Valley Creek 4/24/07

[Wmass]

Although I was working on only 2 hours of sleep, I got out of work around noon and headed straight to VC. I started around the metal bridge but the water was a little high and fast in that area and I didn't get much action. I got three tugs on my line using a #12 olive crystal WB in the first two hours. I started to see BWOs and Craneflies coming off the water around 3pm and the occasional rises started around then. I tried some dries but no luck. I decided that I should move on from this area and I moved up to the 76 overpass. Saw two guys catching fish several bends below so I figured there was some action. Under the overpass there were about 6-8 fish feeding on midges and BWOs and about 20yards up there was another school feeding. I tied on a #20 griffiths gnat and on my third cast I caught a 14" brown. A very pretty fish and I was sorta surprised by the size, BUT WHAT WAS MOST SURPRISING WAS THE FIGHT. I couldn't believe how long it took me to get this fish to hand. It took me about 10minutes to actually land him and before that I had gotten him within five feet 3X before he bolted and I had to feed him line so he wouldn't break off. Had one more strike before leaving but couldn't set the hook. Only caught one but it was definitely worth the waite.

Air Temp- 85
Water- Cold, high, VERY clear.
Insects- BWOs, craneflies, and midges.

 

[Chaz]

On 3 X you ought to be able to horse a trout in, I've never seen any trout break 3 X. Not critisizing, just making an observation.

 

[steve98]

Chaz

he was not referring to a 3X tippett
but to getting the fish close 3 times, or 3X

steve98

 

[Wulff-Man]

Nice job, Wmass, that's a tough place to catch them, with the flat calm surface under the bridge. That's one of the great things about wild trout, the way they fight, especially a 14 incher!

 

[cwwbell]

When the craneflies are around, try fishing a walt's worm through the riffles. It's just a cigar-shaped body of hare's ear dubbing on a nymph hook. I usually fish a size 14. Keep fishing those nymphs on the bottom. The fish are there! Big kudos, though for catching that fish under that underpass. Always figured it was too tough for me.

 

[Wmass]

CWWBELL and WOLFMAN Thanks for the support. I honestly have fished for those specific fish five or six times and haven't caught anything. I couldn't believe it when that brown took my fly. The best part is that he was almost hugging the cement wall of the bridge. Can't wait to get back out on the water but it is going to be a few weeks.

 

[thedude1534]

Right on Wmass! That cement wall area is tough. I'm surprised the fish there are so spooky when so many people walk by that spot. There are definately much less trafficed areas in valley and the fish aren't nearly that skiddish.

Maybe its because dogs continuously jump in the water there or something.