Clouser Cures the Cabin Fever

The digital thermometer reading on the bank display board read 50 degrees.  It was almost five o' clock and I was bustin my tail to get out of there on time.  Then...the phone rang.  That's usually how it is.  It's late January, 50 degrees, and the open water is calling my name.  But what could I do?  I took the call, and it was 5:21 p.m. before I was on my way toward an excursion to cure my itchy fishing finger.  A quick pitstop at home to change and pick up the pup and I was gone.  Luckily, the water that was calling me before was just across the street from my house, so the walk wasn't far.   But time was running thin.  With the girls at dance class and the horizon carefully caressing the sun's south pole, I didn't have much time until dad's other duties began.  

As we arrived at the spot and my waterdog, Lucy, dove in immediately.  I followed shortly after in my trusty neoprene waders.  For some reason I had a really good feeling about a particular fly that evening and didn't bring along any others.  Either I was going to catch a fish, or I wasn't, and the blue clouser was going to decide my fate.  Having had the opportunity to check the water conditions on my walk with Lucy at noon, I had a little time throughout the day to make a decision.  Luckily, conditions hadn't changed and my instincts served me well. 

I waded in up until the point where I began to sink into the massive amount of mud deposited by flood waters last summer.  I found a few rocks for stability and started casting.  About 50 yards away, into the marina, sat three ice fisherman monitoring rods and checking tip-ups.  There are always a few big notherns hauled through the ice during a typical winter.  I was hoping they would be feeling the fly on that night.

  

As the sun faded away, Lucy shivered with anticipation.  Hearing nothing from the ice fisherman, I decided it was about time to pack it up and head back to the fam.  "Last cast," I told Lucy as she stood at the ready in water up to her chest.  Slowly, I worked the fly in while I daydreamed of what spring will bring for the Pierre fisheries.  And then, I felt the line suddenly bolt forward when the northern inhaled my blue clouser.  The fight was on and my 7 weight made short work of the hungry predator.  Lucy made a horrible attempt at helping, but somehow allowed me to land the pike in front of a few very curious ice fisherman.  

After removing the fly and snapping a quick photo, Lucy chased our fish back into the depths.  Hopefully it will grow large and fight hard during its next encounter with an angler.  I was pumped, and quickly went home to enjoy a relaxing evening with the fam.  For this evening, the clouser certainly cured my cabin fever.    

Fisheries meeting - Feb. 6 in Fort Pierre, S.D.

GFP will be hosting a number of meetings around the state regarding the flooding that took place in 2011 throughout the Missouri River system and what that might mean from a fisheries perspective.  GFP staff will present fisheries data and will discuss the impact of the unprecedented flows we had seen this year.  This will be an opportunity for the public to gather insight and ask questions about all the hard work put in by the GFP during the high water period.


Meeting dates, times and locations are as follows:

·    Feb. 1, 7 p.m., Rapid City, Outdoor Campus West (just off Sturgis Road)
·    Feb. 6, 7 p.m., Fort Pierre, Holiday Inn Express
·    Feb. 8, 7 p.m., Sioux Falls, Outdoor Campus East, 4500 S. Oxbow Ave.
·    Feb. 9, 7 p.m., Aberdeen, Ramada Inn, 2727 6th Ave. SE

F3T Coming back to Rapid City!

I'm so excited about the F3T tour returning to the Black Hills.  Last year's event was a huge success in my opinion, and while I heard some grumbling about the amount of saltwater footage, it was a pretty darn good group of video to enjoy for an evening.  This year's lineup seems very promising, and as always, offers us "warm water folk" a chance to get out for some cold water fishing in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  I can't wait!

The Future of Fishing

One of the greatest parts of being a dad (in my humble opinion) is the opportunity to pass on knowledge and passion for the things you enjoy most.  The two things I most look forward to teaching my little girls about are basketball and the outdoors (of course fishing is up on the priority list here).  I'm hoping to focus a bit more on basketball when hand-eye coordination is slightly more attuned.  Until then, fishing will take priority.

I don't often go out fishing anymore with the goal to catch as many fish as possible at the top-of-mind.  I've been fortunate to have caught a large number of fish to this point in my life (a few large ones here and there) and getting out on the water (however infrequently it may occur) is, in itself, what I look forward to most.  But when you have a child, and you are attempting to get that child "hooked" on fishing, that fire to catch as many fish as possible returns to it's rightful place in the throne on the top of your mind like it had never left.  And that's a good thing.  There is a direct correlation to the number of fish kids catch and their feelings toward the sport.

Stocked bows in the spring

We are fortunate to live in Pierre, S.D.  A place where we can fish all year round catching a number of species with relative ease.  Yes, we've got the bluegills and perch down on the grasslands, and those are all well and good, but I'd argue there is something better for kids fishing...BASS!!  More specifically, white bass and smallmouth bass.  For my money, there aren't many fish that will give you a fight on a fly rod (or a little princess fishing pole) like a smallie or whitie.  Yes, any fish is a good fish, but if you have access to these mighty fighters you can't go wrong getting one on the end of a scooby-doo or princess rod.

Our children are never going to be too young, or too old to experience a great fishing trip.  They are the future of the fishing world, and yet another reason to get out on the water.  Take a kid fishing today!!

Getting the hang of taking a good fish photo (I'm so proud!!)

Afraid of the "Kitty-Cat" fish

The clouser and bobber get them every time! 

Favorite Winter Trout Flies

For many fly fisherman, wintertime means one thing...Tying!  But for a growing number in the sport, winter offers something different, something special... SOLITUDE.  Having a favorite stretch of water exclusively available to you on a snowy, windy day is almost better to me than fishing your favorite stretch in the midst of territorial fishermen and "their" fish.  While I haven't done a lot of open water fishing in the winter-time, I've done enough to dedicate a post to my top five flies to fish in the winter.

A quick caveat:  I don't get out much.  I haven't really fished outside of South Dakota on "foreign" waters.  These flies have worked great for me here, but you may not experience similar success on your home waters.  Either way, I'd like to know if these (or other flies) work on your home water.  Please comment below.

Let the countdown begin:

Articulated Olive Marabou Streamer

5) -  Articulated Streamers - You know you've got something special when a fly is listed as an anglers top 5 and they have yet to catch a trout on it.  I've been tying articulated streamer patters for a few weeks now, and love everything about them.  The look, the size, the movement, EVERYTHING!  I've read articles referencing big trout caught on these patterns.  Hey, there must be a reason they get so big right?  While I can't wait to throw these bad boys at some trout this winter, I've already enjoyed catching Northern and walleye with them here in Pierre.  And look out this spring smallies!  I'm coming in packing!

Golden Stone

4) -  Golden Stone - Fishing was slow on Spearfish Creek last Jan.  It was cold, snowing, and the "old reliable" patterns were only producing a few fish.  I decided to check some rocks (something I should have done long before) only to find three giant golden stonefly nymphs stared me right in the face.  I had never tied anything like this, so I checked my box to see what I had.  As luck would have it, my wife had purchased me a number of flies (to help me feel better after losing my box the fall prior) and this was one of the patterns.  Perfect size too!  Needless to say, the day got a lot better, and these have joined the others with a VIP (very important pattern) parking space in my box.

Cream midge larva

3) -  Midges - "The bigger the fly the bigger the fish".  You've heard this right?  Somewhat rings true when discussing articulated streamers.  But in the winter months, when midges are one of the only bugs hatching on sunny days, midges will produce fish of all shapes and sizes and are very versatile.   The thing I love most about midges is that fish eat them all year, they are relatively easy to tie and pretty easy to fish.  I have a box dedicated to midge patterns and carry it all year round.

Red and Orange San Juan Worm

2) -  Tri-colored San Juan Worm - If you're looking for an amazing fly to fish deep during high water, cold water months, in murky water or just when the fish don't seem to be biting like they usually do; this is my go-to.  I've caught more fish on this fly when my guides are icing up, my fingers are frozen solid and other fisherman have gone home for the day.  Big fish love it, little fish love it and it couldn't be much easier to tie (unless you're tying a typical San Juan).  I learned this pattern (and to a certain extent, the one below) from Hans Stephenson's Dakota Angler and Outfitter blog.  He ties some awesome patters that will work in waters around the country.  Check it out when you have some time.

Hot Spot Bead Head PT

1) -  Hot Spot Pheasant Tail - Do you ever feel like flyfishing is cheating?  I mean have you seriously considered it?  When you think about it, we (I mean, some of you amazing tyers out there) are tying near perfect representations of a trout's actual food source and putting it right in front of them on a silver platter.  If you're not using the silver platter technique, I'd highly recommend it.  When I fish with the hot-spot, I almost feel like I'm cheating in some way.  I think, "It shouldn't be this easy to catch fish".  Now, I know luck has a lot to do with this scenario and, I'll admit, I've had plenty of humbling days on the water.  But day-in and day-out, this fly out-fishes any other in my box.  Oh, and pheasant hunting is awesome, so I have to do something with all those tail feathers!