I need a running Not a TR thread. Just to dump a few pictures when I get out for a couple hours. Feel free to throw up your trips that aren't worth its own thread.
Took two hours to get away from the house. Power outage at my inlaws so they have been living at my house since Friday. They still don't have power.... Wife was going to Durham for a play Sunday, so just needed a couple hours of serenity before a day filled with inlaws and crying baby that has never been away from momma for more than 3 hours. Caught a handful of fish in 25 mph winds with a wicked glare in my face before dusk. I'll take it.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginOn a side note, I think there was an authentic Shelby Cobra 427 at a BBQ joint in town.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginIf it isn't authentic it is a really really good kit car. Had signed dash, 427 badge, plate, non chrome exhaust. If it is real, guy has bigger gonads than I parking it in a parking lot to eat.
Most likely a Factory Five Racing kit car. The signature may be real or fake. Still a gorgeous car.
I'll play.
Was planning this for Saturday. That was beforer the winds and power going out at 1 AM Friday.
And staying out until 3:30 PM Sat. Sunday was game on.
Scouting trip. With rod. And a buddy that has never fished with me.
And will probably never, ever do it again. :laugh:
Upper access is somewhat well publicized.
Lower, not.
Drive. FR. FR branch. Gate. Hike. Bushwhack.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginDSFK
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
Login42 degree water.
Wood is supposed to be good?
Fish. Skunk. Bushwack. Hike. FR. Drive.
7 miles of nada. Just sweat and stretched legs.
Will head upstream. To be continued.....
0:0
\
Thanks guys. I needed that.
Quote from: jwgnc on March 05, 2018, 15:17:13 PM
Thanks guys. I needed that.
We need to fish. Maybe you're good luck?
Man, what a cool car! I hope it has a good heater!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hey! A TR without TR? Sounds like the thread for me. Mind if I play with today's non-TR? OK. I'll play anyway.
Went out this morning for a two hour fish. Hiked down, lost two flies, caught a dink brook that unbuttoned at my feet, and hiked back out.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginNo trout were photographed.
Good chit Phil, that's also my favorite filter
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Everybody play. No pay. Maximum suckage. -+; Happy Birthday, Phil. /'/
A for effort to the both of you.
And while I know that it is probably a kit car, it sure looks legit/I kind of want it to be legit. Has even the plate above the shifter and a set of eagle tires. If it is a kit the guy has the attention to detail down pat.
Quote from: Big J on March 06, 2018, 07:40:38 AM
A for effort to the both of you.
And while I know that it is probably a kit car, it sure looks legit/I kind of want it to be legit. Has even the plate above the shifter and a set of eagle tires. If it is a kit the guy has the attention to detail down pat.
If it were original, it would be in a trailer.
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Good idea, J. Some time ago I contemplated creating a thread of this nature but didn't. I instead displayed the uneventfulness of several outings by letting them have their own report.
It's uplifting to see you fellas frequenting the woods and chasing the trout.
Please continue.....
Quote from: driver on March 06, 2018, 13:10:21 PM
If it were original, it would be in a trailer.
^Dis. 'c;
most all of my TRs fall into this category
Quote from: Dougfish on March 06, 2018, 16:15:23 PM
Quote from: driver on March 06, 2018, 13:10:21 PM
If it were original, it would be in a trailer.
^Dis. 'c;
If it were original, I would have it in a safe and it never would be on the road considering the last few sold for almost a million over 10 years ago. The original prototype sold for over 17 million.
Not a tR.
Early Tuesday morning found me with time to explore more of a gorge. A gorge that is no stranger. New backpack strapped on and equipped with the days required equipment. This pack is light and nice. A built in metal frame is great for hiking mileage. A few rainbows were caught. A lot of assbusting was accomplished. Crawling up and down the ridges promised a good nights sleep.
I lost a net that I had only had a few months — and only two days after breaking a rod tip. 🤷🏿♂️
A nice stream side lunch was had. About 7 miles covered. Breathe the freshness and love it and appreciate it.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
Login
http://www.gearkeeper.com/flyfish/landingnetretrac.html (http://www.gearkeeper.com/flyfish/landingnetretrac.html)
You need to buy one of these. My net gets snagged and I just keep walking. d:b
Quote from: Big J on May 03, 2018, 13:10:28 PM
http://www.gearkeeper.com/flyfish/landingnetretrac.html (http://www.gearkeeper.com/flyfish/landingnetretrac.html)
You need to buy one of these. My net gets snagged and I just keep walking. d:b
I know, dude. I meant to get one a while back when you mentioned it. Grabbed the new pack and new simms fishing pants and leaders and such at the fly shop on Monday night. Forgot that thing, though.
What the hell do you need a net for?
Quote from: driver on May 04, 2018, 19:18:59 PM
What the hell do you need a net for?
Ya never know when your gonna catch a 13 inch Brookie and need to net it for proper photos
I use something like this for a net keeper
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F123064680078
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: driver on May 04, 2018, 19:18:59 PM
What the hell do you need a net for?
Quote from: Woolly Bugger on May 04, 2018, 19:36:05 PM
Quote from: driver on May 04, 2018, 19:18:59 PM
What the hell do you need a net for?
Ya never know when your gonna catch a 13 inch Brookie and need to net it for proper photos
I use something like this for a net keeper
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F123064680078
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Or for any fish for that matter. Ya never really know what you might catch in some of these creeks. Nets help for photos but immensely as well for not dribbling the fish about the rocks when working to unhook it and such.
Early Saturday morning I departed my house and headed west toward The mountains and the promise of cold clear water, ideally with plenty of dry fly fishing.
Met my buddy early and headed up into the hills. Our intended stream, after making it a long ways up the dirt road/trail in my truck, and with another few miles to go, was blocked by 2 large downed trees.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginTurned around and went to a large well known eastern slope stream. We hiked up a ways before starting to fish. The next few hours were spent searching for trout with no success. Water was perfect, fish were seen, and strikes were missed. Saw a fair number of sulphurs hatching, and a lot of hikers. Lesson for today was to carry a roll of TP in the truck.
Stream...
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginSmall snake...
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginCan anyone identify this tree? Probably one of the largest I have seen recently. Crappy phone pics:
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginIt's always nice to get out, whether there are fish caught or not. Now it's time to celebrate Mother's Day!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Probably Tuliptree. Aka, Tulip Poplar.
No TP is sad. Worse than a skunking.
Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk
I had an incident with a tree like that once, in the upper Wilson Creek water shed. It was remove the tree and drive 5min back to camp, or drive two hours to go around it.
We hiked to camp and got an axe. It was only 14 inch in diameter though. Then towed it out the way with a tow strap.
Years of experience = ALWAYS having toilet paper in the back of the vest.....
I should travel with my chainsaw. Surprising amount of downed trees around.
TP going in today. Don't usually fish with a vest, but I'll make room!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Nice job getting out. Shit happens.....
Located my camera a few days ago and charged that bad boy up only to find these pics from last May. I took the boy to another wild stream and lured him along with M&Ms, gummies, and such. Things like this help to keep his mind in place (basically just bribery).
We hiked a couple miles and pulled in a wild rainbow. He was happy. I was happy. I'm trying to keep him outdoors as much as possible. He enjoys it, but the techy toys/games are easily addicting.
This was a quick trip. Man, the time sure is flyin'. Until our next outing....
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
Login
I've messed around up in this area a couple times and never fished it. Ken enjoys this confusing knot of dirt roads as much as anyone I've met.
This was last Tuesday, and I decided to haul myself up there to soak a fly or two. Little did I know, I would be fishing a slack ass, shitty stretch of stream, however it is quite appealing to the eye. Trespassing never was so pretty.
I happened upon a deer stand at close proximity -- luckily, nobody was occupying the seat. That would've made for an interesting scenario.
No fish. Maybe I'll hit this in the correct location at some point, who knows.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginI've fished some real shitty stuff. This was just not the trouty area I had hoped for. The fresh air, great scenery, and solitude was enough to put a smile on my face for the rest of the evening. Thanks to Ken for the efforts he made for me to locate this place even though I still effed it up. <-;:
I've wanted to hike into this stream for a few years now. Today was the day. I've never heard great things about the fishing here.
Unproductive, the fishing was. I seen zero fish. Caught zero fish. Tales of large browns. Wild rainbows. I seen neither. The water here is as clear as bottled drinking water.
I've sank a lot into this trip. Lots of planning. Lots of hiking. Lots of driving. Lots of trying. Effort....
The larger stream this flow empties into is much better, very enjoyable. Maybe I shall drop down into it yet again and thrash a new piece of water next time.
Trails that were supposed to be here and there were nowhere to be found. I did what I could with what was available to me. Traversing this creek while staying in the water isn't an option here, not unless death by waterfall is something you're interested in obtaining.
The remoteness is a treat of its own. Stop hiking. Listen and breathe. The wind vibrating the leaves. The smell of damp, fresh soil. Open your mind, clear out the clutter, lighten the load.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
Login
Wild! Looks fishy to me! <-;:
How was the stream bed? Does it have a sediment issue?
I've never done any good on that stream either. Not worth the bush wacking and cliff scaling. It's pretty though. I bet its been close to 10 years since I've been in there.
Pretty, but doesn't put out. Bummer.
Go back to your ugly streams. :laugh:
Quote from: Big J on January 29, 2020, 09:12:00 AMHow was the stream bed? Does it have a sediment issue?
Oddly enough I checked this out and came to a personal, non-scientific conclusion. To me, this area has too much water velocity due to so many falls in short order. To me, the creek bottom in a sense gets scoured away to an almost solid bedrock type base; especially during large rainfall events, I can only imagine what it's like in there during such. Largely, the bottom is similar to concrete, only wavier. A few spots were cobbled up beautifully, like a cobblestone drive. Round, slick, smooth rocks, very attractive....So, to address your inquiry, I observed just the opposite of your sediment position -- there isn't any for the most part, it's gone, as is the other substrate needed for successful fish life to continue normally. Further downstream/upstream may be a little different due to a much more gentle makeup/declination in gradient, but here, nope.
Quote from: driver on January 29, 2020, 10:19:22 AMI've never done any good on that stream either. Not worth the bush wacking and cliff scaling. It's pretty though. I bet its been close to 10 years since I've been in there.
I planned on doing much more exploring up and downstream...bushwhacking, yes. But, the damned trails are not really there. Not even a solid deer trail to go by, really. The larger creek this runs into is almost the same way in terms of paralleling trails....I experienced this when I was there last.
Quote from: Dougfish on January 29, 2020, 10:58:35 AMPretty, but doesn't put out. Bummer.
Go back to your ugly streams. :laugh:
Tell me about it. I've said it a million times, and so has
@Onslow -- home waters seem to be as good as most that we can travel long distances for. But, the pull is real. I have to go, and keep my mind fresh. Not stale. Staleness puts me in a bad mental state, big time. So --- yes, burn the damned gas, and burn the tires up, see what you need to see to stay in the happy zone.
Quote from: Big J on January 29, 2020, 09:12:00 AMHow was the stream bed? Does it have a sediment issue?
Another note -- See all that flat, wavy rock that isn't in the water? That's what the majority of the streambed consists of, in a nutshell.
Big hikey trips in the Winter are risky. I have found that browns in the New watershed tend to bite between 3:45-4:30 in January. This is when the water temp peaks out. Most sane folk will be hiking out of any gorge by three, and miss the bite. Sunday afternoon quick hits work well now.
The flat wavy rock bottom is what I saw at upper Wilson above Little Wilson. The lack of cover really bothered me.
Hate you didn't catch anything.
Big hikes rarely produce big browns, in my experience. Backyard fishing is the way to find tanks on the 'lines.
Quote from: Onslow on January 29, 2020, 17:22:50 PMBig hikey trips in the Winter are risky. I have found that browns in the New watershed tend to bite between 3:45-4:30 in January. This is when the water temp peaks out. Most sane folk will be hiking out of any gorge by three, and miss the bite. Sunday afternoon quick hits work well now.
The flat wavy rock bottom is what I saw at upper Wilson above Little Wilson. The lack of cover really bothered me.
Hate you didn't catch anything.
How was Little Wilson in terms of fish? Did you fish it?
Quote from: Dee-Vo on January 30, 2020, 08:58:31 AMQuote from: Onslow on January 29, 2020, 17:22:50 PMBig hikey trips in the Winter are risky. I have found that browns in the New watershed tend to bite between 3:45-4:30 in January. This is when the water temp peaks out. Most sane folk will be hiking out of any gorge by three, and miss the bite. Sunday afternoon quick hits work well now.
The flat wavy rock bottom is what I saw at upper Wilson above Little Wilson. The lack of cover really bothered me.
Hate you didn't catch anything.
How was Little Wilson in terms of fish? Did you fish it?
I wanna know as well. Haven't fished it in years.
I haven't fish Wilson in years. But I fished a lot of it and almost all of it sucked. One fish here of there. All small. It picks up a little there higher you go. But nothing to right home about. Needless to say why I haven't been back. Hours amd hours wasted climbing walls and bush wacking through some of the thickest rhodo I've ever seen.
Quote from: Phil on January 30, 2020, 13:07:36 PMQuote from: Dee-Vo on January 30, 2020, 08:58:31 AMQuote from: Onslow on January 29, 2020, 17:22:50 PMBig hikey trips in the Winter are risky. I have found that browns in the New watershed tend to bite between 3:45-4:30 in January. This is when the water temp peaks out. Most sane folk will be hiking out of any gorge by three, and miss the bite. Sunday afternoon quick hits work well now.
The flat wavy rock bottom is what I saw at upper Wilson above Little Wilson. The lack of cover really bothered me.
Hate you didn't catch anything.
How was Little Wilson in terms of fish? Did you fish it?
I wanna know as well. Haven't fished it in years.
5-6 inch brook trout and much debris. Maybe worth a 30 minute drive if that.
Quote from: Onslow on February 01, 2020, 10:57:55 AMQuote from: Phil on January 30, 2020, 13:07:36 PMQuote from: Dee-Vo on January 30, 2020, 08:58:31 AMQuote from: Onslow on January 29, 2020, 17:22:50 PMBig hikey trips in the Winter are risky. I have found that browns in the New watershed tend to bite between 3:45-4:30 in January. This is when the water temp peaks out. Most sane folk will be hiking out of any gorge by three, and miss the bite. Sunday afternoon quick hits work well now.
The flat wavy rock bottom is what I saw at upper Wilson above Little Wilson. The lack of cover really bothered me.
Hate you didn't catch anything.
How was Little Wilson in terms of fish? Did you fish it?
I wanna know as well. Haven't fished it in years.
5-6 inch brook trout and much debris. Maybe worth a 30 minute drive if that.
Meh. I can get that or better 6 miles from my house with no hike. Thanks for sparing me the leg cramps.
Quote from: driver on January 31, 2020, 19:17:56 PMI haven't fish Wilson in years. But I fished a lot of it and almost all of it sucked. One fish here of there. All small. It picks up a little there higher you go. But nothing to right home about. Needless to say why I haven't been back. Hours amd hours wasted climbing walls and bush wacking through some of the thickest rhodo I've ever seen.
Wilson in the more upper reaches is pretty good. Not many people get down there to it, I don't think. Long hikes keep the people out, not to mention the bears and snakes. The last time I was in there I caught many wild browns, nothing over 12", and no rainbows. I'd like to slide back in there and fish a different stretch at some point.
More hiking and fishing in the rain today.
Another creek off the to-do list. Very leggy up top, and very shitty toward the bottom. Water color here is odd, reminds of one other creek I've hit a few times. It's like a solid rock cascade for several hundred yards in one stretch, exactly like a long set of stairs, as you can see in a photo. Down low this creek has a "road" paralleling it for a good ways. This road is one of the roughest I've been on. Creek crossings, huge and sharp rocks everywhere....and nowhere to pull off to park. More of an ATV trail, really.
@Onslow had said it'd be small up there and it was. Took some navigating around to find my bearings initially. The fella who had told me where to go up top was super vague. Stumbled across many houses and maybe even Walden Pond. Lots of bird life flittering about the dense clumps of rhodo. I had to take it very slowly due to the knee still hurting like hell. Two full weeks in and it's still giving me trouble. Some healing, but nowhere near normal.
Also -- after getting in my truck to try and find a way in at the bottom of this mountain, I feel something and find a tick crawling across the top of my hand. In February? Is this going to be a terrible year for these bastards due to no real cold/icy/snowy weather?
Anyway, another Not a tR in the books. Still, MUCH better than work.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginEverywhere I go, more deer stands.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginPurple paint and posted signs all over the mountain.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginJust driving through creeks.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
Login
The creek doesn't look "fishy," but dang if I haven't been fooled many times before. Never know unless you try! Good on ya for giving your legs and truck a workout. 'c;
Frick me, ticks in Feb...... Doesn't look like a very fishy stream either. If its that skinny after all this rain we have had, I'd hate to see it in the summer. Like Phil said, you don't know unless you go.
The branches of this stream in the photos are the beginnings of the headwaters. After at least 3-4 branches converge the stream is only a little larger than the photos. This is why I cut the upper area adventure short and busted ass down to the bottom for that adventure. The only disappointment I experienced here is that I didn't get to see the very large falls that reside on this mountainside. No fish sucks, but I really wanted to see this monster waterfall.
Note - Upon further map investigation of this area, the first branch I found in the woods was actually the extreme upper headwaters of a creek that I wasn't even interested in. Ha! So, two small headwater creeks that close together yesterday. Pretty neat.
Been working like a dog lately. Needed to get outdoors. Doug has been working like a dog remodeling a kitchen. Told Doug to pick a place and I'll be there. He of course picked a new stream to me that he got skunked on once already down low but wanted to try and access it higher up from the top. I didn't even examine a map. Let Doug do the planning. Mistake. We passed the road 3 times, including once after asking a local for directions. We went down the wrong fire road and was met by a gate.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginWe thought maybe the access was closed off but ended up looking online afterwards and we were down the wrong fire road. Granted it is squirrelly back there because the correct fire road was actually marked at the road as a private road. After pissing away the morning I told Doug lets hit a stream I've been reluctant to fish in the past couple years because of the pressure it receives. It lived up to my reluctance. Caught a couple dozen but all were 5 inches or smaller. Caught 1 fish that was maybe 8". Slow day.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginSome pizza I made the day before. Never skimp on the mozz
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginOnly picture worthy fish
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
Login
Quote from: Big J on November 16, 2020, 09:41:12 AMBeen working like a dog lately. Needed to get outdoors. Doug has been working like a dog remodeling a kitchen. Told Doug to pick a place and I'll be there. He of course picked a new stream to me that he got skunked on once already down low but wanted to try and access it higher up from the top. I didn't even examine a map. Let Doug do the planning. Mistake. We passed the road 3 times, including once after asking a local for directions. We went down the wrong fire road and was met by a gate.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginWe thought maybe the access was closed off but ended up looking online afterwards and we were down the wrong fire road. Granted it is squirrelly back there because the correct fire road was actually marked at the road as a private road. After pissing away the morning I told Doug lets hit a stream I've been reluctant to fish in the past couple years because of the pressure it receives. It lived up to my reluctance. Caught a couple dozen but all were 5 inches or smaller. Caught 1 fish that was maybe 8". Slow day.
[
I thought you guys had fancy gps devices and topo maps... <-;:
Doug had no maps in his truck and no cell service anywhere around where we were. I made zero effort in scouting this access out haha.
Good stuff, even if your navigator has issues.
https://youtu.be/fvrogxMHmlg
I suck. Delorme did make it into the new truck. Nor did I pin the road on my phone map when I had service. But the road was not signed and there were 2 mail boxes at main road. I'm ready to go back and redeem myself.
Piss poor day all around. The known entity fished shitty. The random stream with the locked gate surrendered one snakey brookie. At least I got the truck muddy. :Dance
My hero. Unhooking another 4" brookie.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginOut with old, in with the new.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
Login
Palpable lack of enthusiasm.
I thought about getting out Sunday, but the air started moving in a rather brisk matter. Another non Winter being predicted, so there is no rush.
Quote from: Onslow on November 16, 2020, 20:10:29 PMPalpable lack of enthusiasm.
I thought about getting out Sunday, but the air started moving in a rather brisk matter. Another non Winter being predicted, so there is no rush.
I may be wet wading in December...
Quote from: Big J on November 16, 2020, 09:41:12 AMBeen working like a dog lately. Needed to get outdoors. Doug has been working like a dog remodeling a kitchen. Told Doug to pick a place and I'll be there. He of course picked a new stream to me that he got skunked on once already down low but wanted to try and access it higher up from the top. I didn't even examine a map. Let Doug do the planning. Mistake. We passed the road 3 times, including once after asking a local for directions. We went down the wrong fire road and was met by a gate.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginWe thought maybe the access was closed off but ended up looking online afterwards and we were down the wrong fire road. Granted it is squirrelly back there because the correct fire road was actually marked at the road as a private road. After pissing away the morning I told Doug lets hit a stream I've been reluctant to fish in the past couple years because of the pressure it receives. It lived up to my reluctance. Caught a couple dozen but all were 5 inches or smaller. Caught 1 fish that was maybe 8". Slow day.
[
Check out the National Forest Service "Forest Maps" App. It's free and you can download topo maps for specific national forests and areas. I will plot your location on your phone's GPS which will work (to varying exent) even without a cellular signal. It isn't the best, but it is free and I have used it from time to time. It works best when you have it running while you still have a cellular signal and then move into dead areas than if you try to open it the first time once you are already way out in the boondocks. It can store your tracks and provide some data, as well (distance traveled, etc).
Again, I don't use it as substitution to map/compass or GPS unit, but as a free app, i have used it as a back-up in certain cases and it did what I needed. It def takes up phone memory to download maps, but they are broken down into areas of manageable file size and it is easy to add or remove maps, as needed.
so my local TU chapter is having a November Virtual Fishing Photo Contest with prizes (chapter members only) for Largest Trout, 2nd Largest Trout, Smallest Trout, Most Colorful Trout
So I entered a brook trout photo for most colorful and went fishing yesterday to catch a small trout....
Since the last place I went on Sunday was still running high from the rain, I figured the a more local stream would have subsided to a reasonable level.
I outfitted myself with my gopro with dome for 1/2 in 1/2 out of the water photography.. which I hadn't done in a couple of years and I took a folding saw along to do some trail maintenance.
Well the water was running pretty high and all the usual trout holding spots were swirling turbulences. I fished all the best spots with a dry dropper and found not one fish. I covered a lot of water, picking and choosing my spots and still didn't even see a fish. I did however cut a number of trail blocking rhodos and fallen branches.
I got all the way up to the gorge and thought about going in but it was getting late and I turned around and cut some more branches on the way out.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
Login Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
Login Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
Login Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
Login I like the saw, this was the first time using it. Press lock to open / close. Comfortable handle with good grip. Saw cuts easily on the pull.
I forget to mention that on the way out I ran into a guy walking in at 4:00, I thought he was just out for a hike, then I noticed he was carrying a Tenkara rod p;-
He asked if I had any "luck", I told him, "of course!" :P
Quote from: Woolly Bugger on November 19, 2020, 08:51:05 AMI like the saw, this was the first time using it. Press lock to open / close. Comfortable handle with good grip. Saw cuts easily on the pull.
I purchased this BAHCO Laplander saw back in the summer. I wonder how the 2 saws compare. Sweden vs Mexico/Spain?
You cannot see attachments on this board.
Quote from: Mudwall Gatewood 3.0 on November 19, 2020, 09:49:13 AMQuote from: Woolly Bugger on November 19, 2020, 08:51:05 AMI like the saw, this was the first time using it. Press lock to open / close. Comfortable handle with good grip. Saw cuts easily on the pull.
I purchased this BAHCO Laplander saw back in the summer. I wonder how the 2 saws compare. Sweden vs Mexico/Spain?
Saw off contest? p;-
from Amazon Q&A
Question: How would this compare to the Corona RS 10" folding pruning saw?
Answer: I am a professional tree pruner, an avid bushcrafter, and a carpenter that likes to use a lot of unmilled/branchwood in my projects. I can go through several quality saw blades in a year. I own both these saws.
There are 3 significant differences between the 2 saws. The Corona has 3" longer stroke, a curved blade, and the teeth are set for cutting green wood. This means they are larger and angled more aggressively. Fantastic for green wood, but it can be harder to get going in cured wood as would be used in firewood, or if you prefer to not cut living trees for shelters and crafting. It still works though. The longer stroke the 3" allows is not negligable. In addition to allowing you to cut through thicker wood, you can cut more efficiently with it. Generally you want to cut with the full length of the saw with every stroke, and more length helps a lot because your arm is changing direction fewer times for the same amount of cutting. That said I like the bahco more than I thought I would and it cuts beautifully in dead wood, and in general. I am trying to see if they make a 10" now!
While pruning for clients I use an 18" saw with greenwood teeth and a corona. When hunting and camping I take the bahco. When doing carpentry I use japanese saws, which also cut on the pull.
There is NO significant advantage to using a curved blade, as in the corona, but there is a disadvantage. All my japanese carpentry saws are strait because it allows more control for accurately placed cuts. If you plan on doing any work where accuracy is a concern, try to buy a strait blade.
They are both quality saws worthy of owning even if the corona is made in Mexico. Buy them both if you have the funds. see less
By BeSatori on January 3, 2018
Chainsaw for the big stuff. Machete for the small stuff.
That set up grows semen in your coinpurse and increases blood flow to your wanker - no prescription needed.
An appropriately sized bow saw is worthwhile jangle for backpacking/hiking that involves big fire, or obstruction removal. One of my old Troop's scouts would carry one. He always made his own shelters. Seemed like a good trade-off from my perspective.
So there are a lot of reasons that I ended up in Virginia and didn't go fishing despite the fact that I drove into RCC, but I'm not going to talk about that.
I've seen the sign for the I.C. DeHart Memorial Park on every trip and it was about time to check it out.
I drove on in past the bog complete with a short boardwalk and continued on to what appeared to be a trailhead. There is a kiosk with a bunch of bike / hiking trails in a confusing color-coded map as many of the trials share segments.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginI opted of the Tree ID trails and Yellow to go down along the creek and then up and over to the cemetery 1.5 miles plus the distance from back to the car from the end of the yellow trail Little Widgeon Creek looked fishy but for the reasons I'm not going to talk about I didn't fish it.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginThe cemetery is perched up on the hill overlooking most of the park.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginFor a history of the DeHart family check out this blog.
Those Pre-Pro Whiskey Men!: The DeHarts of Virginia: Moonshine in the Sunshine (pre-prowhiskeymen.blogspot.com) (https://pre-prowhiskeymen.blogspot.com/2011/11/deharts-of-virginia-moonshine-in.html?m=1)
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginThere is also a small bog with a short boardwalk.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginIt's an interesting park with a lot of trails. The map indicates where the remnants of the old homesteads are and even a sill. There is plenty to explore here and maybe even fish that little creek. Mountain bike might be the best way to explore most of the park.
find the trail maps here https://www.trailforks.com/region/i-c-dehart-memorial-park-17464/
J and I were going to hit a small stream for a few hours on Sunday AM. I had to be back in town for Christmas tree purchases at noon.
Plans were finalized Saturday afternoon.
Then he crayfished completely out on me. :o
Then he said he could fish, just later than worked for me.
So I decided to go separately. I gave him the money stream.
And I took a closer stream that I had not fished this year.
A west sloper. So the sun would not be on the water before I had to leave.
You see where this is going?
It was just above freezing when I rigged up and started up the main prong.
Fished a couple of hundred yards. Nada. Nothing.
Moving back down and up a trib that might get more sun.
Bodacious patches of Rattlesnake Plantain streamside.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginFinally hooked a fish, and lost him.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginI rounded a bend and started to get some sun on the water.
A couple of punes came to hand.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginAfter five brookies that added up to 15-16", I pulled the plug. Climbed the hill. cracked a beer, found the trail and headed back to the truck.
Once I got the phone off airplane mode, a text came in.
J had not fished at all. b';
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginMet the fam, got the trees and poinsettias. Worked the garden for a bit, showered up and lit a fire in the pit. Wine and charcuterie soothed me.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
Login
About time I screw you over with fishing plans! Mr. drive by the road 4 times two weekends ago and "Matt's Creek" has brook trout in it!
Quote from: Big J on December 01, 2020, 09:15:21 AMAbout time I screw you over with fishing plans! Mr. drive by the road 4 times two weekends ago and "Matt's Creek" has brook trout in it!
Matt's Creek does have a nice population of brookies, if you believe the authorities.
From the website:
<In 2017, Matt's Creek was monitored for potential reintroduction of Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). After sampling three 100 meter reaches of Matt's Creek, electroshocking data revealed a healthy assemblage of age-0 (YOY) and adult brook trout. No further action required on reintroduction initiative.>
I fished that stream once by myself and then took Tranny up there after Doug reassured me he knew a guy who caught brook trout in that stream. After two 5 mile round trips on that creek, you will have to provide more proof than that to get me there again!
Quote from: Big J on December 01, 2020, 10:32:07 AMI fished that stream once by myself and then took Tranny up there after Doug reassured me he knew a guy who caught brook trout in that stream. After two 5 mile round trips on that creek, you will have to provide more proof than that to get me there again!
I don't ever recall having any success whatsoever with Brook trout during the cold season. Browns will start munching around 4:15 PM, but being this is spawning season, It's all cockroaches until Feb. I'll resume Brookie fishing when the tree leaf buds start bursting.
Quote from: Big J on December 01, 2020, 10:32:07 AMI fished that stream once by myself and then took Tranny up there after Doug reassured me he knew a guy who caught brook trout in that stream. After two 5 mile round trips on that creek, you will have to provide more proof than that to get me there again!
Well, I got the Matt's Creek info from a trustworthy website, www.thesmellyramp.com.
Woolly you were within 3 miles of my house up in Virginia......should have come by
\
Still butthurt after all these years, J? :Dance
Ken, I've got why bother winter streams, and some money winter streams. I think the better the springs that feed the creek, the better a winter bite. This was not a money stream. b';
I wish we had more brown trout options.
Quote from: Dougfish on December 01, 2020, 12:54:33 PMStill butthurt after all these years, J? :Dance
Only every time I drive by that parking lot for the trail access....... :laugh:
Glutton for punishment reporting for duty.
I had a meeting this evening in a certain direction. Good ol buddy stream was on the way.
Fishes slow in the winter. And last night was the coldest so far.
I hiked in a good ways at 2pm and jumped in. Saw this. First ice seen this winter.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginYep, I was wadered up.
It was slow going. It ended up that two guys had fished through there hours before.
(They exited right after I did. Dudes I know. They fished to the top and caught punes.)
I caught this bow to save the day. Fought like a champ.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginOther than a couple of other little fish, it was a nice walk in the woods.
:cheers
Good going Doug
Beats the heck out of reading the news.
Stout cockroach indeed.
Hope to catch a few next week.
Early Christmas Present from the local TU Chapter..
I won the "most colorful" trout in a virtual tournament for November 2020
Fly Box, with 6 dodgey flies, and a $15 gift card... d:b
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
Login
Finished up 2020 with a couple of scouting trips. It's the time of year to explore new water and new access. It's also a lovely time to dirty up the new truck. Hit up an area I had driven by many times, but never delved into. Not much intel from these lower elevation streams. Christmas Eve and New Years Eve trips. No hurry trips. Out after 8, hit and run, back by 2:30. Looked at 6-7 (and some small tribs), wet a line in 4. Wet waded both days. Never went over lower calf. Lots of sloppy fire road explored. Only folks out and about were bear hunters running their dogs, loggers and me.
A pretty big un.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginUp a branch.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginTighter prospect. Does not need more rhodo or laurel!
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginEarl got dirty. (Doesn't everybody name their vehicles?)
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginAnother tight one. With chunks of ice hanging from branches.
(!?!? Water has NOT been that high for a good while.)
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginThis pool alone will bring me back come spring.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginSize 8 stoneflies are promising.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginCaught a handful, lost the same, missed a bunch on the light bite. Put 3 streams on the definitely return trip. A couple on the maybe list. I'm not a bird hunter, but I saw a bunch of good grouse habitat. And I saw more laurel and rhodo between 1500 and 2500 feet than I've seen in forever. Loaded with flower buds, too.
May you find 2021 to be sunshine, unicorns, rainbows, and boring.
And be healthy, wealthy, fishy.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginFirst smoke of 2021 on at 5:20 am. :Dance
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
Login:cheers
Some seem to be a bit disoriented due to the collapsing of the Smith, and the excessive rainfall in SW VA, and NW NC. I may need to start lake fishing, lol. Good to see some new water, and a different part of VA.
FYI, Bovine Meadow River I hear is quite the smallie river.
Quote from: Onslow on January 01, 2021, 07:39:09 AMFYI, Bovine Meadow River I hear is quite the smallie river.
Well, there are 3 that fit that name.
But the main one has more assholey land owners along it than the Jackson.
Access blows.
Go Doug and Happy New Year.
Nice trip. How do you like the new Tacoma? I've got a 2011 but have been eyeing the new ones.
Quote from: Dougfish on January 01, 2021, 07:48:30 AMQuote from: Onslow on January 01, 2021, 07:39:09 AMFYI, Bovine Meadow River I hear is quite the smallie river.
Well, there are 3 that fit that name.
But the main one has more assholey land owners along it than the Jackson.
Access blows.
All true, plus intersex SMB in the "main one".
Quote from: ryguy on January 01, 2021, 08:53:26 AMNice trip. How do you like the new Tacoma? I've got a 2011 but have been eyeing the new ones.
Got it in September. 6K already. Love it. I'm in the Toyo cult, now.
Quote from: Mudwall Gatewood 3.0 on January 01, 2021, 09:16:52 AMQuote from: Dougfish on January 01, 2021, 07:48:30 AMQuote from: Onslow on January 01, 2021, 07:39:09 AMFYI, Bovine Meadow River I hear is quite the smallie river.
Well, there are 3 that fit that name.
But the main one has more assholey land owners along it than the Jackson.
Access blows.
All true, plus intersex SMB in the "main one".
It's hard to swallow this fact. It is clearly apparent it doesn't take many female bovines to piss up a waterway. Some scary shit if you ask me.
Quote from: Onslow on January 01, 2021, 12:14:05 PMQuote from: Mudwall Gatewood 3.0 on January 01, 2021, 09:16:52 AMQuote from: Dougfish on January 01, 2021, 07:48:30 AMQuote from: Onslow on January 01, 2021, 07:39:09 AMFYI, Bovine Meadow River I hear is quite the smallie river.
Well, there are 3 that fit that name.
But the main one has more assholey land owners along it than the Jackson.
Access blows.
All true, plus intersex SMB in the "main one".
It's hard to swallow this fact. It is clearly apparent it doesn't take many female bovines to piss up a waterway. Some scary shit if you ask me.
I don't think it is cattle waste in this particular watershed. My hypothesis, after being out of the game for a while, is poultry waste and/or sewage treatment waste are responsible for the intersex. This is my guess, only. Who knows what hormones are entering the system? And the culprit may not be in the particular river; it may be a result of migrating fishes from the major river downstream.
I needed to get out. Fin wanted to get out, too.
But he did not want to be cold :;!
So I hit the road alone at 6am. Winging my way to a river that has always fished good, 365. Only knucklehead on the river. Air temp started at 30, water at 44. Euro'd. It was running about the perfect cfs. Looking for post spawn bows with a bonus brown or two.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginIt was going slooow. Perfect runs, good drifts, nada.
DSFK.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginGuests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
LoginAfter a few hours, 2 beers and 3 fish, I lost my rig in a shrub across the river. Reeled up and hiked back to the truck.
Guests are not allowed to view images in posts, please
Register or
Login The first bad outing on this water. n!n
But it was good for the soul.
I'll be back soon enough.
Post spawn bows?
Ugh, yeah. Rainbows have sex, too. (Sorta.)
Thought they did all their fucking around end of feb-march
3 fish is better than staring out the window watching it snow again. Aack. Good job. :cheers
I should have mentioned that this water is basically a big spring creek. It reaches the critical 42-44 degrees pretty early in the year. No redds were seen. But it was pumping at 5x yesterday's cfs just a week ago.
Quote from: RiverbumCO on February 06, 2021, 21:51:55 PMThought they did all their fucking around end of feb-march
I think the rainbows have been propagated and planted in alien waters for so long, now composing so many different strains, it is likely impossible to reliably predict spawning times for every fish.
Back in the 80s while fishing the upper Jackson in October, I witnessed a brookie of average size and a rainbow (~16") attempting to kinkily spawn in some sort of pseudo-miscegenation way. The fish porn was in a small tributary of the Jackson that held brookies and I figured the rainbow was a migrant strain from the downstream Lake Moomaw. I watched the two for 30+ minutes, and I believe I was guiding at the time, and recall the client getting antsy. My memory of the client and guiding may be incorrect, but all my recollection of guiding is of a rushed, unpleasant affair always with a client(s) disinterested in the nuances of what was going on, naturally or unnaturally. Guiding = wasted time on or near the water!!!!!
I've often wondered why anyone would want to spend their days as a guide, putting up with the likes of me.
QuoteI think the rainbows have been propagated and planted in alien waters for so long, now composing so many different strains, it is likely impossible to reliably predict spawning times for every fish.
This makes sense. Lake dwellers most certainly appear to spawn early.
I do believe the bloom schedule, and perhaps the riverine reproduction will not be three weeks early this year. This is the most normal Winter we've had in a while. Maples are no where ready to pop. Heck, in most years the Gillflower, Chickweed, and Deadnettle start to bloom on south facing pastures in January. This year, only the Gillflower and bluets? are thinking about blooming.
Dougy's stream may be spring influenced, but that isn't going to stop snowmelt from chilling things down. It may keep the stream from freezing over, but that's it.
Quote from: Mudwall Gatewood 3.0 on February 07, 2021, 11:47:12 AMQuote from: RiverbumCO on February 06, 2021, 21:51:55 PMThought they did all their fucking around end of feb-march
I think the rainbows have been propagated and planted in alien waters for so long, now composing so many different strains, it is likely impossible to reliably predict spawning times for every fish.
Back in the 80s while fishing the upper Jackson in October, I witnessed a brookie of average size and a rainbow (~16") attempting to kinkily spawn in some sort of pseudo-miscegenation way. The fish porn was in a small tributary of the Jackson that held brookies and I figured the rainbow was a migrant strain from the downstream Lake Moomaw. I watched the two for 30+ minutes, and I believe I was guiding at the time, and recall the client getting antsy. My memory of the client and guiding may be incorrect, but all my recollection of guiding is of a rushed, unpleasant affair always with a client(s) disinterested in the nuances of what was going on, naturally or unnaturally. Guiding = wasted time on or near the water!!!!!
IME The client usually gets Ansy when you pull your Johnson out whilst watching fish do stuff....fuckem