First Big Fish of the Year

DATE: Friday, 2/11/2005

TIME: 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM

WEATHER: Low 60s, partly cloudy, moderate winds

WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units

LOCATIONS FISHED: Norfork River, top of 2^nd island above Ackerman/Handicap Access HATCH: Significant midge hatch

ROD USED: Unknown

FLIES USED: #14 weighted wine San Juan worm, #20 pearl beaded white/black zebra midge with white zelon tail; #14 olive Norfork River scud

OTHER: It was great to be back on the water as I haven't fished since January 4. River levels finally dropped enough to wade on Thursday, February 10 about 4:00 pm. Generation began today at 6:00 AM and tapered off about 11:00 AM. The river began rising again at 3:00 PM. I caught 5 fish today, including one rainbow that would go at least 19 inches. I caught another rainbow that was about 16 inches, football shaped and heavy, and circled tightly when I was bringing it in. The fish looked odd—maybe whirling disease? All the other fish were 12+ inches.

A Beautiful Little Brookie

DATE: Tuesday, 1/4/2005

TIME: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

WEATHER: Mid-60s, partly cloudy

WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units

LOCATIONS FISHED: Norfork River, below Ackerman/Handicap Access

HATCH: Significant midge hatch; crane flies were on the water surface and in the air, and possibly some caddis were hatching. Fish were rising to hatches.

ROD USED: Unknown

FLIES USED: #18 olive Norfork River scud dropping a #26 pear beaded black midge, #20 Griffith’s Gnat

OTHER: I fished with Wayne and Harold. I caught two fish—a rainbow and a brook trout—at the Buffalo Horns (near Tony Austin's). The brookie took a #20 Griffith's Gnat; it was only about 8 inches long, but the most beautiful colored fish I have caught in several years. Fishing has been real slow since late November.

New Year’s Day

DATE: Saturday, 1/1/2005

TIME: 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM

WEATHER: Mid-60s, partly cloudy

WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units

LOCATIONS FISHED: Norfork River, below Ackerman/Handicap Access

HATCH: None

ROD USED: Unknown

FLIES USED: #18 olive Norfork River scud dropping a #26 pear beaded black midge, #20 Griffith’s Gnat

OTHER: I fished with Wayne. I caught four fish, broke off one, and missed three. I caught one below the access, but above the riffle on #18 olive scud, one at the tail out of the first riffle on the midge pupa, one near the Buffalo Horns (in front of Tony Austin's) on #16 olive scud, and one in front of the new BIG house using #16 olive scud. The river was crowded at first, but no one, except Wayne, was catching fish, so most left by 11:00 AM. The riffles at the River Ridge Inn are really nice. All the water held lots of fish, but they were real spooky. It was great having peace and quiet on the river after so many kids visiting! What a way to begin the new year.

Christmas Day Fishing with Dry Flies

DATE: Saturday, 12/25/2004

TIME: 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM

WEATHER: Mid-30's, partly cloudy

WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units

LOCATIONS FISHED: Norfork River, Mill Dam Eddy and at Ol’ Charlie's

HATCH: Midges

ROD USED: Unknown

FLIES USED: #20 Dunn's Dun, #20 Griffith's gnat

OTHER: I fished with Kay and Karyn, catching one at Mill Dam Eddy where water pours off towards left descending bank. Karyn did not have a strike, so we moved to Ol’ Charlie's. She did real well on #20 Griffith's gnat, catching about 6 and missing at least 8. She had trouble, at first, detecting the take, but soon was in the real swing of things. Fish were hitting the Griffith's gnat greased on top, and also striking the fly during the swing. Low temperature was 9 degrees at sunrise.

It’s Cold Out Here

DATE: Friday, 12/24/2004

TIME: 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM

WEATHER: Mid-20's, sunny

WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units

LOCATIONS FISHED: Norfork River, Ol’ Charlie's

HATCH: Midges

ROD USED: Unknown

FLIES USED: #20 Dunn's Dun, #20 blue winged olive

OTHER: I fished with Wayne. It was brutally cold, and low temperature was 4 degrees at sunrise.

A Cold Day in December

DATE: Thursday, 12/23/2004

TIME: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

WEATHER: Mid-20's, partly cloudy

WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units

LOCATIONS FISHED: Norfork River, riffle at top of 2^nd island above Ackerman/Handicap Access, Ol’ Charlie's

HATCH: Midges

ROD USED: Unknown

FLIES USED: One fish was caught on a San Juan worm, two fish were caught on #16 olive-gray scuds, and three were caught on #20 Dunn's Dun

OTHER: I fished with Karyn. She did real well to be so inexperienced, and plays fish very well. It was brutally cold, and low temperature was 4 degrees at sunrise.

Ron’s First Day Fly Fishing

DATE: Saturday, 12/18/2004

TIME: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

WEATHER: Mid-40's, partly cloudy, windy

WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units

LOCATIONS FISHED: Norfork River, McClellan’s

HATCH: None

ROD USED: Unknown

FLIES USED: Salmon-colored egg pattern, olive-gray humpback scud

OTHER: "Guided" Ron and his girlfriend, Beverly. It was the first time either had fly fished, and each caught 3 to 4 fish. Fish were small, mostly cutthroats and rainbows. Surprisingly, few other fishers were on the river. We fished Ace in the Hole, and right hand chute just above it. We did not see many rising fish, and no hatches.