Apparently an 11 on Eudora Size scale is too big for VFB, so I split it, sorry.
First off -- my apologizes to those on both lists for the double message. Second - no names where changed to protect any innocent - there are none on an overgrown stocked fishery like this. Besides, all creeks are mapped online as well as access points. There's even a dedicated reports page for those that get the winter-I-cannot-go-steelhead-fishing shack-nasties.
I started off the day when the buzzer went off shortly before 5am. Got dressed, kissed the girlfriend goodbye and headed northbound. I was feeling extra tired for some reason along the way and experience from driving over the road told me to hit a rest area and take a 30 min power nap. It worked. Fish or No-fish, it's not worth crashing over. So I missed a little fishing, the fish were already there and I doubt missed me.
I started at the Walnut Access, an old habit. This is the place where I got a handle on steelhead fishing and this creek rarely lets me down. Those that know this place, know that below the entrance bridge, it is normally a zoo. Today wasn't far from that either. I've seen more there during a Monday before. The rains a couple of weeks ago had spread the fish out and most of the fisher-folk seemed to have gotten their fill and are waiting for prime days. I don't have that luxury, so I fish when I can, and take the conditions as I can. As it was, the water was low and clear, though I've seen lower/clearer conditions before. For me, I walk past the zoo, over the bridge and past the famous Manchester Hole. I was surprised at the lack of numbers fishing 'the hole' -- I really expected more. There were a few fish on stringers, but not many. Above the bend in the chutes, I started to pay attention, this is where I like to fish. I didn't really mark any fish where I used to find them. I'm still making adjustments from Hurricane Ivan that re-arranged things there. Upstream of my normal starting area, I found fish and some fisher-folk. Everyone was spread out ok, so there wasn't really combat fishing going on. I moved into a spot that was vacated as I was walking upstream. This pool held about a half dozen or so fish, ranging from barely legal (15") to good sized (20"+). The fellow fishing the plunge at the tail hooked up on number one as I was rigging up. I tried egg patterns, nymphs, even a streamer. Nada, Nothing just annoyed fish. The fellow down below hooked up and landed good sized steelie number 2. I asked his secret - he politely responded with 'salted minnow'. Nope, didn't have that for sure. Not even sure if there's a salted minnow pattern? Maybe rub a black nosed dace in some table salt? Didn't really get a look and I used florocarbon as my leader/tippet. I walked above the large falls and the rest of the fisher-folk for a look-see above. I spotted one, lying tight to a two inch underwater ledge. Now mind you, the fish was well over 4" thick. I could see her back sticking way up, but she couldn't see me, I guess she thought she was safe. Her mouth was also glued shut. I also found out she had a friend after I walked up to her and looked RIGHT down on top of her. She moved back to a spot that had more cover, but I could still see the both of them. I walked up and down, around and behind. Nothing to buy a bite. Solid case of lock jaw. These two didn't want to move even if you nudged them with the tip of a fly pole!! I left them be to head farther up. Rounded the bend and thought, I'm not going to walk all day when I can drive to other spots in search of steelhead. I stopped at the troubled two again to see if I could pet them, no dice, I'd get 2-3 inches away before their flight sense kicked in and they took off for 15 feet and held fast. I finished my time at the project waters by walking down to the mouth looking to see who was catching what with what sort of success. Minnows seemed to be the only ticket in town and it wasn't a very good show. I ended up at the marina wall where I climbed up to find someone had brought a hot-dog trailer and was open for business. Two hot dogs for $2.50 wasn't bad in my opinion and off I went with lunch. Back at my Exploder, there was a guy in his SUV with the window down and apparently waiting for someone else. Apparently his son had fallen in and was cold. The boy was wearing youth sized rubber soled hippers. Not a good thing for those waters as the rocks are normally big, flat and very slippery. It seems that all it takes is enough water to cause some algae to grow and make them difficult to walk over without either felts or studs. When his buddy and son came back to the SUV, I overheard that Jr. No. 2 had taken a spill too. More rubber-soled waders. I wonder how many people have been hurt with the wrong footwear.
-->Garry
