Intermezzo

BETWEEN SUMMER & WINTER

It's Hopper Time

and other such

HOPPERLAND ON THE MADISON RIVER

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.. We're enjoying the warm days. It's finally below 80° F and pleasant again.
.. We, like so many other fishers, remember a day or two when any hopper imitation cast anywhere in a stream drew blinding strikes from eager trout. We remember spectacular splashes and refusals that caused the world to move.
.. We remember days when hoppers fell from the sky like so many hail stones in the golden meadows of many rivers. There were so many fish noses that we wondered where they were on other days.
.. What we have chosen to forget is that there is a wealth of fish food right now; hoppers are only the most apparent. Beetles and ants and caddis are more abundant. And that's what the trout are eating.

Mountain Pine Beetle - Trout Food

.. We fish the hoppers, occasionally during the late afternoon. We fish drowned caddis and beetles more frequently. They catch fish.
.. The neighbors are still practicing with their streamers. There are no verified reports of big lake-run trout. Nice resident fish are willing to take the streamers: bless their pea brained souls.
.. The Madison River is being shunned by the knowledgeable fisher folk. That is just fine with us. There are lots of hoppers and mountain pine beetles there. There are, also, still fish in the river despite the considered opinion that it's not fishable right now. Flows are above seasonal averages and mornings and evenings are providing fish for the few neighbors that know the river.
.. Until things get sorted out about the bear attack the whole Mary Mountain Trail is closed and that rules out Nez Perce Creek, for now. However, the Firehole River above the cascades is tree lined, cool and full of nicely colored Brook Trout; still begging for dance partners. Both Iron Spring Creek and the Little Firehole River have very substantial numbers of willing fish. Walk a way and catch some fish!
.. It's time to catch the spinner fall at 7-mile bridge. Maybe there will be a neighbor there to help eat our pie.

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THE ROAD TO TROUT

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Long Spined Sea Scorpion

As a result of the daft hours I've been keeping over the last few days my body clock's out of sync. A late evening session resulted due to me not feeling tired. The fishing was grim with only a massive edible crab of about a pound and half to show for my efforts until the last cast produced another first for me and another counter to my 2011 species tally. I need to get a new memory card for my camera as it took me about ten attempts to get a picture to stick without an error message showing a fault with it. Anyway I managed this which clearly shows the difference between this and its larger short spined cousin. By the way...still no Rockling

Cabos Smallest Sailfish!

 Chris Fuller, Ruben Orantes & Rob Lawford Pose with a 3 lb Sailfish

Rob Lawford captain of "Petrolero" called us today to tell us about his unique catch this past Saturday. He was fishing close to the Iman Bank just east of La Fortuna looking for tuna. They were using live sardines as bait and fishing with 40 lb leader and size 2 circle hooks, when their bait got bit by what they thought was a needlefish, according to one of the crew, but Rob insisted "you know I think it's a sailfish", sure enough as it got closer to the boat, putting on an incredible aerobatic display, they realized that it was definitely a tiny sailfish. This is when the importance of circle hooks is clearly illustrated; the hook did its job, catching in the corner of the mouth, not damaging any soft tissue and not being swallowed - after a brief five minutes on the line and posing for the paparazzi, the tiny sailfish was successfully released.  Pisces has been using live bait exclusively with cirlce hooks for the past three years now in an attempt to lower fish mortality rates.

Dungarvan

		Aug 2011 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

giving credit where credit is due

Being a brand new smallmouth bass fisherman and the newly appointed president of “The River Snobs” (a made up group) I would like to take a moment to say thanks. Not to a person, but to a river.

This river begins in Fon du Lac County and flows just over 100 miles before emptying into Lake Michigan. Its watershed covers a 900 square mile radius and its flow is fed by three main tributaries. It gets a dependable run of great lakes steelhead, salmon, and trout but is also home to almost every warm water species of fish imaginable. Any ideas?

The Milwaukee River is correct and it has served as my base camp for learning the ropes of river bass fishing. Its water has kept me cool on the hottest summer days and has offered me a chance at some bonus pike and musky (even if the musky wasn’t my catch). I’ve been amazed at how clear the water is and how secluded I feel when wading its banks. The Milwaukee River gives you that “up north” experience while being just a stones throw from Wisconsin’s largest city.

a scenic milwaukee river dam

A lot of people have inquired about where to fish for the bass on the Milwaukee. I’ve bounced around quite a bit fishing both the main and west branch of the river. I can honestly say that every single access I have come across has had some good water with some fish there to be caught. This is a very long river, and even though its named the Milwaukee, it doesn’t mean that the fish are found just in the city limits. To tell you the truth, I have only fished bass from Thiensville and north. I had no one there to point a spot out on a map. All I started with was the desire to catch some fish and the rest came natural. To me, exploring new areas is half the fun of fishing. Getting off the beaten path and blazing my own trail is what it’s all about.

starting the morning off right

another milwaukee river slob smallmouth bass

What are you waiting for?

These photos are from my last bass trip of the season here. I don’t think I will be back until the salmon are in, and I will miss this river. 

another milwaukee river smallmouth falls for my lucky crankbait



More small Bass

With a nice onshore wind last night Jamie and me fished into darkness. We had seven Bass but nothing to write home about in terms of their size. There were apparently a couple of larger fish landed last night and indeed the night before but as luck would have it only small ones for the both of us.

Interesting Week Fishing and Fire

Way out in the boonies of Fulton County there is a guy creating the ultimate back yard pond. Not just any pond or the typical backyard, but a 37 acre intensively manicured back yard along the spoon river! Lots of prairie grass, wetlands, trails and this new pond! Very cool, here are some pics of pond under construction:





How cool is this fish condo!





One thing very interesting about this guy is that he is a big time hunter, but not really a deer hunter. He is a coyote hunter and has an amazing rifle range to practice taking loooong shots. Can you imagine regularly taking 400-500 yard shots with the occasional 800 yard take down? Thats insane. Anyhow here are some pics of his office:







So back on subject, once the pond fills it will be a dynamite fishing and swimming hole! Catfish, Bass, Crappies, and Walleyes! We are gonna really think outside the box with this stocking and management. Dont try this one on your own.



So another interesting twist to the week was I spent some evenings helping my brother set second floor walls and then trusses on his new house. That is where we snapped this spider web pic:





So then the weekend came and we did some fishing. Noah, Chef Todd and I caught a bunch of catfish:















We also caught a ton of bass on a mid-day topwater bite over deeeep water which was fun and we caught and ate this muskie: Seems kinda crazy to eat a muskie, but I have too many in that particular lake and am harvesting about 10-12 per year. I had to get a pic of Todd cleaning a muskie!





So then we had a large group of friends and family out from Church for a cookout Sunday afternoon. We made sure all 27 kids caught a hybrid striper and accomplished that in about 45 minutes!!! That was awesome for them to battle big fish and try to hold onto the rod. We kept them all and cleaned them up for each family to take a package of fresh fish home. Here are some pics:















So while cooking burgers for dinner one of the most interesting and terrifying events of my life occurred. Jared and I were flipping burgers on our big grill when one of the propane canisters stopped working. It was a big 4 foot tall industrial tank. I switched it to the other side of the grill and it still didnt work, we assumed it was empty. My dad went and found a small tank to exchange it out with.



So when I went to undo the big tank again and in a hurry to get the new tank on, I neglected to turn off the main shut off on the big tank. Dumbest mistake of my life and it almost cost me my life and many other peoples lives. Keep in mind that I already switched the tank out once. Well it turns out that the big propane tanks do not have check valves on them like standard ones do and it turns out that the tank wasnt empty, just clogged. Usually the small propane tanks do not let gas out unless they are hooked up and pushed in, unfortunately the big tank didnt have that safety feature.



Well, while I was undoing the regulator it blew off the tank and the propane started blowing directly into the grill and Jared and I were completely engulfed in flames with a load explosion. It kind of blew us back several feet and the big tank sounded like a jet engine with flames 20 feet across pouring out of it while it was spewing out gas. We had 3 other propane tanks right there in the flames and the main gas line to the building hooked up to the other grill all right in that fire zone. Flames burned the walls and windows and screens 25 feet across the porch all the way up to the ceiling.



That is when the whole world slowed down into slow motion but yet all I can remember was that this was the end and I couldnt let the whole place blow up with everyone and their kids playing in and around the pavilion. I was seriously in the fire yet felt no pain, I kinda remember being in the flames and figured being burned to death would hurt alot worse. So anyhow a few moments before the whole place blew up, and after I had already made it out of the fire, I was told (but dont remember) that I went back into the fire, somehow found and grabbed the big propane tank that was spewing fire and dragged it out of the building.



Everyone was terrified and thought I was going to be severely burned or even killed. I thought I was being severely burned and that this was the end, but yet I felt no pain, in the fire and not being burned was a miracle that I will never forget.



This isnt a story about what I accomplished, because if it was I managed to set the place on fire and nearly killed quite a few people while burning my brother in-laws arms from his finger tips to his biceps. The rest of the story is where God took over and miraculously saved us from a very terrible disaster. Why he spared me from any injury? Not even a minor burn or singe. I should be dead with skin oozing off my body and instead I am typing a blog post about being in an explosion engulfed in flames and not harmed. To God be the glory!



So Jared got back from the emergency room late that evening sporting some stylish new sleeves:





He called several times from the hospital just to make sure that I was ok and to let me know that he was fine. He was in good spirit and realizes that everything happens for a reason and that good will come from this catastrophe. Praising God when his arms are second degree burned! Its good to know that I can burn a guys arms off and he still loves me and is more concerned about me than him.



This morning I slept in a little longer, I drove a little slower, I prayed alot more, and I lived life very thankful that no one else was injured! I am still shaken up a bit. Hope you can learn from my experience- In all things remember to God be the glory and that no matter who you are HE can save you from the fire! There is so much more to this life than work, fish, and deer.

Delanlande - Tete agrafes.

One of my all time favourite plastics the Xorus Midway mounted on a Decoy Hyper Worm 13 3/0 hook 
attached to a 12g Tete agrafes

I really like these well, what would you call them, erm articulated jig head weights? Whatever, they are very handy as I can use the same bait, already mounted on a suitable hook as anything from weightless, to having any size weight attached, at the moment I'm carrying 7g & 12g but the range is quite large. These weights allow me to travel light as I'm not carrying one jig head per bait. Minor drawback over traditional Texas rigged jig heads is that they're not as "Weedless" and I would still recommend a blob of suitable glue to hold the bait in position on the hook.

Online Shop

At long last the online shop is up and running , we hope ye like it ...

Over the next few weeks we will be adding many more products and of course as new products come into stock they will be going straight up on to the online shop . You can look at the shop at www.absolutefishing.ie



Cian.

Big Boy's Toys

Just finished our first commercial.

Another one off the list...Sand Goby

One of my better pictures in macro mode where this little fish decided to behave itself for its photo shoot.

Fall Fly Fishing Challenge set Oct. 29



Co-Tournament Director Rick Grassett



The Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers and the Sarasota Chapter of Coastal Conservation Association will hold their 7th annual Fall Fly Fishing Challenge Oct. 29.



The catch, photo and release event will feature an Open Division, for guides and anglers fishing with guides (all anglers are eligible to compete in the Open Division), and a Fly Angler Division (no guides).

In the Open Division, eligible species include snook, redfish and spotted sea trout. Those in the Fly Angler Division will fish for a variety of species, including snook, redfish, spotted sea trout, bluefish, ladyfish, flounder, snapper, jack crevalle, pompano and permit based on a point-per-inch system.

Entry fee is $50 and includes an awards BBQ at the Ken Clark Auditorium, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. Applications are available at area tackle shops or on line at http://ccaflorida.org and http://mangrovecoastflyfishers.com.

Call Rick Grassett at 923-7799 or Steve Gibson at 284-3406 for information.

Interlude

THREE HOT DAYS

It Don't Mean A Thing

it's just a capricious mom

Empty Bridge Over The Firehole River

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.. The colors are Autumn: the temperature is Summer. Grasshoppers are loving the brief pause in the steady temperature decline into Fall.

Funny How They Look Gray From A Distance

.. They get to warm up earlier in the day. They get to display their surprising colors for all to see. They get to fly in squadrons around the amber meadows. They get to feed more birds and fish. They just know how to  live. The hot interlude is just mom being a sad comedian.
.. Fishing is still good in Yellowstone National Park. Terrestrials are claiming most of the attention from feather merchants and experts alike. Hoppers, ants, beetles, spiders, and sundry attractors are doing their thing as they entice fish to the hand.

Closed Means Closed

.. We headed to Nez Perce Creek in an effort to enjoy some solitude and cool water.
.. Surprise! The bear is being persistent and the trails along the river have been closed. The crowds are gathering along the road and over the bridge. The bear is nonchalantly providing entertainment as it enjoys the cool water, abundant ants, hoppers, berries and beetles.
.. For us, it's not a photo-op but rather a grave disappointment. We had to walk about twice the same distance up the Firehole River to find the cool water of the Little Firehole River.
.. It's a chore for our legs and the reward, (besides the dances with trout,) was a visit with a neighbor who was bitterly whining about the same things that we were.
.. Not a single fisher nor photographer that we talked to had bear spray. None considered themselves in any danger. None had heard of the recent death by bear. None could, apparently, read.
.. It's a sad state of affairs when the illiterate masses with $4,000 cameras and $12,000 lenses can't read, and believe that the National Park Service is just a cartoon force. Believe it or don't: this IS bear country.

Safety Tip: Put The Kids Between You And The Bear !

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.. Soda Butte Creek is attracting anglers without bear spray and, of course, the meadow bear is still there. Catching is very good on both Slough Creek and the Lamar River. Bugs is the fare when hatching. Terrestrials and attractors when no hatch is present. Sneaky and closed-mouth fisher folk are drowning big Woolly Buggers and Silli-Legs in the meadows of Slough Creek. We wonder why?
.. Up on the Gallatin River the same critters are being gobbled by the bears and fish alike. It seems, right now, that any old attractor, (size 8 or smaller,) will take fish.
.. There are three active bears along the Gallatin River inside Yellowstone National Park. Combine this fact with the interesting notion that only one feather merchant in town carries large canisters of bear spray. We wonder at the marketing forces at work given this condition.
.. Bear spray costs about the same as two days worth of commercially tied flies. Unless you lose less than 5 per day. It also costs much less than a ride in a medivac helicopter. Enough of that!

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..The mosquitoes of Bechler seem to have taken a break during this warm spell. Boundary Creek, the Bechler River, and several not-to-be-named tributaries in the Cascade Corner are getting a fair amount of attention from fisher folk. Flying ants and beetles seem to be the predominant offerings that are taking fish. Bless 'em all: we hope bear spray is in attendance for the dances.

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Why I hate Rockling...

In my usual feeble efforts to add any type of Rockling to my species tally for the year I tried a local mark in Troon. The mark is scabby broken ground with some sand and the bait was Mackerel strip and 20 Ragworm I scrounged from my mate on the way to the beach. As usual confidence was not sky high to say the least. No Rockling again... but two small Bass in 5 minutes the first on Rag and the other on fish strip as well as another missed bite. I'm on holiday this week so will have a serious attempt at Bass tonight as Jamie found it hilarious that I was trying for a Rockling on a night that was perfect for Bass. I didn't have the bait for Bass but still managed a couple of fish so I will see what damage I can do tonight when I'm geared up for it. Jamie and the guys had 6 Bass the last time we spoke about 12.15am

Dunbar Wrasse, Ling and a few Cod

Dunbar on Saturday after Friday nights Eel session was a bit of a struggle and not to mention a long day. I met up with Gordon at 8am and we headed through to the east coast. The fishing was poor and I actually caught more Wrasse than Cod and my second SSSS of the year.