Fly fishing is just like any other sport for me. One week, I will fish for stripers. I then get bored of it and try to switch it up. This is the same way for any other fish that I like to fish for, I will often times get tired of it. So, to keep things fun and interesting I took a trip upstate to fish for Brook Trout and Landlocked Salmon. I had had my fair share of fly fishing for Stripers and Rainbow trout. I arrived at the spot on the river. The water was pouring out of the dam. If I have learned one thing throughout my fly fishing journeys, it is that all fish go to the top of the rivers as soon as they can. So, I stood ontop of the huge rock pillings and began tying on an olive wolly bugger. Boz said that the floating smelt pattern works well in this situation because real smelt get torn up in the turbines of the dam and float down into the river. So, I took his advice and forgoed all of the go-to streamer patterns I had in my fly box. I casted the fly way out into the raging torrent and mended the fly line. I striped the fly through the surface. Nothing appeared out of the dephs. How could this be true? This spot was a trout and salmon paradise! Then, as I was scratching my head in disbelief while my fly line was still in the water, a beautiful salmon attacked the floating smelt while it was dead drifting. I set the hook but nothing? How could that happen? Boz told me that the fish often times go for the head of the fly thus making it harder to hook up. I casted the fly out again into the whitewater. I could see the fly floating on the surface of the water waiting to be smashed. A big silver salmon came up behind the fly and attacked it with aggresion. I faught the fish from the high banks and boz tailed him for me. The salmon was big and silver, and caught by a new method to me. I don’t know where my next fishing trip will take me, but I will certainly remember how different methods can work in certain cercumstances.
very cool method austin .. i have never caught a salmon that way, but i have always heard under those circumstances and during the spring smelt run it is very effectively .. your experience proves it. beautiful fish too, bright silver and healthy … clearly, has been eating his fair share of smelt! he definately wanted your fly, the proof is in the picture and fly in the fish’s mouth .. that is cool, looks like a saltwater popper or something … would have loved to see him hammer that fly … ok, thanks .. will have to try that when the opportunity arises … i hear back in the old days, instead of the synthetic stuff used for floating smelt patterns, they used actualy quils … right boz?
It’s like drifting a dry fly only it’s a Floating Smelt. They’re fun to tie too…so many variations. Cool you had a chance to try it. Lovely Fish!
I think your using worms! You have already had more luck fishing than I have and I’m 57, it’s just not fair. Congrats on that great land locked, you have again shamed an old man, hope your happy, by the way I do have some gear for you, if you take me fishing I’ll give it to you. Seriously great story and I bet that fish put up a good fight.
Nice job A-town…that is a fattie. Man that water is sick…way to go!
You are one lucky guy! I wish that I had those role models to look up to when I started out many years ago. Great job!
Austin,
That was a beauty you caught. Alot of fishermen see BIG fish chase flies there but not many hook and land em. The old “west branch dryfly” a good one to keep in the box for sure… Was a good time hitting the river on foot with you all fun and games til mouse died in my AC fan…Wheeww!
Way to Crush Austin
Old blue hasn’t been on the water in awhile…think it’s time for the trio to roll.
thanks boz……we will all have to go on an outing soon….a new game is in town! Get ready to be torn apart!
Thanks greg….i’m sure you had some great days back when you were still kickin’! hahaha we will have to fish again soon……
Sweet chromer Milbarge. The floating smelt technique sounds pretty killer. Once you hook one that way do they shut off? or do they continue to crush the same fly? Keep on chasing ’em.
j-
Nice Job fisherboy! I think it’s time to change your name to Super fisher MAN! Enjoy!!! Great fish
Joe-m
Great job FB. Surely a perfect moment you’ll always remember.