Saturday, August 13, 2011

HOPPERS AND WHOPPERS !!

There once was a boy, who picked up a pole.
As soon as he held it, the story was told.

The hook it went deep and the barbs they were three.
For this is a thing that was just meant to be.

The bend of the rod, the rise of a trout.
The freedom to roam and to wonder about.

The sounds of the birds and the streams peaceful song.
The sound of leaping trout as the evening grows long.

The pools and riffles,"What's around the next bend?"
A time to enjoy with your family or a friend.

Somewhere to relax and reflect on the day.
A place to escape and to just get away.

The thrill of the chase, this can't be denied.
I will wonder these streams, even after I've died.

                                                                T.M.




Met this older gentleman while out exploring a new stream with my older bro.  Sat and talked fishing for about a half hour.  He was kind enough to tell me of a place he use to go and catch 25" Brook Trout.  I will be checking that out for sure :) 





Beautiful new water.  Crystal clear and the trout were scattering everywhere. 










A rooftop of St.Croix fly rods ready to bend.





Older bro bought some Hopper patterns from local fly shop.  Drifting them along the banks produced some fish.





A trouts breakfast scared onto the water by the very thing that was in search of it.  Me.








One of my bros Browns taken on a simple Hopper pattern.

We would end up spooking more fish than we caught, due to the crystal clear water and fishing at high noon like a bunch of Goof Balls.  We ended up fishing during the absolute hottest time of the day and ended up pretty tired out from the boiling hot sun.  The stream is wonderful and I look forward to fishing it on a more ideal day.  Preferably not from noon to 4:30p.m. :)




The next day I had a few hours and decided to take the kids out since the sun was starting to retreat.  They were both excited and so was I.  My son chose to use a hopper pattern and was happy just watching it float down through the rapids.  I fished a hopper for a little while, but couldn't resist a new Bomber pattern I came up with.  It was tail, hackle, peacock, hackle and then the Calf hair.( I hope that makes sense)  As soon as I tied it on, I started getting hits.  Thank you Bombers!!  Here are some pics of our adventure, I hope you enjoy!


This hopper was made from a broken Nerf foam sword.  The legs are made from old fly line.  It floated well.





Tied up this "Thunder Thighs" pattern using foam from the Nerf sword and silencers from my bow string.  It ended up being pretty easy pattern to tie.  Not the exact colors I was looking for but considering the circumstances not too bad. 






They were having a blast looking for rising fish.










The first rainbow caught was a healthy little fellow.  This is the farthest down on the stream I have seen them.





The next fish was another colorful Rainbow.  Love seeing all the Bows this far down.





Same fish as above.  These guys seem to be growing quite well each year. 





Top view of the last fish of the night.





Side view of the Rainbow. 






I have caught this beast once before.  It put up a great fight and I released it to swim another day.  I always make sure that the bigger fish that I release make a full recovery before I leave their side.  I always worry that after I leave for some reason they will go belly up.  I was super happy to see this fish again, and was just like hanging out with an old friend. :)





I am pretty sure in the pic I took with it the first time, I had about an equally goofy expression on my face.  Sorry about that :)





I caught this Rainbow on a size 14 Bomber pattern trailed about ten inches with a little gray nymph pattern.  The kids were ready to head home and it was about 9:00 p.m.  I had just lost a 13" Brown so I said to them, " Just One MOre Cast"  I tossed it in and said "Ssshhhhhhh, I have to hear if a fish takes the fly."  At this point the visibility was nill.  Then I heard something and raised my rod and sure enough this is what waited at the end of the line.  Of course I didn't have my net, and landing this thing in the dark was a little tricky.  The fish was caught, photographed and then safely released and I watched over it until it was full strength and back up stream he went.  A wonderful day with the kids.  They really are my good luck charms. 




Can you spot the 6" Crayfish deep down?


Until Next Time....Tight Lines to all !!!!!!

32 comments:

  1. The last fish of the night looks pretty good! nice hopper fly too, and thanks for sharing the photos

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great photos! I like the hopper you tied using the old fly line. It's a good way to not wastes some of the line we have just sitting around. The kids looked like they were having some fun...glad they were able to go along!

    ....last fish was fun to see :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. what a nice rainbow! I also use old fly line for legs, it's easy to tie with. That first stream looks really nice too! good luck with that 25" brookie! That would be one hell of a fish!

    ReplyDelete
  4. TM you do the nicest photo essays.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Trout
    Those images are the best, and super clear, what pixtel rate is your camera? Some of those photos are worth framing. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful looking waters! And excellent photos, I might add. The fish you tie into are a treat to look at - thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  7. TM,
    Way to go.
    When I see an old timer, and he throws some info my way it's usually good stuff.

    Great photos

    ReplyDelete
  8. Awesome day and pics eh?! It's great to see the kids hanging in there with you till the end of the night.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Another excellent post! Love the poetics on top and the fishy pics down low! Glad your kids are little good luck charms. Good deal!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Another top notch post TM. You're always mixing it up and keeping it fun for us... your kids must have a blast!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Those grasshoppers look to be a good mouthful for the trout. It must be like having another Drake season when strength is built up ready for winter's exertions. Your pictures always speak a thousand words, a day of fun enhanced by the presence of your children and the interlude with the old man.

    Your next episode is awaited with eager anticipation!

    Regular Rod

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hey TM. It's amazing what you can come up with to tie flies. A little piece of old fly line, here. Silencers from a bow string, there. A very ingenious person you are.

    Mark

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your photography is beautiful! I really enjoyed looking at your post.

    Tim Borkert
    www.unluckyhunter.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Savage,
    Thanks a lot. Happy to share always. Tight Lines.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sanders,
    Thanks much. The kids had a blast and were really pumped to see that last one. Troopers for sure. Tight Lines.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Blake F,
    Thanks a lot man. That all fly line definitely comes in handy at times. That first stream was a beauty. I can't wait to find some huge Brookies, if they stlll exist. Tight Lines.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Cofisher,
    Thanks a lot. Glad you enjoyed the new pics. Tight Lines.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Bill Trussell,
    Thank you so much. Appreciat it. My camera is 12.3 Megapixel. I also use a point and shoot once and a while that is 14 Megapixel. My main camera is My Nikon D5000. Love it. Tight Lines.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Casey,
    Thanks a lot. Glad the pics were enjoyed. Tight Lines.

    ReplyDelete
  20. BrkTrt,
    Thank you very much. THe older one is, the wiser they are. Tight Lines.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Sean,
    Thanks much. The kid's always seem to be there when the time is right. I love having them come along. Tight Lines.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Loah,
    Thanks a lot man. That poem was just a little ditty about how great fly fishing is to all of us. We all have our reasons for getting out on the water. To bad I can't bring the kids to the casino :) Tight LInes.

    ReplyDelete
  23. John,
    Thanks a lot. Seems like theres always something new and exciting every time we head out. I have a blast watching the kids hang out and throw rocks and flies. Tight Lines.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Regular Rod,
    Thank you very much. The hoppers are all over and the trout are definitely getting set for the cold weather that will be upon us soon. I hope to get out again soon with an all new adventure and a new stream. Tight Lines.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Shoreman,
    Thanks for the great compliment. I like to tie flies sometimes using little snippets of my kids hair. They seem to bring great luck. Tight Lines.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Tim,
    Thanks a lot. Glad to hear you enjoyed the photos. Thanks for stopping by. Tight Lines.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Good Post, Nice fish and a good looking hopper too!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Great photo essay TM, and what a good sized 'bow to end with! Those hoppers look a real mouthful. Wonderful photography again.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Kevin,
    Thanks a lot. Glad you like the post. Tight Lines.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Justin,
    Thanks much. The hoppers are in full effect around these parts. Tight Lines.

    ReplyDelete

Cast your line here...Thanks!

Early Season Winter 2013

Youtube MaGee

How to tie the " Baby Brook Trout"


Who Is Trout MaGee

My photo
Driftless Area, SW Wisconsin, United States
I am an easygoing person who likes to fish and just enjoy life. I have a family, a beautiful wife and two(soon to be three), awesome children that make my world go round. I enjoy fishing,photography and being out in nature.

Basic Studios

Basic Studios

SW Wisconsins Driftless Area Weather


Other Great Fishing/Outdoor Blogs

STRAIGHT FROM MY MIND TO YOURS

STRAIGHT FROM MY MIND TO YOURS

ST.CROIX For Life

ST.CROIX For Life
Best Rods on Earth