Sunday, November 04, 2018

A Different Sort Of Trout

JUST CRUZING
Loosely Schooled
an apex predator
WALLPAPER:  BETTER WET THAN DRY
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.. There is a place about 13 hours by road from West Yellowstone. It's a place where there are cobbled beaches. It's a place where there are sandy beaches. It's a place where rivers meet the ocean. It's a place where tidal flats and muddy estuaries blend together.
FEISTY LITTLE FISH
.. There are canals, boat ramps, docks, breakwaters, sea walls, and storms. It's a place where a trout can make a sumptuous living. It's is, of course, the Pacific coast of northwest North America.
.. The trout is, of course, the sea run Cutthroat Trout. Sometimes called the 'coastal trout,' 'estuary trout,' 'salty trout,' 'rain forest trout,'and other local monikers.
THE FUZZY WORM
.. These fish are driven by the availability of food. Food that is responsive to tides, sun, clouds, substrate, salinity, etc. Their behavior is complex and generally predictable while specifically  seemingly capricious.
.. There is even evidence to suggest that within a single population there is a variability of behavior that suggest diverse movement behaviors are a normal pattern.
THE STEAM FLY
.. Although not as social as trout in lakes or steelhead in the ocean, these fish can congregate in good numbers wherever food is availble.
.. There have been research results that suggest that by the age of two any individual fish has probably, established a 'home' territory. These territories overlap and can lead to the appearance, (during feeding,) of loose schools.
THE FIRE_N_SMOKE FLY
.. There are very few absolutes when fishing for these fish. Flies are variable. Water depth is variable. Food sources are highly variable, takes can occur from top to bottom at any time.
.. There are a couple of near absolutes: not a shallow sandy bottom, not too often in the brightest light, spawning occurs in fresh water streams.
THE FIRESTORM FLY
.. Typical river and stream trout gear is just fine for most situations. Care must be taken to rinse your equipment. Take a shower with it and run all your line and backing through your fingers. Corrosion happens quickly and irreversibly.
.. Smolts can migrate to the sea at any age or first year to sixth year. Some migrate upstream to spawn others  move in and out of streams for their entire life, (up to eight years.) Adult fish can eat insects, crustaceans, fish, annelids, etc.
.. There are many traditional, (gaudy,) flies for the sea run Cutthroat Trout. These frequently mimic Steelhead and Salmon flies in any given locality and region.
THE HAYSTACK FLY
.. There is currently emerging a class of flies that resemble typical stream and river flies. Given the feeding habits of these fish it does not seem to matter which class of fly is used.
.. Of course presentation is often the key to catching, (beside finding the fish.) One of the general rules is "the deeper the wigglier."
.. The ocean beckons. Listen to the clarion call.
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.. Just a day or so left to gall a trout in Yellowstone National Park. The snow has thinned the herd and there are places to park and, water to fish.
THE BEAD HEAD SOFT HACKLE
.. Your favorite rod and a few soft hackles will drum up all the dance partners that you can handle, (keep 'em wet.) No need to even get in the water. There are many eager and anxious fish just waiting for you.
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WALLPAPER:   3 RODS, FOUR TO NINE WEIGHT