The TA Slip.....

Hello all and thanks for checking in at the O’Grady Flyfishing Adventures. So I wanted to start this blog by telling you all a little story about a pretty funny Freudian slip from last spring. Now I don’t want to give out this person’s name, for protection purposes but his initials are TA.  Now if you can figure it out on your own, I assume no responsibility for the teasing you may or may not give TA. So last spring the shop and friends were doing a Tenkara seminar and after the in-store portion, everyone else headed to the river. The river was flowing right around 400 cfs and after a few quick practice casts, TA headed over to a run he had been fishing. Just a couple of casts and he hooked and fought a beautiful 19 inch brown to the net. The fear all along about the Tenkara was the inability to land big fish but TA put that theory to rest. The Tenkara rep was thrilled beyond belief by the fish and ran over and told TA that he wanted a pic with the fish and the Tenkara. Now TA was kneeling at the time and was trying to figure out how to get the pic done when he made his slip. As TA was looking up at the rep, he asked “ is it okay if I put your rod in my mouth”? Now I’m not sure how the rep kept a straight face but I do know that Cody and Cat both turned and had to walk in different directions. So the question is, was that a Freudian slip? Probably not, but as a fiend, It would be wrong to pass up an opportunity..hehe

          So today’s trip to the river was about exploring and trying to figure out how the incredibly long and high runoff has affected the river. Winston and I got to the river today at around 10:30. I started by hitting all the traditional feeding lanes with very little success. I didn’t see any bugs and so I started hitting a few of the side channels and slower seems. I started hooking fish and got a beautiful 17 incher to the net. It seemed that every side channel had one fish and then it was time to move on. Once I felt like I knew what type of water the fish were in, I began to think of TA’s run from last year and I made my way down river. On my second drift, I hooked my fish of the day. It was a great fight and as I got him to the surface I saw he was an absolute gorgeous 19 or 20 inch bow. He made another quick run but I was able to work him to the top once again. I think my mouth was watering a little as I was heading in for the netting and he gave a quick headshake and spit the flies. The bow sat at the surface for a second and then like he was winking at me, he gave a quick tail flip and disappeared into the depths. Yeah, it was a little sad to lose the fish but it sure made the day. So, I decided the run shall be forever deemed, the TA Slip.

          I can’t really say that fishing is great right now but it sure is awesome standing in the river. I hooked and fought a total of seven fish today but only got one to the net. From what I could tell it seemed that purple was the color of choice for fish today. I have heard that people throwing streamers have done well also. As always Connell, Cat, Winston, TA, and The Drift Fly Shop want to thank you for reading….

Add Three Inches

            Hello everyone and thanks for checking in at the O’Grady Fly Fishing Adventures. (This is Cat writing today, Connell is starting his birthday celebration a day early and is currently glued to the 2015 PGA Championship.)

 Most of the year we gauge our lovely Arkansas River Tailwater by the CFS (cubic feet per second) Are the flows up? Are the flows down? How long have flows been stable? Due to the amazing amount of water we have received this year however; our measuring stick has been altered a bit. Yes, in the shop there is the occasional hopeful soul who inquires about the flow and yes we still check the gauge more often than we check facebook, but many of us have surrendered to the fact that when the river will drop is a big, fat unknown.  Due to this fact the topic of conversation has changed from flow to clarity.

You learn a lot about a man based on how he measures the available clarity of the water. The optimist adds three inches, the pessimist uses words like chocolate milk. Personally, I would have guessed today’s clarity to be around nine inches, so it was more than likely six. Honestly, I was just excited to be knee deep today and still be able to see my boots. That being said, the clarity is improving as is the fishing. Our river is turning from brown to green and hopefully sooner than later it will be clear.

Regardless of the color, fishing the Ark Tailwater right now is giving some of us an opportunity we haven’t had for awhile. Those of us brave enough to wade through murky waters are not only getting a chance at a few fish here at home, we are also receiving the gifts of wet wading and SOLITUDE.  Today, Connell and I hit the water about 10:30. We fished up from Valco and saw one other fisherman. Yes, there was a tube hatch on, but they floated by pretty quickly. As you can see by the pic, Winston may be a little out of shape and crashed hard about 8 seconds into the ride home.  

Having the chance to stretch out and hit every single spot we desired was incredible. Through the day, Connell and I hooked around ten fish and ended up with three in hand. Not a stellar day for the O’Grady’s, not even what we would call a good day, but to be back on home waters made all the difference.  The flies of choice included FOD #16 and Black Beauty #18. At the end of the day I hooked a toad, which I fought for a few minutes and got to the surface before he spit the fly. He took a streamer which I call the BM (Bloody Minnow) made you think about that one huh?! Anyhow, below are a few pictures from the day. Sorry there aren’t more, we were so excited to hit the Ark today we forgotten our personal cameras, our gopros, our nice camera, and a camera man. Thankfully, we still had Connell’s phone. Thanks for reading, Cat, Connell, Suspended Solids, Winston, and The Drift Fly Shop.    

Cutties, Tigers and Bows, Oh My !!!!

            Hello all and thanks for checking in at the O’Grady Fly Fishing Adventures. As I woke up deep in the Dog Days of summer on August 8^th, I jumped on the DWR website to check the flows. I shook my head again and wondered, will this spring runoff ever end? Cat and I definitely felt the need to fish, and even more so, we needed to be out of cell phone range. I absolutely love our tailwater and really couldn’t imagine living anywhere else, but sometimes at this time of the year you just want to get to the mountains. Our destination on Sunday was North Lake and my mission; check Tiger trout off my species list.

            We got started a little late and as we were nearing the lake clouds began to roll in. Not that we were worried, we came prepared but I was really looking forward to a relaxing day. We got in and right away it was on, Cat had to run back up to the car to check on something and before she got in the water I had already landed 5 bows. Cat jumped in and on her second cast she landed a Tiger trout. I could feel the pressure in my mind building, so I began to will the Tigers that much more to eat my fly. My takes slowed a little and Cat went “Gonzo” every time I glanced over she was playing another fish. Then she calls out another Tiger and then a Brookie and then even a Salmon. I finally landed back to back Cutties and just as I began to feel a little better about myself, it happened; I landed my first Tiger!!! WooHoo, not big but a Tiger. Next fish was another and another; I landed 6 by the time the day was over. There’re GGGRRREEAATT!!!!

            What a great day spent on the lake today. Cat was actually keeping a tally today and she finished with 35 in hand. I wasn’t counting but I think I caught my fair share. Now as for the river here in P-town; the river dropped under 800 and then went back to a little over. Clarity is inching better at a very slow crawl but fish are still eating when bugs are hatching. If you make it out start with your first fly just a little large and then trail with typical P-town flies. Tricos in the morning and PMD’s and Caddis the rest of the day. There seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel for our beloved but if you need something mountainess, head to North. As always, Connell, Cat, Winston, Tony the Tiger, and The Drift Fly shop want to thank you for reading….

             

The Cure...

            Hello all and thanks for checking in at The O’Grady Flyfishing Adventures. I wanted to write a little today about a pretty serious problem that I didn’t even knew I had. I know the Who had a song about the summer time blues, but I think for me it has become the post Taylor trip blues. With the last few summers seeing extended runoff here in P-town I have found myself falling into this lazy longing for fish. Now I know that fish aren’t really very far away, but it just gets a little difficult to get motivated. Well today I found the cure for my summertime blues.

            Today Cat, Brandon, myself, Cody and Travis made our way to the upper Ark for a float trip. Travis is just a few short miles away from being certified and we were more than happy to help him reach his needed miles. We floated around eleven miles today and I just want to say, if you have never fished out of a raft before than you are missing out, Period!  I was checking the weather the night before and I saw it was supposed to be 96 and sunny. I was a little nervous when we got to the river and it was sprinkling, but as we were waiting for everyone to get ready I tossed a few flies and landed my fish of the day; it was a 13 inch bow. I know it doesn’t sound very big, but I felt like I was home. We headed down the river and after already having my day made, I got to soak in the beauty of the float. It was Brandon’s first float and he was already talking about buying a boat on the way home. Cat had the ciggle going most of the day and Me, Travis and Cody were our usual ornery selves. I got to row a little today, it always confuses me a little when they put a super valuable boat in my paws, but at least they got to catch a few fish.

            What I really wanted to brag on with this write up is how awesome Cody and Travis have become on the oars. This was my first time out with Travis and we have been with Cody on several occasions. The first few trips I thought Cody was very good, heck he was even a pro at going through The Cottonwood rapids backwards, but watching these two today was like watching an ace pitcher carve up a Rockies line up. Every rapid was perfectly executed and I always seemed to be the same distance from the bank. Fishing was easy and the rapids were exhilarating. I know when the crew gets together there can be a tease or two, but I just wanted to say how proud I was of both of their oarsmenship today. Thanks !

            Now I can’t promise anyone that they would have the kind of day we had today, Cat and Brandon lost count at a butt-load, but if you are looking for a cure to your summertime blues then I would encourage you to book a float trip, it fixed me. The Drift can get you set up for trips on the upper Ark and maybe it can cure a problem that you didn’t know you had. As Always, Connell, Cat, Sad Winston, Brandon, Cody, Travis and The Drift Fly Shop want to thank you for reading…..

Taylor River Trip July 2015 (with video)

          Hello all and thanks for checking in at The O’Grady Flyfishing Adventures. I hope you all had an incredible and safe Independence Day. Over the weekend I got the chance to sit back and reminisce over some of the truly incredible blessings that we Americans have and the Awesomeness that is America. A few weeks back, Cody, Cat and Cody’s cousin and I decided to waste a perfectly good day by going golfing. As most of our readers know, I used to play quite a bit. My handicap one summer dropped to a 4 but realistically I played at around a 7. Now I know that I have not at all kept up with the game but really expect to hit a few balls well. We got to one and my drive ended up in the driving range, on two my drive flew straight and long but my approach was shanked right. Hole after hole I could not put two descent shots together. I was ready to pull my hair out, I was so frustrated (and yes I know it wouldn’t take much to pull what little I have left). When I finished, Cody started laughing at me and wanted to know why I took it so serious, after all, even as bad as I hit the ball, I played the best. I thought about that for a day or so and realized why it was so important to me, and in addition how close it resembles fly fishing.

          When I am standing on a tee box looking down the cactus surrounded fairway, my thoughts race to “Me vrs. The fairway”, I could care less where the other players hit their drives. My mindset on the approach is my trajectory and direction and, no one else’s. On the green, it’s just me and the hole. Now when the round is over, there might be time for a little talk or exchanging of coin, but on the course it’s like I’m playing alone. I find flyfishing to be much the same. I have never been a social fisherman, when I’m on the water it is me vs the fish. Oh how I love to walk the bank, spot an eater, line up and cast, and watch the fish demolish my fly. The fight, net, and a quick grip and grin are cool, but the enjoyment and the true satisfaction comes from beating each and every fish. Now when we get to the campfire at night, I may make mention or two, or many times over about the numbers and sizes of my days boast, but on the river it’s me versus the fish, period. I find myself to be a very competitive person, but not so much with others, but by perfecting whatever I do, and I think that is what is Great about the U.S.A..

          This weekend we made our yearly migration to the Taylor River and it was by far the finest fishing we have ever seen. We had been watching the flows over the last few weeks and were nervous we would have to cancel due to high water. The flows began to ebb last week and turned the normally skittish Taylor into the perfect eating storm.  Jimbo, Brandon and Charlie made it up a day earlier and Cat and I made it Wednesday afternoon. Cat and I stepped into the river and before I even got my line wet, Cat let out her “ciggle” and it was fish on. I think five of my first ten casts produced fish and Cat turned to me and said, “are you sure this is the Taylor?”. We moved slowly up river and I nestled into about a thirty foot stretch that all I would do was spot a fish, get my junk near him, and then hold on. By early evening, my hand and arm had cramped from being in the fighting position for so long. The browns were as fat, chunky, and feisty as I had ever seen them. Yes there was a little talk around the fire that evening, but everyone else had shot a pretty good round as well. Thursday was a little more difficult, but I got my Eagle when I landed the trip fish, a 23 inch bow. Friday and Saturday got a little crowded but even though the fishing toughened, we continued to catch fish. I have to say that after watching Cat, Brandon, Jimbo and even Charlie demolish fish this weekend, I don’t think I have ever been more proud of a bunch of fishermen. It warms my heart to think that just maybe I played a role in helping them see their full fly fishing potentials. They have all become great, just a little less great than me….hehe.

          Now, a little on the non fishing joys of the trip. When we first got to our campsite, we let Winston out of the back of the vehicle. Winnie took a quick look around and I could see his eyelids raise and he began to prance around the camp as if he had missed it as much as us. I’m not sure if dogs technically smile but his mile wide grin put a chill down my back. When leaving on Sunday, we just happened to look up and saw a moose getting a drink, thank you God, you get an A+ for making them. Now on a funny note, if you have ever fished with me or been guided by me and you hooked a tree, than you have heard my Dr Seuss comments, no matter what he wrote, there are no fish in that tree. I know Brandon heard it on Thursday. Anyways I did a first, in one of our favorite runs we cast with the dirt road at our backs. The road does not see a lot of traffic so it is not something we usually worry about. At one point I looked up and saw two vehicles coming by, I waited and after hearing the second vehicle pass, I went to cast mode. As I was casting, I suddenly heard another vehicle and one of the passengers exclaimed that I had caught them. Sheepishly I turned and saw a stopped truck with my flies lodged into the corner of its mouth (the antenna). Luckily they laughed about it and I was able to retrieve my flies. Cat thought it was so funny she took several pics and yep, one even made it into the video. It’s a good thing I was fishing the One with the Sage 4200 reel or I may have not been able to bring the Ford to a complete submission. Hehe. And lastly, we had several nephews and friends camp with us and I learned a valuable lesson, that even without fireworks teenagers can still light up the sky with gasoline. What an incredible way to spend Americas Independence weekend. I hope you all enjoy watching the video as much as we had making it. As always, Connell, Cat, Winton, Brandon, Jimbo, Charlie, Uncle Sam, and the Drift Fly Shop want to thank you for reading and watching…..

In The Club ... A Spinney Adventure

            Hello all and thanks for checking in for this special Wednesday Edition of the O’Grady Fly Fishing Adventures. As our readers know, I try to add a little “O’Gradyesque” insight to every blog I write, but after last week’s “Fifty Shades of Flyfishing” blog , I knew I had to clean this one up a little bit.  What a shame because what a lot of fun I could have writing about the “first time ever” experience I had today. Having been in the flyfishing business for as long as I have there has always been something I hear people brag about and I am forced to nod along with like I have also experienced this bliss, and in case your mind was going to something non fishing related I’ll clear things up and tell you right away that this bliss I had been missing out on was having a fish run me to my backing.

I saw a picture on a website last week where a guy was holding a nice healthy 15inch fish, but then ruined it for me by stating that the fish took him to the backing. Often in the shop, I get handed phones with beautiful fish filling the small screens and then my heart drops when the whole backing thing comes out. It’s always the same for me, I start with jealousy and then I start justifying that people ought to fight the fish a little quicker, yep that makes me feel better. Well people, I am thankful to say that today I have officially entered the “to my backing club”. Way better than the mile high club, at least for the day it was.

            Today Cat and I made our way up to Spinney and met up with Cody and his cousin Scott. We got our boats in the water about 8:00 and Cat began hooking fish right away. I was hopeful that this would be the day that Cat would get en fuego, but things for her slowed quickly. We fished many different depths and when we finally went to super shallow water we began to move fish. After switching to a dry-dropper it wasn’t long before my hopper disappeared, I lifted my rod and the reel began to scream. I couldn’t believe the beauty of the sound (thank you Sage!) As the reel began to slow, the bow leapt out of the water a long ways away. I figured he would pop loose at that distance, but he stayed buttoned. Glancing down I saw the breath taking view of backing running through my eyelets. After the fish slowed, I began to reel and the fish made another fifteen yard run. It was a great battle which ended with me landing the gorgeous 22inch bow.

All in all it was not a spectacular day of fishing, but now that I’m in the club my day was perfect. Between the four of us, I think we got a total of a dozen to the net, but the company was outstanding. We stopped for dinner in Guffey on the way home and I think the backing thing was brought up once or twice, but about the time I started letting the pride take over Cody started talking about the salt. Oh well, it was awesome for a while and not something I’ll ever forget.

We got some great bug pictures today, but got less fish pics due to the fact that some of the fish tired quickly, so to give you something fun to see we put together a little video. As always Connell, Cat, Winston, (Cody & Scott), and The Drift Fly Shop want to thank you for reading….

Spinney...Feel the Love....

 As I looked up, the scene had never been any more perfect. The outside cool temps and the passion filling the car had sweat dripping down the windows. After taking a quick sip of water I looked up and realized that Cat in her Buff, had never looked any more beautiful. I leaned over to see if she was ready and at that moment she gasped and arched her back, a droplet of water had fallen off the window and slowly ran down her back. The passion could have been cut with a knife and after what seemed like an eternity, and no verbal communication, our hearts said it was time. Cat slowly reached over and put her hand on the zipper. A huge lump formed in my throat as I heard every click as she began to open the package. The sound quickened to a buzz and then the zipper was opened. Cat closed her eyes and slowly reached in, she could not believe how it felt in her hand. As she eased it out, she got a huge smile on her face and said “are you ready”, I could hardly contain myself and I said “yeah, lets fish”. Cat then pulled out her brand spanking new Sage Accel.(9.6 foot 6 wt.)

What’s up all, Do we in the O'Grady household love our fishing a little too much? Not a chance! I wanted to start by saying oh what a difference a week and a half can make. Last trip up, Cat and I felt like we were the Royalty to Spinney and this trip we came home at the end of the royal procession. But one thing I can truly say, even a slow day on the lake with Cat is better than…well most things. The weather was absolutely perfect today with the only serious wind being while we were eating. Fish just seemed to be really spread out today; it seemed every time we felt like we were getting dialed in the fish would go somewhere else. We only managed to get a total of 6 fish to the net today but for me it was exactly what was needed, a day away from work. As always Connell, Cat, Winston, and The Drift Fly Shop want to thank you for reading….