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…….