Dry Fly Innovations

The Epitome of Stupidity!!!!

Who in the hell takes off fishing in November without their waders; well I’ve done more stupid things but I can’t remember when.  Its 11:00 I’m at the river and I can not believe I don’t have my waders.

So I’m wet wading, because I’m not going home until I fish.  I did remember my wading boots so I put them on, rigged my rod, and headed down to the first run of water.  There was frost on the trail, it was shady in canyon and by the time I reached the water it was obvious I’d freeze if I waded the river.  To top it off wading shoes without waders are very large and I could feel a bad rub on my heel sure to cause a blister if I continued to walk down river to the sun.  I retired to the fact my fishing day was over, I broke down my rod and walked up the mountain to the car and headed towards home.

I decided to have lunch on a plateau above the river and at least enjoy the scenery before I left for home.  The longer I stayed on the plateau the warmer it became and by the time I finished my sandwich I’d made up my mind to go back and fish one hole at the base of the plateau.  I found another pair of socks in a storage compartment in the car and I put on a pair of merino wool long underwear under my jeans.  So I was ready to wet wade in November come hell or high water!!

My tie on fly was a #16 Black “Searcher” (dry fly fish Idaho) and I didn’t have to wait long to know if was a good choice.  About 3 casts in I hook a nice rainbow in a foam line close to the bank and the party was on.  From noon to 4:00 I served the “Searcher” (dry fly fish Idaho) and the fish ate it.  Almost every rising fish got hooked and part of the time I would cast blindly and a fish would come out of nowhere and eat the bug.  I’d stay in the water until I couldn’t feel my toes, then jump out on a rock, do a little jig to start the circulation then jump back in the water to adjust position for the next fish.  Who in the hell cares if I might have to have my frost bitten toes amputated tomorrow; I’m catching fish today!!!  One must carry on…….

As the sun dipped behind the mountain the temperature immediately plummeted, but I had one more whole I had to make a cast in.  So I tied on a Midnight Caddis (dry fly fish Idaho) and walked up river to the run.  As I approached the hole I could see at least 3 large fish working the surface.  Second cast, I see his big ole head peak up and eat the bug.  Fish on, 2 big jumps and a torpedo was heading down river on a monster run.  The squeal of the drag is such beautiful music.  After a short run down river another gorgeous fish slid into the net.  I took him off the hook, revived him a long time and let him go.  He ran under the log I’d rested my net on and I could see his tail protruding from under the log.

On the first cast after landing that fish I hook another fish and bring him to the net.  I release the fish at the same log I had released the previous fish.  When I let the fish go he ran under the log about a foot away from the fish before.  I’d picked up a lot of mud, but when the water cleared both of the fish were under the log with their tails sticking out.  It was a cool sight to end the day on.

About half way back to the car I could feel my feet again, and the South Fork (dry fly fish Idaho) shared another awesome memory as it always does.

Flies that caught fish:

#16 Black “Searcher”

#16 Midnight Caddis