I was knee deep in the cool morning water catching my first Oatka creek brown trout before everyone else arrived. And having that moment to myself on the stream, allowed me to reflect on my friendships with the guys who would soon join me in taking part in our second annual summer fly fishing trip. There would be seven of us altogether. For some, it would be their first time to ever cast a fly. For others, it would be a familiar ritual in which they take part in almost every week. And even though I had fished with each one of them on separate occasions through the years; today we would share this experience together. And what an experience it would turn out to be!Not long after that first trout, everyone was there, standing knee deep in their own section of the Oatka. Many trout were caught by everyone accept for two of our friends who were spin fishing. We caught mostly stocked brown trout in this section, but there were the occasional wild browns in the mix. The fishing was good enough to put off our meeting time for lunch until about 12:00pm. A short drive later and we were at our campsite busy setting up tents and cooking lunch. While we sat around the fire eating, we shared past fishing stories and reflected on our morning of fishing. We then asked if our spin fisherman friends wanted to try fly fishing. We were eager to help them get that big zero of their back. And the more experienced fly fisherman in our group knew that the only way to get rid of a zero was with a fly.The second half of our day took place at a part of the Oatka that is a no kill, artificials only section. It does not get stocked, and all the trout in this part of the stream are wild. It also has the reputation for not giving up its trout easily, especially for beginners. We set up our beginners with small flashback pheasant tail nymphs under small strike indicators. We then hiked up to a spot that has produced very well for us in the past. And today it surpassed our expectations. After a little instruction and a pat on the back, our beginners started to hook fish. And soon they had both landed their very first brown trout caught on a fly. Soon after that everyone was getting into the action. At one point, one guy would hook and land a fish only to look up and see another guy do the same thing just seconds after the release. We even had multiple hook-ups at the same time. Some of the trout would come two feet out of the water twisting and shaking with all that they had just to shake that fly lose. At this point we all were smiling and laughing while cheering one another on. We would rotate in and out of the run, each of us taking our turn to hook some wild browns. ”is this for real?” I didn’t think so. We fished hard for a little over 4 hours. Then the beginners had to go. They had already stayed 2 hours past when they had planned to leave. Great fly fishing tends to do that to a person. The rest of us finished off the evening waiting for a hatch that came and went without much interest from the trout. We then went back to camp to rest up for tomorrow.Morning came and we ate breakfast and packed up our tents and gear. We headed back to the Oatka and fished it hard for a few more hours before we all headed back home to the reality of the upcoming work week. Standing at the side of the road getting ready to leave we all shook hands and vowed to come back and do it again. What will next year bring we thought. Will it be as good as this year? Fishing this good tends to leave an after taste….and it tastes good! All I know, is we could not have had a better time. And the fishing wasn’t bad either!
Seems like an awesome trip. Plenty of fish and good friends. What more could you ask for? … I think that trout fishing had alot to do with my conversion from spin to fly too. I just could not believe that I could see all of those trout rising and throwing a lure in the mix produced nothing. I remember the trout literally rising and eating around my lure as I was retreiving it. That’s when I realized that flies were much more than a different way to fish .. in many instances they were definately the most productive means of catching fish. It never ceases to amaze me how productive flies can be in both fresh and saltwater for a variety of species. Fish just seem to love flies .. streamer flies, dry flies, nymphs, baitfish patterns, poppers .. you name it … Anyway, sounds like a great trip, congrats to your buddies with their first fish on fly .. I think you are right .. the experience will leave an after taste and next year they will show up with boxes of pheasentails and dries rather than dare devils and sweedish pimples. You should take them steelheading this fall .. that would really seal the deal for them .. they already know how to nymph .. so just have them tie on a glo bug and tell them to hold on!
This is a great story, an old story of friendships forged in rivers. they last a very long time and the memories from these trips will serve you well. They make a good seguays from the work day blahs and the lunch time rhetoric. The good thing about fishing is it can take you to places you have never been or seen wether its a thousand miles away or 20 miles. The people you meet along the way are a bonus, as youre fishing adventures increase so do your future fishing stories to relish over the winter. Thanks for the story and pictures.
It was an awesome trip….but i don’t know if they are ready for “Mr. Steelhead.” They will never come back down after meeting him! ha ha! I know that you know exaclty what i’m talking about too!!! Thanks for the comments as always.
Bfly
Thanks for the comments. There is something about casting a fly to a fish and having your fly rod come to life by that same fish. It goes beyond any explanation that i have yet to come up with. And the only way to do it is sharing it with friends and seeing them come alive the vary same way the trout does when hooked!!!
Looks like you guys really had a great trip, to me thats what its all about camping and catching up with old friends, and if the fly fishing is on, you can’t ask for anything more. Alex
Great story! Wild fish sure are a different breed aren’t they! Great job.
I first fished Oatka Creek and its tributary Spring Creek in near-by Caledonia since 1972 and have caught and released a lot of beautiful trout from these waters. I have introduced a few anglers who are now as enchanted everyone who wades these gems in the crown of trout fishing in New York, Some of New York’s most beautiful brown trout are taken here. I am blessed by living a 20 minute drive to Oatka’s “Park Section.”
Although I haven’t put in as much time as you have in these waters, as I only moved to the Rochester area just 10 years ago, I must agree with your assessment on how beautiful the trout are. I feel very blessed to be within arms reach of both streams and frequent them as often as I can…..thanks for the comments, and I hope to meet you on the stream one of these days!
fliesandfins u r right. i went to oatka’s tributary spring creek just about two weeks ago and can still taste it haha. i love hookin in to a big brown. unfortunitly my grandpa didnt get so lucky, and are plotting for revenge this upcoming friday. i cant wait!