Testing out the new net

It's always fun to throw back the suds and go on a fly tying bender, if however brief, which is exactly what Sam and I did Sunday afternoon.  After the prior day's flexible rod sampling, my fly selection was looking a bit thin and in need of some attention.  Of course, once my fly box is full, I'm compelled to go lose a few flies--and thus a vicious cycle is born.

The fact that I had just bought a new giant-sized net pushed us over the edge so The Wife and I set out Monday for a rare weekday fishing excursion.  The lack of crowds was a welcome change, although those 20ish inch fish don't look so big any more:

We caught a handful of fish but the highlight of the day came when, while seated at the oars approaching a bend in the river, I hooked into a nice fish and fully confirmed that I cannot, in fact, play and land a fish while rowing the boat and containing the puppy dog.  Karta had a grand time through it all.

Better get a bigger net

I've been on a wicked dry spell recently.  I landed a nice rainbow back in April not long after ice out, but since then it's been goose eggs and gutter balls.  I spent two days chasing steelhead in Southeast--skunked.  A couple trips up north for early rainbow--nothing but short strikes and mosquito bites.  A couple trips south--casting practice.  I've caught fish in the salt, including a nice Chinook this past week, but I might as well have left my fly rod at home for the past several river trips.  It's a good thing it's not just about catching fish...

...or so I keep telling myself.

The Wife and I met up with one of my coworkers, Jason, and got the drift boat out for just its second voyage yesterday.  We didn't catch tons of fish, but it was a great day to work on your tan line and for me to remind myself what it's like to land a fish.

Of course, The Wife (looking very pregnant these days) set the pace by catching this guy right away:

Me getting in on the action, and keeping the rod tip up:

Jason caught the first really nice fish of the day:

At least someone (Karta) was keeping an eye on the line and indicator:

We each got into a handful of fish throughout the day, but the real action came later on.  While in the middle of saying how nondescript the river looked in this stretch, a nice fish slammed my dead drifting FMF and immediately started jumping up river.  She jumped five or six times before charging straight at me.  Me, gaining the upper hand and delusional enough to think the fish might fit in the net:

No longer thinking the fish will fit in the net:

Toad!

Things were a little chaotic for a bit.  I needed three or four tries to get enough of the fish in the net to remove the hook, and at one point the net started swimming off with the fish still half in.  We never managed a full-fish picture since I wasn't willing to prolong the release after my landing debauchery, but it was a hell of a time and she swam off without delay.  I'm not sure where this ranks against other rainbow I've caught, but it's up there.  Oh, and needless to say, I've already up-sized my net.

Something tells me I spend too much time behind a desk

Well, I've been outdone again.  The Wife has been hitting the rivers pretty hard and had a good go of it yesterday.  This is one of many:

Don't think I haven't been getting out, because I have.  It's just that between The Wife's score yesterday and Adams from last week, I'm having a hard time competing.  Time to step up my game.

About time

Since several people have expressed concern about my lack of recent posts, here's a little somethin' somethin' to get back in the swing of things.  Adam, getting it done from a sea kayak:

A couple lessons learned

As promised, I took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and got out on the water this past weekend.  It was my first trip of the year and, while my camera skills were weak, I did manage to learn a couple important lessons.

Lesson One: Water levels are stupid low.  This river normally is around 2,500 to 3,000 cfs when it's in its prime, and current water levels put it around 380 cfs.  I saw two other boats on the water--both of which involved everyone out of the boat walking it through a riffle.  I'll wait until water levels come up a bit before putting the new drift boat in the water.

Lesson Two: I don't know the first thing about spey casting.  I've watched a few short videos and read up on the subject online, but, as things sit right now, I've got serious work to do if I want to get the most out of my new switch rod.  At least it roll casts a mile.

Lesson Three: Even though Karta is turning gray, she's still got it.