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Fly Fishing Adventures Travel Newsletter, MAY 2006

TOPICS IN THIS ISSUE:

• FLY FISHING BEGINNERS – WHAT TO LOOK FOR….AND WHERE?

• FIRST PERMIT DAY – NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN

• PHOTO FROM HAMMERHEAD/SPOTTED EAGLE RAY STORY

• JUNE 1 IS “SAN FRANCISCO DAY”

• NORTH PLATTE GIVES UP 10 POUNDER…..WHAT?

• NORTH PLATTE SEPTEMBER OPEN DATES

• PRIME TIME DEAN STEELHEAD SPOT DISCOUNTED

We are in the fifth year of publishing our monthly newsletter with updates on great fly fishing venues, trip reports and insights for our traveling fly fishers.  We want to help you match the right location with your fly fishing goals and objectives and properly prepare you to fully enjoy the experience.  We’ve been to most locations and pride ourselves on our ability to research new sites. One of our services is to compare and contrast different lodges/outfitters.  Whatever unbiased information on timing and locations we can provide comes at the same cost to you as booking direct – i.e., no extra cost.

FLY FISHING BEGINNERS – WHAT TO LOOK FOR…AND WHERE?

When planning a trip for beginning fly fishers, where is the best spot?  Lots of answers to this question, but it starts with understanding the novices.  Ages and interest level is the beginning point to determining how many non-fishing attractions should be available at that particular destination. – i.e., can it be a “hard core” fishing location or do we need a mix of activities with fly fishing being part of the mix?  From a strictly technical viewpoint, obviously we want a fishing environment where difficult presentations or casts aren’t necessary to enjoy success.  It’s been my experience that fishing from a drift boat offers a newcomer an “easy entry” as placement of the cast can get a strong assist from a capable guide at the oars.   

If possible, finding a spot with good dry fly action is a positive.  Whether it’s a newcomer or an old-time veteran, watching the nose of the fish come up and inhale the fly is addictive.  Size of the fish is not the major issue – it’s the activity level.  A guide who is an excellent instructor is an important element.  Also, budgetary factors must be weighed in.  After all the variables are calculated, the key becomes finding a destination that best fits the situation. 

FIRST PERMIT DAY - NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN

If you have fly fished for permit, I’d like to hear any story that tops this one about someone’s first day releasing the fly fisher’s ultimate prize.  Pat March and Marc Dollahite were on their second permit trip fishing the flats of Belize from the mothership, Meca.  This trip, like their first one, would be an 11 night saltwater adventure, but different from their first one, this one started with the Meca picking them up in Placencia and they fished their way north winding up in Belize City for their flight home.  

Marc had captured his first permit on their first trip (and took his second on this trip), but Pat was still looking for his first one.   About mid-way through their trip, Pat had a day that he’ll never forget.  He cast to only four permit, spread throughout the course of the day and evening….AND HOOKED UP WITH EVERY ONE.  That’s five casts to four different stalked fish with all of them hooked up.  He released three (all were single fish about 12# each) and lost the last one due to a frayed leader that was overlooked in all the excitement of the day.  It must have been the alignment of the moon and the stars….or…and…who knows!!!  The fishing gods DID smile on Pat that day and he’ll pay the price somewhere down the road cause he owes them big-time!

On the subject of permit, I was on the Seaduction for a seven night trip, following Pat and Marc up the coast.  My objective was to at least release my 26th permit (hopefully, 27 and 28 also).  However, that was not to be.  I did have four days, each with over 10 clean shots at fish, but couldn’t get an eat (top day was 18 shots).  Sometimes it does feel like they will never again eat your fly……but that’s permit fishing and it does test your patience in a way unlike any other fly fishing pursuit.  Ahhhhhh, but the rewards…..check with Pat!

PHOTO TO ACCOMPANY HAMMERHEAD/SPOTTED EAGLE RAY STORY

If you read last months story of the flats encounter between the 13 foot hammerhead and the spotted eagle ray and wondered what the ray looked like after the first bite, hit “reply” and ask.  Mike Bertoldi was kind enough to forward a digital photo which I can e-mail to any interested parties.  The first thing that struck me when viewing the photo was what a beautiful fish that ray is.  Next thing was…….what a clean slice!

NEXT “SAN FRANCISCO DAY” – JUNE 1

If you are in San Francisco, we have scheduled June 1 as our next day in the City.  I am available by appointment to stop by your office or home for discussion and/or slide presentations from our library of over 20 topics.  Also, am available to get together for a cup of coffee almost anywhere.

North Platte Gives Up Ten Pounder – What???

Bob Noyes and sons have been regulars at the North Platte Lodge for a few years.  Bob got his biggest fish during his early April trip this year.  His report:

“It happened on the 4th day of fishing. Up till then both Doug and I had had 3 very good days catching the usual number of good sized trout that the North Platte is known for. Then I hooked into what I thought was the bottom. No movement and whatever it was stayed down. I asked the guide “Do I have the bottom?” and he said “No, you have a fish?” Still no moving whatever it was off the bottom. Slowly it began to be moved but not a lot of running. I thought - this is the big one – the 10 pounder.  Even the guide, after a few minutes into all of this, said “Take it really easy, you have a big fish.”  When it came into view, all I saw was a white belly – the guide said he thought he saw some large dark spots before it went to the bottom again. Finally it came to the boat and indeed it was a large fish -10 pounds and 30 inches long. BUT NOT A TROUT - It was a CRAP - OPPS A carp. Seth said that in 6 years of guiding he has had only two clients catch a carp on a fly. Somehow that did not make me feel any better. It is still just a very large goldfish.”

NORTH PLATTE LODGE – REMAINING OPENINGS FOR SEPTEMBER

Room for four rods – 9/10 – 15, 5 nights with 4 days of fishing

Room for six rods – 8/31 – 9/4

PRIME TIME DEAN STEELHEAD SPOT DISCOUNTED

In March’s newsletter, we referenced a steelhead spot open for a prime week, July 21 – 28, on the lower Dean River.  Well, what transpired was that client readjusted his family commitments and was able to keep his spot.  Last week,  the same client had surgery on his leg and is definitely not going to be fishing the Dean in July.  Guess the fishing gods just don’t want him to go.  He is willing to discount his $5,500 spot to $3,750 for a quick sale.  Contact me for details.

Either phone or drop us an e-mail if you have questions or would like more information about any of our destinations.

An enthusiastic traveling fly fisherman,

Don Muelrath

Fly Fishing Adventures

888-347-4896

flyfish@napanet.net

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