The Adventures of Flybum - The Final Day

The last day of the trip had finally come and I was now standing on the piece of water that for two years had been the source of discussion about coming to Idaho with fellow SAO guide Ben Barger. I had seen photos, heard the stories, and thought it would be cool to go some day, but really wasn't serious about getting a trip on the books.

As it turned out, this was the summer for the trip and I was finally here. The story begins just a day earlier.....We were heading back to Don's place after a huge 1000+ mile sweep through Idaho and Wyoming and conversation turned to this last piece of water (left nameless on purpose).

This river is known to locals as an amazing Brown Trout fishery....but it is also known for fish that take a lot of very small offerings (18-24's). In fact, according to the guys I had spoken to, most fish that are taken on or just under the surface come on these small flies. Catching big fish on small flies is always a rush, but after talking to these guys, I was left with a nagging question. That question was do they hit hoppers....I mean, this is "out west," so they have to eat hoppers. Sure this was my first trip out west, but anyone who knows anything about big Browns out west is that you can't complete a sentence about Brown Trout without saying "hopper!" Well, that is what I thought...am I right? So the question finally came out of my mouth and I was shocked by the answer.

Upon asking the question, I got a resounding "NO." NO? Did they really just say no? I was a little taken back. Despite my shock, I have always been one to follow the ideology of when in Rome do as the Romans do. So, I quickly dismissed the hopper question and began to mentally prepare for small flies on light tippets.

Fast forward back to the following day and you'll find us cruising along the river...What a beautiful river in an awesome red rock gorge....WOW.....I was taken back by the high desert rock and flora. It was all so beautiful and truly captivated your mind and eye.

In short order, we pulled into the parking area and I opened the door. This was the next WOW moment. As I opened the door, I was hit by a wall of heat that I haven't felt in a very long time. I walked toward the back of the SUV and met Ben coming from the other side. When I looked up at him, I scowled and said, "Did you really bring me all the way out here to fish in this absolutely horrid heat? I mean really Dude, you are not serious!" I was almost angry...I mean really, it was almost 100 degrees. I'M A STEELHEADER MAN.....ha, ha.

So, after getting slapped by the heat, Ben and I both made our way down to the river. On the way down though, that nagging question about hoppers came back and hit me square between the eyes. I had just walked from the parking area down a trail 25 ft long to the rivers edge and kicked up no less than fifty grasshoppers. Seriously, can you feel my inner turmoil? Fifty hoppers in less than half the distance and my head was spinning. Two plus two was not adding up!

Nevertheless, I tied on my size 18's and headed up river to the first section of water. When I got there I was in a complete state of denial, but quickly started to fish. In short order, I was seeing some really BIG fish moving in the slot I was fishing. I watched as a few came up and took things off the surface, but they wouldn't even look at my flies. I kept watching and evaluating and watching some more. Within a few minutes I was distracted by a bunch of boisterous banter coming from a group of fisherman up river who had apparently landed a nice fish. I couldn't make out all that they were saying some 200+ yards up river, but when the wind blew just right, I thought I heard them say hopper. YEAH, there was that stinking word again. I looked up stream at Ben and said (with quite an attitude), did they just say hopper? I started fishing in a state of denial and now I was going to fish in absolute defiance of what I had been told about this place and these fish.

I immediately cut my leader and with it the small flies that these big fish apparently didn't want. I quickly grabbed for my hopper box and perused the selection with a critical eye looking for just the right one. There it was. I grabbed it, tied it on, and couldn't wait to launch it into the air. As soon as the fly box was put away, I targeted a nice fish that had been working the far bank. I put the first cast right on the money and watched as the fish moved up to take a look....my heart beat paused....OHHHH MAN I said as he nosed down. I picked up the line and put another cast right in his lane....eat sucka, eat (yes a redneck who is fluent in ebonics) I said under my breath. As the fly approached, he didn't move to take a look at it....HE SLAMMED IT! The fish came rocketing out of the water and I immediately shouted at Ben. "I thought they said they don't hit hoppers....Woohooo!" I am a fanatic at times and this was definitely one of those times.

SAO guide Patrick Robinson enjoys a nice

smile put there by a very healthy Brown Trout.

A close up of the first nice Brown landed

As quickly as the first fish came, so did many others. I added to the big hopper a nice dropper and now it was as insane as any fishing situation could be. I have never had so many fish so willing to play. I was on fire and was loving life. In fact at several times throughout the day, I had Ben laughing so hard that he couldn't keep the camera still...and it was all due to my expressions of excitement! I love days like this.

So, the obvious theory of western Browns that don't eat hoppers was now a fallacy of monumental proportions and based on my performance, Ben couldn't cut his leader fast enough. As soon as he was able to get a hopper on his line, he had huge fish 20"+ rising to his flies as well. It was a hot day that was getting hotter by the minute!

SAO guide Ben Barger with a nice Brown Trout in the net

An awesome fish comes out of the net!

Ben and I continued throughout the day switching back and forth from filming and fishing and I can tell you I would still be there if it weren't for the fact that I had to catch a flight super early the next morning. We caught tons of fish in the 20" range and some bigger. Other fish were seen that we couldn't coax into a fight, but that was ok. This day was single-handedly the best day of Brown Trouting I had ever had!

Another healthy Brown Trout brings memories to the day

I always find myself in awe at the beauty of the spots

As the clock kept ticking and reminding us of the impending departure, we fished all the harder. In fact even after saying it's time to go, we fished the way out walking and casting with each step. More fish came and went, but our smiles remained!

YOU LOOKIN' AT ME?

Smiles are exchanged on western waters!

This was one heck of a day and an awesome day to conclude the trip on. I will be back to this stretch of water, mark my words!!! Thanks for reading along with me over the past month or so as I recalled the memories from awesome western waters. I am looking forward to my next adventure and I hope you are too!

The Steelhead season is just around the corner and our bookings are as strong as ever. If you are looking to get out this fall, give us a shout. We would love to get you out and share with you the world-class water we call home. If you are interested, give us a call at 888-453-5899 or email us at team@steelheadalleyoutfitters.com.

Until next time,

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

The Adventures of Flybum - Part 8

Well, it's been a few days now and I'm in between projects, so there's no better time than now to hit the next blog. It had been a great trip up to this point and quite honestly, we found leaving the Teton a tough proposition! Nevertheless, the thought of some Fine-Spotted Cutties (Snake River Fine-Spotted Cutthroats) was enough to entice us over the beautiful Teton divide and into the Snake River valley.

This was to be our last day before starting the trip back toward home, and we were already starting to feel the pain deep in our guts. You know the pain? It's that feeling of, the last cast is coming and I don't want to go home feeling.....yeah, it was starting to creep up on us.

Regardless, we were stoked to be fishing a new piece of water for the sixth day in a row! I love high adventure, especially when it's mixed with fishing the fly!

So, after a short drive over some beautiful mountains, we finally arrived in the well known city of Jackson, Wyoming. A tourist trap of sorts, it was cool to be there even if it was only for a little while. After a short stop at one of the local fly shops, we were on our way to a tributary of the monstrous Snake River to get our last of five species on our bucket list...this time those Fine-Spots...

Upon arrival, we exploded from the vehicle like little boys headed into a candy store. The race was on to see who could get the rod out and boots in the water first. Within seconds of arrival, the first Fine-Spots were in the net. The only problem was that they were small....really small! Like 6-7" small! Things would improve....right? Tell me they will improve Ben.....Don....Don.....Bueller......Bueller.....don't just stand there guys, say something. Tell me we didn't drive all this way for 6" fish in water we know has to hold much larger. What would become of our day? That is what we didn't know.

SAO GUIDE PATRICK ROBINSON UNHOOKS A

SMALL SNAKE RIVER FINE-SPOTTED CUTTHROAT

After fishing up stream for some time in search of some larger fish, we finally hit a point of frustration. We were seeing fish, but all of them were small. About the only thing we were seeing that was rewarding was wildlife. While fishing that upper section, we had a whole herd of mountain goats come down off the mountain to water right across the river from us. That was a real treat. I had the video camera out and filmed them at length, thus no photos to show at this time. If I get around to another video, perhaps I will throw some footage in so that you can see them up close.

There was only one problem at this point, as I saw it....and that was the thrill of mountain goats wore off way to fast and we were quickly back to the realization that small trout was our reality. We had to move and fast. The day was slipping away and with it our chance at some nicer fish. So, after a streamside meeting, we mulled it over and quickly decided to pull stakes and head closer to the confluence of the river with the Snake. Luckily for us, it didn't take but a few minutes of travel and walking and our luck would change. In the lower section we were treated much better by our swimming friends and we knew at that time that we had made the right choice.

DON HOLDS A NICE FINE-SPOT AS PATRICK

ROLLS FILM FOR FUTURE FLICS.

All week, Don had a way of getting us started on the big fish in each location that we fished and this day was no different. So, thank you Don for shaking off the small fish syndrome once again. After this, it was all good!

A GORGEOUS FINE-SPOT IN THE NET

Not long after Don got us started, it was time for me to get in the game. It was now or never and never was not an option. So, I stalked up on a nice deep seam (that you can see in the background) and worked what magic I could and ended up with one of the nicest specimens of a Yellowstone Cutthroat that we had seen in the last two days.

SAO GUIDE PATRICK ROBINSON HOLDS

A NICE YELLOWSTONE CUTTHROAT

A BEAUTIFUL CUTTIE IN THE HAND IS A GREAT EXPERIENCE!

We continued to fish that location and others and continued to pull fish. Some were small but others were quality fish. Although no toads were landed, we did stick plenty of fish for the last couple of hours we were there....and for that we were thankful!

PATRICK ROBINSON HOLDS A QUALITY FINE-SPOTTED CUTTHROAT

Many nice pools were stacked one on top of the other in this stretch of river. Each hole held fish and they would take a look at most flies presented in a decent manner. However, some of the fast and turbulent water created some very challenging drifts....I love a good challenge though!

I kept stepping it up....I fished every tough lie I could find hoping for that one trophy to explode all over my offering. Unfortunately, it never happened. However, I was out west...I was fishing some amazing water with a stunning view....I was living the dream. So, I really couldn't be all that disappointed! I mean, what was there to complain about? Wading great water, casting a Helios for Fine-spotted Cutthroats....Don't worry, be happy comes to mind : )

ANOTHER NICE FINE-SPOTTED CUTTHROAT

IS BROUGHT TO HAND BEFORE THE DAYS END

SNAKE RIVER FINE-SPOTTED CUTTHROATS ARE

GORGEOUS FISH IN THEIR OWN RIGHT!

The day ended as fast as it started and soon we were headed back to eastern Idaho to prep for our last day of fishing....this time in an undisclosed location.

Next time, we will go to some high desert water loaded with TONS of HUGE Brown Trout. We hadn't had an opportunity at slob butter bellies up to this point, so we couldn't wait....but you will have to.

Until next time...

Patrick "Flybum" Robinson

Head Guide

Steelhead Alley Outfitters

Red Rock Canyon Browns

As for most of us "Steelhead junkies", the warm months can seem to drag on forever, allowing that tingling sensation in our arms to deaden until we get back out in the fall. In order to keep our minds right, we have to fill that void with some sort of fix. Whether it is pounding early season Smallies or working on our finesse casting on a private trout stream somewhere, we all need something to get us through. During my last business trip to the "potato state," (that's Idaho for all you non-potato people), I was able to get such a fix. I took the weekend off and hopped over the border into eastern Oregon's best kept secret, which will remain anonymous to protect the innocent. It's an amazing tailwater encased by an extraordinary red rock canyon, that just happens to be full of mature brown trout. This trip was even better than the last time I was here, because I was able to spend it with my great friend Don Lane (an Idaho native) and long time friend and co-worker Jeremiah White.

This was Jeremiah's first time to this river and it would prove to be a true learning experience but not without some fantastic rewards. Don is a veteran of this fishery and admits that this is the toughest local water that he fishes. The browns in this river are truly amazing in every respect, from their brilliant markings to the way they fight...and of course we can't forget their sheer size. The average brown trout caught in this river averages 18" to 19", with fish being caught in the 22" to 24" range almost daily. However, catching these "bruisers" does not come without persistance and the ability to match the hatches exactly. These fish primarily feed just below the surface during most hatches, taking your midge or emerger pattern. Although if you are able to make it here during mid to late June you may take advantage of the giant stonefly hatch. These size 4 flies turn these beauties in to absolute beasts. Here are a few of the trophies we were able to land during this trip.

The markings on these fish are nothing shy of amazing.

Varying from "spotted leopards" like this one,

to red spots with iridescent blue cheeks.

SAO Guide, John Bowling was able to get this "toad"

during an incredible mid-day BWO hatch.

Jeremiah lands his first Oregon Brown Trout

at the end of a very long day of learning.

These fish are as wise as they are beautiful and they will certainly test even the most experienced angler at times. But hang in there and rewards will be yours in time. Looking back, I'm certain that you will find the investment of time to be well worth it!

Don draws first blood of the day, he did not

waste any time either. He hooked up on this

hen with his first cast of the morning.

Another shot of this "football" specimen.

Jeremiah with another beautiful leopard spotted Brown!

As mentioned before, this river can truly test your skills. If you are unable to match the hatches perfectly, you will spend the day perfecting your casting motion. These plus size fish are fickle and most often found feeding on the smallest hatches that are coming off at the time. I have learned that it's almost impossible to fish a fly that is too small! Size 20 to 24 midges are the most dominant fly in this arena, which proves that size truly does matter.

After another successful trip I am counting down the days to when I can make it back to this picturesque canyon and feed my need for monster Browns once again!

John Bowling
Fly Fishing Specialist

Steelhead Alley Outfitters