Winter Fly Fishing: Salmon, Trout, & Streamer Flies On Sinking Lines

by | Fresh Water

Trout & Salmon Video

I had a some stuff to do to in a part of New York state that I had never been to. I called Waterwhippa and told him where I was gonna be. He said, “Oh, you should bounce over to a spot I know and take a few casts for some Landlocked Salmon and Brown Trout.” So, Greg came along with me and when the stuff I needed to do was over, we made a dash to the water. We were fly fishing a spot where a river runs into the lake, so it was all streamer fishing. Waterwhippa told us to bring the 300 grain sinking line and pick up the typical Landlocked artillery and some clouser patterns. Being from Maine, I spend a lot of time fly fishing Salmon waters, so the heavy sink line and streamer game is right up my alley. Greg and I were all amped up to do some Salmon and Trout fishing and start the 2007 season. But, our enthusiasm was met head on by gale force winds, plummeting temperatures and freezing rain. We both realized quickly that we were no longer in the Florida Keys. But, it felt good to be fly fishing for the cold water species. And, our interest was peaked when we looked in the distance and saw Trout and Salmon rolling on bait. We waded out into the water as the freezing rain pelted us in the face and started casting into the Northerly arctic wind. We both kind of realized how absurd this was, but at the same time realized that it was now part of the mission to catch something in these conditions. We were on a mission. So we started casting. Greg hooked up with a nice Landlocked Salmon but it spit the hook. Then, I was next when a decent Brown Trout decided to take an olive and whip Clouser. At first I thought the fish was a Salmon because it was bright silver. But, then after close observation, I came to realize that it was a silver Brown Trout. I guess I had forgotten that these were essentially lake run fish, so the silver color through me for a loop. So Greg and I went fish for fish. Hooking some nice ones, losing a bunch and landing a couple. Like most fly fishing trips, the satisfaction came from catching fish despite all of the elements and reasons that made it tough. That is what I really enjoy these days. I get a great sense of satisfaction catching fish that present all sorts of obstacles. Maybe it is the environments working against me or other elements out of my control. Or, maybe the fish are hard to find or hard to trick. Either way, it’s the sense of satisfaction that comes from staying the course and forging onward despite all of the reasons not to.

13 Comments

  1. waterwhippa on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Way to go fellas…It is no easy task to battle the elements and be successful down there with the fly rod. Glad you were able to make it happen and touch some silver.

  2. greg on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    In that kind of weather, trying as it is, when you hook up its an accomplishment and its Sunny for a few minutes!

  3. MarshallD on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    great job guys….makes me shiver just watching you guys. Brave souls.

    marsh

  4. hedrush999 on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    was that gregs first banjo performance in that song or am I mistaken?

  5. chromefinder on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Hey, I know that spot – (I think). Everytime I’ve been there I’ve been faced with a strong headwind from the West. Got Millk?

  6. Steelie on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Nice story. I just noticed that you capitalize the words Brown Trout and Salmon, no matter where in the sentence they are. Shows respect, I thought it was interesting.

    Mike

  7. jinxed247 on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Out freakin’ standing guys!! I guess that i have no excuse now to get out on the water!! April 1st is fast approaching!!

  8. KodiakCommando on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Great job guys, your definetly hardcore

  9. kennebecfly on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Sounds like a blast ! Snows almost gone up my way jeremy, And Im ready to get on the water ..

  10. Fisherboy on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    i really enjoyed this video and loved the song! nice fish guys

  11. jeremy on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    ya me too man … hopefully we can have a few “foggy striper days” … just maybe not soooo foggy… always a bit better, or less stressful, when we can find our way home … i guess we should bring linesidesonthefly along .. just in case… 🙂

  12. jeremy on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    fisherboy — yah man, its an old traditional irish song … i like the old irish music … they had a unique way of telling the truth through stories in lyrical format and wrapping some not so “light” lyrical content around contrasting light and catchy melodies … to the not so observant listener many of the old irish songs sound unusually light hearted (sometimes they are) but many times they address some very real and truthful issues … and speak of things that are understood but not often spoken …. and i really like the way the irish music uses rhythm, melody, harmony and lyrics to capture the various elements of being human .. sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes painful and many lessons to be learned from it all … the old irish music is very similar in many ways to the blues … just with an irish twist… no less powerful or timeless though … the things they said in many of their lyrics back then … ring true today … here are the lyrics to this particular old irish song .. sarcastic to say the least … but certainly makes the listener realize that TIME is valuable, you only get one shot, and nobody every gets younger ——– —————————————-

    Look at the coffin with golden handles
    Isn’t it grand boys to be bloody well dead?

    Chorus:
    Let’s not have a sniffle, let’s have a bloody good cry. And always remember the longer you live, the sooner you’ll bloody well die

    Look at the flowers, all bloody withered
    Isn’t it grand boys to be bloody well dead?

    Look at the preacher,bloody sanctimonious
    Isn’t it grand boys to be bloody well dead?

    Look at the mourners, bloody hippocrites
    Isn’t it grand boys to be bloody well dead?

  13. kennebecfly on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    I will be looking foward to it, See you on the water …
    Drew