1. Troutnut Forum
›
2. Fishing Reports
›
3. I'm glad no one else was there Part 2

Started on the Tully at the Paper Mill. The flow was 330 cfs. A couple rising fish but slow compared to when I was there on Tuesday. Around 9:00 I could feel the water rising and much more velocity. I figured it would go up just a litte and the fishng would get better.

Well when it started to rise the water was at my knees and by the time I realized I was in a jam the water was now at my waist and the flow was really pushing me. I was on the side opposite my vehicle. I tried to cross twice and both times got about 3/4 of the way across but the water was over my waist and it was getting deeper and swifter. I checked the flow just now and it is 1050 cfs. Wow, after 3X the flow of when I started to fish. There is no way I would of been successful. I might of wound up a statistic. The headline would read "Old man drowns on Tulpehocken Creek."

Luckily I am familar with this stream and about 1.5 miles downstream there is a covered bridge. There is a rail trail that runs all along the stream. So at 10:00 I started my walk and I did not get back to my vehicle until 11:15. The zipper on my waders leaked a little when I was in deep and I was soaked from the effort of walking 3 miles with waders on and a light polar fleece pullover. I was beat!

I took off my waders and let my shirt and pants air dry then went to a store and got a sandwich and cold drink. Ten years ago I would of pushed it and really tried to cross and likely would off been knocked down. It was a little scary and if the bridge had not been there I guess I would of had to call 911 to get a river rescue. Now that would of been really embarrassing.

Pretty fish, Matt - and at least this time you got a few! But what a dramatic start to your season...well, it's been that kind of year so far. Reminds me of when I was salmon fishing (not with a fly rod) on Vancouver Island in 2001. Forgot about such things as the tide when fishing near saltwater, almost found myself stranded on a rock and had to jump for it! I do believe I ended up getting wet shoes...how distracted we get when fishing!

Jonathon

Fortune cookie lingo - a fool is soon parted from his rod but the wise man lives to fish another day.:)


Yep, it's a great idea in concept but you just illustrated why I haven't laid down cash for a pair. I know some guys who swear by 'em, but...

Btw- there's that spot on the adipose I mentioned in the other thread. I also like the way his red spots follow a straight line along the median and nowhere else. Pretty little guy... He's really gonna be something when he gets bigger - if he gets bigger...

Actually I've been very satisfied with these Hodgman zipper waders. I bought them on sale from Cabela's in August of 2011 for my trip to Alaska. The price was really right at $100. I guess it was a close-out. They are heavy duty waders with at least double thickness knees and seat.

I wear them all over on the Delaware and in the Susquehanna but I don't wear them in Montana. There I wear a pair of very lightweight breathables as I'm in my pontoon boat quite a bit and the wading is gentle.

The problem arose because one day the zipper got stuck and instead of looking at it closely I pull on it very hard and the plastic interlocking teeth jumped the track. It was a bitvh to get it right again (or almost right) So now if I wade to my waist, which is infrequent, I do take in water.

I liked them so much I'm thinking of buying a pair of Redington zipper waders. I think they are $299. That is the most I'd ever pay for any wader.

Good story. I've done some risky even foolish wading too, among other things. But I'm still here to tell about em. Can't say the same for Ken Miyata. That story got my attention.

Nice fish too. Those shiners sure are pretty.

I took a swim back in March of 2010 while wearing neoprene boot-foot waders, trying to catch a damned steelhead in the Clinton River below Yates Cider Mill in Rochester Hills, MI. I took one step too far into deep water, thinking I was gonna reach a good hole. I tried to turn around but before I knew it I was swimming, with well over $300 worth of fly-fishing gear in one hand. "Okay, where's the bottom, where's the bottom, damn this water's COLD, where's the bottom..." I finally DID touch bottom and crawled ashore, with nothing left dry on me but my head and my feet (since the neoprene waders slowed down the inflow). Went home with my tail tucked between my legs that day, I tell you, and not encouraging me to pursue steelhead...

Last summer I also took a swim, but that time was in the Pine River in summer and I was wearing swim trunks and wading shoes, trying to rescue my last Royal Wulff. I did discover how deep a hole was that I've been fishing for three years - and given that depth, there HAS to be some serious lunkers in there. Biggest so far are 13" rainbows, but who knows what lurks under the alder trees on the far banks...?

Wanted to go fishing today but now I'm fighting a head cold besides the weather (high 48 F and breezy). Not good conditions for sitting in a kayak on a lake or wading a (still very cold) stream.

BTW that is a very pretty shiner, I'm thinking in the genus Luxilus perhaps? Looks like it's putting on spawning colors too. Wouldn't mind a few of those in my aquarium! Those trout are also nice, especially the rainbow in the last photo, great iridescent pink wash to the flanks!

Jonathon

P.S. Kurt, I posted a pic of a nice 16" brown from the Rifle last summer with TWO red spots on his adipose fin. Don't know if I've seen that myself previously, but perhaps as they get bigger they have more room for spots in places like the adipose fin.

Jonathon

I know them as Notropis cornutus -apparently synonomous.

Paul, my latest sources use the genus name Luxilus, including for L. cornutus, the common shiner. I've caught a few myself over the years...

Jonathon

Yes, I saw that. Was surprised. I saw it was an old designation too. Probably re-applied after some shifting around of players. Even the names of our vertebrates aren't safe! :) Funny how I felt a little -offended- by the name change. I've got a soft spot for shiners -actually, any critter come to think of it. If I'm not careful I'm going to start feeling nostalgic about blackflies! I come by it honestly perhaps: My son came home from school the other day and told me how a giant cockroach had run across the floor in class and everybody screamed. My son leapt on it, caught it, and put it outside telling everyone they're way too squeamish and that cockroaches are actually pretty "cute".