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View Full Version : Trout Whimperer in Canada (Seriously)


leadoverdistance
08-06-07, 08:29 PM
I went down to the river today, after having a hellacious evening of watching fish rise all around me, Zen master caster............. I could choose between midges, caddis, tiny trico mayflys, or was it that little tiny stonefly? Which one are they eating, and which version, nymph, emerger, adult? Look at all those bugs! I really need three more fly boxes...I tied them on with thinner and thinner tippet, finer, smaller, you can do it! It isn't that dark! Twelve combos later (conservatively) , no fish, not one. My saving grace was a massive lightning storm that came with nightfall, hounding my frustrated lightning conductor waving soul off the water in a blinding flash and atomic bang. A Great Horned Owl hooted disapprovingly at my depreciating quality of language, and greater and greater disregard for this place in the universe. I even started hating my new Sage TCR. Just before I was almost blitzed by the forefinger of god, I was wondering where I could buy a grenade for these snooty fish. Time to get off the water, but why was that Brown so excited about a stupid no see-um? They must contain a very high grade of Heroin. A Black Tar Trico Mayfly! I need to add that stuff to my dubbing when I tie...... I drove home whimpering and snivelling, trying to stay on the road through tears brought on by the music on the radio station. I think it was a Journey song, you know, with a big guitar solo.. I was wondering what it felt like to catch a nice fish. One bad day is all it will take..... It really is the end of the world. Yes it is also the end of the world....I was now Zen Master of nothing.

This morning, in the pre dawn light, hell was still in full swing with fish cavorting with laughter at my streamside whimperings left over from last night. They sipped, porpoised, boiled, dimpled, and kerplashed their superior table habits around my pitiful offerings. They finally relented after four hours, and decided they wanted the x-caddis that I had already tied on twice. Sheesh!

And suddenly, like a phoenix, I was a Trout Dr , Trout Prof , Isaac Walton, Charles Ritz, and legendary Trout Whimperer... I mean Trout Whisperer.

These fish were sitting in a deep run. You could see them flash as they moved an inch to eat a morsel in the current. Occasionally they would stop my heart by rising to a caddis on the surface. I suffered twelve mini heart attacks and a stroke today! Livestrong, and be glad for every second! They finally ate my x-caddis, then when they stopped rising, they took a number 20 Copper John on the dropper. I am not kidding when I say they roared off the riffle into big water, and showed me my backing. I was stunned. Ever had to worry about clearing your line so it will come off the reel and not snag around and snap your 5x tippet? Stand on your line and kiss your rainbow of happiness goodbye. This was trout fishing! What a charge! They would rip line from you, and park in the current, with a huge bow in your 5 weight! When you thought they were done, you would get another shocking display of big fish aerial athleticism. They were all very pretty fish, bright silver and with perfect fins. Big river goods, proud Canadians! I caught five. They were payed off by the Canadian Tourism board. Here are a few cellphone pics.

fishmonger
08-06-07, 08:59 PM
Those are some mighty nice looking fish! And to have worked so hard to pick the lock, man, it doesn't get any better :cheers:

I like your story, it was quite humorous and entertaining. Where in Canada we you, eh? Those look like steelhead.

I like to fly, I can be your assistant ;)

FM

SlowStreamer
08-06-07, 10:46 PM
Those are some beauties ! And you've got a grand tale to go with them....it does not get any better than that.

Thanks for sharing !

FitFisher
08-06-07, 11:41 PM
Sad, funny and victorious!! Good tale!:cheers: Those are fish worth whimperin' about!!On another note, how do you like that TCR?? If I ever hit the lottery I'll think about trying one out::ke:

Rusty Fowler
08-07-07, 12:21 AM
One bad day is all it will take..... It really is the end of the world. Yes it is also the end of the world....I was now Zen Master of nothing.

Man, that is so me.:)

Nice read, Paul!

chilicon
08-07-07, 08:16 AM
Great report, Paul. Thanks!

leadoverdistance
08-07-07, 10:27 PM
As I was on call, I had to stay a handy distance from the airplane, so not far south on the Bow. Fishmonger, not as large as those Pacwest beauts on the Deschutes, but bright silver steam trains nonetheless! Glad you enjoyed the read. It was a classic case of elation that unlocks the soothsaying juices and makes for a little creative writing that tells it like it was .

Fitfisher, the TCR is an interesting rod in that it is awesome when you are on. When you get tired, or your timing goes left,..... goodbye. I fish XP's, and bought this because I don't like the Z-Axis. Sage sold out on their power rod, made a sissy stick, and left the guys that aren't addicted to the smooth Winston action short. The TCR does what I love, cast how I want to. Oh yes, you can throw a big loop if you want. I love mine, got it on e-bay at half the price, mint white virgin cork , with a warranty!

Rusty, I think it is a classic case of seeking that elusive grail.... knowing you hold the key to reading the fish, the water, the rod, the insects, feeling the pulse of the river. When you get it "not right", it is so important to you, Bap! you get smitten betwixt the eyes....! It shows how important fly fishing is to you really.

Back home tonight, Athens, but my mind lingers on a gravel bar, canadian cold water, and slabs of bright silver..........

Cheers

Paul

wild_trout_hunter
08-08-07, 11:38 AM
Great report. It also reminds me of battles with Deschutes redsides. I have to get myself to Canada to trout fish one of these days. I always think of famous steelhead streams in Canada but they have insane trout fishing too.

fishmonger
08-08-07, 08:00 PM
WTH, will be on the Deschutes and Klickitat the last week of September :p I'll tell the fishies "Hi" for you.
FM