Sunday, August 12, 2007

A Jaunt Over to Some Blue Ribbon Water






Third cast, first fish of the trip. A nice way to start a fishy weekend. A nice Cutt in a creek no large than 5 feet wide and knee deep.
The Cutt was landed in a trib. near The Big Hole.


And a little taste of the Beaver Head
I love Montana.




"He has made everything beautiful in its time." Ecc 3:11

A Jaunt Continued #2

A little float down some Hopper Lovin' water. There is nothing like a middle of the day drift with trout rising to the surface for some tasty hoppers along the banks and seams. Cast, Mend, Recover baby. Many thanks to Mark for the float.



A Jaunt Continued #3

A gnarly hike up to a 'secret' high alpine lake. Elevation approx 10,000 ft. This is not the average Montana fishing trip - I wouldn't have it any other way.

5 grueling hours hike in + a few hefty Cutts + good conversation + 4 hour hike out = Priceless.

I consider myself a connoisseur of landing small trout but I definitely don't mind trout in this size range either. ;)





Notice Mark, a Patagonia comrade, with this nice one.<

Photo Shoot

This sure beats a desk job. I love what I do.





Photos by Tim Davis

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Leader Formulas by Bo Cash


This is taken by permission from Bo Cash on the Winston Forum.

All written by Bo Cash, aka the Guru of Winston and all that relates. Enjoy.


I just finished typing up a more refined series of my hand tied leaders. Give these a try:::::::::::::::::::

#############################

MAXIMA/RIO LEADER TIE FORMULAS © Table Rock Angler 2007 - “Bo” Cash

The following leader formulas have proven to turn over, out cast, and outlast any tapered leaders I’ve ever used. They were developed while experimenting with different length/diameter sections over a period of 36 years. The formulas may be varied slightly without loss of performance. On smaller streams, the shorter leaders tied with Maxima leader material are the most accurate for getting under overhanging limbs and rock structures. Maxima has the stiffness and scratch resistance that makes a perfect basic leader on which to attach chosen tippet sections. On long, flat pools and tailwaters, I use the longer formulas. The Maxima sections help to turn over the longer leaders well. I have changed to Rio for all the tippet sections. Rio has the breaking and knot strength, suppleness, and low visibility that I desire.

Unlike many leader formulas that have such short middle sections, tippets can be replaced several times on these leaders without having to replace the sections immediately next to the tippet. Some substitutions can be made. Damaged sections can be easily replaced without having to discard the whole leader. Try not to vary the sections more than .003” difference between leader sections to get proper turnover. If your leader is to be attached to a 7 weight line or larger, consider using a short 30 pound section of Maxima between the line and the 25 pound section. If your leader is to be tied to a 2 weight or less, you may want to start out with a longer 20 pound butt section instead of using 25 pound.

*Maxima leader material given in POUND TEST and unlabeled below. Rio tippet is labeled with name and “X” rating.

Tie your own leaders for performance and economy. You can tie a better leader, cheaper. Let’s go fishing !


1. 7’ – 4 X

14” 25 #
14” 20
14” 15
12” 10
12” 6
18” 4x Rio

2. 7 1/2’ – 6 X

14” 25 #
14” 20
14” 15
10” 10
10” 6
10” 4x Rio
18” 6x Rio

3. 7 1/2’ 5 X

14” 25 #
14” 20
14” 15
10” 10
10” 6
10” 4x Rio
18” 5x Rio

4. 6’ 1 X

14” 25 #
14” 20
14” 15
10” 10
10” 8
10” 6
*if using streamers larger than # 6 or heavily weighted, consider omitting the 6 # section altogether to get proper and accurate turnover.

5. 8 1/2’ – 5/6 X

14” 25 #
14” 20
14” 15
10” 10
10” 8
10” 6
12” 4x Rio
18” 5/6x Rio

6. 8 1/2’ – 4 X

16” 25 #
16” 20
16” 15
12” 10
12” 8
12” 6
18” 4x Rio

7. 9’ – 4 X

18” 25 #
18” 20
18” 15
12” 10
12” 8
12” 6
18” 4x Rio
add 5x Rio dropper tippet to dry fly


8. 9’ – 5/6 X

14” 25 #
14” 20
14” 15
12” 10
12” 8
12” 6
12” 4x Rio
18” 5/6x Rio


9. 10’ – 5/6X

18” 25 #
16” 20
16” 15
14” 10
12” 8
12” 6
12” 4x Rio
20” 5/6x Rio

10.11 1/2’ – 5/6 X

20” 25 #
19” 20
19” 15
16” 10
14” 8
14” 6
14” 4x Rio
22” 5/6x Rio

11. 12’ – 6/7 X

18” 25 #
18” 20
18” 15
16” 10
14” 8
14” 6
12” 4x Rio
12” 5x Rio
22” 6/7x Rio

12. 13’ – 6/7 X

22” 25 #
20” 20
20” 15
16” 10
14” 8
14” 6
14” 4x Rio
14” 5x Rio
22” 6/7x Rio

13. 15’ – 5/6 X

20” 25 #
20” 20
20” 15
16” 10
16” 8
20” 6
20” 4x Rio
48” 5/6x Rio

14. 3’ – HEAVY FLY

9” 30 #
9” 25
9” 20
9” 15
*when using 8 or 9 weights and heavily weighted flies over size 2, I generally drop the 15# section and go with the first three sections totaling only 27 inches. I use this leader with fast sinking sink tips (15 to 24 feet) to aggressively and rapidly jerk large weighted, saltwater type streamers from a moving driftboat. This takes place in the larger tailwater rivers of east Tennessee below TVA dams with turbines running. Some question the length and diameters. Once the predatory instinct and mood kicks into a large brown trout's head, he doesn't see the leader, only the big fly being rapidly moved. Once a solid hookup is made, the fish IS COMING to the boat. If the hookup involves a small log, it too may be brought into the boat.



# 4 = Streamer leader for # 10 – 4 size streamers
# 6 & # 7 = My favorite small stream leaders.
# 7 = Small steam leader for use with droppers tied to dry fly.
# 12 = My favorite tailwater leader for small flies over clear, still water.
# 13 = A leader designed for fishing dry flies “across and down” to drag conscious fish in large, very clear tailwater rivers.
# 14 = A special leader for # 6, 7, and 8 weights for jerking big, heavy streamers on sink tip lines.
_________________
*****************
Making friends with the Long Rod since 1957.

All I need



This is all I really need to hit the rivers:

Fly box with the assorted combo of flies,
Nippers,
A couple spools of tippet,
Small daypack with lunch, water, rain shell, sweater
Small Camera,
Hat/Visor,
Polarized Glasses,
Chacos / Wading boots,
Pliers,
Knife,
Rod,
& Reel.



Travel light, Play hard, Live simply.

Patty Weber

My mom took the hands of her Father 3 years ago to a bout with cancer. It was a blessing to spend the night at the family cabin over the wekend because it's filled with her watercolors and pictures. This place is very special to me yet this same place meant even so much more to my mom. She spent summers and winters here with her family, friends, and children throughout her life. Her favorite place was the Meadow across the river and a little downstream from the cabin. She showed me the simple joy of running through the Meadow with my hands stretched far feeling the tall grasses rush through my fingers. As children, my siblings and I gathered wildflowers and banana leaves from the Meadow to make bouqets for my mom to show our love. I would give her the most beautiful boquet of flowers right now if I could.


American River

Ahhh, yes it is good to be home.

I have been longing for some trout fishing for the past couple of months as I watched the rivers near Ventura dry to a point of despair. Getting away to spend time by myself for the weekend filled my soul. God speaks deep into my heart when I am alone with the fish far from anything resembling civilization. I am refreshed.

"Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer,
and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert." Isa 35:6




Friday, August 10, 2007

Stuffed

The beast that started it all. I grew up with this stuffed Rainbow in my bedroom throughout my childhood. It was long forgotten until last week when I visited my parents. I glanced up at the Bow and it just hit me, this was my first fish I caught back at the weee, little age of five. This pig was caught near Silver Town, Montana in a small "kid's only" pond. Imagine this: a mikey mouse pole with push button release, a can of worms, and slough of bobbers, and watching the pole fly out of my hands while my Dad running into the water to save the catch. It weighed 7lbs, not too bad for a first fish, eh?