Valley was running well today. 28 cfs which is a decent flow for valley. I’ve been shooting for the moon and throwing big streamers on valley for a while now. Obviously it works better when the water is high and off color but early spring I move a decent amount of fish even in clearer conditions. Even when if I’m just moving fish, I’m satisfied because locating the big ones is half the battle. Anyway I stopped by a spot that has a few bigger resident browns I’ve been after for about a year. 9 our of 10 days I don’t see them, but they’re always there. As I tied the olive sex dungeon on I felt that the hooks weren’t too sharp, I carry a hook hone but was lazy and told myself I would strip set extra hard. I get down to the hole and the bigger buck who rarely comes out during the day is swimming around right below the surface just destroying emerging midges. I was half tempted to make the long track back to the car and grab my nymph rod. I decided to stick to the plan and as he settled to the back of the hole and through a cast to the opposite side let it swing in front of him. I had on a fast sink polyleader so the fly got down as soon as I made the first strip he came chasing and didn’t hesitate one bit just exploded on the fly I put down what I thought was a thorough set, but he thrashed at the surface and through my streamer up into the tree above me. I was bummed. Not to often do you get to see 2 footer light up your fly on valley, more times than not on that creek the fish wins against me. I tried to regroup and tied on a lighter sucker pattern and fished some faster water to see if some bigger fish moved out of the slow stuff to eat bugs and they were there. Moved 3 more fish in the 15-18” range before dark. I didn’t get a water temp but If I had to guess I’d imagine low to mid forties but I’m not great at guessing water temps. Moral of this story is the fish are active and if you want to catch them don’t be like me. Load a box with bwo, midges, small mayfly nymphs, and some winter stones and go pick them apart.
***side note*** a small puppy is lost along valley creek not sure where but keep an eye out for a 14 week old mut that looks like ornaments has some German sheapard in it. It’s name is duck.purple collar. Call 2156962916 if you spot it.
***side note*** a small puppy is lost along valley creek not sure where but keep an eye out for a 14 week old mut that looks like ornaments has some German sheapard in it. It’s name is duck.purple collar. Call 2156962916 if you spot it.
