Saturday, October 1, 2011

Arkansas River 10/01/11

After a way-too long hiatis from standing in a river, waving a stick, I was finally able to get out today.  Lately, I've been super busy at work and at home.  By the time Saturday rolls around, I am so tired, I just don't have the motivation to go fishing.  Am I the only one who feels this way?  I hope not.  Recently, my car has been acting up also.  It has been a great car over the last 10 years, but it is finally showing it's age. I picked it up form the shop yesterday and it ran great.  It ran great to the river today, but on the way back, it was still acting up a bit.  Anyone looking for a used car?  
As soon as I hit the water, it was on!  I broke off my first fish which ate a BHFB PT nymph and the re-tied with a shop van nymph.  I figured they would eat that pattern just as easily as a tungsten BHFB PT.  The shop van is easier and cheaper to tie.  I was right.  They ate it just fine.  It was about 50/50 with the Mercury RS2  I had on trailing the Shop Vac.    In about 45 minutes, I had landed or almost landed about 15 fish.  Not bad.  Throughout the day, that combo worked until the high sun pushed the fish down a bit.  Still they ate well.  Later in the day, I threw some dries.  Not much happening there.  Back to nymphs.  A caddis pupa and a Prince nymph moved a couple of fish, but since there were now a few clouds filtering the sun, I switched the Prince to a #20 Chocolate Foam Back Emerger as I figured those fish would switch immediately to BWO emergers.  Again, I was right in my assumption as the 2nd and 3rd and 4th cast produced fish.  About 12 fish later, I retired the Foam Back Emerger.  I was also ready to retire for the day.  A great day on the water with perfect water and perfect weather.  It was good.

BHFB PT Nymph moved a few fish this morning.  
This one ate a #20 Mercury RS2.  The hook came out in the net.  
Lunch Time!
2nd most popular pattern of the day.  #20 Chocolate Foam Back Emerger. 

Does it get any better than this?



7 comments:

  1. looks like a fine day out there.... the time comes when a guy just needs to do, a quick need to do!

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  2. Juan ~ We fished the Arkansas last Saturday, it was so fruitful. Yesterday I tossed bugs in 11 MCanyon, another great day, and one of the great flies was your glossy back baetis, tied in red! Hope work, home, and your sick car all get straightened out soon!

    Jim
    Two Guys ~ Wet Waders & Flies

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  3. That foam back emerger sounds interesting. Hit the big t yesterday, lower section by drake. Blue poison tung and a BH barr's emerger was the ticket, tied beneath a hopper Juan of course. The hopper was bringing a few fish up when high sun a little wind started moving the willows. Best combination in the wind was a hopper trailed by a drowned black ant.

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  4. Jim- the glossy back in red is an awesome little pattern. I am glad you were able to use it. Got any pictures of it stuck in a fish's mouth?

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  5. Gary- The hopper/ dropper set up is awesome this time of the year. While many fish will look at the hopper, it's usually the droppers that get most of the action. It's the system that makes it fun.

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  6. Juan ~ I will keep that in mind as we photograph these beautiful trout. Have a great week!

    Jim

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  7. Great fish, especially those browns, and glad you had a chance to get on the water for yourself!

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