I had to tell a fly fisherman to get out of our fishing hole on Thursday. He was in the wrong for even thinking about trying to squeeze into the same hole two other guys were fishing. He eventually got the hint after we let him know he was in the wrong. After a while he made his way down river, but still kept a close eye on Jeremy and I so he could fish the spot next. As we left there was an older guy fishing on the pool next to us. We get to the parking lot and watch the fly fisherman sprinting up the banks of the river to beat this old guy to the hole. We were laughing our asses off. The old guy calmly strutted over to the hole and started to fish. The fly fisherman just walked right on past him and left. He was seriously sprinting with all his gear. It was awesome to see that older guy just waltz right up and start fishing it!!!! All in all a great trip with just one bone head to talk about. The rest of the fly fisherman were extremely friendly and courteous. As always, Jeremy and I give them a great deal of distance when they are fishing holes and make sure to stay clear when we pass them, so we don't spook any fish they might be targeting.
It happened in the first week of June 2023. This is a true story.
The party Luke and Tom were at was really loud, but when Luke mentioned that he had seen a really monster king salmon delivered by commercial trollers the day before, Tom's ears perked up. The two quickly moved to a quieter part of the house. Luke was a seasonal worker for the ADF&G; and happened to be on the processor dock when the fish arrived on June 6th 2023. Luke quickly relayed that the salmon was being stored at Seafood Processors Cooperative and Tom then quickly hatched a plan to sneak in and steal the fish. The two were convinced that showing up at the party with a 92 pound salmon would really make them the life of the party.Luke and Tom jumped in the car and off to the processor they went. They walked into the plant and removed the giant fish and headed back to the party. Upon arrival they found that they were correct about their assumptions because everyone immedately wanted to see a 92 pound king, just because few people ever get to see a fish of that size. The party lasted to the wee hours and then everyone finally went home and the big king was placed in a nearby freezer. The next morning Tom picked up the king and took it home and filleted it out so that they could have many more parties in the future off this big fish.Well all good things must come to an end, because Seafood Producers Cooperative put out a $500 reward for someone to turn the crooks in, and one of the people who knew about it ratted them out. Only about 20 people knew about the theft, so it must have been a stampeed down to the police station. The cops got the info they needed, so next they went looking for Tom and Luke. After a brief Sitka chase scene, the police had their thieves and Luke was fined $500 and ordered to pay $266 in restitution, and Tom got 150 hours of community service. Luke was also ordered to write a letter of apology to the processor. Luke said that "he never intended for the king to be cut up". Must have been another one of those giant commercial miscommunications! Seafood Processors Cooperative had planned to mount the 92 pound king until they discovered it missing. The point of this story is that these Kenai giants are being relentlessly pounded by a commercial fishing industry which will deny it. That size of a trophy king is enough to fuel the Alaska sportfish industy with millions of tourist dollars for years into the future but instead it ended up selling for a couple of hundred dollars.
This true story would have never seen the light of day if a couple of guys had not committed a sorry case of burglary on a really monster of a fish. When you hear a commercial fisherman telling how they just don't seem to catch very many king salmon, try telling them about the 92 pound king salmon which was caught and killed by Sitka, Alaska commercial trollers, the first week of June, 2023. Don Johnson
P.O. Box 876Soldotna, Alaska
907 262 7893ccpwow@gci.net
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Faith For Dummies--Fly Fishing With Dub by Ken Mowery
Years ago I lived next door to the perfect neighbor. His name was Dub. He was an avid sportsman and often included me on his Saturday adventures into the woods and wilds of Northern Colorado.
Dub has since gone on to his eternal reward, but I think about him often. My favorite memories of Dub center on the occasions when we grappled with spiritual matters. He often surprised me with his well thought out answers to my many questions. He made sense out of deep and profound concepts. Dub answered questions without making a person feel dumb and embarrassed for not knowing the answer.I discovered this one fall morning on the first of many fishing expeditions with Dub. We loaded up his old truck with fly rods, waders and tackle. By 5 AM we were rumbling toward The Poudre canyon and the great fishing spot he had told me about. The first light of dawn sliced through the canyon to meet us as we donned our gear and began making our way down to the treasured "s" curves of the river below. Dub stopped and pointed silently at the river. Looking down at the dark water I saw a small triangular shaped patch of light playing on the surface of the river. The outlines of four fish were illuminated by the sudden splash of sunlight. Dub turned to me. His voice just above a whisper, "Isn't that the perfect picture of how God works?""I guess I'm not sure what you mean."
"Those fish were there all along, but we didn't know it. A higher source, in this case the sun, had to do something to help us see." He looked at me to gauge my reaction. My face no doubt belied my lack of understanding. Dub persisted. "Don't you see? The truth about God is all around us, but we don't have a clue. We can't see it until God opens our eyes and then suddenly he reveals himself and we see the truth." It was my initiation in to what I call Dub's Bible Basics for Dummies Like Me. That Saturday as we fished together standing waist deep in the frigid water of the Cache Le Poudre River, Dub began to teach me about God and His creation. Woven into the memory of that day is the joy of catching a lot of fish and having a great deal of discussion about the nature of God.At one point I asked, "Dub, are you saying that God actually reveals himself in nature?" "Sure, its what the theologians call general revelation.""You'll have to explain that one, Dub."
"Its simply the idea that a man can figure some things out about God just by looking at the things God created. The Bible puts it like this." To my surprise Dub reached into his pocket and pulled out a little book which I supposed was a Bible. He began reading. "because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse."Dub put the tiny Bible back in his pocket before continuing. "Although we can't possible fathom everything about an infinite and divine being like God, it is clear that we have been given enough information about God that we have no excuse not to acknowledge Him."
"But aren't you making an assumption that there is a God and that he created everything? "You're right on both accounts." Dub conceded. "But what if, for the sake of argument, we decided to proceed under those assumptions?" He stopped to collect his thoughts. "After all, didn't we sort of do that this morning before we left the house?""Sorry, Dub, you lost me again.""Well, I told you that I knew about a great fishing hole, right?""Right.""So, did you know for sure that you would catch fish here?""No, but I had a pretty good idea that I would.""So you made an assumption. And I'm betting you're glad you made that assumption." He winked at me as I nodded affirmatively. "But let me ask you this." Dub stopped talking momentarily to adjust the tension on his line. "What if you had made the assumption that there were no fish and therefore decided not to make the trip this morning?" I could see where he was going. "I would have been wrong and..."
"You would have missed something really great wouldn't you." Suddenly as if on cue the tip of my rod dipped violently toward the water. I instinctively lifted my rod and gripped the line to keep it taut. The fish broke the surface exposing his white belly, and flared gills, revealing the red intricacy within. Twisting and bucking he cleared the water by his own length or more. I struggled to keep the tension on the line, but the Herculean leap toward me had too much power and velocity behind it. The elk hair caddis that had been lodged in his mouth was suddenly free and the fish was gone. For a moment the only sound I could hear was the rapid drumming of my heartbeat in my ears. Dub continued talking as I inspected my leader. "So why can't we talk about God from the assumption that there actually is a God? If we're wrong, no harm done. But, if we are right Well, we might just find something good." It was a reasonable proposition. We fished and talked until the sun slipped behind the western peaks. Exhausted and fulfilled we made our way back to the truck. As we drove home I thought of one last question I needed to ask. I found the right words as the headlights of Dub's truck illuminated his driveway.
"Dub, today while we were talking about God." He looked at me over the rim of his glasses. "You said a lot of things that came out of the Bible. Right?""Yeah, you're right.""Well, I don't mean to be hard headed or anything, but what would you say to the man who is not so sure he believes in the Bible?"Dub smiled and said, "Well, I would say to him, 'You know, I read about this great fishing place up on the Big Thompson. Why don't we go check it out?'"
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Fishing Etiquetteas written by Fly Fishing Colorado

Fishing Etiquette Can Improve Your On Stream Experience

Take a moment. Relax and imagine you are on your favorite stream. You have been stalking a large rainbow maybe some 19 inches. You have spent 15 or 20 minutes making cast after cast, changing flies, changing your casting position slightly to improve your presentation, still no fish.

Suddenly, a fisherman walks down the bank, enters the water right where your fish was holding and starts to cast into the pool. You can see your rainbow heading upstream at warp 5. Obviously, this newbie either didn't know fly fishing etiquette or just didn't care. Let's give him or her the benefit of a doubt and assume they didn't know. So let's talk about "Stream Etiquette" or "Fly Fishing Etiquette"

Fishing Etiquette is really a matter of following a few simple rules and courtesy for your fellow angler.

Why People Fly Fish

In this day and age most fishermen don't fish to feed their families. Especially fly fishermen. Fly fishermen fish for relaxation from the 'daily grind", enjoy some peace and quiet, enjoy the smell of being outdoors in cleaner air than the city or for the thrill of outwitting a wild creature on a fly that they tied.

In my opinion, fly fisherman fish for some of the same reasons that hunters hunt. Except by practicing " Catch-and-Release " fly fishing, we can help to conserve our quarry for other fly anglers to catch too.

Give Other Anglers Their Space

As with most other outdoor sports, the angler enjoys the peace and solitude of the sport. Fortunately, we in Colorado are blessed with over 6,000 stream miles. Much on public land or assessable through DOW leases. Generally, a fly fisherman can find a quiet time and spot to practice the sport with a little planning. If you know your stream will be crowded by 10 am, start at 7 am. This gives you 3 hours of quality fishing time.

When you get to your stream, take a little time and explore for likely places to fish. For me this is part of the fun of the sport, the exploration. Generally, I will do this upstream. Fishing some spots along the way and then fishing others on the way downstream back to my vehicle.

If you observe, a fisherman catch a fish, watch how they play it, land and release it. No matter how much you think you know, there is always more to learn. And DON'T rush down to the stream where they caught a fish and start fishing. Most streams have more than enough fish to satisfy everyone.

Tip -- If you are on a crowded stream, look for an unused run or riffle. Often large fish will lie quietly at the base of a riffle sipping in midges or emerging mayflies. In October on the Cache La Poudre river west of Ft. Collins, CO, I have caught 19" rainbows lying in 5 inches of water sipping tricos. So I know that these often overlooked places can hold large fish. But you will need a stealthy approach, the right flies and a good presentation.

" Fly Fishing Etiquette " consists mainly of a few simple rules, respect for others, the fish and some common sense.

First Come -- First Served

This is the #1 Cardinal Rule of Fly Fishing. The angler that is in or on the water first "owns" that stretch or pool until they leave. Generally most fly fishermen will work upstream. But I have seen them fishing their way back downstream too. If you can't tell by observing them, ask which way they are going. If you ask to fish the water they have fished, be sure to give the other angler plenty of space so you don't spook any fish they may be fishing to now.

If they are sitting on the bank by a stretch or pool, don't assume that they are done. They may have been fishing to a fish they spotted and are "resting" the water waiting for the fish to quiet down. If you want to find out, simply ask them if they are done fishing that stretch. Most fly fishermen are friendly and willing to share stories, flies and often water if you ask first. As in most places, rudeness is not welcome.

Tip -- Try and locate two nearby pools or stretches of water to fish. Then alternate between them to rest the fish where you have just been fishing. This also gives you an alternative should another fisherman take over one of the pools or stretches you had previously "staked" out.

Don't Spook Another's Fish

Trout are spooky creatures. They are particularly sensitive to overhead shadows that may indicate an eagle or osprey to them. They are also very sensitive to your pressure wave when you wade. Sound carries well in the water. Tests have shown that trout as far as 200 feet down stream from a careless wading angler will spook and run for cover.

When you enter the water upstream from another angler, do it as quietly as possible. Try to keep your wading noise to a minimum. Your fishing experience will be better and so will the downstream angler.

If you are watching another angler fish a pool, don't stand where you cast a shadow on the pool and spook a fish he may have been fishing for over the last hour. This won't win you any friends.

If you must walk along the bank, try and stay as far from the water as possible. Walk slowly, quietly and with a low profile. Try to keep your shadow off the water.

If you have children on an outing, there is a fascination with kids, rocks and streams. Don't let them throw rocks around where an angler is fishing.

My personal observation is that fish in a park stream where there is constant stream activity like kids, horses crossing and such tend not to spook as easily as those on quieter streams. In other words, trout in such conditions have become conditioned to more noise than their cousins in a high mountain stream.

Stay Quiet In And Near The Water

Sound carries well in the water. Tests have shown that trout as far as 200 feet down stream from a careless wading angler will spook and run for cover. Clanking wading staffs or moving rocks will scare fish upstream and downstream for long distances.

If you are moving to another spot, try and take trails if possible. It is a lot less work for you to move on land than in the water. And you won't have spooked the fish along the stretch where you were wading. Another angler may be just behind you and want to fish that stretch where you scared all the fish with careless wading tactics. Remember respect for others.

Trout have a lateral sense line that is highly responsive to vibration. Sight a fish sometime and then jump up and down on the bank. See how fast that fish will run for cover.

Tip -- On streams with undercut banks, BIG trout will often hug the bank for cover and ease in feeding. If you absolutely must walk along such areas, do so with well back from the bank and tread lightly.

If you enjoyed this article you canread more at http://www.fly-fishing-colorado.com/fishing-etiquette.html

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