sounds like a terrible place to visit, I’ll have to make sure and avoid it. Those are some big rainbows.
My buddy had the biggest one, between 24-25 inches. Had to laugh when I was landing one at about 22. It was on our guided day and it hit on a size 18 or 20 baetis. Guide says “Listen, you know how small that fly is, don’t be a hero.” And if you’d subject yourself to such a terrible place I suppose the right move would be to head to Steamboat Flyfisher. Just good people.
Snagged a chinook on the Siuslaw river on the Oregon coast before heading to the valley to watch the ole alma mater make Lincoln Riley bolt for the NFL.
That is badass. What did you get him on? What was your main line and leader set up? What kind of rod and reel do you use for that kind of fishing?
Tried to track down some SC brook trout at two different streams. Spooked a couple at the first one and saw no signs of life at the second. After that tried a nearby stream fo find anything, but skunked again there.
I hike billdozers area a good bit with my kids. It will take us a week to find a picturesque spot like the ones above. Bill finds 48 of them before lunch every day.
Any recs on wading boots? Never knew this thread existed through all the years. Anyhow, some recent photos. Seasons about wrapped up here, fall is so nice here almost no one out. No more leaves, but a good shot from a few weeks back. Spoiler View attachment 207252 View attachment 207251
Price range? I have Orvis Pros that I really like, but I've had two pair blowout prematurely in the soles. They've replaced them, but if this next pair goes I'm probably going to look at Patagonia Foot Tractors or Korkers. Simms has had a bunch of problems pop up since they were bought.
Also, just a suggestion, try not to squeeze them like that if you are releasing them. That has a good chance of damaging their heart or other internals and they can die after being released.
I have Simms waders and last pair of boots shit on me so not going with those. Your Orvis statement helps me narrow it down. Genuinely don’t care on the price, just want something that doesn’t need to be repaired constantly. Also, that fellas heart was just fine, he came home with me.
I've got Simms boots for smallmouth/ warm water, and Korkers for waders/cold streams. Korkers are ugly as a mud fence, but have been solid. Highlights are the BOA style "laces" and of course the interchangeable outsole. I'm sure Orvis has some good stuff too, but I don't get to use the enough to drop that kind of cash.
Finds a mystery tackle box that was in his closet, puts on a lure and this is the first catch of the day with a little spoon
Settled on Patagonia river salt wading boots. Will not be able to report back until Spring but I am excited.
i swear by Chota wading boots. their basic felt bottom for the price is better than anything else. i have used Orvis, Simms, and Redington, but went back to Chota for my most recent pair.
Heading to Argentine Patagonia later this week for a couple weeks. 4 days fishing here: 2021_Tres_Rios_LR.pdf (patagoniariverguides.com) 3 days fishing here: 2023_RinconadaLodge.pdf (patagoniariverguides.com)
It's all Fly, I'll be targeting Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and one day of salmon. Two days of Spring Creek wade fishing, Three days river floats, and 2 days lake fishing.
Just fished delayed harvest today. Water is still the lowest I've seen it but hopefully the rain we're getting will help.
Family pics at the lake tomorrow. Still pretty ice free. Might have to draw the wife's ire and bring a pole along.
Buddy and his kid came down from Hattiesburg yesterday. Went back to the sheepshead spot. Felt bad as they were having a hard time hooking them. I caught 3 of them. Buddy hooked a huge bull red that broke him off. The sheepshead were there they just have a subtle bite and steal your bait. You feel a tap tap tap and you have to set the hook quickly or you miss them. Then went into the bayou and hooked this 24 inch red in 1 foot of water up against a bank and handed the rod to his son who could barely crank the handle. He brought the fish in and that had to be the fish of the day. Hate I only put them on 4 keepers but I let them keep all of the fish and it was a good mess of filets
I suck at posting photos on my phone. 1.5 days of fishing complete. It’s been awesome. Caught 30+ yesterday afternoon. 4 fish 20”+. Today’s full day was a bit slower but heated up in the afternoon. None over 20”, but some pretty close. I can’t say enough about the Argentine people and the hospitality they’ve shown me. Amazing experience.
Most of what I've heard of the fishing there is big foam bugs stripped and jerked across the surface. That what you're doing?
Doing a drift boat tomorrow. Have only walk and waded flooded side channels thus far. I’ve never fished flooded timber like this. Really cool stuff
I fished #4 foam late this afternoon. Basically skating it. The rest of the time I’ve fished single mayflies or pmds. Size 14 or smaller
Just finished reading the book An Entirely Synthetic Fish (How Rainbow Trout Beguiled America and Overran the World). It's a really interesting book for me on the history of trout stocking and the environmental and political impacts it has had since it started. Especially interesting for me because these rainbows I've posted from Missouri are the last remaining pure strain of the original Rainbow Trout used for these programs. They were dumped in a stream in Missouri in the 1800s and have been living there in the wild ever since. The ones from their origin river in California have been interbred and depleted.
This is Crane Creek south of Springfield. I've been in Joplin for work. Probably going back next week too.