Tiny Baetis mayflies are perhaps the most commonly encountered and imitated by anglers on all American trout streams due to their great abundance, widespread distribution, and trout-friendly emergence habits.
Pryal74 on Apr 22, 2012April 22nd, 2012, 9:07 pm EDT
The water levels on one of my favorite Steelhead rivers finally dropped to the lowest I have seen this year. I actually felt safe enough about it to take my daughter out fly fishing for an afternoon. Varilya landed a huge Steelhead on the fly, her first ever. It was an extremely intense battle... which I could have had ten heart attacks. I am beyond proud of my little girl!
Jmd123 on Apr 23, 2012April 23rd, 2012, 4:42 am EDT
Well done Varilya!! She looks like "a chip off the old block" there, James! Fishing prowess must run in your bloodline. That's a very nicely colored fish too, which I'm sure pleased your daughter. What rod and fly pattern did she use?
Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...
Pryal74 on Apr 23, 2012April 23rd, 2012, 6:44 am EDT
We were just drifting a size 10 Black Stonefly nymph through a swift run with a tiny split shot about a foot up the tippet. I always use my 7 wt 10 foot Sage Flight. The water is lower so I took my indicator off. I told her if the line stopped to raise up. She did it flawlessly.
I was so worried she would wipe out in the rocks when it screamed downstream. She followed the fish and kept her rod high like a pro. She was so happy when I got him in the net. I'm so glad she caught one on her first time out.
Jesse on Apr 23, 2012April 23rd, 2012, 9:26 am EDT
My goodness Gracious my man that is one spectacular fish, especially given the circumstances of her age and first steelhead! Spectacular for both of you guys, congratulations!