And so, how are the steelies treatin' ya'll?

Ok, I will let it be known that according to Major Bob, my job is to get ya'll posting when its quiet.

I went out to the sky on Saturday, and had a nice beautiful day, but I did not see any nor hear of any caught.

I see from the main forum that Reiter seems to be doing well. And I am wondering if any of our brethern are doing well yet.

Rob

Not bad at all! Offical count of summer runs into the top 30 miles of the Rogue River is over 13,000 fish. From Dec 1, on they're all considered to be 'winter fish' after that point.

Gather they're about 6,000 already over Gold Rae dam ... and it's 'damn' early to see these numbers this early in the year (suspect they're mostly more summer runs)

Water levels are up from 900 cfs to 1700-2200 cfs so it's back to using feathered bricks and/or heavy sink tip lines for the rest of the season.
fae

They are still jumping and giving me the middle finger.

I was just going to post almost the same thing! It's awfully quiet among us flyrodders......fishing has been stellar here in the Olympic Peninsula! When the water is right, the fish are biting. Also the Grande Ronde at Troy was incredible this year, mighty big runs for a small but long river. Looking for the 20# now.

Only so-so for me. I'm not fishing as much as I'd like because water conditions have been so up-and-down. A guy really needs to be able to get away at a moment's notice, cuz the rivers have been out a lot more than in. And they have been staying in shape (if you can call 12 - 18" visibility in shape) for only a day or two at a time.

I've had a new jet boat for 2 months and haven't even had it on a river yet! Maybe this weekend. I keep saying that.

I'm taking some time off around the holidays, and I hope it coincides with rivers in shape.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

Yeah, I am darn busy now, too. I have been tying flies for Christmas ornaments that I am selling, and I have been hunkering over my bench trying to tie perfect flies. Then there is Christmas shopping and all that. Man it is just too busy this time of the year.

I too am taking time off during the Holidays, so I will be hitting the rivers hard.

Rob

We had our first real shot of rain starting on Saturday morning. The upper Rogue's water flow went from 1700 cfs to a tad under 10,000!!! cfs in 18 hours. Back down to 7000 now.

Lord only know what the fish did with all this coming at them in such a short period of time. <img border="0" alt="[wall]" title="" src="graemlins/wall.gif" />

Fished Saturday morning before all the rain impacted the river. In about 4 hours, hooked 6, landed 4 and flat missed 2 or 3 others.

It's gonna be great! Good runs of wild fish i think based on the early bait fishing reports of big healthy wild fish.
Generally i fish brats on gear to start the winter season then i switch over to flies once the wild fish have arrived.
This year it's time to take Gorden Gracey's friend Crazy Mike's saying to heart: "Swing for Show, Nymph for Dough."
http://www.fishingnorthwest.com/guides.htm
I have swung so many flies with little results? I think it's time for a fresh approach. Swinging flies on sinktips has gotten me in the game with occasional hookups and has taught me allot of reading water lessons also.
But it's time for a new approach.
The plan is to swing heaviliy weighted nymph's of different designs until i find a consistant fly.
As far as Indicator goes, i'll use a big fat orange corky. I think Steve Probasco of steelhead writing fame (Olympic Peninsula River Guide) uses this technique on some of the bigger OP rivers such as the Queets.
I would love to hear feedback?

As a 2-hander 99% of the time, little use for indicators .... except during higher flows in the river. These combined with a two fly (heavily wted) seem to get a far better 'dead drift' than a straight dry line/sinking tip.

For an indicator try using a 'clump' of bright polly yarn. Take a 2-3 foot section of 10# mono and loop/tie the polly yarn on one end. The other end is attached at the tip of the dry line with just a couple of over hand knots. (Tie on just above your leader knot.

Very effecient to cast, floats like a cork, and the fly(s) tend to hang straight down until the very end of the drift (water pressure finally catchs up with the leader and swings it towards the surface).

With this 'rig' you can fish close to about 50-60 foot out with ease with a spey rod.

My enthusiasm exceeds my catch again this week! Hit one fish Monday, with a LDR, and then nothing yesterday.

Decided to work on tackle today rather than risk sliding around in the snow. Maybe make a late start tomorrow morning if the roads don't look too bad.

Good luck and Happy New Year, everyone!

Sincerely,

Salmo g.