We have had a cool and extended spring and near record runoff. Took a budding fly fisherman (about 19 yr old) along to Emigrant Creek north of Burns, Oregon. It's a higher stream that should have been in shape a month ago. Flows were about 30% higher than average and a lot of color to the water. Anyway, the kid scored about 30 rainbow, most in the 10 to 12 inch range, and he had 3 hogs on that probably went 17+. True to form each of the big boys got away. I think it's a law or something. He was elated with the trip, as his best day prior had been a 4 fish day. I'm pretty sure we have the kid well hooked on fly fishing.
I stuck with a gold ribbed hare's ear going upstream all day. The kid went to an elk hair caddis but fished upstream and wet. Had he been better at detecting strikes, he probably could have doubled his fish count.
With the murky water, one could fish really close in. I picked up several that were within 4 ft of my shoes, and got quite few just dapping over rocks or in small bankside eddies. The only land animal of consequence was about a 24 inch rattler. I left him there, as they help keep out the casual fisherman.
Anyway, a great day that has given me bug to get after it a little more frequently.
Tight lines everyone,
Last edited by 1minute; 07/03/11.
