USA West: Dry Flies, Tiny Nymphs, Big Trout And Lot’s Of ‘Em

by | Fresh Water

Western USA Trout Video

Austin (aka Fisherboy) called me to fill me in on some Landlocked Salmon spots in New Hampshire and during the conversation I mentioned that I had to go out west for some work related stuff. He said, “Are you gonna get to fly fish?” I responded, “I hope so.” He then started talking about his upcoming spring break and I asked when it was. He told me that it was in 2 weeks. I said, “That is when I am going out west.” I asked if he had ever fly fished out west, knowing full well he hadn’t. He said, “No, I would love to though.” I said, “Let me talk to your mom.” Through the years my family and Austin’s family have become good friends. Austin’s sister baby sits my son, Austin works for me during the summer and we fly fish together a lot. Through the years, all of my fly fishing buddies have also kind of taken Austin under their wing and helped him to fly fish for everything from steelhead to albies. Anyway, Austin’s mom thought it would be a great experience for Austin and I did too. So, I called Jason who lives in Salt Lake city and Kray who lives in Wyoming. I told them where I had to be for work stuff and they put together a bunch of rivers and spots for us to fly fish. We flew into Salt Lake city Utah and stayed at Jason’s house. Jason drew us a pirates map with his honey holes and Dusty (lunchbox) at the Trout Bum fly shop hooked us up with some Baetis, Flashback Pheasentails, San Juan Worms, Sow Bugs, Scuds and Barrs Emerger’s. The best part for me was seeing Austin absorb the mountains, rivers and fisheries out west. He was, as always, so appreciative to have the opportunity to be where he was. On our first day, both of us had a little bit of a tough time getting dialed into the trout. There was no lack of trout, just a lack of hook-ups for us. We wanted to believe that the tactics and flies that work so well for us back east, would perform equally well out west. We tied on big (size 16) copper johns and prince nymphs, zippo. We tied on our go to Olive Wooly Buggers and sinking line and swung them through the heads and tails of every pool, zippo. Then, I remember what my father always said to me, “When all else fails, read the directions.” Jason, Kray and Dusty gave us the recipe’s and told us that if the fish were not rising than we should be nymphing with small stuff. So, I re-rigged and tied on a size 22 Barrs Emerger. Bingo! We were hooking up left and right. I was seriously amazed to think that such a tiny fly could produce such big results and big fish. We worked our way through Utah and Wyoming and fished some of the most amazing waters I have ever fished. Austin was in awe with not only the fly fishing and the rivers but also the variety of terrain and wildlife. I was equally amazed. Then, it got better. Around 2 pm every day some of the best Blue Winged Olive hatches I have ever seen would come off. Wild Rainbows, Cuts and Browns would seem to appear out of nowhere and feed on the surface. These trout were not easily tricked. Perfect presentation, stealth, long leaders, and small dry flies were in order. Many times we would each pick a fish and spend hours casting to that fish, with nothing to show but refusals. But, then when the drift and the presentation and the timing all came together one of us would trick one of these wary trout feeding on top and all hell would break loose. These fish were red hot and they were not happy when one of their tasty snacks was laced with a sharp hook. Austin and I both caught countless beautiful trout on nymphs, streamers and dry flies. It was a trip that I will remember for a long time and I know Austin will too. A big thank you goes out to Kray and Jason and Dusty, for sharing some of their spots and fly selections with us. Without that knowledge, I am certain that it would have been a less memorable trip. Your welcome in Maine anytime, and Austin and I will gladly return the favor.

9 Comments

  1. AvidDavid on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Jeremy:

    Wow, what a great trip for you guys. I’ll bet that it was really special for Austin. I remember the first time I drove through mountains out West. I was only a little older than Austin, and the stark contrast between the majestic, awe-inspiring, dry, rocky, enormous mountains out there compared with the beautiful, lush green hills of the east (like in Maine) was fascinating to me. Pictures can’t really capture the feeling in your gut when you look up the mountain from your car driving alongside the river in the canyon. Some of your videos show how large the emerald or aquamarine water can be, too.

    It’s funny how you just throw it out that you fished in Utah and Wyoming, as if it is just a short drive from Salt Lake City to Wyoming. But out there, driving those kinds of distances is the norm. It isn’t like the big hike from New York to Boston. But then again, when you guys drive from Portland to Pulaski every weekend, you must be pretty accustomed to the “commute”

    It’s also really cool how Kray and Lunchbox from the F&F network help to dial you into the different setting.

    Thanks for sharing…. with Austin… and with us.

    Dave

  2. Shaq on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    What a great trip. THe same thing happened to me in CO. Got off the plane and I was given a 24 barrs and I was like, “What is that?”. ANyways, great trip and something you guys will remember for a long time!

  3. gilly09 on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Nice trip.

    I just returned from 10 days in colorado. Similar results with similar recipe.

    Anything larger than a size 20 and the fish wouldn’t take.

    I fished right up to the 24’s before I realized I’m getting old and can’t thread the damn’ things! 🙂

  4. ChrisR on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    That’s awesome man. You guys were really hooking in to some nice fish. Beautiful spots you fished also. The rockies are definitely a trip that one will never forget.

  5. Keith on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Hey Jeremy! Glad to see you getting into some nice fish out west. Well, we’ve been in MT for just about a month and are loving it. The new job, new house, and expected baby have been keeping me busy, but not too busy to get out and fish. The local river is only 5 min. form the house and I have taken advantage of the early season BWO hatches and native cutthroat from 12-18″. Also had a chance to hit some fo the best stillwaters in the country. Rainbows in the 5-10lb class! Looking forward to more trout, some big bulls, and steelhead in ID. Let me know if you and Austin spontaneously decide to hit MT.
    Got to say I have been missing the spring fishing for the chrome LLS and I’m sure you are getting ready for the return of the striped ones!
    Keith

  6. greg on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Great fishing video fisherboy, you have become one of my new idols in the world of fly fishing. You must have had a great time

  7. kray on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    told ya they were big

  8. patm on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Jer-Fisherboy,
    What a trip. Austin, I was able to make my first trip west last june. I traveled many of the roads and fished some of the same rivers you did. Wasn’t the wildness of the west alive and surrounding you? The wildlife, the mountains, and of course the fish. Driving highways where you see another vehicle about every 15 minutes. Awesome. Glad you had the chance to see it. I know I can’t wait for my return trip.

  9. joey on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Good post fellas, gotta love the western waters. You’ll have to come visit me now that I am re-planted. Hey Millbarge thats a nice looking bow. Have fun with the LLS this spring.