Nature of the Hunt

          Hello all and thanks for checking in at The O’Grady Fly Fishing Adventures. I sat down this morning with Christmas songs humming through my brain and I was planning on writing my yearly “Merry Christmas “blog and then I made a huge mistake. I jumped on my Facebook feed and in two and a half videos my mind went from pure Christmas joy to pure Nature. The first video on my scroll was a pelican grabbing a pigeon and slowly draining the life out of him in his gullet. The next video down was an absolutely gorgeous eagle swooping in and was so powerful that he took down a goat. The final video was like watching a proverbial train wreck; a lioness sat behind a bush as a line of wildebeests ran by. I remember watching the Lion King many years ago with my youngest and even though the cartoon showed lions as thoughtful and nice, I knew that I didn’t want to see it but I could not take my eyes off. The lioness flinched on a few occasions but was waiting for the perfect meal. I felt completely paralyzed and was unable to scroll down or look away and the out of nowhere, a giant male lion came flying past and took down his dinner. At last, my trance was lifted and I quickly scrolled down my feed but not before my Christmas thoughts had been removed from my head.

          Now I know some of you may have heard this story before but I’m pretty sure this is the first time it has made the blog. Now I know with most of my stories either get better or more epic with time, this one may go the other way. When I was in high school I had a friend that asked me if I wanted to go hunting with him. My family had never really been in to that and I thought that I might as well give it a try. The first day out we only ran across one pheasant, when he took off I quickly aimed and got off a couple of rounds. The bird was not harmed, but the feeling of complete power raced through my veins. Shortly after that I began practice shooting and quickly became a proficient pheasant hunter and the power feeling began to grow. Pheasants, rabbits, geese and even trying to figure out how to move up the ladder into big game and then one day I had what some people call a “come to God moment”. It was like any other November day with me and my trusty sidekick German Sheppard at my side and I flushed a rooster. Like second nature I raised, shot and watched the bird fall out of the sky. I hurried over to make sure that he didn’t run off and as I reached for him he turned his head and looked me square into the eye and somehow, telepathically asked me why I hurt him.  I froze and probably felt like the Grinch after hearing the songs out of Whoville. I went home that day and after cleaning my gun, I put it in its case and I don’t think it has been out since. Yes, I am very aware that I am a wuss and maybe even a hypocrite. You see I love a good steak, chicken, a Christmas turkey and I have even been to Cody’s for dinner and eaten, venison, salmon, crappie, and elk(my mouth is watering), I guess I just can’t handle the kill.

          So as I’m writing this blog it has become crystal clear to me why I love fly fishing so much. You see I have never missed the kill (excluding maybe a few bait fisherman, poor drivers or certain politicians)jkjk, but the hunt was missing for many years. And it might even explain why I can’t look away on the videos. The Eagle dropping in and its wings partially collapse, you can almost see the air holding him up. The lioness patiently plotting out which beast to take down and the pelican using its different mouth muscles snuffing out the pigeon. Its kind of funny that even still today when I sit down to tie, I find myself slightly salivating because this might be the fly that lands my fish of the day. When I get to the river and I see “my spot” open, I find myself feeling like the eagle swooping in. And with the lions, if you wait too long to take the cast, I might just take it out from under you, good thing the line of fish is still there. And the best thing of all, you can net the fish, take a quick pic, release the fish and on the way home, stop and eat a slopper.

          So if you have skipped the hunt of this fly fishing blog and have moved straight to the kill then this is your start. The river temps this week have moved the river into a really tricky zone. Personal days and guide trips have been fun but not easy. On the days when the water warms even just a little, we have seen some great BWO hatches. On the days when the water never really warms the BWOs have been sparse and midges seem to be the meals. The FOD has been the ticket before 2:00 p.m. and after the fish have been on Ninjas and Black Beauties. The adult Thorax BWO  has still been attracting lips. So as I close out this blog I want to go back to what Cat and I initially wanted to say; We hope that all of you have an incredible Christmas and we hope to see you all on the river next year. As always, Connell, Cat, Winston, Simba, and the Drift Fly Shop want to thank you for reading……

Getting Your Money's Worth.....

               

               Hello all and thanks for checking in at The O’Grady Fly Fishing Adventures. During my guide trip today I had a little time to think about how my fishing has changed over the years, and today’s trip seemed to wrap these changes in the proverbial nutshell.

Before taking clients out on the water, I typically contact them ahead of time to isolate what their goals are for the trip. The gentlemen I had the pleasure of guiding today, Curt and Mitch, were pretty new to fly fishing and really wanted today to be a learning trip and weren’t highly concerned with the number or size of fish. And yes....as any honest guide would tell you... those are definitely our favorite types of trips. So to the water we went and after a short period of time Mitch began to notice fish rising all around him. I switched his rig and after landing four fish, he was floating on cloud-nine. With Mitch satisfied and smiling, I turned my attention to Curtis. After we worked out a few bugs, (no pun intended) we watched a big red stripe move into the feeding lane in front of us. First cast was a foul ball, but the second was a homerun. The battle was fierce and then an absolutely gorgeous 20.5 inch bow was landed. Now this was the only fish that Curtis landed today, but if you’re only going to land one make it count. Much like a photograph being worth a thousand words, sometimes a trophy fish is worth a hundred dinks.

            So how did today fit my fishing career to a “T” While landing medium fish on the surface brought my client great joy, his eyes changed from delight to longing after seeing his friend’s big catch, and a fire was lit inside him to land his own monster. I remember when the fire caught inside myself. It’s been a few years since I landed that first toad, but it sure made catching huge numbers of smaller fish a little less exciting. The rumor circles that long time “pig hunters” like myself, eventually go back to enjoying every fish that has been properly tricked and played. I would have to say that I have found myself enjoying every fish a little more this year. The rumor is slowly becoming fact for me. I have thrown more dry flies over the last month than I think I have thrown over the last five years put together, and have been enjoying every minute of it.

            I fished a little on Saturday and found myself tossing dries to sippers most of the day. Fishing has not been in the easy category the last few trips out. During the hatches, fish seem to be moving into really slow water and are getting a ton of time to look at the flies which also gives them the option to be picky. As the main hatch begins to ebb, I have managed to get a couple of nice fish to the net in quicker water. Once again, I must be a better guide than a fisherman, my best fish on Saturday was just a tad over nineteen. The FOD nymph and the Thorax BWO dry have been the flies producing the best as of late.

As always, Connell, Cat, Winston and The Drift Fly Shop want to thank you for reading…..

                                    A few from Saturday..

Guilty Pleasures

          Hello all and thanks for checking in at the O’Grady Fly Fishing Adventures. If you have read the title and are reading just so you can hear more of the maniacal, diabolical, “on the fence” dirty mind of Connell, then you have been tricked. Today’s special edition will be about my dogs and how they behave like fishermen.

I know most of you have read so much about Winston over the years that you might feel as if he is partially your own, but some of you may not know that Cat and I actually have another dog. Mushka is an Irish Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier, with “terror” being a fitting root of the word. We absolutely love her to death, but she does have a mind of her own. While Winston may be the simplest dog in the world, he loves fishing and eating, chasing balls and eating, getting petted and eating...... and I think you get the point. Mushka on the other hand, has one favorite thing to do. Her favorite pass time is to dominate and harass her little brother Winston. When we feed them at night, Winston practically inhales his dinner in seconds and Mushka takes her time. Occasionally, when she’s really feeling sassy she will only finish half of her bowl and lay next to it while angrily staring at Winston, daring him to come near. We have even left the house at different times with this scenario playing out and come home three hours later and see the dogs have not moved, Winston’s drool puddle is just a little larger. Now Winston has a few tricks up his own sleeve, but those are for a different blog. Today’s writing is all about the bone.

          I guess if we were better or smarter dog parents we would probably buy different sized bones for our dogs. After reading the first line it is pretty obvious that we only get one size and it never seems to satisfy both pups. We have gone with the larger size and it is funny what happens after doling them out on those special evenings. Now the first part of the treating process is just like their feeding time. Mushka nibbles and Winston burns through even the largest and toughest bones in minutes. Now the difference from feeding is the look Winston has after finishing his special treat. He jumps into his chair (yes he has his own recliner) and stares at Mushka. Cat seems to think he has a look of self-pity because since Muska is still nibbling on hers, Winston believes her bone was obviously larger than his from the start. The look he wears could also be interrupted as self-loathing, almost like he can’t believe that once again he ate his bone without taking the time to enjoy it fully. When at last Mushka’s bone is gone, the treats are forgotten and Winston moves on to what Mamma is cooking for dinner.

          So how does the dog bone experience correlate to fishermen? For almost eleven years now, Cat has watched fishermen come back into the shop after fishing all day, with expressions which resemble Winston “post bone.” To explain what I mean I’m going to throw my own self-control problems into the fray here as well. One of my issues while fishing is that occasionally I get locked into a run. I get into one of my faves and after hooking a few right away I become entranced and refuse to move in for hours, stayed even after the fish have wised up to me and my tactics. Yep on those days I mosey on back to my car thinking “why didn’t I move into this or that run today? It would have been much better.” At these times my face undeniably mirrors Winston’s self-loathing expression. If only I would have enjoyed the bone. On the same note, two friends will come in, one guy will have a sly grin like Muska and his friend looks sad. Almost every time something is said along the lines of, “if he would have just listened and did it my way he would have had far more fun with the fish (bone). And lastly, we read the face of the self-pitying fishermen, which reads, “my friend had all the good holes, the bone is always bigger on the other side of the river.” Well luckily for us, as with the pups, there are always more bones to be had and days of fishing to be enjoyed. In the end no matter how fast you eat it or how small the bone is, like a day of fishing, perception can be the keys to happiness.

          As we near Christmas, I wanted to bring up a few ideas for my fellow anglers. Gift giving season might be the perfect time to satisfy your fly fishing needs. Now I know the season is supposed to be all about the birth of our savior, but the gifting part is going to happen as well so we should be prepared. The first suggestion I have is for you to recommend that your loved ones buy you gift certificates from the Drift. Fly Fishermen are extremely unique in their tastes/and needs and with a gift certificate not only will it ensure you receive what you want, but there is a hidden benefit to them as well.  By having a gift certificate in hand it gives you free license to hang-out at the shop without causing marital strife, because after all you were “trying to spend your gift.” Not only this, but when that special gear calls to you mid-summer and you bring it home there will be no argument over paying for it, or hiding it in the truck until payday, instead you can walk through the door with your new baby in hand and give your loved one a hug and a thank you for their thoughtfulness. (A serious win-win).

The second suggestion I wanted to bring up is the new Sage Pulse rods which came out earlier this fall. I don’t normally push much of the mid-priced rods, but Sage really did something right with the Pulse. The rod is quick, snappy, light, well balanced, sexy, super easy to cast, and has incredible feel. For anyone looking to upgrade from entry level, this rod could definitely be looked at as a lifer. If you haven’t played with one yet I recommend coming in and giving it a few casts.

And lastly, I wanted to remind everyone about the Drift’s Merry Fishmas party that will be held at the shop on December 19^th from 4pm to 8pm. We will have food, drinks, sales, contests and of tons of fish stories and merriment. Winston might even stop by for picture opportunities and autograph signings. The party is fee to attend and we welcome everyone to stop by! As always Connell, Cat, Winston, Mushka, and The Drift Fly Shop want to thank you for reading…..  

                                        Mushka with Baby brother Winston

Mushka "Guarding" Mommy's Side Of The Bed. 

Didn't See That One Coming...

            Hello all and thanks for checking in at the O’Grady Fly Fishing Adventures blog. Just when a person thinks they have seen everything this beautiful river has to offer, it steps up an Amazes me again. So I had a client fishing to rising fish today and our local Blue Heron began to watch us fish. My client, Doug, hooked a fish and as he was fighting it, the bird flew over his head and landed behind him. I was thinking that the bird was hoping that we would throw him the fish but the Heron took matters into his own talons. As the fish was being brought in the Heron flew in and dive bombed the fish.  The fish was ambushed only around 6 or 7 feet from Doug and after breaking the line the bird almost seemed to smile as he floated off and ate his prize. I couldn’t believe what I had just seen, and then I got annoyed, the Heron didn’t even have a license and he didn’t practice “catch and release”.

            So if you have been on the river over the last week or so than you will probably have seen the crowds are beginning to show up. Guide trips and personal fishing have been a mixed bag. At times, fish are feeding like crazy and other times I have found myself pulling my hair out (and yes I know it looks like I have had more of the ladder). If you can, bring a second rod with a double dry set-up. Fish have been taking FOD’s, J-Bombs and Black midges and for dries, size 18 and 20 of your favorite BWO. If you haven’t been on the river than get out, don’t let the crowds scare you away, there is always a place to catch a fish or feed a bird. Pics are from the last few guide trips. As always, Connell, Cat, Winston, the Great Blue Heron thief and the Drift Fly Shop want to thank you for reading…….

A Black Friday To Remember

                Hello Everyone, this is Cat and I hope you all had a wonderful and safe holiday. I wanted to chime in on my day and give a shout out to the great clients which made my Black Friday one to remember. To sum up the day it was cold, it snowed, and the dry fly fishing was EPIC! BWOs hatched until about two and while fish were taken on the traditional BWO and Adams, several fish were landed on a ....... and I am not joking about this..... a size 14 yellow foam body stone.... I know I know, how on earth did this happen? Well today I had three clients and two were never-evers and as all of you know seeing a size eighteen mayfly during low light and in snow can be difficult. To help them along I tied the yellow stone on as an indicator fly and what do you know the fish liked it.

            Today was so enjoyable. I spent my time with great guys who were enthusiastic and brave. Not many never-evers, let alone hardcore fisherman, would have braved the weather today and thankfully Mother Nature rewarded them for their efforts. In total I believe the clients landed around 20 fish and a good time was had by all.  Connell came out to help and I couldn’t have asked for a better anniversary present. Today was definitely a Black Friday to remember. Thanks for reading Cat, Connell, Winston, Pepto-Bismol, and the Drift Fly Shop.   

The Good, the Bad, and the Bugly.....

          Hello all and thanks for checking in at The O’Grady Fly Fishing Adventures. Now I have heard the stories many times over the years, but I’m not sure I have ever actually asked the question, are we there yet? Growing up, almost every year we would take a cross country vacation. California three times, NY City once, Arkansas and Table Rock Lake a few times, what memories. Now if you have ever seen Chevy Chase’s Vacation, that was the vehicle we drove. Now my dad figured out real early how to keep himself sane during the vacations. The first fuel stop every trip, he would let us all go in and pick one little game to keep us busy. My sister would always get a book of puzzles, my brother would get jax or some dice game and for some reason, my dad would always pick out my game. He would get me a whiffle ball and bat. I figured out real quick that the bat was not for me at all, you see, even in the very back of the station wagon( we didn’t use seat belts in those days), my dad could, at 70 mph, reach around and use the bat to smack us if we got to loud. So you might think I was an abused child, not even close, I loved those vacations and we never asked if we were there yet. So why am I writing about the “are we there yet” question?  We, the shop family, have had this question asked to us so many times over the last month that I was thinking about bringing a whiffle ball bat into the shop. Jkjk I will do my best to answer a few of those questions with the Good, the Bad, and the Bugly.

          First the good; the colder over night temps from last weekend seemed to finally finish the turn over process on the reservoir. Sunday and Monday the clarity was really, really good. The flows have dropped down into the winter storage numbers and the last few days we have really been able to see the changes that the high flows have caused. Don’t look at the changes as a liability; look at them as a new river experience. Next I wanted to say that our fish are in fantastic shape. One bow that was landed today was as fat as any fish I have seen around here in awhile.

          Now for the bad; with the clearing water, I was really expecting to see more fish moving into feeding lanes. Do I think that the fish are all gone? Absolutely not, the river does have a little of a January feel to it, and you know how well I love January fishing. Now my best guess is just this, with the high flows all summer and fall and the water taking so long to clear, I think the fish had so much to eat that they just haven’t quite gotten back to their normal feeding patterns.

          Now for the Bugly; No typo there, the Blue Wings are here! On the sunny days, the hatch has been starting around noon and they pop from about half an hour to all afternoon. We are still seeing a few caddis and midges off and on all day long as well.

          Next, I want to talk a little about the guide trip I had today. My clients were two first timers, an 11 and a 13 year old, to protect the innocent we shall call them D1 and D2 (hehe). Now to start, I didn’t think today was easy at all. The crowds are beginning to fill in and even during the hatch the fish didn’t seem to go batty. So since these two were first timers, we spent the first hour or so working on casting and proper drifts. When the bugs were worked out on technique I set the boys up into a fresh run. After a few moments, D1’s indicator shot up river and he lifted to set the hook. The fish came out of the water twice and I couldn’t believe it, it was the biggest bow I have seen all fall. The blood-red side silhouetted the green backdrop twice as the fish sailed skyward and D1’s eyes lit up. Then the inevitable happened. A quick head shake and the flies were hurled back at us. I explained that nature played a dirty trick on him today; most people get to fight a smaller fish or two before they get totally schooled. Anyways, D1 got his next fish in and is completely hooked. D2 started out slow and then just caught fire. He got several in and at one point I looked up and by the look of his rod, he was either on a big ole rock or fighting a pig. Regardless, I ran to his side and luckily I did, for this was no rock. It took a few minutes and almost every bit of muscle in his young arms, but he battled the fish of the day to the net, an absolute “pot bellied” 18 incher. A few more were landed before the day was over and I think D1 will have one of those evening that all long time fly fishermen have had, as he closes his eyes tonight, the vision of the bow coming out of the water will shake him awake. Welcome to fly fishing boys.

          I’m beginning to think that maybe I’m a better guide than actual fly fisherman. When Cat and I were driving home yesterday, I was definitely a little frustrated. Driving back to the shop today, D1 was telling me that he now wants a fly rod for Christmas and my love for the sport came back two fold. As always, Connell, Cat, Winston, My Dad, and the Drift Fly Shop want to thank you for reading…..

11/11

            Hello all and thanks for checking in at the O’Grady Flyfishing Adventures. We just wanted to give a quick report on the river. With the weather report calling for wet and cold today Cat and I decided to head to the river. We got to the river at around 1:00 and the BWO’s were popping. The water had dropped to 226cfs today but was still very dirty. Fish seemed to be in every run but it just seemed that one fish was all you could get out of each run. Cat caught the fish of the day, a chub-chub 19 incher. Luckily for me, today the competition was about numbers. Hehe. I have really been expecting the water to begin to clear but it has not yet. When the water does clear, get here, fishing should be incredible. As always, Connell, Cat, Winston, Jack Frost, and The Drift Fly Shop want to thank you for reading…….

A Trip Down Unmemorable Lane....

               Hello all and thanks for checking in at The O’Grady Fly Fishing Adventures. So I was standing in the river this morning with my trusty Golden at my side and I could not shake the strange feelings that raced through my veins. My heart was bouncing in all different directions and one particular emotion was one that I had never felt before.

          It all started in 1982 when my Huskers made a trip to Penn State’s Beaver Stadium. The game was an incredible back and forth battle and in the final minute of the game the Huskers had State on the ropes. Third and very long and Blackledge hits his receiver three yards out of bounds and the official ran in and marks it as a first down catch. Two plays later, State scores and The Huskers got their only loss of the season. In the nineties it was first the awful calls in the Washington game and then the trip to CU where Campbell had the two punt returns with some of the most blatant no call clips of all time. Then Bienemy comes in and runs the half back pass, Huskers intercept and the official on the spot began to lift his arms, then begins to say incomplete and finally throws a flag and calls interference. And a few years later, FSU fumbles into the endzone with a Husker recovery, then it was the punt return phantom flag and finally it was the ticky tack personal fouls on the QB. And these were just a few of the unbelievably awful games my heart endured over the years.

          So while standing in the river this morning my emotions had no idea where to go. As a Husker fan this morning I felt a little sheepish, and then the annoyance of all those bad calls over the years and then a complete peace fell over my whole body, you see I finally looked around and realized that I was standing in the river with my trusty Golden retriever.

          I would love to tell you all how great the fishing has been this week but that would be a complete lie. Fishing has been difficult with bugs hatching only sporadically throughout the day and really very little to get the fish excited. Guide trips this week have seen a few nice fish to the net, but tough fishing none the less. I did see J Browning pick up a few nice fish, but I can’t tell you the secret fly he was using; you would need to ask him. As for the next week or so, pray for cold to get the Res. turned over. As always Connell, Cat, Winston, Last Nights Officials and The Drift Fly Shop want to thank you for reading…….

Friends

          Hello all and thanks for checking in at The O’Grady Fly Fishing Adventures. I think one of the most enjoyable parts about being in the Fly Fishing Industry is the amount of incredible people that we get to meet. I remember a few years back when Cat came home from work and was telling me how interesting it was that a neurosurgeon had been in the shop asking questions about fly fishing, and not only was he asking questions but he seemed to be hanging on every answer. Over the years we have dealt with judges, CEO’s, authors, politicians, and many other people that had in not been for fly fishing, our paths would have never crossed. It has been such a pleasure hearing how so many people’s hard work has made America great.

One friend that we have made would really fit into this category. If it weren’t for fly fishing, I doubt our paths would have ever met, but luckily for us they did and we got the chance to spend yesterday with Mike at Rainbow Falls. Rainbow Falls is a private fishery that The Drift has access to for guiding purposes. Now Cat and I had only been there once and that was during the worst part of the summer in the worst part of the drought a few years ago. Fish caught that day were nothing to write home about and at times we even felt bad for harassing them. Yesterday however was totally different; the fish were healthy, strong and way smarter than I had hoped. It was very fun fishing with someone that was as “possessed” when it comes to fishing as we are. When we got to the water it took all of about two minutes to get wadered up and to begin casting, after six and a half hours of frantic stalking, it was time to head home, and then we got to the food and drink that was supposed to be for lunch. Yep, the only way to fish. Well my arm was tired and sore by the time I went to sleep, but what a way to make myself hurt. Mike and Cat caught way more fish than you could count, and for 8 hours, I didn’t have a worry in the world. Thank you fly fishing for giving Cat and I the ability to meet and spend time with so many awesome people. As always, Connell, Cat, Winston, Rainbow Falls, and The Drift Fly Shop want to thank you for reading…….

Lyrical Echoes....

            Hello all and thanks for checking in at the O’Grady Flyfishing Journal Blog. I like to think of myself as at least having a slight musical knowledge.   I am a lifelong Rock guitar fan and in most songs, if I take a little time, I can figure out the key and chord progressions, but lyrically I am usually clueless. Now my incredible wife is so different. Now if you don’t know Cat, she has a lyric superpower, Cat knows every lyric, to every song of all time. Case in point; several years back I was listening to and singing “ Ohhh I need a blah blah blah blah, yeaaa I need a blah blah blah. Cat started laughing and told me what they were singing. I know that sounds like it should be great but finding out real lyrics can really put a damper on what I sing and in some cases really limits the songs that fill my feeble little mind.

            I really wanted to fish today regardless of fishing conditions. I know I have talked at nauseam over the year about how I love sight fish but today I just wanted to fish. Cat was stuck in the shop today so it was just Winston and I on the river. We got to the river at around 9:30 this morning and while wading cautiously into the river, the pseudo-song that echoed through my brain was “ Oohhh I need a dirty woman, but oohhhh I got a dirty river”.  Yep three hours of that running through my brain, in between catching fish of course. The river was as dirty as I have seen in a while but had very little effect on the fish. In my first five casts I landed 2 fish right around the 16 inches. I know it didn’t seem like traditional sight fishing but I would just wait for fish to start to porpoise and cast in front of them. I didn’t see a lot of bug activity but something was definitely drifting. I think I landed 10 or so and lost a few more. My land rate was real good today and it felt as if their mouths were a little more solid today. I had a client on the river on Friday and the day was very similar, fishing was really productive til around noon or so and then it really slows. If you want to fish all day then switch to a streamer. Fish were on a size 22 Ninja and a 22 J-bomb and I picked one up on an egg. I had to listen to a little Floyd on the way home so I could try and get the real lyrics back in my head, what a price I have to pay..hehe. Anyway, Connell, Cat, Winston, Roger Waters and the Drift Fly Shop want to thank you for reading….

A Little Wind + A Little Lazy = ?

Answer: A Ninja Kick to the face

            Hey All and thanks for checking in at The O’Grady Fly Fishing Adventures. To quickly get this out of the way, Cat landed the fish of the day(a measured 19 incher). Now my excitement of the day came when I hooked and landed the largest and ugliest creature that has ever had a Ninja firmly planted in its cheek, yep I knew it had to happen someday, but a little lazy and a little wind and Cat got to do her magic trick and pull the fly from my face. What was funniest was as I walked up to her said I needed a little help it took everything she had to not bust out in laughter. She said just a second and turned around and when she turned back she told me to look the other way, and that was when I heard the shutter from the camera. She told me she would keep that pic for some day in the future when I’m catching all the fish and she’s feeling bad for herself.

            It certainly was an interesting day on the river. It seemed that every stop produced one fish and that was all. My first cast of the day produced a 3 and a half inch rainbow, it was kind of an omen of the day to unfold. I did manage one to the net that went about 16. I noticed the other night that it seemed that the fish had real soft mouths now and today only seemed to confirm that idea. Lots of fish on, and then I would feel it pull free. Caught fish on the Winston Caddis, a FOD and of course the Ninja. Can’t say fishing was great today but I can say for 4 hours today I did not think about my Huskers. Anyhow, Connell, Cat, Winston, Bruce Lee and the Drift Fly Shop want to thank you for reading…. 

Home....

Waders and boots: 600 dollars.

Sage One with reel and line: 1000 dollars.

Watching Winston, after a two week hiatus, run down to the river, plop down on his belly and then have him turn and look at me and smile….PRICELESS.

            

           Hello all and thanks for checking in at The O’Grady Flyfishing Adventures. I kick myself now for not snapping a pic of his grin but I’m guessing next time down I’ll see it again. Fishing today was once again kind of a mixed bag. Cat was in Greeley for her cousin’s b-day so Winnie and I were semi-batching the river. We didn’t get to the river until around 11:00 and I never saw any real hatches. Caddis, Midges, PMD’s, tricos, hoppers and even a few BWO’s were around but nothing strong enough to move fish into traditional feeding lanes. My first 5 hookups went for not and then finally my 6^th hookup produced a beautiful 17 incher. My next hookup turner out to be a giant smelly sucker and as bad luck would have it, I had to touch the thing to get it off my hook. EWWWW. I moved back up river and found my run of the day, four landed and seven hooked and I was ready to go home. Fish today took a Winston Caddis, a FOD, and the J-bomb got the most action. It sure was good to be back on home water and running into people I know.

            If you are out and struggling right now don’t get frustrated. Find deeper seams and get your bugs in front of the fish. As always, Connell, Cat, Winston, MasterCard, and the Drift Fly Shop want to thank you for reading…….