The Desert Fly Angler

March 1 2011 Opener

2011-02-23T13:02:00.000-08:00

Well it's right around the corner and it was looking like it might turn out to be a good one. I drove by Lenore Monday and it had open water at the south and north end and looked real good. Several of the Pothole lakes are at this time ice free."But" that was before the weather forecast said we were going to get down into the teens or even single digits. That could push us out a few days, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
We have been able to get out a couple times in the last week and it has been real nice to see the blue skies and feel the sun on our faces.
We fished Roosevelt on Monday and it was slow going. I also got out to Rocky Ford on Thursday and had great fishing. It was a bit on the windy and cool side and just a few midges hatching. I choose to ignore the little buggers and fished a couple of the old stand byes for the Ford. The apricot supreme egg pattern was by far the best but the olive mini leech took fish as well.
I have started to book Back To The Wall ( Isaaks ) for the spring season and it is starting to book quickly so you better get on the phone and get a date. It should be a great season with some real monsters to be caught. There were several Rainbows in the 9-11 pound range caught last year. We had open water all winter and that bodes very well for the fishing this year and we will still have the big guys around. Thanks to the new owners are in order . They pumped water all winter to keep some of the water open. They are really trying hard to continue to make this one of the best trout fisheries anywhere in the world. There are some good possibility's this year and we are keeping our eyes on them. A stop at the store to chat with us about these fisheries might be in order. Stop in and pick up some flies . Take a look at your leader and tippet supplies while you are here. They are very likely on the low side .

There should be some great surprises for anglers this year in the Columbia Basin.
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Best Fishes
Darc

Fly Tying Time

2011-01-20T14:37:00.000-08:00

Hello All,

It is past time to start tying for spring. I for some reason have the bug to tye bugs. I tye a lot of flies thru the year (3000-5000) and still get caught up in spring tying. Its just a great way to start looking forward to the coming season. I start to make plans on where to I will fish and dream about places that I probably won't get to this year either. Yesterday it was Carp Flies and I swear the sun was out and it was 85 degrees the beer was cold and the fish were tailing. Well it didn't last long but it was a nice trip down memory lane. Today it's chironomids. I have some new multi colored beads on the shelf and I thought those would look good on a midge pattern so I tyed up six of them and I think they are going to fish well. I also used scud back on them and it is so nice to work with. Add a nice fine red wire rib, a little peacock herl and some poly yarn gills and you have a sexy pupa that I bet will rock. Here is a little tip or two for fishing chironomids. When fishing with an indicator clip your forceps to the fly and lower them to the bottom so you know exactly what depth you are in. Then lift your line up a couple feet and attach your deep water indicator.You might want to take into account that there may be some weed growth so shorten up a bit if you think that is the case. Fishing lava patterns near the bottom will bring you more success. Pupa patterns might fish better at one depth than another so experiment.As the water warms up in late spring or summer, lakes develop a themocline and the fish are the most comfortable on that band of water. What ever that depth might be, so if you are slowly retrieving your pupa thru the water column and hit a fish, reel in your slack and strip the fish in being carefull not to let line come off the reel. When the fish has been landed you will know if you cast the lenth of line you have stripped in you will be at the same depth that the fish ate at. That depth very well may be at the themocline and if so there will be more fish at that level. I like to tie a little bit of tippit to my fly line to mark that depth or lenth of line.

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2011-01-20T14:03:00.000-08:00

Winter Fishing

2010-11-26T10:55:00.000-08:00

Well , this is the time of year when the weather can seperate the men from the boys. Earlier this week the temps were down to 15% below zero and the wind was blowing so the wind chill was somewhere south of that. I came down to the store hoping that someone going to Rocky Ford would come in so I could call him a D.A. Sure enough it happened and I thought, wow that used to be me. I'm now one of those guys that is perfectly happy being one of the boys.
However, I'm in the store today and it is cloudy and 27 degrees without a breath of wind and the BWO hatch is going nuts. It would be very nice to be out there catching nice trout on little dry flies the day after Thanksgiving. I have said it before and will say it again we are so lucky to have all the fantastic fishing we have. Back to Rocky Ford when I say nice trout I mean nice trout. A twenty inch fish won't even raise an eyebrow. Do you know how crazy that would sound to most fishers in the US as well as most other countries? I frequently hear people say oh why would I want to go out to Lenore and catch those old boots? Well folks, for those of you that don't know about Lake Lenore those old boots are 16 to 30 inch Cutthroats. And some would say why would I want to go fish a ditch in the middle of the desert? Well that ditch is a natural Spring Creek that grows huge Rainbow Trout. I'm not in the business of trying to change a few peoples minds about any of that. It just means there is more room for people that do want to fish. I'll just let those that don't care if they fish or not or people that are so spoiled they don't know how rare a 25 inch trout is go right on thinking that.
Right now our fishing possibilities are a little limited but not so much that you can't go out and have world class fishing.
You could go down to the Main Stem Columbia and have a great chance of hooking a Steelhead on a fly. Or you could head over to the Methow and hook several in one day. Yea several Steelhead in one day. It's not going to happen every time but it does happen. In January last year with 36 % water temps I had seven Steelhead up to Dry Flies. That folks is good fishing. Or you could go out to the Ford and get them on dries. I wonder if I could get some one to watch the store for me I think I need to go fishing.
Darc

What A Great Fishing Summer

2010-08-11T10:34:00.000-07:00

This has been one of the coolest summers that I can remember. And the fishing has held up very well. Rocky Ford is fishing extremely well. This is the best time of the year to get them up on top. Grimes has been off the charts at times and we have had some great fishing. It is open untill the end of the month. The fishing in the Basin is going to get better and better as the water cools down. The Carp fishing is starting to wind down in some places but doing well in others. It has been a good season but a little on the short side with the cool water temps. We will start fishing Back To The Wall (Isaaks) Sept. 11 and it is expected to be very good. I still have some openings but call soon if you want to get in this fall. Biggest rainbow this spring was 31 1/2 inches with several in the 28 to 30 inch range. Fall is the best time for Browns and Tigers to show up
in any of the lakes that have them including BTTW. We should see some great fish. If you havn't heard the steelhead counts coming up the Columbia are better than last year, thats right BETTER than last year.

July First With A High Temperture Of 72

2010-07-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

Hello Fellow Anglers,
Thats right it is going to be in the low seventies for the next few days. What that means to us is continued good fishing.
Right now we have several good oportunities. Park Lake, Grimes Lake, Rocky Ford, Stan Coffin, Evergreen, and Banks come to mind.
In the lakes you will have the best fishing in the mornings and evenings but on the cooler days it should extend into mid day. The Bass and other warm water species on Banks, Stan Coffin and Evergreen are really getting going and it is a blast to get your small rod out and play with the Blue Gills that think they are three times bigger that they are.
We got to go up to Grimes and fish it on Monday the 28 th and had good fishing. There was a lot of floating aquatic growth that made the fishing some what difficult but that comes and goes. The next time we are up there it could be perfect you just never know. Bottom line is we caught enough fish to keep us busy.
Rock Ford is fishing great with a lot of different hatches going on. We are getting into the best dry fishing that we have here. There are very few people fishing it so you can have a lot of water to your self.
Carp fishing is rocking. If you have been wanting to get a guide and learn how to Carp fish this is the time to do it. I'm booking now! I had a client out on Monday and he hooked 10 and landed 5 before the clouds came in and ended our fishing. The biggest fish was about 16 pounds the smallest was about 10.

Summer Is Late Getting Here

2010-06-17T11:45:00.000-07:00

We are having an extended spring here in the Columbia Basin and that means the lake fishing is holding up very well. There is a lot of opportunity out there for the fly fisher. Dry Falls is still fishing well and as we get into the next couple of weeks the fishing will be best in the morning and evening and on cloudy cool days the lakes will fish thru the day.
Grimes Lake is another one to hit. I have gotten lots of very good reports and it is on my hit list. It will fish thru the season ( June, July, August )Another sleeper that is off most peoples radar is Park Lake. In the morning and evening the fish are often on the top eating emergers.
Rocky Ford continues to be the consistant fishery that it always is. There are lots of different hatches right now and it is a blast to fish .
The Bass and Panfishing is also going very well. A good place to start would be Stan Coffin. It has Blue Gill, Crappie and Bass and is a lot of fun.
And last but not least is the Carp fishing. It is time to get out after them. We have been going since late March and had a little luck but last week end it rocked. I love Carp standing on there tails feeding. Its a wonderful time.

Spring is here

2010-03-26T15:04:00.000-07:00

The fishing got off to a little faster start for the March 1 opener than in the last several years. The last couple of years there has still been some ice on Lenore and this year it was long gone. We had reports and saw pictures of some very big fish. If you are there when the pods of fish come into the shallows the fishing can be nothing short of spectacular. If the pods are not there you are in for a wait untill they do. The flies of choice are chironomids but bugger and leech paterns will take fish now and then.
Rocky Ford has been very good at times. The fish are starting to look up a little bit and you can take them on dries. The mayflies are starting to hatch and that is a lot of fun. We have some killer dries and emergers for these hatches.
Quail lake has been fishing well and isn't getting the pressure that Lenice is getting. The Double Dipper chironomid is a good choice for a start but you should have several different sizes and colors as the fish at Quail can be very selective.
Coffee Pot Lake has been very good as well and deserves a look. It is a very rich lake and has some of the best hatches of chironomids that I have ever seen.
Dry Falls opens on the first of April and I expect it to fish well this spring.
Back To The Wall (Formaly Isaaks )opens its season this week end and it is going to be off the charts. We test fished last weekend and the fish were big, real big. It is going to be a great season and I'm really excited about it. There are still some spots left so if you want to fish it this season call me and book now before they are gone.
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March 1 Opener

2010-03-02T16:56:00.000-08:00

Well it is here. It has been long in coming this year because of the warm weather we have had for the last several weeks. The ice is off all the lakes that opened the first of march. Most have finished turning over and the are in good shape. The water is still cold but not near as cold as a normal year. The hatches are in progress and the fishing will get better by the day. Rocky Ford continues to fish very well a long with several of the other lakes in ther area. We are just starting to get reports and will be on the water soon and hope to have good news on our results. This is a very exciting time of year and things happen fast so watch here or call or stop in for last minute updates on what is fishing well.

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There is great fishing to be had

2010-01-28T18:14:00.000-08:00

Well folks if you are not getting out on the water and wetting a line you are missing out big time. This is the most mild weather I can ever remember for this time of year. It has been in the mid 40's for two weeks and the fish are responding to the fly like it is spring. There are several places that a person can go and expect to have good fishing. Lake Roosevelt has been fishing very well. Rocky Ford is very consistant and putting out some big fish. The Wenatchee , Methow, and Mainstem of the Columbia are all putting out some fish. We have been Steelhead fishing the last two week ends and have had fishing that is good to awesome. Folks I can't tell you how lucky we are to have the opportunities that abound in this area of the world. I tell people that I talk to in my travels that I can have world class fishing with in an hour and a half of Ephrata 365 days a year and that people is not an exageration

Darc

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A Great Day Fishing

2010-01-14T16:33:00.000-08:00

We finally got to go fishing. It has been hard to get away from the work that seems to pile up after taking a vacation but we made it.
I decided to start my day at Rocky Ford and got there well before there was enough light to tie on my fly or see an indicater. So I waited untill I couldn't wait any longer and headed to an area that I like to fish and by the time I got there it was light enough to get the tippet through the eye of the fly. There was no wind and the temperature was very comfortable. I knew this was going to be a fun morning and I was right. The first or second cast and the indicator went down. (NICE) Fish on and fish off. Well I won't bore you with a blow by blow details but the indicator went down a lot. My landing percentage was about half of the fish I hooked. Not my best average but good enough.What great fun.I just love when I hit it just right.The fish were on, I couldn't help but notice that the fish were looking up as almost every time I moved my indicator the fish would eat it or swirl at it. I know a big dry would have taken fish for the first half hour or so, but I had a hard time tying that fly on and wasn't going to start over. Maybe next time. The right color of egg pattern and the mini leech were working just fine.
From their Janine and I decided to run up to Back To Wall ( Isaaks Ranch) and see how things were looking for spring. Great news, lots of open water and it looks like we have had a very mild winter up there. The fish in the lower lake were cruising in pods over top of the weed beds in very shallow water and were ultra spooky. When we would make a cast they would wake out of there and come right back and eat the Jim Beam like they had been looking for it all day. The fish are fat and long and strong.They are in awesome shape. It is going to be a great spring . Hope you can get out and enjoy the fishing that can be had at this time of year.
Darc

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Happy Holidays

2009-12-30T13:57:00.000-08:00

Hope all have had a great holiday season. We have spent the holidays with family and friends and it has been wonderful.
I've not been on the water enough but have plans to change that very soon. I always try to get out to Rocky Ford on or around New Years day. It's nice to get that first fish of the season early in the year. I can't help but think it's great way to start the year, no matter how cold it is. I know that the fish will be willing to eat my humble offerings.
Don't forget that the fish at the Ford don't really care for bright sun. It is probably warmer with some cloud cover any way. It always seems easier to go out when the sun is out but that is not your best chance of catching. Having said that the best time to go fishing is when you can. Check back soon and I'll have a report on my new year outing.

Darc

Winter is here and yes there are still fish to be caught

2009-12-08T14:42:00.000-08:00

Well, It has been too long since I posted a report . I will try to do better from now on. In my defense , I have been on Christmas Island for three weeks and internet there is possible but far from easy, IF my mind would have been on my responsibilities at home.

We had great fishing for Bonefish, Trevaly, Trigger Fish and others . The fishing was just like last year and I am ready to reserve two weeks for next year. Its really hard to beat 86 degree air temps and 70 degree water temps in November. This is a incredible get away just before winter sets in. The water at Xmass Island is surreal in color and has endless flats that you just can’t imagine unless you go and see it for yourself. I tried to explain it to some of my guests before we went and told them I just can’t do it justice with words, you have to experience it for yourself. After getting there, and seeing it they all agreed. If you are interested in this trip give me a shout to see if I have room.

Closer to home the fishing is good to great. Rocky Ford has been very consistent with very little pressure for this time of year. If you brave the cold you could be in for quite a treat. The fish are taking heavily weighted scuds, small olive leeches, egg patterns in the right color, even some BWO’s on the cloudy days. Rufus Woods and Roosevelt are both putting out fish now and will get better as we roll thru the winter months. Try fishing streamers around the points, bays and sunken islands.

The Steelhead can still be found and caught in several places. The main stem of the Columbia is a good bet. Also keep your eyes on the Wenatchee and Methow. If they are ice free you can have very good fishing with a lot less pressure than earlier in the season.

Hope you all get out and enjoy this crisp sunny weather and catch a fish or two.

2009-12-08T14:39:00.001-08:00

Too Many Choices

2009-09-21T16:41:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year and sometimes wish September and October lasted all year. There are so many things to do and the weather is about as nice as I could ask for. When I ask myself where should I go fishing I have a hard time deciding. I have waters that are 10-25 minutes away like Rocky Ford or I wonder how Lenice or Nunnaly are fishing. I bet their rocking and boy are those fish going to be big. Or maybe a nice hike down into Dusty. The fish there are going to be very nice too. Any of the lakes in the local area could be having a water boatman migration and that is one of my favorites. Regardless of what is happening I know that the fish will be eating like crazy getting ready for their long winter. I wonder if the mayflies are hatching at lenore and if the fish are on them. What am I talking about I know the bugs are hatching but are there fish feeding on them. Lenore has been having a tough time and the numbers of fish seem to be down to me, but that means the fish that are there will be very big.How many places can you have a good chance at catching a Cutthroat that might go 28 inches or even 31 inches like my fishing partner caught this spring. Or maybe I should go and see if Dry Falls is as good as it has been the last couple falls. The water looked pretty low when I stopped last week but I bet I could get in with a little slogging. How about Steelhead, They are opening the season in the Ringold area early as in tomorrow because of the great numbers of fish returning this year.What is a fisher with limited time supposed to do flip a coin or draw straws? One thing I do know is I have a lot of dates booked on Back To The Wall(Formaly Isaaks) and we are going to have a awesome fall. We fished it last week end and it was pretty darn good. The fish are in great shape and it will just get better as the water cools. Well where ever you decide to go fishing, enjoy the great opportunities we have here in the Columbia Basin. Stop by on your way and see where we decided to go and what we found.

Water is cooling off and the fishing is heating up.

2009-09-08T15:36:00.000-07:00

It's fall in the Columbia Basin again . This is a special time to be on the water because the water temps are cooling down and the fish are starting to feel the urgent need to put on the feed bag and get ready for the winter months. The next two months are my favorite time to be on the water because of more than just the great fishing. This weather is about all a fisher could ask for. It is cool in the mornings and very comfortable during the day. The trees are starting to turn color and wildlife is out and about.

Chopaka and Blue Lake up north are fishing well now. Local lakes will get better and better with the cool nights. Some to pay attention too are Dry Falls, Lenice. Nunnaly, and Beda. Rocky Ford is on the weedy side but fishing very well. This is the time that the hoppers and beetles work well and it is great fun to get them up on top. The Steelhead run heading to the upper Columbia is looking awesome and we should be in for some incredible fishing this this fall.