FAT FIN NEWSLETTER "JULY"

Yes the summer time hatches are hear in northern California. Very good fishing on all the creeks and rivers around Clearwater Lodge.

On the Spring Creeks the Trico spinner fall in the mornings has been good, yea there small but the trout get on this spinner fall. In the evenings we are still seeing P.M.D.s and now Caddis fly's will get the attention of the trout.

If you are looking for a fun evening try the "Hex" hatch which happens on the Fall River right before dark. Big fly's and some very big trout.

Brady made the photo this month, hooked up on a trout in the "Powerhouse Riffle" on Hat Creek. Brady was attending the "Mastering the Art of Fly Fishing" class at the lodge. Good Job Brady!

GREAT NORTHERN CALIFORNIA FLYFISHING

With the cloudy, light rain conditions we have experienced over the last few weeks, the fly fishing on most rivers and streams around Clearwater Lodge has been fantastic. Good hatches of Pale Morning Dun mayflies have kept the dry fly fishing lasting for hours each day. Good nymph fishing before the hatch keeps everyone happy until the fish start keying on the surface activity. George hooked this fish on a #16 PMD dry fly using a Bamboo fly rod on the Fall River. Cheers, George!

FAT FIN NEWSLETTER/ TROUT OPENER "2010"

Greetings from Clearwater Lodge at the Pit River! Adipose River Guides will be working at this Orvis-endorsed premier fishing lodge during the 2010 trout season.

Clearwater Lodge is located in northern California's inter-mountain area right in the heart of the best wild trout fishing in the state. Whether fishing spring creeks with dry flies or nymphing pocket water in a freestone river, this lodge caters to all.

Clearwater Lodge offers fine accommodation's, great food and experienced guides that makes for a great experience. Clearwater offers instruction and clinics for the beginner to the advanced fly fishers.

As for the fishing on the opening week of the trout season, I had great fishing with dry flies on the Fall River. Blue Winged Olives and Pale Morning Duns are the flies of choice for the early season. Long leaders help with presentation also this time of year. The Fall River is this country's largest spring creek and is noted for trophy trout! Fishing access is limited due to the private land surrounding the river. Clearwater has private access and the guides supply prams for fishing the river.

Fishing is also very good on the Pit River but the water is still cold so the fishing is best with nymphs. Try bead head and soft hackle flies in a size 16. This river has good numbers of native rainbow trout with the occasional brown trout. ALWAYS BRING YOUR WADING STAFF'!

The photo on this post was taken during the "Guide School" --an eight day course for the person who wants to make a career out of guiding fly-fishing tours.

Come on up and spend a few days of food, fun and fly-fishing at Clearwater Lodge at the Pit River with Adipose River Guides. Cheers, Tom

FAT FIN NEWSLETTER MARCH 2010

It's March and time for a short update on the winter Steelhead fishing conditions in Southern Oregon.

The Applegate River is fishing well! Granted, it's early but it's possible the run is a little early due to the warm winter we are having or the amount of rain that were seeing. However there is a good push of chrome into the river system. Compared to the last two seasons the run is a bit early and hopefully the river will fish well throughout the month of March.

Most tributaries to the Applegate that are running high and dirty which affects the lower part of the river. The good news is the upper river is running low and clear.

Things to note: The Applegate river is surrounded by private land. Access is limited, Drift boats and rafts are permitted but there is no fishing from a floating devise, (so you can't fish from the boats)!

Your best bet is to hire a guide that knows the access points or has permission to access these private lands.

For the fly anglers limited by casting ability, the Applegate is a joy for all who have the time to fish it. The season closes on the last day of March. Good Luck!

"FAT FIN NEWSLETTER" January "2010"

WOW! It's the start of another new year, and here is your first "Fat Fin Newsletter" for 2010! The purpose of this monthly newsletter is to keep fly fisherman informed about the ever-changing water conditions in Southern Oregon and Northern California.

We are just out of the holiday season and patiently awaiting the winter run of Steelhead on the Rogue River. With not much to cover on present-day fishing, we’ll take a look back at the fall season and the summer run.

Over the last few years, low numbers of fish made for some long and humbling days of Steelhead fishing on the Rogue. These conditions actually helped our fishing season this past year; uncrowded conditions and good numbers on the run made for some very good fishing.

In September, the Upper Rogue fished very well with the flows still high. As they dropped, the fishing remained good. For those who are not familiar with Steelhead fishing, a good day is a few adult fish landed and about the same amount of fish educating the fisherman. It can go up from there with a great day seeing double digits landed. The Upper Rogue was the place to be in early fall!

As the fall season progressed and the water temperatures dropped, we moved our fishing down to the middle river. Lots of uncrowded runs and drift boat fishing in the morning then walk in wading in the afternoon made for some great days. Again, looking down a popular run with nobody in sight was a treat, Take your time, fish the water well and the payoff is there! It's nice not to get pressured into moving quickly through a run with crowded conditions. And better for the guide who is able to do his job and instruct clients where to place the fly and how to get it there.

For myself, I thought the fall Steelhead season was very good and hope the numbers of fish and the great conditions only get better in 2010. Next month we should start seeing the winter run on the Rogue, so look for February’s newsletter to have a bit more info on recent fishing conditions. Cheers, Tom