Yesterday was the last day of the early catch and release season in Wisconsin. All inland trout streams will now be closed for one week before they reopen for the regular season. Also yesterday, I had the rare occasion of fishing with a friend. We were headed to new water for him, and also I was hoping to use some big flies with a new 7:3 Yamame rod that I had purchased.
I purchased the Yamame in preparation of fishing some of the warm water lakes and ponds and maybe even rivers for crappies, bluegills, and bass. I knew it could handle larger flies and larger fish, so it was a good pick to go where I thought we might find some larger trout.
A stonefly shuck and a tied fly
Last year, in the early part of May, the stonefly shucks started to appear on the rock in this river, so I made sure to have some large #6 stonefly nymphs and dries. I was hoping to hit some of these deep secluded holes with the heavier flies.
After a hike in and setting up, we worked upstream hitting these big fishable holes. There were a few hits in the initial pool where we started, but the trout got off almost immediately. We worked our way to one pool that I knew we would have success. This pool was the perfect place. It was far from the road and had good casting room and a shallow area near the end of the pool which was great for landing fish.
A fat brown trout
The rocks were clear of stoneflies and there was no surface activity, so we used my stonefly nymphs and indicator. My friend and I took turns using the Yamame rod in this area. It was his turn first and with a subtle take, he had a monster on. The giant fought and shook to get off, but before we could get it near the net, it got off. Then it was my turn. I made some similar casts and soon had my own beast on. These trout were fat and I was loving every minute of it.
The Yamame rod had worked well on these fat fish. It had exceeded my expectations by casting more delicately than I had hoped. Even later with much smaller flies it had worked well.
We caught several more, but no more of the giants before moving on. We hiked back closer to our cars and kept fishing some of the smaller holes. We continued to catch trout, but on smaller flies and in shallower water.
It had been a good day for trout fishing and sharing water and even new rods. With the inland trout season closed for a week, those fat trout can rest up before I go back and hit them in a week, and maybe by then, the stoneflies will be starting to show up on the rocks.
Nice looking fly, very good imitation.
Thanks. I’m not a big fly kind of fisher, but when the shucks are around, it’s a good thing to have a few tied and in your fly box.