It's Obvious To Me

Enough has been said about the Pebble Mine proposal in Alaska.  Here is a photo that I took and enhanced of a caribou trail.  The enhancement is only to make the trail more visible.  The funny thing about this trail...it has not been used by a caribou in 25 years.  If the tundra is this slow to recover from caribou, think about the recovery from the activity around the mine.  Think about the recovery if there is an accident.  How obvious does this need to be?  


Please visit the Save Bristol Bay site to voice your concern.

Sulphur

Sage Circa 4 weights

I am just starting two new rods.  Both of these are Sage CIRCA 4 weights.  One is 8'9" and one is 7'9".  Both are 4 piece.  These rods will be finished with:

• Lemke LC-1  reel seats, nickel silver
• custom turned reverse half wells Portuguese cork grip
• custom spalted Big Leaf Maple wood inserts
• Snake Brand Universal guides and tip, nickel silver
• olive guide wraps

From Sage site:

The CIRCA rod with Konnetic technology is a game changer in the slow-action style of dry fly fishing. Its hypnotically smooth slower tempo combined with crisp and precise loading and unloading of each cast results in unmatched accuracy and delicate presentations. The CIRCA is a perfect addition to your rod collection, allowing you to approach a river with stealthy, short-range accuracy.

Email me at chasinalice@gmail.com for prices. 

Seen Any Isoperla fulva?

Here in the Ozarks, we are not known for our prolific hatches.  I am guessing, but I would say 95% of the trout caught in this region are not on a dry fly.  Most people throw midges, nymphs, soft hackle, etc.  We also have great streamer fishing.  Quite frankly, there are not enough major hatches to drive most of us to throw a dry. Now, some of the guys around here are dry fly purists and I probably throw a dry fly as much as anyone I know.  No, I probably don't catch as many as the guy down stream from me throwing a nymph, but I get as much enjoyment!

This spring has been an exceptional dry fly year.  Our spring caddis hatch is as good as any western hatch, but other than that our hatches are spotty and mostly short lived.  But, if you pay attention, you can throw a dry fly most any time and I believe we have more activity than many realize. 

This spring, I have spent more time examining the bank and logs than in the past.  I was able to get a few cool photos and thought I would share.
Hopefully the scientific name is correct.  That is my recollection from science class....yeah right.  Thanks to the troutnut site for these names.

Isoperla fulva (Yellow Sally) Stonefly Adult

Chimarra (Little Black Sedge) Caddisfly

Ephemerella invaria (Sulphur Dun) Mayfly Dun

Brachycentridae or Hydropsychidae (Caddis) 



Brachycentridae or Hydropsychidae (Caddis pupa) 

Acroneuria (Golden Stone)

Pteronarcys dorsata (Giant Black Stonefly)

Baetis tricaudatus (Blue Winged Olive) Mayfly Dun

Hemiperta (Cicada) - Next hatch is 2015.  Start tying.

Corydalus (Dobsonflies) Hellgrammite Larva

Worm...as in San Juan Worm

Speaking of spring hatches...

Meleagris gallopavo silvestris (Eastern Wild Turkey)

We Will Never Grow Up

Written by my brother Jack from the weekend trip when he and my nephew Doug made a day long trip to the Ozarks to chase some wild trout.

Today, three of us ventured to an Ozark stream for a day of fishing. This day started like most days when we take a day trip. It involves a long early morning drive with plenty of things to talk about and catch up on with our families. The talk revolved around the typical stuff like politics, work, family, tying flies, building rods and just about every other topic that you can think of.

The weather this morning was not of a typical May morning.  It was cloudy and drizzly with mixed snow as we were in the middle of a freak winter storm that slid across the country and spurred more conversation about the whole global warming topic. As we entered the north edge of the Ozark Plateau and daylight was upon us, the forest was magnificent. The lush green canopy was topped with snow and would have made for a beautiful picture had we stopped, but we were headed fishing.
We arrived at our location and geared up.  After conversation on which fly to start with and adjusting to the current weather we thought we should start with the heavy weighted nymphs and streamers as we felt that would be the take of the day. We started off on our walk and as we walked, we stopped periodically to look at the stream and discuss the conditions of what we saw. We reached our first hole after a 30 minute trek and started to drift the holes in search of a fish or two.  Instantly Doug was hooked up into a nice 12” rainbow and we thought we were in for a really good day as the water conditions seemed to be perfect. The next four hours turned out to be totally the opposite. We drifted and cast and had a couple more hookups on very small fish, but nothing like we first thought.  However it does not mean that the day was a loss.

Most of this day was spent casting and fishing, but something greater took place other than catching fish. This day turned out to be one of the best days I have had on the stream in a long time (I did not catch a fish all day). We spent the day turning over rocks and logs exploring the bug life in the stream and got some fantastic pictures to show for it. We discovered a turkey nest full of eggs, growth in the forest, slid down banks, climbed over logs, ducked under tree limps and constantly were tangled in the briars and overhead limbs.
As we untangled our lines, there was no frustration or contentment for getting to the next hole.  Instead we laughed and made fun of the situation and continued on our childhood day. Several times during the day I would think of times spent as a young lad at the old home place and trekking through the woods exploring everything we come in contact with. We would come in muddy and beat at the end of the day and dreaming of the journey we had. This day was no different. This was a day that I will remember for a long time as it felt good to be reminded of a time so long ago, but yet it was happening on this day. At the end of the day my old knees ached and my back was tender from using muscles I had not used in a while, but I did not complain.

As I got home around 10:30 and got in bed, I lay there thinking of all the similarities of this day compared to those childhood days and I rested as well as I have in some time. Now I like catching fish as much as everyone and I especially like to catch a special fish like we were after on this day.  But this day will go in the memory banks of what “Chasin' Alice” is about. This whole day was an Alice and at the end of the day it was the memory and the laughter that we took away...not the fish.

Tight Lines

We did manage a few.  Always a gift.

I will post an article later this week with a few photos of the bug activity on this day.

I Got Lucky Mon

A year ago, we were fortunate to visit Caye Caulker, Belize for a week long vacation.
Prior to this trip, I had done some salt water fishing for redfish, bonefish, and tarpon.  But I wanted to pursue the bonefish and tarpon in a spot known for this species. 
Of the week, I booked 3 days with a local guide (one of very few on this island).  I couldn't be luckier as Ken was an awesome guide all week. 
I won't go into all the details about the week, but we pursued mainly bonefish and tarpon...until we pulled up on a point to try and catch a barracuda.  In addition, I read a blog post the other day from Bonefish on the Brain that got me thinking about this and I decided to write about it.
The guide had brought along a spinning rod in case we wanted to use it. I had no desire to touch it but he brought it for my wife in case she wanted to use it. He was very good and wanted to make sure she was not bored.   At one point during the day, we boated to a particular point.  Ken then pulled out the spinning rod and told my wife this was a good place for barracuda. As he was rigging, he got very excited and stated "oh my gosh, I did not think they would be here". He got very anxious and threw down the spinning rod and started changing flies on my 8 wt. I questioned what was going on and he exclaimed the point was full of permit. Nervousness immediately set in as I am smart enough to realize that a permit is the single most difficult fish to hook/land on a fly rod. I had read they were the most finicky fish in the world. We rigged and set out poling across the point. Ken said this point has good current and attracts the permit but did not think they would be here at this time of year. He began telling me where to cast but I had yet to spot anything. He would exclaim to cast in the corner of the white area, or to this dark area, etc. I would cast and get instructions of let it settle, now strip, strip, stop, strip, he’s going to eat it, strip, strip, strip, he’s going to eat it, damn, strip, strip, cast again, double haul mon, use your double haul, good, strip, strip, he’s going to eat it mon, damn. This went on for a very long time. I then begin to spot them. These things are rarely sitting still and are on guard at all times. When the fly hits, they usually would bolt towards it and turn or would follow it and then turn. These fish would even swim up to it with their mouth open and turn away.  The next thing I knew, we had been at this for over 4  hours but it seemed like no time at all as it did not take me long to get into this game and quickly realized that I was after a very rare fish. The current on this point was unbelievable. When the fly would hit, it would immediately flow with the current. The current was stronger than wading on some of our Ozark streams and was a total phenomenon for me. I could not get over the amount of flow on a point in the ocean.
Anyway, the permit finally moved off the point or we spooked them and decided to move on. I felt defeated but I could not wait to get back on that point. This fish was now a challenge. Ken also set my expectations and said that he had clients cast to permit for 5 days with no takes and had guided people for years that have yet to catch one. I didn’t care about that. I now had a challenge and had a couple more days to at least give it a shot. This type of stuff motivates me and the harder it is; the more I will work for it. I know I had a lot against me and had set expectations that it may not happen in this trip, but it would happen. All night, I had visions of this fish up to 20 lbs. following my fly and then disappearing.  I recalled all the stories I had read about this fish and frustrated fisherman.  I was loving this stuff.  Many fisherman had an obsession with permit at one time but quit pursuing because the fish is such an intelligent and fickle fish, they become overly frustrated with the pursuit ....  or broke.  Bonefish on the Brain blog has a theory that there are only about 20 permit in the world that will eat a fly, and we keep catching them over and over.  
The next day, we boated out to some flats and caught a few bones.  All the time, I am wondering why we are not checking out the point full of permit from yesterday.  We cruised to another spot and I blew a couple chances at tarpon.  I continued to have curious thoughts as to when we would go for a permit.  My guide must have read my mind or I kept checking my watch or a puzzled look I gave him as he exclaimed, 'Not yet mon, the tide is not right'.  Ok, I was feeling better. He knew what I wanted.
Around 11 AM, he rigged the 8 weight with new tippet and the avalon fly and we headed toward the point.  We killed the motor from a distance and poled into the area to keep from spooking any fish.  I immediately spotted permit, lots of permit.  The results were the same as yesterday.  They would follow, chase, bite, sniff, and about everything but eat.  After 3 more hours (7 total), I was still thoroughly enjoying this.  How often can you stay in one spot for this long and cast to permit?  Actually, I have no idea as this was my first encounter with this elusive fish. 
After this seven hours, I laid out a cast similar to the 500 casts before.  Once I started stripping, Ken's voice immediately changed as I begin to strip.  I am not sure what he saw but he immediately exclaimed 'He is going to eat, no trout set, strip set, strip set'.  He had said this similar thing before, but this tone was serious.  About that time, I felt a strong tension on my fly line, strip set, and all hell broke loose.  The fly line that was loose on the boat deck was immediately through the guides and my drag was getting a workout like never before.  This was a powerful fish.  I was into my backing immediately and no sign of letting up.  At about 100 yards of line, we start the outboard to give chase.  Many times I thought I was hung on a rock or coral but Ken stated that the permit will turn sideways in the current and are almost impossible to move.  We chased and fought this fish for quite some time.  I am really not sure how long, but it felt like forever.  I gained on him many times, only to lose it all in a matter of seconds. 
This guy finally tired and I was able to get him within sight and eventually able to grab him and successfully land.   Wow, what a beautiful fish.  I was elated to say the least.  After we released, my mind was wondering what was different on that particular cast?  I asked what I did right and Ken stated, "It’s just permit. Who knows mon". I now know....I Got Lucky Mon.

Canon Powershot D10 Review

One of the cool things that I enjoy along with fly fishing is photography.  At times, I find that I am taking photos more than I am fishing, but truthfully this is probably when the fishing is slow. 

A couple of years ago, after I dropped my wife's non-waterproof camera in the creek, I researched and purchased a waterproof camera to carry with me when I don't want to carry my DSLR.  After significant research, I chose the Canon Powershot D10. 

The D10 is not a new camera at all and in fact Canon has released the D20.  I thought it was worthy of a review since it can still be purchased.  I have experience with the D10, but I have no reason to believe the D20 would perform at a lesser degree.  I will also mention a few things that I see on the D20 that improve upon the D10.  I recommend that if you are in the market for a pocket camera in the Canon line, purchase the D20 instead of the D10. 

Here are a few of the specifics of the D10.

• Dimensions - 4.1x2.6x1.9
• Weight - 7.4 ounces
• Megapixels - 12
• LCD - 2.5 inches
• Lens - 3x zoom, f2.8-4.9
• File format - JPEG
• Video format - MOV
• Resolution - 4000x3000 pixels
• Video - 640x480 at 30fps
• Battery - Lithium ION rechargeable, 220 shots
• Image Stabilization
• Waterproof to 33 feet
• Cold resistant from 14 -104 F
• Shockproof to 4 feet
• Smart AUTO intelligently selects the proper settings

Based on my 2 years of usage of this camera, here is my evaluation.  This is a non-technical camera evaluation and intended for the general photographer. A much more in-depth review can be found here.

Pros:

• I have used this camera in many situations and have never had one failure of any sort.
• This includes submerging the camera in fast moving fresh water and diving in salt water.  I use the word 'diving' loosely as I only went about 10 feet deep.  It's more like floating but the point is the camera has been used in salt water!  I have had the camera in extreme humid conditions of the Caribbean and exposed to sandy beach situations.  This has never caused an issue with the seals on the camera.  I have always rinsed the camera after sand/salt use.
• I have dropped the camera.  This was not on purpose, but it happens.  One particular drop was from waist height directly onto a rock.  No issues, although it sounded bad!
• The camera does not float.  Believe me!  After this incident, I added a float strap on the camera and yes, it works.  It makes it very visible when you are chasing it down stream.
• I do use the manual settings on the camera frequently and they are very user friendly. Many of you will never use these, but it has lots of options to fine tune your photo quality if you desire.
• The macro setting is acceptable to take closeups of fish, flies in fish mouth, scales, and flies in a vise.  I have taken quality photos down to a size 22 in a vise without the use of a tripod.  The macro setting can be manual or it will auto select if you get very close to the subject. 

Cons:

• The shape of the camera is strange and does not slip into a pocket well. 
• The 3x zoom function on the camera is very limiting.  I understand and adjust but it will not pull in objects from a distance.
• The video is marginal quality.  This camera was released right before everyone went to 1080 video.  It takes decent video, but don't look for any HD content. 

D20 improvements:

• 1080 video
• 5x zoom
• 28 mm wide angle lens
• GPS
• Flat shape to fit in pocket

If you want a great camera to carry along with you to ensure that you don't miss that moment, the Canon line is one I would recommend.  Even though the D10 is available, I would suggest the D20 to take advantage of the latest technology.

The best way to review a camera is to look at the results.  Here is a slide show of a sampling of D10 photos to show you the capabilities.

Shoot me an email if you have any questions.

Click here to view on flickr

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.