San Juan 7/29

Red · 07-30-2010, 08:14 PM

I met Oat about 430 on thursday and we headed out. Wanna start by saying that any of u guys that don't know Oat, he is a really good guy and very very knowledgeable about that river. He had me on fish immediately and it continued all day. Red annelids were working early.

We started out at the Kiddie pool and caught a ton of fish, most were on the smaller side but did pick up some respectable ones. Those little buggers don't know they are small and they fight like mad, it was a good time. But, later in the day we moved on. I worked my way up through the braids up toward the upper flats and picked up a couple. About midday we had a real good gray midge hatch and it continued most of the day, so a 24-26 gray adult was working good. I was almost through the braids and i found a really nice fish feeding in the slow water up next to one of the small islands. The first cast i made at him wasn't good enough so i picked it up before it got to him, didn't wanna spook him. The second cast was perfect and the drift was right on, when it came into his field of vision he rose up to the top and waited on it to get to him, it was beautiful. That hog opened his mouth about a full second before it got to him and just sucked it in. He was a load to get to the net but I did get him in, he was just under 20" wish I would have had a camera to show u guys how fat this pig was. After that I moved up in the flats and picked up a couple more really nice ones on that gray adult midge.

Was easily the best day I have had up there. Oat was an excellent fishing partner and splitting the gas to go up was really nice. I was trying out a new rod the second half of the day. Cabela's Stowaway 8'6" 5wt. I loved it was a very good rod for me. I was laying flies down as soft as I ever have and at the same time I was able to cast farther than I ever have. The line that I have really fit it good. So i guess there is something to matching the line to your rod. Never had a rod perform so well. All in all this is a GREAT rod especially for the price, new its 129.99 in Cabela's magazine or online. But i got it for a steal. Someone not wanting to spend the big bucks for a rod should definetly check this one out. You will be surprised.

Anyone that hasn't made the trip up this year, I would strongly urge you to get up there and soon.

P.S. Still no ants.

philthy · 07-30-2010, 09:37 PM

Red,

Most excellent dude! We need to get together one of these days, including Neal (I Catch Fish). I have to remind myself about waiting to set on a dry take....something along the lines of "God Save the Queen" is supposed to work before you set the hook.

I haven't fished the stowaway....what line did you use? Being the Sage dude I am, I'm kinda ignernt. Love anything from Rio, but I mainly use Rio Grand. Seems to work really well on my SLTs and my ZXL. I picked up a TFO from Ray at Float N Fish for fishing the Jemez. 6 ft 2 wt and it casts well with my Lamson 3 wt. Getting jammed up pretty soon with the elk and deer hunts...nevermind getting my German Wirehair Pointer (Draahtar to you purists like Merc) trained. I'm pretty sure I can train him to recognize strangers

I Catch Fish · 07-31-2010, 10:54 AM

I'm ready to head up Phil. I'll be there the 3rd and 4th(Tues&Wed). I know a week day but I have a good friend I'm taking. We spend the day spotting for each other and usally do really well. I couldn't hit the weekend as I just got back from Colorado. I don't think the wifey would have let me anyways. I spent everyday on our trip fishing. No weekend passes for me right now. Maybe in a couple of weeks though. we should plan something in late August. I need to get my pontoon out there aswell. Might have to wait untill fall or winter for that. Something I'm really looking forward too.

Neal

Quote:

Originally Posted by philthy

Red,

Most excellent dude! We need to get together one of these days, including Neal (I Catch Fish). I have to remind myself about waiting to set on a dry take....something along the lines of "God Save the Queen" is supposed to work before you set the hook.

I haven't fished the stowaway....what line did you use? Being the Sage dude I am, I'm kinda ignernt. Love anything from Rio, but I mainly use Rio Grand. Seems to work really well on my SLTs and my ZXL. I picked up a TFO from Ray at Float N Fish for fishing the Jemez. 6 ft 2 wt and it casts well with my Lamson 3 wt. Getting jammed up pretty soon with the elk and deer hunts...nevermind getting my German Wirehair Pointer (Draahtar to you purists like Merc) trained. I'm pretty sure I can train him to recognize strangers

Red · 07-31-2010, 11:33 AM

To be honest Philthy I don't know what kind of line it is. I am a cheapskate so I got it online. Its supposed to be one of the big line manufacturers, but wasn't in a package, somehow the guy got em in bulk from them. But its the best line I have had in a while. Like I say it really fits my new rod good. Guess I'm pretty lucky it all worked out good.
I want ya'll to know that Oat caught some really nice fish too. I just didn't wanna tell his whole story in my post. The guy really knows his stuff, goes to show that experience up there is the best teacher, although fishing with someone like him will help u gain knowledge in leaps and bounds.
We should try and plan something Phil, I am so flexible its funny, so let me know. Only thing is that its hard for me to stay the night up there so I usually have to make day trips. But I'd love to meet up with u guys up there, to fish and tell a few lies, if ya'll go up for a weekend or whatever. Just let me know. Take care.

philthy · 07-31-2010, 11:34 AM

I'm hoping to head up for the day Thursday, my next day off. Working both days this weekend and next Saturday for sure.

Red · 07-31-2010, 07:10 PM

I may be going up thursday too. Not 4 sure yet. like i said in my post, and u have probably heard, the fishing is reall really hot right now. Its all i have been able to think about since i got back, I wish i could move up there. I've never seen it like this, but then i have'nt been fishing it that long. 1st time was 06. for the past 2 thursdays a whole bunch of gray midges were hatching. not sure if that will be the case this coming week, just something 4 u to keep in mind.

philthy · 07-31-2010, 07:58 PM

Nice! I'll have to tie some tubes in gray as well.