Official AGS Fishing Thread

[D1B]

Post your stories, pix, lies, and advice here.

Cap'n is on Lake Yuba today trolling for Lakers. I've been tying Muskie/ Pike flies for a charity silent auction next month, can't wait for the opener.

Good luck to all AGS fisherman - be safe and be fearless!

[Grizo406]

In Montana, our fishing season runs from 1 March through the following February.

I'm a huge "Catch and Release" fisherperson, so I pretty much fish year round, and will start hitting it very hard as soon as the snow melt is under control, and the rivers go down and clear up.

Skwalas, and March Brown's seem to be the only productive fly to use if you want to land anything over 12" out here now.

Speaking of Lakers. They are known as Mackinaw in Montana. Most unresponsive fish I've ever caught. Not totally unlike catching a water filled boot, and it's about as much fun catching them as it is talking to pols before his first keg of Slurry Bomber.

[Tribefan]

crap... this URL blocked my pictures

One more try. I had to post to another board hehe

Okay this isn't working...

If anyone knows a place on the web where you can link your pictures, I would love to know about it.

I've been catching decent amounts of wild brown trout on opening weekend here in Connecticut. Water level is perfect. The Hendricksons are starting to hatch, today it warmed up to 63 degrees and I inhaled half the stoneflies in the state of Connecticut.

[D1B]

In Montana, our fishing season runs from 1 March through the following February.

I'm a huge "Catch and Release" fisherperson, so I pretty much fish year round, and will start hitting it very hard as soon as the snow melt is under control, and the rivers go down and clear up.

Skwalas, and March Brown's seem to be the only productive fly to use if you want to land anything over 12" out here now.

Speaking of Lakers. They are known as Mackinaw in Montana. Most unresponsive fish I've ever caught. Not totally unlike catching a water filled boot, and it's about as much fun catching them as it is talking to pols before his first keg of Slurry Bomber.
You're right Grizo, Lake Trout arent the most sporting fish. They do get huge in the Great Lakes and trolling for em is fun. They put up a decent fight, but not as tough as salmon/ bows.

I biked to New Glarus and back today. I took the Sugar River Trail most of the way. It crosses the Sugar about 17 times. Carp galore in the slews and shallow water. God, I wish I had my bow with me. Would've been fun. Tomorrow...

Saw 4 Sandhill Cranes, dozens of painted turtles, racoon, and a beautiful Red Fox.

There's a brewery in New Glarus (New Glarus Brewing Company) - one of the few making decent craft brews in the area. Drank a couple Black Wheats and a few Spaten Optimators. Took the edge off the 30 mile bike trip back home in the *****ing rain.

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/sugarriver/

[Grizo406]

Drank a couple Black Wheats and a few Spaten Optimators. Took the edge off the 30 mile bike trip back home in the *****ing rain.



http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:37tsSn5utPcJ:www.thesmokinggun.com/graphics/art2/vicodin.jpg, and one of these will take the edge off of just about anything. :D

[grizchik]

My favorite fishing in Montana is on the Missouri River between Holter Dam and Criag, MT. It's gotten a little too popular and weekends can be crowded. Nice rainbows, brown trout and some Walleye. Lots of whitefish and carp. I only get there once or twice a year now.

D1b, you crazy man.....biking and beer. I did that once many years ago with a girlfriend. We mountain biked to a bar and after a few beers and many quarters in the juke box playing Jimmy Buffet's "Why Don't We Get Drunk and Scr*w", we had to hitch hike with our bikes back to Whitefish. Ever hitched with two mountain bikes? It helped to be female!

[D1B]

By grizchik:

D1b, you crazy man.....biking and beer. I did that once many years ago with a girlfriend. We mountain biked to a bar and after a few beers and many quarters in the juke box playing Jimmy Buffet's "Why Don't We Get Drunk and Scr*w", we had to hitch hike with our bikes back to Whitefish. Ever hitched with two mountain bikes? It helped to be female!

Yeah I hear ya grizchick. Mountain biking, for me, is a different story. Tend to lay off the beers until I'm done.

I picked up a Cannondale road bike last summer and that's what I did yesterday. I live about 8 miles from the Sugar River trailhead and they're all paved country roads.

Wisconsin is mecca for road cycling. Back in the day it was state law that any road used to transport milk had to be paved. I guess it was a product- quality issue. So we're blessed with thousands of miles of paved country, rural, and rustic roads zig zagging throughout our beautiful countryside.

The Sugar River Trail is an old railroad line paved with finely crushed limestone. Adequate for road bikes. Still it was about 60 miles round trip. For me, physical exertion is just as much a matter of pain management as it is having the lungs and muscles to keep up. A few beers seems to help me. Plus the endorphin buzz when its over is tops.

Fishing wise today: At the garden center, I caught 4 outstanding Koi for my garden pond. Caught em with an 8" square green mesh net and a VISA Checkcard. ;)

[grizchik]

Yeah I hear ya grizchick. Mountain biking, for me, is a different story. Tend to lay off the beers until I'm done.



Oh, I've done plenty of serious mountain biking. We have logging roads and trails leading off those roads just about everywhere here in Montana. I have earned my OTB t-shirt many times. It's been a while since I've been.

Your road biking sounds amazing. I did 60 miles on a road bike once and cramped up just about everywhere...it's more than a casual Saturday thing for me!

[D1B]

Your road biking sounds amazing. I did 60 miles on a road bike once and cramped up just about everywhere...it's more than a casual Saturday thing for me!
It's going much better this year. I've lost almost 30lbs. since last summer and almost 60 over the last 2 years. Now, instead of collapsing on the couch after a ride, I still have enough energy to do some housework and get in a game or two of "Strip" Jenga with the Mrs. ;)
http://www.ssmrocks.com/kimnovak/mt/blog/images/olympic_jenga_final_01.jpg
Fall mother****er, FALL!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tribefan]

Today I caught the biggest trout I have ever caught (on a fly rod). Of course the camera was dropped in the water and was not taking pictures. I was using a 5 weight St. Croix Legend Ultra with 4x leader that I trimmed down so I could cast a heavy conehead spruce streamer.

Anyways, the brown trout measured out at 26 inches! It took me the better part of an hour to land him. Should it really take that long?

I'm asking this because I'm sure you Montana types catch fish like this all the time. It seemed to me like the fight shouldn't have dragged on as long as it did, and I was worried about the fish dying of exhaustion. When I finally did land him, measure and put him back he was darted out of my hands once I resucitated him.

The thing never seemed to run out of power and every time my brother got close enough to help me land him, he would take off and I would have start the process over again..... This was a totally wild fish. It was simply blown away by how powerful it was.

Oh and how do you upload pics from your computer here. The insert image thing seems to only let attach pics from other websites.

[D1B]

Today I caught the biggest trout I have ever caught (on a fly rod). Of course the camera was dropped in the water and was not taking pictures. I was using a 5 weight St. Croix Legend Ultra with 4x leader that I trimmed down so I could cast a heavy conehead spruce streamer.

Anyways, the brown trout measured out at 26 inches! It took me the better part of an hour to land him. Should it really take that long?

I'm asking this because I'm sure you Montana types catch fish like this all the time. It seemed to me like the fight shouldn't have dragged on as long as it did, and I was worried about the fish dying of exhaustion. When I finally did land him, measure and put him back he was darted out of my hands once I resucitated him.

The thing never seemed to run out of power and every time my brother got close enough to help me land him, he would take off and I would have start the process over again..... This was a totally wild fish. It was simply blown away by how powerful it was.

Oh and how do you upload pics from your computer here. The insert image thing seems to only let attach pics from other websites.
Congrats Tribe! Nice fish.

Regarding the time, who really cares, you landed it and released it in good shape. You hooked into a wild stud.

Ive hooked some huge trout on the Kenai that took quite a while to land. They instinctively would go to the deepest, fastest current in the river and just hold there. When they got tired they'd take lighting runs in the same current, so I'd have to chase em down stream. On lighter gear (3-4-5 wt.) you just gotta be patient. Looks like you did great.

A trick that seemed to work for me is slowly walking backwards out of the river while fighting the fish. Very effective once the fish gets closer to the bank and if you have a parter to help land. Necessary when fighting big salmon.

Nice work.

[Tribefan]

Congrats Tribe! Nice fish.

Regarding the time, who really cares, you landed it and released it in good shape. You hooked into a wild stud.

Ive hooked some huge trout on the Kenai that took quite a while to land. They instinctively would go to the deepest, fastest current in the river and just hold there. When they got tired they'd take lighting runs in the same current, so I'd have to chase em down stream. On lighter gear (3-4-5 wt.) you just gotta be patient. Looks like you did great.

A trick that seemed to work for me is slowly walking backwards out of the river while fighting the fish. Very effective once the fish gets closer to the bank and if you have a parter to help land. Necessary when fighting big salmon.

Nice work.

D1,

That's exactly what I ended up doing! I started walking backwards and my brother ambushed him and we got him onto the bank. The best part of it was, for the first 20 minutes we had no idea what this fish was. He found the deepest water he could get to and stayed there. I was fishing in the Housatonic River Trout Management Area, there's tons of large smallmouth and Northerns mixed in there. Finnally he came up and thrashed, and we saw what it was.

I kind of owe a bit of this fish to you and Grizo since you guys reccommended the big streamer setup back in the winter when I was out shopping around.

I'm moving to Lacrosse in September. Have you ever fished out there?

[Grizo406]

I'm asking this because I'm sure you Montana types catch fish like this all the time.

Not all the time, Tribefan...my average is in the 18" dept, and I can catch those all day long in a creek a 5 year old could jump across from a walking start. If I want bigger ones, it seem that I have to hump it deeper into the back country.

I'd love to find a place that would produce 26" fish consistently. If I did, you wouldn't hear about it here.

Sounds like you did all the right things landing that stud fish, most importantly...you let it go. Thanks!

Glad I helped, and thanks for the mention.

[Tribefan]

Not all the time, Tribefan...my average is in the 18" dept, and I can catch those all day long in a creek a 5 year old could jump across from a walking start. If I want bigger ones, it seem that I have to hump it deeper into the back country.

I'd love to find a place that would produce 26" fish consistently. If I did, you wouldn't hear about it here.

Sounds like you did all the right things landing that stud fish, most importantly...you let it go. Thanks!

Glad I helped, and thanks for the mention.

The best thing about this river is that the streambed is contaminated with PCBs, everything is catch and release, so there are some real pigs in there. Last year they electroshocked a 38 lb. Northern Pike which is a monster in CT.

[Grizo406]

The best thing about this river is that the streambed is contaminated with PCBs, everything is catch and release, so there are some real pigs in there. Last year they electroshocked a 38 lb. Northern Pike which is a monster in CT.


Another of the many reasons I'm SO thankful for where I'm blessed to fish.

If I'm in the back country fishing, and I get thirsty, I don't have a problem sticking my face in whatever water I'm fishing, and taking a drink...knowing I won't be *****ting what brains I have left out, or looking for the ER once I get back to the trail head.

[D1B]

D1,
I'm moving to Lacrosse in September. Have you ever fished out there?

I've fished very little in Lacrosse. There's great fishing there and it's one of the most beautiful parts of Wisconsin.

September and October are prime months for muskie fishing in WI. All the jetskiers and pan/ walleye fisherman are off the lakes and the muskies are voracious. Hopefully Cap'n will be back in the area by then. Just contact one of us if you're interested in going.

Congrats on the Brown.

[Grizo406]

I want to state publicly, that I only fish in I-AA approved creeks, and I-AA approved rivers.

I use only I-AA approved fishing equipment that is not limited to flies, waders, tippets, nets, reels, poles, various lines, and creels.

Any technique in fly presentation I choose to use is I-AA approved. And if I'm forced to use an insect repellent while applying my art...it's I-AA approved. :rolleyes: :D

[Tribefan]

Yesterday I had a pretty frustrating day. We floated the Housy and had an awful time getting the fish to take our Hendrickson nymphs, there were just so many bugs in the river that they had too many of the real thing. I stuck another nice big brown, but he me busted my 4x tippet mainly because I was dumb. Later we found a monster sipping Hendrickson emergers like every 3 seconds. We took turns casting to it and of course he takes mine... and of course I use the Tarpon hookset and I snap him off. This fish was easily in the 24 inch ballpark as we got many good looks at him.

Today my brother and I hit another river and we found many risers. They were taking BWO duns while it was nice and bright. Caught a mess of Browns and one real nice 15 inch Rainbow that jumped way out of the water at least four times. I was hoping for a good spinner fall when it started to get dark, but the Squadron we wanted never showed, instead we got tons of Midge spinners. I think it took me 15 minutes tie a knot on this size 32 midge. Arghhh. It was worth two more decent Browns, and one fish which I think was one of the many hordes of Atlantic Salmon smolts that the state stocks.

All in all I have one more day of fishing before I have to head back down to Va. I probably have learned more about Fly Fishing in the past 8 days than I have learned in the past two years combined.

[SunCoastBlueHen]

Here's some chubby guy with a snook...

[SunCoastBlueHen]

I suck!!!!

Three fish on tonight, didn't land a single one. xnonono2x

[YoUDeeMan]

Here's some chubby guy with a snook...

You're all wet. Were you fishing or did you just dive in and get him with your bare hands? xeyebrowx


xlolx

[YoUDeeMan]

The Sugar River Trail is an old railroad line paved with finely crushed limestone. Adequate for road bikes. Still it was about 60 miles round trip.

OK, how many people can ride a bike for for 60 miles? Not many.

Kudos DB1! xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx xbowx

xthumbsupx

[Appaholic]

You're right Grizo, Lake Trout arent the most sporting fish. They do get huge in the Great Lakes and trolling for em is fun. They put up a decent fight, but not as tough as salmon/ bows.

I biked to New Glarus and back today. I took the Sugar River Trail most of the way. It crosses the Sugar about 17 times. Carp galore in the slews and shallow water. God, I wish I had my bow with me. Would've been fun. Tomorrow...

Saw 4 Sandhill Cranes, dozens of painted turtles, racoon, and a beautiful Red Fox.

There's a brewery in New Glarus (New Glarus Brewing Company) - one of the few making decent craft brews in the area. Drank a couple Black Wheats and a few Spaten Optimators. Took the edge off the 30 mile bike trip back home in the *****ing rain.

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/sugarriver/

Nectar of the Gods!

[SunCoastBlueHen]

You're all wet. Were you fishing or did you just dive in and get him with your bare hands? xeyebrowx


xlolx

:D

I like to wade out to fish at the beach as it gives a better chance to sight fish. It's not unusual to have fish swim right past you (and, evidently, an occasional manatee). :p

[andy7171]

You're all wet. Were you fishing or did you just dive in and get him with your bare hands? xeyebrowx


xlolx

He's in Florida, that's normal humidity sweat. You should see him during the day! xlolx


I was up in PA Fathers Day weekend and caught two nice sized smallies. xthumbsupx xthumbsupx Its comical fishing with my little girls, they are so excited right up until you pull the fish out of the water. Then they freak out scream and run back into the cottage.

[SunCoastBlueHen]

He's in Florida, that's normal humidity sweat. You should see him during the day! xlolx


I was up in PA Fathers Day weekend and caught two nice sized smallies. xthumbsupx xthumbsupx Its comical fishing with my little girls, they are so excited right up until you pull the fish out of the water. Then they freak out scream and run back into the cottage.

It's fun taking the kids fishing. When I fish in the evenings, I take my three year old down to the dock on the intracoastal side to catch the bait I use over in the Gulf. I have her little Tweety Bird fishing rod set up with a tiny little hook and a split shot. I bait it with a small piece of shrimp and she reals in the little pinfish left and right. In the bait bucket they go. xthumbsupx

[Gil Dobie]

Busy year with school & work etc. Haven't had a chance to fish yet, but did see a nice 2-3 lb bass down by the dock the other day.