Visited one of my favorite rivers today with the intent of exploring some new water and trying some new flies. I am happy to report that both avenues of exploration were successful! Fishing was good, but not great. I hooked 6 and landed 4, 3 of which are pictured below.

The winter caddis and larger tan caddis were out in force today and many smaller fish were taking them near the rocky shorelines. Strange that I was unable to deceive any fish with my larva imitations. I bushwhacked and explored some strange reaches and found this guy:

This is the very definition of a 19in male emaciated by the rigors of spawning. He fought well however and I am sure he will regain his girth unless we have a brutally cold winter. A 100 yards upstream I also caught a large twin female, but that one got off the hook.

Later on I went out in search of trophy rainbows. I found two and both were strong and acrobatic, leaping and cartwheeling. The second one actually zipped through my legs at one point! The first was an 18in fish:

and the second really fat and about 16in


You will notice how the first rainbow's mouth is beat up. I hope these fishermen are using small barbless hooks!


Finally, this river feeds its waterfowl like no other: