-50s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud, #14 Tan Norfork Scud, #14 Ice-T Mini, #14 T-Worm, #20 Dunn’s Dun, #20 Kay’s Grey
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Kay. It was not as windy as the previous day. Kay and I struggled to catch fish, fooling only a couple each. I threw everything at them I thought would catch fish, with little luck, not even a bite. The river is fishing really slow, and very technical. Small midge hatch, #32 or so, coming off, and the fish were eating them, but would not take anything else.
WEATHER: PC, Low-50s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud, #14 Tan Norfork Scud, #14 Ice-T Mini, #14 T-Worm, #20 Dunn’s Dun, #20 Kay’s Grey
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Kay. It was not as windy as the previous day. Kay and I struggled to catch fish, fooling only a couple each. I threw everything at them I thought would catch fish, with little luck, not even a bite. The river is fishing really slow, and very technical. Small midge hatch, #32 or so, coming off, and the fish were eating them, but would not take anything else.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Another Newcomer
TIME: 8:30 AM 12:00 Noon
WEATHER: PC, Low-60s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud, #20 Kay’s Grey
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Kay and Sandy. Sandy is from New Jersey, is a friend of our friends, the Geerys, and was in Arkansas to remodel the Gerry’s house. He had never flyfished before today. After a short introduction to casting, he began fishing and was a natural, catching and landing four fish on the scud. He is now hooked!
WEATHER: PC, Low-60s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud, #20 Kay’s Grey
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Kay and Sandy. Sandy is from New Jersey, is a friend of our friends, the Geerys, and was in Arkansas to remodel the Gerry’s house. He had never flyfished before today. After a short introduction to casting, he began fishing and was a natural, catching and landing four fish on the scud. He is now hooked!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Norfork River
TIME: 2:00 PM TO 4:00 PM
WEATHER: PC, Low-50s, Very Windy
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud, #14 Tan Norfork Scud, #14 Ice-T Mini, #14 T-Worm, #20 Dunn’s Dun, #20 Kay’s Grey
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Kay. It was windy, dark, and cold; and I couldn’t see the emerger flies on the water. Kay and I did manage to take 4 fish each. I caught mine (3 rainbows, 1 brown) on the gray scud, T-worm, and tan scud, but fished the other flies hard. It was the coldest 53 degrees I’ve been in.
WEATHER: PC, Low-50s, Very Windy
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud, #14 Tan Norfork Scud, #14 Ice-T Mini, #14 T-Worm, #20 Dunn’s Dun, #20 Kay’s Grey
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Kay. It was windy, dark, and cold; and I couldn’t see the emerger flies on the water. Kay and I did manage to take 4 fish each. I caught mine (3 rainbows, 1 brown) on the gray scud, T-worm, and tan scud, but fished the other flies hard. It was the coldest 53 degrees I’ve been in.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Norfork River
TIME: 9:00 AM TO 12:30 PM
WEATHER: PC, Low 70s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access; bottom of island below McClellan’s
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud, #20 Dunn’s Dun
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges, at least 3 different species
OTHER: Fished with Rod. Rod and I began fishing the gray scud, but it was really slow, without a single bite. I immediately switched to a Dunn’s Dun and caught only a couple of fish. We decided to wade upstream to the bottom of the island below McClellan’s and several guys had it surrounded. We fish a riffle immediately below the tip of the island, and caught a number of fish dead-drifting a Dunn’s Dun, and also dead-drifting the Dunn’s Dunn and stripping it back. Our success was due in large part to casting upstream of the riffle and drifting the fly through the riffle, disguising it from the fish. I ended up catching 11 fish this way, and all were good fighters. Rod missed a grand slam by not catching a cutthroat. The Dunn’s Dun is back!
WEATHER: PC, Low 70s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access; bottom of island below McClellan’s
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud, #20 Dunn’s Dun
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges, at least 3 different species
OTHER: Fished with Rod. Rod and I began fishing the gray scud, but it was really slow, without a single bite. I immediately switched to a Dunn’s Dun and caught only a couple of fish. We decided to wade upstream to the bottom of the island below McClellan’s and several guys had it surrounded. We fish a riffle immediately below the tip of the island, and caught a number of fish dead-drifting a Dunn’s Dun, and also dead-drifting the Dunn’s Dunn and stripping it back. Our success was due in large part to casting upstream of the riffle and drifting the fly through the riffle, disguising it from the fish. I ended up catching 11 fish this way, and all were good fighters. Rod missed a grand slam by not catching a cutthroat. The Dunn’s Dun is back!
Monday, October 8, 2007
Norfork River
TIME: 8:00 PM TO 12:00 PM
WEATHER: PC, Low 70s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud, #14 T-Worm; #14 Olive Norfork Bead-head Mini-Sculpin, #20 Dunn’s Dun
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges, at least 3 different species
OTHER: Fished with Rod. Rod and I began fishing the gray scud, but it was a bit slow, catching only a couple. I switched to a San Juan worm and caught another couple, then switched to a Norfork mini-sculpin—casting quartering downstream, then stripping back. This technique proved excellent for both Rod and me. The Dunn’s Dun then got a try and proved very good, both dead-drifted and cast quartering downstream and stripping back. Anyway, I ended up with a dozen fish for the morning, though nothing over about 14 inches. I did catch a grand slam, with a rainbow, cutthroat, brown, and a brookie.
WEATHER: PC, Low 70s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud, #14 T-Worm; #14 Olive Norfork Bead-head Mini-Sculpin, #20 Dunn’s Dun
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges, at least 3 different species
OTHER: Fished with Rod. Rod and I began fishing the gray scud, but it was a bit slow, catching only a couple. I switched to a San Juan worm and caught another couple, then switched to a Norfork mini-sculpin—casting quartering downstream, then stripping back. This technique proved excellent for both Rod and me. The Dunn’s Dun then got a try and proved very good, both dead-drifted and cast quartering downstream and stripping back. Anyway, I ended up with a dozen fish for the morning, though nothing over about 14 inches. I did catch a grand slam, with a rainbow, cutthroat, brown, and a brookie.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Norfork River,
TIME: 8:30 AM TO 12:00 PM
WEATHER: PC, Low 80s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: Norfork River, 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud, #20 Dunn’s Dun
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Ron. Initially, we replicated our techniques from the afternoon before. Ron did real well, again, high-sticking the gray scud, catching several fish in just a couple of hours. I also managed to fool a few dumb ones on the scud, but switched to a Dunn’s Dunn below the riffle and caught a few fish. As with the previous afternoon, neither of us caught any real big fish; most were in the 12-14 inch range.
WEATHER: PC, Low 80s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: Norfork River, 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud, #20 Dunn’s Dun
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Ron. Initially, we replicated our techniques from the afternoon before. Ron did real well, again, high-sticking the gray scud, catching several fish in just a couple of hours. I also managed to fool a few dumb ones on the scud, but switched to a Dunn’s Dunn below the riffle and caught a few fish. As with the previous afternoon, neither of us caught any real big fish; most were in the 12-14 inch range.
Norfork River
TIME: 3:00 PM TO 5:30 PM
WEATHER: PC, High 80s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud, #20 Dunn’s Dun
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Ron. Today was a two-for, fishing twice in the same day. We again fished the gray scud, and Ron did real well, high-sticking. He’s becoming a proficient fly fisher. I did not fare so well on the scud, but did above average fishing the Dunn’s Dunn in the slow water below the riffle. It’s good that the Dunn’s Dun is working again, and we saw more fish at this set of riffles than I have seen in several years. It is highly probable that Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has begun stocking at Charlie Cook’s place again, and it is sure paying dividends.
WEATHER: PC, High 80s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud, #20 Dunn’s Dun
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Ron. Today was a two-for, fishing twice in the same day. We again fished the gray scud, and Ron did real well, high-sticking. He’s becoming a proficient fly fisher. I did not fare so well on the scud, but did above average fishing the Dunn’s Dunn in the slow water below the riffle. It’s good that the Dunn’s Dun is working again, and we saw more fish at this set of riffles than I have seen in several years. It is highly probable that Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has begun stocking at Charlie Cook’s place again, and it is sure paying dividends.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Norfork River
TIME: 3:00 PM TO 5:00 PM
WEATHER: PC, High 80s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Ron. It was my first time on the river since June 25. Ron did real well high-sticking the gray scud, catching several fish in just a couple of hours. I also managed to fool a few dumb ones on the scud at the head of the pool. Neither of us caught any real big fish; most were in the 12-14 inch range.
WEATHER: PC, High 80s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges
OTHER: Fished with Ron. It was my first time on the river since June 25. Ron did real well high-sticking the gray scud, catching several fish in just a couple of hours. I also managed to fool a few dumb ones on the scud at the head of the pool. Neither of us caught any real big fish; most were in the 12-14 inch range.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
North Fork of the Tongue River, WY
WEATHER: Clear, Low 70s
WATER CONDITIONS: Normal
LOCATIONS FISHED: North Fork of the Tongue River, BIG HORN MOUNTAINS
FLIES USED: #12 Hopper, Chernobyl Ant
ROD USED: 7’9” 2 wt Winston
HATCHES: None
OTHER: Fished with Kay and Dick. My, oh my, what a wonderful place to fish. While there were wildfires all around us, we managed to get out of the smoke. There are several pull-offs and parking along the North Fork of the Tongue river which flows adjacent to US Hwy 14 through the northern portion of the Big Horn Mountains. This river reminded Kay and me of the South Fork of the Platte River near Decker, CO, but with lower banks and much easier casting. The river holds all four species of fish, and I was blessed to catch all four today. While the stream might give the appearance of holding only small fish, we were surprised to see long, heavy shadows under the cut banks. With hoppers everywhere, I tried one for 30 minutes without even a look. I finally resorted to the Chernobyl Ant and they couldn’t refuse it. I caught a couple of 18-inch fish, a couple of 16 inchers and one slightly smaller, as well as a few fish under 12 inches, all but one on the Chernobyl Ant. Dick caught several large fish as well on a girdle bug, and Kay caught fish, too. A drag-free drift was absolutely essential. We all had an incredible day.
As a note, this is an incredible catch-and-release fishery, with easy access and wonderful scenery. It’s definitely on the list for a return trip.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
North Clear Creek, WY
WEATHER: Clear, Low 60s
WATER CONDITIONS: Normal
LOCATIONS FISHED: North Clear Creek, BIG HORN MOUNTAINS
FLIES USED: #12 Half Back, #12 Hopper, Chernobyl Ant
ROD USED: 7’9” 2 wt Winston
HATCHES: None
OTHER: Fished with Dick and Dave. Dave is Dick’s brother and owns Sports Lure, the largest sporting goods store in Wyoming. Dave took Dick and me up into the Big Horn Mountains via mules and pack horse. After driving to the trailhead, we rode about an hour and a half to fish at Hunter Park. The scenery was spectacular. We all wet waded as the creek was only a foot or so deep in most places, with lots of riffles and small pools. Small brook trout were abundant, taking the hopper readily. I must have caught 40+ fish in a 2 to 3 hour period, though about half were less than 6 inches long. It was a great day, with saddle sores, sore knee, and all. This area can be hiked into as well and is definitely worth fishing again.
WATER CONDITIONS: Normal
LOCATIONS FISHED: North Clear Creek, BIG HORN MOUNTAINS
FLIES USED: #12 Half Back, #12 Hopper, Chernobyl Ant
ROD USED: 7’9” 2 wt Winston
HATCHES: None
OTHER: Fished with Dick and Dave. Dave is Dick’s brother and owns Sports Lure, the largest sporting goods store in Wyoming. Dave took Dick and me up into the Big Horn Mountains via mules and pack horse. After driving to the trailhead, we rode about an hour and a half to fish at Hunter Park. The scenery was spectacular. We all wet waded as the creek was only a foot or so deep in most places, with lots of riffles and small pools. Small brook trout were abundant, taking the hopper readily. I must have caught 40+ fish in a 2 to 3 hour period, though about half were less than 6 inches long. It was a great day, with saddle sores, sore knee, and all. This area can be hiked into as well and is definitely worth fishing again.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Crazy Woman Creek and North Fork Crazy Woman Creek, WY
WEATHER: Clear, Low 60s
WATER CONDITIONS: Normal
LOCATIONS FISHED: Crazy Woman Creek in Crazy Woman Canyon, and North Fork Crazy Woman Creek at Crazy Woman Campground, BIG HORN MOUNTAINS
FLIES USED: #12 Half Back, #12 Hopper, #20 Dunn’s Dun
ROD USED: 7’9” 2 wt Winston
HATCHES: None
OTHER: Fished with Kay and Dick. After lunch, we descended about 3,000 feet into Crazy Woman Canyon and fished Crazy Woman Creek. Crazy Woman Creek in this location flows within the forest and has huge boulders with alternative riffles and pools which are about the size of a large picnic table. First three casts yielded three brookies, with the largest being about 9 inches. Ended up catching 8-10 fish in about an hour, most on the Half Back. I wanted to try the more open North Fork of Crazy Woman Creek higher up, so we ascended back to the upper valley. There were several rises, and a mosquito-type insect was coming off. I tried several dry flies and finally caught one fish on the Dunn’s Dunn. The fish were not as active as the day before, so Dick and I moved to an upstream beaver pond where we had seen several rises the afternoon before. Kay had already fished it and caught 4 fish. Fish were rising like crazy, but I managed to catch only one brookie. These mountain streams are great and I must fish them more.
WATER CONDITIONS: Normal
LOCATIONS FISHED: Crazy Woman Creek in Crazy Woman Canyon, and North Fork Crazy Woman Creek at Crazy Woman Campground, BIG HORN MOUNTAINS
FLIES USED: #12 Half Back, #12 Hopper, #20 Dunn’s Dun
ROD USED: 7’9” 2 wt Winston
HATCHES: None
OTHER: Fished with Kay and Dick. After lunch, we descended about 3,000 feet into Crazy Woman Canyon and fished Crazy Woman Creek. Crazy Woman Creek in this location flows within the forest and has huge boulders with alternative riffles and pools which are about the size of a large picnic table. First three casts yielded three brookies, with the largest being about 9 inches. Ended up catching 8-10 fish in about an hour, most on the Half Back. I wanted to try the more open North Fork of Crazy Woman Creek higher up, so we ascended back to the upper valley. There were several rises, and a mosquito-type insect was coming off. I tried several dry flies and finally caught one fish on the Dunn’s Dunn. The fish were not as active as the day before, so Dick and I moved to an upstream beaver pond where we had seen several rises the afternoon before. Kay had already fished it and caught 4 fish. Fish were rising like crazy, but I managed to catch only one brookie. These mountain streams are great and I must fish them more.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
North Fork Clear Creek and Crazy Woman Creek, WY
WEATHER: Clear, Low 70s
WATER CONDITIONS: Normal
LOCATIONS FISHED: North Fork Clear Creek near North Fork Campground and Crazy Woman Creek at Crazy Woman Campground, BIG HORN MOUNTAINS
FLIES USED: #12 Half Back, #12 Hopper, Big Ugly
ROD USED: 7’9” 2 wt Winston
HATCHES: None
OTHER: Fished with Kay and Dick. After lunch, we drove up into the Big Horn Mountains looking for likely places to fish. Found a great little creek, North Fork of Clear Creek, and fished it beginning with a small hopper switching to other dry flies. Caught 4 fish, including rainbows and brookies. Drove higher up into the mountains and found Crazy Woman Creek in a nice valley, about 8,500 feet, with several beaver dams. Not as much cover as is on the forested creeks. Managed to catch only 2 fish, and missed 10. Will fish it again tomorrow.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Norfork River
WEATHER: PC, High 80s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: Quarry Park to 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges, Few Sulphurs, Few Craneflies
OTHER: Fished with Ron and John. Resort Hole fished slow, with several fish caught real quick, then a couple more slowly, then nothing. The riffle below the Resort Hole produced nothing, nor the chute below the riffle. The riffle at the head of the Long Hole produced some fish, but they were far and few between. John managed to take several there, however. The Long Hole produced well, with a number of browns taken on a slow drift. The riffle above McClellan's produced nothing. The pool between McClellan's Dock and the Catch and Release sign produced a number of fish, and Ron outfished his step pop 2 to 1, ending with a 22-inch rainbow at the Catch and Release Sign. He was using a Tan Norfork River Scud. For the day, I managed to take a couple dozen fish.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Norfork River
WEATHER: PC, High 80s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: Quarry Park to 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud, #18 Sulphur, #20 Furnace Cockleburr
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges, Sulphurs, Craneflies
OTHER: Fished with Ed. Resort Hole was FANTASTIC, with both Ed and me catching lots of fish, including at least a dozen and a half doubles. Riffle at tail of Resort Hole fished well, but not as good as previously. Long Hole fished OK on slow drift. Riffle above McClellan's was non-productive, with few fish caught. SULPHURS ARE FINISHED FOR THE SEASON. Pool from McClellan's Dock downstream was excellent, with lots of fish caught on slow drift. Riffle above island below McClellan's fished good. Water came up as we began fishing Mill Dam Eddy. This was a great day with many fish caught.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Norfork River
WEATHER: PC, High 80s
WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units
LOCATIONS FISHED: Quarry Park to 2nd Island above Ackerman/Handicap Access
FLIES USED: #14 Gray Norfork Scud, #18 Sulphur, #20 Furnace Cockleburr
ROD USED: 10 ft 4 wt Winston
HATCHES: Midges, Sulphurs, Craneflies
OTHER: Fished with Ed. Resort Hole was slow, but both of us caught fish. Long Hole was good, with several fish caught on a slow drift. Riffle above McClellan's was good with Sulphurs, but a guide and client had been there all morning; consequently, the fish were wary. Pool from McClellan's Dock downstream was excellent, with lots of fish caught on slow drift. Riffle above island below McClellan's fished pretty good, with Sulphurs coming off. Some "old" yahoo from Texas drifted downstream in a double pontoon and anchored immediately adjacent to us. We were tolerant and did not say anything. People are so rude!
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