Native chrome innocence |
Greetings and Happy New Year! January 1, 2012, early afternoon, it was warm beautiful and 60 degrees on the front deck of our shop. Annual grasses and plants are awakening and beginning to grow. Major flocks of Robins have arrived, feeding and resting in the grassy meadows while flights of various other varieties of early arriving migratory birds can been seen passing through. The false spring has even inspired a few frogs to emerge as they can be heard croaking during the height of the warmth in the afternoons. The surrounding Trinity Alps are void of snow. River flows are abnormally low, winter steelhead are late, and the first generations of Callibaetis mayflies have begun to hatch. Wow, strange and hard to imagine we are currently in the height of our winter season. Or are we?
I’ll take the odds this persistent west coast high pressure system will eventually lose its grip and sooner than later we’ll receive some kind of winter season. Although I’m still convincing myself it is too early to be thinking of the consequences otherwise. Before our true winter steelhead runs arrive and we wade too deep into the 2012 line-ups now seems to be an appropriate time to reflect back on the highs and lows of the passing 2011 year.
For the most part the late winter 2011 T.R. steelhead run was below average (T.R. Hatchery processing roughly 2037 hatchery adults) with a few late season pulses providing opportunities and smiles of success for those lucky enough to hang in there and be at the right place at the right time. Most unique was the cooperative weather patterns that provided long durations of prime fishing conditions, in other words plenty of opportunities for success not only on the Trinity but many coastal rivers as well. Bob Burke, Russ Giuntini, Steve Hopkins, Lance Boen, Bill Morrish, Mike Irvine, Mike Steele, Ray Sardo, Peter Samulson, Dick Stanley, Terry Imai, Dwains-Darran-Danny Spencer, Chuck batts, Jeff Earhart, Bruce West, John Reardon, Mike-MikeJr. Callan, Norm Christensen, Peter Callendar, Tim-Kathy Regan, Hugh Walpole, Mark Brown, Andy Laursen, Keith Sutter, Ken Oda, John Van Dyke, Glen Stanley, Tom-Nancy Fossey, Dick Seevers, Dick-Diane Peevler, Matt-Scott-Josh-Guelfi, Ed Pollock, Steve Finley, Skinny Otis, Earl Miyamoto, Ed Sakoda, Grea Nau, Sam Fisher, Terry Hawk, Tan Yik, Bill Closs, Dave Stone, matt Sabasky, Dick sayor, Jerry davis, Frank-Nikki Blum,Tom Weseloh, C- and Nancy Christensen, Charles Dilworth, Don-Scott Frogner and many others scored.
Alive & well on Xmas Island |
After a very intense December workload Kit and I found a rare opportunity to hook up with some great friends and travel to Christmas Island for some fishing and much needed R & R. Surprisingly after 17 years of working together this was our first fishing adventure/travel vacation we got to share the stoke. The Christmas Island experience was mid-boggling. Never a dull moment filled with positive spirits, laughter and some incredible full on bonefish and trevally fishing, truly a trip of a lifetime. Anyone expressing a passion for flats fishing or desiring a quality saltwater experience owes it to themselves to get with on this one.
After our trip back from the third world we both have a greater appreciation for our lifestyles and backyard. We shifted gears into our late winter steelhead/brown trout dry fly season. Quality river conditions combined with timely Callibaetis and Calineuria hatches formulated solid mid-day surface activity. Poor Man’s New Zealand, good numbers of quality late winter natives and lock levens were caught off guard grazing on the surface. Target shooting and head hunting lasted through early April, until winter’s round two of abnormally wet and wild weather blew us out the remainder of the season.
CB steelheading for shad |
Record late season rainfall and snow packs maxed out all Trinity County waters and water agencies classified and allocated an extreme high water release down the Trinity River. Upper river flows exceeded 13000cfs.. And the rains continued right through June—maxing out most all California watersheds. The American, Feather, Yuba, and most all central valley rivers swelled bank to bank. Mid-May Shad Fishing was out of the question. Nothing to lose, a few high water research trips revealed shad were in, surprisingly on the grab (55 degree water temps) and our shadders still willing to brave and challenge the elements. Wet, cold, windy, high water, you name it, persisted right through June. I can’t remember the last time we all layered up in fleece/long underwear, neos and wool garments camping and huddled by the campfire shad fishing. I’m still trying to dry out and keep warm. Remarkably we experienced fair to good numbers of shad with plenty bonus hookups of impressive numbers of spring-summer steelhead. 2011-will long be remembered— Steelheading for shad.
Byron Leydecker A True Friend of
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May 12, 2011, Byron Leydecker passed away at the age of 83. Byron was a long time personal friend, fisherman, conservationist and a gifted man of many great talents. Above all he was a devoted fly fisherman with a deep passion for steelhead and love and great appreciation for the Trinity River. Founder and chairman of Friends Of The Trinity River, Byron’s relentless efforts, drive and commitment to protecting and restoring the Trinity River resulted in a monumental flow decision (Dec. 2000—fotr.com) that ultimately has helped the Trinity River with increase returning salmon-steelhead stocks. Byron always said, “Fish can’t walk.” Next time you and your friends step into your favorite Trinity River waters remember Byron by giving a moment of thanks and a tip of your hat for his years of dedication and devoted efforts. Byron Leydecker forever a True friend of the Trinity River.
Tailwater trout |
Trinity lake smallmouth fishing was a bust, no predictability, too much wet cold weather and way too much cold water. However trout fishing, off nearly all intercepting tributaries, was simply off the charts all spring-summer-fall. House boating, fishing, wake boarding, can it get any better? By mid-July Trinity River flows settled down to fishable heights, 2300cfs. , and a strong spring-summer Chinook salmon run kicked off the action. Anglers experienced a solid lineup of bright chrome kings, averaging 12-16 lbs. with a few topping 25 lbs.. Rare catches of salmon- sized brown trout, up to 12 lbs., also added some flavor to unsuspecting anglers. Just when you thought the run was over pulses of bright slabs continued showing right until the fall runs arrived. Whew! Feel the power not to mention it was great to once again kick on the smoker! As flows continued to recede (700 cfs.) the rivers “Fly Only “waters became fishable. Unfortunately most anglers were disappointed with the action. Throughout the entire 2011 season fishing in the “Fly Only” section was slow. Why? Many blame major TRRP projects/ gravel injections that filled in, eliminating vital deep water holding pools, and drastically altered the entire Fly Waters. For every action there is a reaction. Come On Man!
Tristan hunk’n-it-up with a
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Late July it didn’t take long for the word to get out Lewiston Lake was fishing solid. Aquatic wasps, callibaetis, midge, scuds, damsels/dragons, leeches, worms, it made no difference most everyone caught fish all summer long. It was great to see campgrounds full and a variety of anglers feeling it and enjoying the action. Louie is still fishing as of this post. When in doubt or burned out—its Louie-Louie time. A substantial late summer 4 day flow increase (450cfs-2300cfs) in late August activated one of the best fall Chinook runs in a decade. Fall salmon fishing was simply great for most everyone who tried. That sounds odd; we haven’t had a decent run in years. Why? It has been identified a combination of; banning off shore fishing, great ocean conditions (upwelling, temps and food) along with quality in stream conditions (spawning, rearing and water qualities) all coming together to help the rebound. Unusually large returning adults, up to 45 lbs. and larger were accompanied with significant numbers of 1-4lb. returning jacks, a strong indication for another possible large return for the 2012 year. Gear up with your 8-9wts. and get down. I’ve probably lost most of you long ago so enough! Welcome 2012 with your waders wet, rod bent and feel’n it—- Looking forward to seeing you in the line-ups. Now Get Out There!!!