Just returned from a 4-day trip to Sugar Creek Ranch in northern California. First three days, the fishing was very slow due to a cold front going through. Still very early spring around here.
Last day of fishing in warm weather was the best. Latched onto a 4.5 pound rainbow that took out all the line, and all but 20' of the backing. Fish was thrashing the water what looked like a football field length away. When I netted it, realized I had hooked it on the outside edge of its jaw, so it was able to run freely, and run it did... Had a number of fly tying "experiments" I was testing, none of which did that well, but the fishing conditions were marginal, so not much of a test. Went through the usual round of rusty fly fisher muckups...hope I got that out of my system. *grin* Enjoyed what otherwise was decent early season weather and good relaxation in the outdoors. Helped the ranch owner Mike with a major infrastructure project. Busy back home now with a number of major projects percolating away, one of which is a "bear" and will get in the way of spring fishing. Will be introducing a friend to flyfishing next week. Sorting out the gear purchases for him, and we meet in the downtown park soon for casting lessons. Grass is just beginning to green up in Bend and the apple trees are just starting to leaf out. Hope you all have a pleasant, fishy spring. Wes Wada Bend, Oregon
