The Rains of the Driftless

Driftless trip to Vernon county last week. A bit of rain. Then a bit more. Finally: rain.

Todd drifting a line on the Timber Coulee on the night of our arrival. The water was stained but not bad. The fish responded.




Then, the first of the nightly storms blew through during the dark hours.

Our typical fare. Black leeches and black beadheads did produce a few fish.

Obligatory fish picture.

As it came in one afternoon.

Something I tried. No joy.

Bishop Branch Creek. Last day. Afternoon. One to hand.

Hello. Note the black micro-streamer: the week's trademark color.

I was in the wrong band. My companions moved to spin fishing for the week early on and had some success. The Gulp was there to pull my chains. I think. I never saw anyone using bait but bait guys can be sneaky.

We did eat fish. It is Vernon county and if there is anywhere in the world that can use some population relief, it is Vernon county.

Camp creek. Obligatory driftless cow pictures.

The outflow of the silt entrapment on Maple Dale creek. For reference, this held clear water for thirty-six hours until the silt worked through the impoundment.  Worth noting that this was some of the best water in the county when things started clouding up.

Look, rain is coming. Probably in the next hour.

Lightening, too.













Good trip, though. Rain is rain but silt ... well, silt sucks.

Prost.

Flies and Flies: Driftless

AT left, my Pink Squirrel. As my wife reminds me, I am completely colorblind and she asks: "is it supposed to be a purple squirrel?" The Ice Dub bag said "pink."

Going to the Driftless here in a week with some novice and some not novice fly fishermen. It's a mixed bag.

We'll be artificial but a couple of the guys are clearly more about "fishing trip" than "fly fishing trip" which is fine. I'm the fellow with the maps and research.

I'll let the spin fisherman fend for themselves. Anybody can find the Timber Coulee. They'll be fine.

My Ausable Bomber at left. The calf hair shows poorly against the white of the cigar box. The tail is waxed red-dyed hen. Probably should trim this one so it doesn't wrap the hook.

My angora ant at left. i've thought a great deal about ants over the last couple years. This is what I have settled on for use. I try to segment the bodies a bit more but noticed: the trout didn't care.

I like this better than the ants with the bare abdomens and the single wrap of hackle in the middle. This guy has a hackle wrap in middle the but there is a bit of scissor work and comb-out on the end product. When wet, the stiff middle hackle does its job. 

Cigar box of some of the tie-ups. Left: squirrel; middle: bomber; right .... the San Juan worm.

Yes, converting spin fishermen involves catching and catching is easiest on the San Juan. (sigh).

Ants.
Worms.
Bombers.
Squirrels.
Beetles.
Small crickets.
Small hoppers.

I think that selection works for an afternoon. Add in some Adams and Syl's Midges and we're good for a day.

I'll use a partridge and orange and a pheasant and herl. 

Prost.