Swinging Flies on the Maitland

Well once again Randy and I hit the water with the spey rods, he is the die hard for sure. This was my first time in some time actually as I live closer to smaller creeks for steelhead action. This was pretty much our last shot as we heard the Maitland had a late run of chrome.

I have to say things started out great as I was able to break in the new MOW tips that Rio came out with on Randy's Loop Yellowline rod with a 600gr skagit head and well like riding a bike I was firing some tight loops all day long. I absolutely loved this outfit!!!!!

Randy had a good start to the day with a nice 15-16 inch resident Rainbow, the spots on this fish were amazing. Not to mention the fight in this little guy, he had Randy's 12ft 6wt Goran bend over pretty darn good, also with some leaps inbetween. About 5 casts after that Randy had his second trout on, now I am pretty sure this was a steelhead in training as the spots were not as dominate as the first and this guy had more of the chrome hue that steelhead are know for.

AS far as fish for me my best was an OOS smallie, and let me tell he hit it like a freight train with a tail walk on the water after he hit my fly. He was pushing 20 inches or more. The bass were plenty already in the Maity as well all know in Ontario how far ahead of schedule we are this year due to the warm temps.

I also had a huge hit, not sure what it was as my knot slipped through and I must say that is the first time and yes I think it would have been my first steelhead on the fly as moments later this silver hue with some size came flying out of the air about 10ft where I lost him. I think he was trying to shake my fly.

On a final note it was great to get out with my good buddy again it was a little overdue since we didn't get out the week before, haha. As far as location all I can give you is that we were on the Maitland River and I boy was it nice to get the two hander out again. I will share that minnow patterns were the hot ticket fly of the day.

cheers,
MW

A few days on The Ganaraska RIver

Well Randy invited me out to the Ganny and well I couldn't resist. I figured I owed him since I stayed around home for opener and put the darkside on hold for that weekend.

We arrived around 530 ish Thursday morning and drove right up to the river. I immediately went over to the river to check it out and all I have to say it left me awe on how beautiful it really is. It is the type of water I was used to from around this area. So we geared up and headed to Randy's fav pool of the river.

Well there was fish there I would say 20 or so roaming around taunting us, splashing, rolling, any they could to let us know they were there. So the excitement rush through our veins.

Then a friend of Randy's stopped by and gave us some advice of what was working so Randy tied on a red flashback stone fly type pattern, I would say size 14-16 ish. Freaking small I would say and I think it was his third or second drift while chatting to me this chrome hue came flying into the air, literally setting it owns hook. After about 6 more jumps and taking Randy down deep, trying to get into some brush. I finally tailed the beauty for him and took some pics. About 5 min later wham another fish by Randy, this one looked a bit bigger another hen. It bulldog Randy pretty good with some viscous head shakes and out came the hook.

That was about all the action we got for the weekend as temps dropped on Friday and the fish were turned off the entire say except a few small ones that decided to take a nymph. A lot of the fish have moved back as well as I only counted about 7 fish in the same pool this day.

We decided to head home early this morning (Sat) as well all know that we got beat down with thunderstorms and massive heavy rains and the river being surrounded by farm land would be dirty and well I would say the season is pretty much done now on the Ganny.

All in all, it was a great time with a good friend. Glad to land and watch him catch his first steelie of the year. Looking forward to our next journey the fishing world take us too.
cheers,

MW

2010 Opener

Well hit my local creek for opener once again as it has always produced for me in the past. I knew fishing conditions would be a bit tough with low water levels and clarity of water so I headed down early to my favourite hole and I rigged up at home with indicator but decided to switch it up after a few drifts in the dark to a sink tip and streamer.

So I put on the 5.6ips 7ft sink tip, line with 6lb ultra green with a green conehead zuddler and made a few casts than wham!!! With a furious hit almost taking my fly rod out of my hand I knew I had a steelie on. Taking line a few times and trying to get me into the rapids I finally landed a nice hen.
After that I decided to head closer to the dam and yeah lots of people but then my other favourite drift was available and on the first cast with this fly wham a nice buck leaped out of the air and the battle lasted well not very long as my leader snapped. I think I missed a fray or nick in the line but still was an awesome day on my home waters.

Here are the pics from opener:

Scouting the Rivers

Headed out today to scout some of the rivers I will be fishing for the up and coming opener in 7 days and seen some monster steelies spawning.A couple were close to the 15 pd range. Just an awesome sight to see and watch. Can't wait until I can get the fly rod out and hit the rivers.

The best part was watching these beasts, but overall was not seeing signs of fisherman on the banks at all. A great sign to make sure our fisheries stay healthy with runs of steelhead.

Here are some shots:





Here are the videos that I took just short ones so they upload quicker to the net.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EegmgmkqgBw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAKhI2-9moI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06v9nIap3w8

cheers,

MW

RIO MOW Skagit Tips

Rio has hit another standard coming up with these new skagit tips. They are based on a floating portion and with a sinking portion on each tip. Each varying in different lengths of float to sink.

I think this will be a great improvement for getting down quicker when your fly first hits the water. Here is a video showing all the tips.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsQyFjbCpjk

Tips will be available September of this year.

cheers,
MW

Randy's B-day on The Geen

Well what a day it was celebrating my good friends b-day fishing, with a bunch of friends, some stogies, cold ones and very tasty bbq burgers. I don't think there is any other way to do it than swinging on The Geen.

Even though the river was jammed packed with 200 ppl at least. Hence being on a good friday weekend. It was still a blast, plus the afternoon most anglers headed home early as it was a tough day of fishing. Lots of suckers being caught though, haha. But still great to feel that tug at the end of a swing.

Water temps in the river are above normal and the sun filled skies made the day a tough one that is for sure. But great friends, a beautiful river and a celebration made the day a great one.

Here are some pics from the day:

Fine Tuning

Well with the temps in the double digits and the sun filled skies. It wouldn't be right if we left our spey rods in the closet for day. So we ventured to the Nottawasaga River for a day on the water (which is new water to me). All I have to say it was a trip worth its while, this time of season is hit and miss right as far as steelies go being in the river. It doesn't take long for them to scoot in and out from the lake for feeding. That being said yeah no fish, but a great day on the water with friends, and even better day to get rid of that winter rust.

Of course here is some of my favourite shots from the day:

cheers,

MW