Fishing with Bitterness

Burt with a hefty and battle tested Oahe Bow

My name is Buddy Seiner, and I'm an elitist.

The first step in the recovery process from being an elitist (AKA - Head up your ass syndrome) is by admitting there is a problem.  I found out today, that I have one.

It was 65 degrees in Pierre today.  After enjoying most of the day, and doing a few projects, I decided to head to the marina to chase rainbows (if the pike would let me).  Fellow fly enthusiast and Golden Bone pro staff member, Jason Burt, agreed to join.  While many trips were taken throughout the winter months, only northern and musky have come to hand for me in 2015.  We were optimistic that today would be a good day for rainbows.

The day was made when I stepped into the water.  Bald eagles were calling from their cottonwood perches, Canada geese flew in perfect fighter jet formations overhead, while fat black midges clumsily glided through my personal space over, and over again.  I could have very well stood in the water without a rod and still enjoyed that moment in time.  It was beautiful.  And it was about to get better...

"FISH ON!!"

Burt's first Bow in Oahe Marina

I heard Burt yell from across the marina.  My first thought, "Please don't be a northern, please don't be a northern".  *SPLASH* A green back erupted from the water, thrashing as a big rainbow does when hooked in the top lip.  I started into long, wader-laden strides, toward the fight.  This was a special moment for Burt...His first Oahe marina rainbow.  A few photos were followed by accolades and excitement.  Burt experienced all the symptoms that came along with my first, and most recent, marina rainbow.  Excessive excitement, shaking, huge, shit-eating grin, more shaking, and anticipation!  It was fun to be a part of it.  Not long after, Burt hooked into another football shaped fish, and we started the process all over again.  **FIST BUMP**

Now, it wasn't long after that second fish that my problem reared it's ugly head.  Somewhere in between fish 1 and fish 2 some anglers staked a claim on the opposite shore where the ice had cleared.  "That's a great spot," I told Burt.  I've fished alongside bait guys many times in that marina, and it usually ends in them asking me what I'm using to catch fish.  I know anglers experience great success when using live bait for these big rainbows.  We all know that Rainbow doesn't want to be fed, Rainbow wants to hunt.  Still, I had never personally witnessed live bait anglers land a toad rainbow (technical term) in the marina...  Until today.

After Burt released his second fish, I waddled over to my spot to proceed with what I call fly-casting. Soon, I noticed one of the guys hauling in a big, fat rainbow.  My heart sank.  "No!" I thought as they tossed it on the ice heave.  Then the other guy landed one.  Bitterness entered my heart.

How, on a day like today, could I be bitter about anything?  I commented to Burt, "For some reason, that really bums me out."

Burt reminded me that if it were a walleye or a catfish, we wouldn't give it a second thought.  He's right.  And I completely understood.  So why did it not remove the bitterness?  Why was I still upset that those anglers on the opposite shoreline had bucketed two beautiful rainbows?  Am I becoming an elitist of catch and release?  Was I becoming a, *GULP*, fly fishing SNOB??

Step two in the recovery process is proper reflection.  After having some time to reflect, I feel I've determined the root of my elitist evening mentality:

1 -  There are very few places in South Dakota where this experience can be had.  These big fish don't come along every day.  Yes, we are catching rainbows, a very prominent resource in our state, but they are catching fish that have already beat the odds.  These fish that have come from an unnatural hatchery setting, been thrown to the wolves of the wild, and survived.  And then they stumble across a hapless minnow twitching on the end of a crappie rig.  Well...  Rainbows are placed in the South Dakota great lakes because they would not be there otherwise.  They are placed here for the enjoyment of anglers (both in fight and table-fare).  Their size has nothing to do with the reason they are there.

2 -  It shouldn't be that easy.  For some reason, the idea of these guys tossing out some bait and hauling in what holds on made the work that I put in to catching fish seem less meaningful.  This is complete bull-shit as you can already tell, but I'll write more about why to make myself feel better.  I have caught more fish via fly than I could have imagined.  Essentially, I'm creating a very realistic food source imitation and presenting it in a very appetizing way.  Who is cheating here?  I was intrigued by fly-fishing because of the challenge it offers.  Yes, there are still challenges that exist, but I can more easily overcome them with the fly.  I almost always have the advantage.

3 -  This resource might not be around forever.  We need to preserve it so future residents (mainly myself in the future) can catch bigger fish.  This is so selfish!  Again, Jason was my voice of reason here.  This resource was put here for all anglers to enjoy.  If some want to enjoy it on the dinner table, why shouldn't they do that?  It's like my brain abandoned every bit of skilled dialog training and fishing zen I've received and was switched to negative scenario auto pilot.  What if they discontinue the stocking program and they completely wipe out the rainbow fishery?  What if they chop up that fish and leave it in the freezer for 3 years?  Bladdy, bladdy, blah.

January Marina Musky

4 -  I wasn't catching anything.  For the first time this year, I had zero takes.  Not even my good pals the northerns were showing my fly any love.  I am supposed to be out-fishing the bait anglers, right?  This is a competition, right?  This is proving my worth as an angler, right?  Wow...so wrong.  I've said many times that I could die any day completely content with the number of fish (and their size) that I've  caught over the years.  I should have been pumped, not only for Jason, but that two other anglers got a chance to experience the rush of a rainbow.  It's a great feeling.  

The last step in my recovery process is acceptance.  Yes, I had a weak moment.  It happens, and might happen again.  I know I'm not an elitist.  My progression as an angler is my own, and not that of any other.  I love fishing, and will always share a common bond with anglers of all specializations.  I'll be out on the water again tomorrow.  If live bait should win the day, maybe I'll wander over to their side of the marina...to ask them what they're using.  

Shivering Observations

I arrive to the spot where I've parked many times before.  The dock had been removed with the arrival of cold weather and rested on the deserted marina shoreline.  A dozen redhead ducks began to paddle away while honkers called out from the far shore.  Pheasants and squirrels searched through the grasses on the north side while bald eagles observed from the many tall cottonwoods that envelope the winter fishing hole.  This is the spot.

The 25 degree temps and northeast wind had deterred all but the bird watchers who occasionally cruised the area for a view of the winter eagles.  Lucy and I had the fishing to ourselves. The cold weather brings grumbles from those still in town.  "This is January weather," they say. "It's too cold to be fishing," they gripe.  Not everyone complains about the cold temps.  Ice fishers ready their augers and ice rods for an equal chance at putting some meaty fish in the freezer.  I welcome the cold temps with open arms because,  in Pierre, it means the beginning of winter fly fishing.

Rainbow trout are released in the marina each spring.  For a few weeks, hatchery trout are taken by fishing enthusiast, fish, bird and mink.  The few that survive their short time in Oahe marina join the Missouri River ecosystem, and begin to grow.  Each winter, they find their way back to the marina, and stay until temps increase again in the spring.  Ice will often prevent any fishing during the late winter months, so early on is my chance to get a shot at these rainbows who have gotten fat off of Missouri River smelt, shad, crayfish, and aquatic insects.  They are big!

Spring ice out is when most fly anglers will seek out these nomadic bows.  Catch rates will be higher, and temps more tolerable.  Winter is for the extreme.  For those who are content with the possibility of not catching a fish.  Or...for the dedicated anglers who are able to brave the conditions long enough to land a monster bow.  As I stood in the frigid water a bald eagle glided slowly overhead.  It's difficult to stay focused when so much is going on around you.  I lackadaisically presented my kreelex to the depths as a vehicle approached.  They parked on the opposite shoreline and began to ready their equipment... they were fly anglers.  They had a pop-up camper, so I assumed they were visitors who were obviously aware of the opportunity that existed here.  The two began to cast, large nymphs if I had to guess.  It wasn't long after they arrived that I hooked into a nice rainbow.  The fight was intense and powerful.  Her first run took every bit of stripped line before she crashed to the surface in an attempt to throw the embedded kreelex.  Shaped like an american football and all the colors of a wild rainbow.  The aggressive take, fight, and release all made managing the cold a treat.

Not long after the two visitors arrived (20 minutes or so) they decided to depart.  They had taken a break a bit before, so the cold was apparently taking its toll.  A bit later a pickup had arrived.  A man wandered down to waters edge with a spinning reel, made a half dozen casts or so, and called it a day.  I had been fishing for about 2 hours, landed one and lost two others (which sometimes happens).  This prompted me to consider the necessary adjustments for winter fishing in the marina.

Yes, proper gear is essential.  The most significant upgrade a winter fishing enthusiast can make, in my opinion, is to switch to a neoprene style glove.  My love for Glacier Gloves is no secret.  They make a difference for me and allow me to spend much more time on the water than I would be able to otherwise.   Outside of the other obvious essentials, the biggest need for winter fishing enthusiasts pursuing rainbows in the marina is to dedicate the time.  There have been days when I will catch a fish on the first cast.  There have also been days when I've spent an hour on the water before feeling the tug of a hungry rainbow.  Either way, I dedicate at least an hour each time I make the trip, and am prepared for the winter conditions that exist.  Do that, and you too may catch fish like this on you next outing.  They're in there!  

Fishing on the Big Screen...

A friend and I were catching carp the other day when he quoted one of our favorite fishing movies.   It got me thinking about the great fishing movies that I've seen.  I can't say that I've seen many.  Here are my top five.  I know there are some that didn't make the cut, but this is a top five.  If you have others that are a must-see, please comment.  I need to broaden my fishing movie horizons.

#1 - Grumpy Old Men:  Not only is this one of the greatest fishing movies of all time, it is one of the great "one line" sources of all time.  So many one liners, in fact, that there is an IMDb page dedicated to quotes from the flick.  I really need to watch this movie again.  

#2 - Grumpier Old Men:  Sequals usually suck, but this movie carries on right where they left off.  Hilarity ensues.  

#3 - Doc of the Drakes:  This is a 20 min short film about a doctor fishing the drake hatch in Idaho.  He has Parkinson's.  Inspirational, captivating, funny and genuine.  I've yet to see the sequal, "Hit em again Doc" but I'm sure it's great too.  F3T jipped me out of catching it last year in Rapid City.  Will never go to that event again.  (Bitter!)

#4 - A River Runs Through It:  I certainly enjoyed this movie when I was younger, but don't seem to appreciate it as much now that I am a fly fishing enthusiast.  This has become a benchmark for anyone who doesn't fish to gain perspective into the lives of those who do.  That is not the most fair assessment, in my opinion.  Still a pretty good movie though.  

#5 - Where the Yellowstone Goes:  A Hunter Weeks documentary following a group of people as they drift the Yellowstone.  They discuss the history of the Yellowstone River, current challenges facing this delicate ecosystem and how we can better care for our valuable natural resources.  They meet colorful characters along the way and, of course, do a little fishing in the process.  It was fun to watch.

Next time you are sitting around the tying desk during the winter time, pop one of these in the DVD/Blu Ray.  You'll be glad you did.

The Toothier The Better

They're getting a bit bigger...

While chasing spring rainbows in the bays and marinas of Pierre, it's inevitable that you'll eventually cross paths with the toothy northern pike that occupy the river system in abundance.  Pierre (lake Oahe in particular) is knows nationally for producing some of the largest spring northerns around.  While traditional fisherman utilize quick-strike rigs, treble hooks and large chubs or shiners; the right fly has a special way of enticing northerns to take a bite.  While I've yet to venture up top (to Lake Oahe) for spring/summer Northerns on the fly, I hope to this year.  40"+ fish are commonplace, and I'm willing to guess they would be more than willing to try the fly.  Not likely they've seen it much before.  Seems to me there is going to be some unmet demand this spring.  Time to get the boat ready...

This guy took a "dying" streamer presentation

Fly Tying Tuesday: The Kreelex

Last weekend was so much fun for me.  It only accounted for three fish (and almost a few other monsters) and was thanks, in large part, to The Kreelex.  The Kreelex is a fly composed of all flash and is almost irresistible to trout.  I've tied this pattern in silver and gold for rainbows, but gold and copper work well for brownies.  Tie some of these up and go hammer some early season trout.  Great pattern in the winter as well.  Double peace!

Agony of Defeat: Promise of Tomorrow

In search of the elusive Oahe Marina Rainbow

It's not easy to accept defeat on the water when acknowledging it is typically against the rules.  I'm fine with coming off a stretch of water with no fish because: a) I've likely caught fish there a time or two before, and B) spending time on the water is more than reward enough for me.  Unless, however, I'm chasing rainbow trout in Oahe Downstream marina.

Let me go back to the beginning.  I started this blog by writing about the possibility of catching 3, 5, 7, 9 pound trout with regularity.  That's how it used to be anyway.  Now, they are somewhat few and far between, but still there.  They cruise the sanctity of the marina throughout the winter months and into early spring in search of easy prey.  Sounds like easy pickins for fly guys.  Turns out, it's not that easy for me.

Today's weather report:  33 degrees, overcast and breezy.  "Perfect," I thought.  No other fisherman will be on the water, the fish will be relatively unspookable, and I can key in on a few select presentations that should do the trick.  I ducked out at 3:30, picked up the pup and hit the marina.  As I suspected, no fisherman and perfect conditions.  This was the day I would bring a big Oahe Marina bow to hand.  So I thought.

My uncle holds a nice bow taken in the marina back in the "glory days"

For the past three years, this challenge has eluded me.  Early on, my lack of dedication to the challenge persistently decided my fate.  Only getting to the marina on one or two occasions during undesirable conditions is no way to beat these big bows.  Even when I would put in the hours, the fish performing a perfect disappearing act or my inability to find the right presentation would again leave me skunked.   It wouldn't be so bad if I hadn't heard success stories from friends and family members.  My two uncles who reminisce about the days of catching 16+ fish in a day that weighed over 3 lbs a piece.  Other fisherman, whether by fly line or spinning real, landing 9+ lb rainbows and hanging their "trophy" photos in the nearby marina store.

So there I was, Lucy and I, on our first attempt at the elusive Oahe Marina Rainbows.  While I am always optimistic and confident when it comes to fishing, I've found myself beginning to doubt my skills as a fisherman.  I've had opportunities in the past and have not capitalized.  Maybe this is just one of those fishing scenarios that I cannot master.

Sloooow strip...pause.  Sloooow strip...pause.  My wooly bugger prince nymph combo looked great in the water, now if only...WHAM!!

The weight of a cinder block welcomed my hookset as only seconds later a bright rainbow body and large green head breached the surface violently splashing from side to side.  Back under water now the big fish makes a run for deeper water before breaching the surface yet again, this time in spectacular fashion.  My heart is pounding, my mind racing.  "Just get it to hand," I thought to myself.  Almost as quickly as that thought entered my mind, the hard pull on the line was no longer and the rod became straight yet again.  "NOOOOO!" I yelled in agony as the big rainbow disappeared into the depths.  I sat on the bank to contemplate how close I had just come to accomplishing my goal before warming my frozen fingers in the truck.  Defeated yet again.  I've got to stay positive.  Tomorrow is another day.  What's the forecast for Pierre?  35 degrees, 90% chance of snow, and 20 mph winds? Perfect!

Here is a bit more of what I'm missing out on.

Big hen

Like a big football!!

Do's and Dont's: Get down deep

Deep seam bow caught on weighted san juan worm and split shot

I asked Tim what he was tying at last weeks Tuesdsay Tyers session.  "A bomb," he replied.  "I don't want to have to use split shots next time I'm trying to get down to those fish."  This heavily weighted fly consisted of a tungsten bead head, .20 lead wire and a "buggy" attire.  Whether you are using weighted flies, weighted line, or split shots, getting down to the fish is essential to catching them in deep water.

Tim was preparing flies for our upcoming trip to the Bighorn River in Montana.  The Bighorn is notorious for this requirement.  A spring trip in 2012 welcomed us with a midge hatch and rising fish.  Our best success, however, was found deep, with zebra midges and skinny nelson patterns.  Yeah, you could catch fish on soft hackle emerges and dries (certain times of the day produced very well), but your catch rate would be more consistent fishing deep.

But it meant fishing deep properly.  That meant a weighted fly and often multiple split shots were required to reach those fish with a realistic presentation.  That was your best shot for success.  This obviously depends on the season, water level, water clarity and food options available, and varying your presentation is key to finding the right amount of weight required.  Some casters will start big, getting down to the bottom as quick as possible and adjust from there.  Others with make their best guess as to how they will get close and add as necessary.  Either way, you'll be on the bottom, and that means you're going to lose flies.  You'll have to come to grips with it if you want to catch fish deep.  It's all part of the game, but you have to play to win.  You must be willing to give up a few of those flies that you worked so hard to tie up, or spent hard earned cash to purchase.  That's the only way you can beat deep water and gain the confidence to work the water properly.  You'll catch more fish and will be a more experienced fisherman because of it.  

Keeping your hands warm in the winter

Glacier Gloves (Ice Bay) aiding in the release of a winter rainbow

In my mind, its hard to argue with the claim that the winter months hold the greatest fishing opportunities around.  Cold weather concentrates the fish in many areas and limits the number of fisherman you will find on the water.  It also makes my fingers very cold!!!

Your hands are by far your most important tool while fishing.  In my case, with appendages that teeter on useless after a short period of time in the cold, a good set of gloves can make or break my winter fishing experience.  That's why I LOVE glacier gloves!!

For years I've struggled to find the glove that fit right, kept my hands warm (or warm enough to function) and were waterproof.  Fingerless gloves didn't work, the one's with the flaps were a pain in the butt, and fleece gloves just sopped up water and were uncomfortable.  That's why I made the investment into Glacier Gloves, specifically the Ice Bay and the Pro Angler series.  Both styles have allowed me to fish longer, in colder temps and catch more fish than I ever have during the winter months.  Fleece lined neoprene provides warmth and waterproofing all in one.  The foldable index finger and thumb of the Pro Anglers is great for allowing quick access without removing your gloves on the water and the durability of both styles is second to none.  I also use the Ice Bays while ice fishing.  No more wet hands for me!  Also great for protecting from rain, sleet and snow.  If you are having trouble finding the right glove for you, I'd highly recommend trying the Glacier Gloves.  One of the best investments I've ever made for fishing the winter months.

Winter Hot Spot: Golf Courses

January Rainbow in Rapid City

As I pulled into the EMPTY parking lot of Meadowbrook Golf Course in Rapid City, SD last January, I thought to myself, "This is too good to be true."  I was met by the warm embrace of the sun as I left my pickup.  A beautiful 45 degree morning in the banana belt of the Black Hills, and I'll be fishing alone.  I'd never fished the golf course, but had heard of the nice trout that call it home.

I began wandering about the cart path, checking the water as I walked.  Not in any hurry to wet a line, I was actually considering an imaginary approach shot as I came upon a covered green.  Then, I saw it.  It was beautiful.  Some fast water feeding around a bend into a deep holding area.  The perfect place for winter-time trout in Rapid Creek.

If you haven't fished golf courses in the winter time, you are missing out.  Where else can you find nearly unspookable, unpressured and uneducated (well, relatively uneducated) trout?  These fish see people all summer long, many of whom are fishing their golf balls out of Mr. Trout's back yard, and few see flies throughout the "regular season".   I'm sure there are some brave fisherman who venture out during the summer months, but very few are interested in messing with a golfers game when there are plenty of other great places to fish within city limits.  It's important to understand the rules on your local course, and make sure fishing is permitted on the premises.  The clubhouse manager might even have a few water hazards that hold warm-water species as well.  Next time you see that big rainbow feeding next to the #4 green on your home course, pay him a visit in the winter.  You'll likely be the only one knocking on his door.