Thursday, May 28, 2009

Salmon Flies



Snuck out last week for a couple of hours on the Henry's Fork to hopefully find some salmon fly goodness. Didn't happen, not only did I not see a single adult, flipping over rocks near the banks also proved a decided lack of nymphs. Needless to say Jon (now I am spelling his name correctly) and I hit a big goose egg. The first skunking for me in a long time.

Jon asking.... "where are the salmon flies"?


Now yesterday was a different story. The adults were everywhere! I have got to slow down on my strike reaction. Of the 30 some odd fish that decided to take a whack at my salmon fly, I only hooked 4. Of which I landed two, lost one quickly, and had another break off after a couple of minutes of fighting in a heavy current. I must have almost been at a 10:1 ratio for misses to hook ups.

Last week I remembered to take the camera but as the fish weren't on the bite I took very few pictures. Yesterday I took the camera only to discover when I went to take my first pic that the battery was completely dead................................... doh! So much for my goal of more and better pictures. A digital SLR is on the wish list. Those of you who fish with a digital SLR... what does insuring it against a swim cost? (Jay, Bryan, any one?)

The fly of the day was Robert Williamson's O2 air filled salmon fly. This thing is great! It will not sink no matter how hard you try to sink it. Unlike foam flies, spun hair flies, etc that eventually take on water and start to sink, the O2 is unsinkable. If it does go under for a minute it pops right back up to the surface. The profile on the water is great, and the fish loved it. Big smack attacks that I mostly, promptly missed. It is also indestructible. I fished 2 the whole day, only changing flies when the first was a victim of a tree. Did I mention the fish loved it? ;)

Props to Bryan G for the photo and Bushrat for the edit. This pic was "borrowed" from RAW's blog


Will be up on bear Creek in a couple of weeks,and perhaps the Teton before that but am anticipating and getting flies together for the SF mega event!

2 comments:

jabberwock said...

Scott,
I have been thinking of getting a waterproof digital, but think I want a digital slr first. Their are some depth of field, fov, and other stuff you can do with a slr that you just can't do with a p&s.

Unknown said...

Kev,

I am headed there sat & sun, looks like to Henrys' Fork. being an out o townr any recomended spots I should go hit up? i realize most all salmons flies are now moved on, but ready for whats next.
any info would gladly appreciated.

jarrodkear@msn.com