Gambling on Gambel’s

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The footprint of my quarry...

With a busy weekend ahead and one more week of school before Christmas break, I opted to stay in town and see how the desert looked. I had not been after quail since opening weekend and as I entered the dry wash and rumbled my way to the spot, I pondered how broken up many of the coveys would be. The season has been open for going on three months and often at this point many of the birds are so skittish it can be difficult to get into range. As I parked the truck and and gulped down the last of my coffee, I could not hear a single bird calling. With this less than advantageous start, I began slowly picking my way through cat-claw and palo verde trees, and as the sun began to peak over the hills, the birds slowly started to wake up. Even though I located many different coveys, the birds were definitely on edge and I had to take great care in moving slowly and quietly in order to begin closing the gap.

A workingman's gun...

The morning ended with several birds in the game bag and more than a few miles put on the boots. It was pleasant wandering through a familiar area and checking on the usual spots. There was a considerable amount of water in the several springs that I checked and there were plenty of birds in the desert.

Water

Even though fly fishing has quickly taken over my life and thoughts, chasing quail around the desert is very rewarding. Without a bird dog, my mornings usually consist of locating a vocal covey, stalking in to an acceptable distance, and then letting it rip. After breaking up a covey, I visually follow their flight path and make haste to catch up. After one or two times of this, the birds tend to get real quiet and during these brief intermissions, I enjoy the moment and usually have a seat in the shade while the quail catch their breath. The desert can be extremely beautiful during these restful moments.

A brief pause...

This serenity is generally forgotten as I mistakenly blunder my way through a patch of jumping cactus, hence the reason I carry tweezers in my bird vest.

Standard on any bird chase...

I believe it was Thomas Jefferson who once said, “A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks.” Now, in no way do I consider myself exceptionally strong and I do like a good football game, but I think Jefferson was definitely on to something.

The path...

Hooked Up Films

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Many, many thanks to Eric over at Hooked Up Films. I cannot say enough how grateful I am to him and for all the work he put into this video. Feel free to check the written documentation of our day in my earlier post. I look forward to more time on the water with Hooked Up Films.

I also give thanks to the marketing heaven for giving and providing us a safe views on youtube for some of our videos.
You can also direct visit their website to get some helpful information.

Winter Tying…

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Appropriately Decorated

A friend once told me that if you’re not losing flies you’re not casting in the right spots. For the most part he was right and the fish that were caught this summer came with a price of losing many hand-tied flies. Looking forward to the weather turning towards spring, I have started compiling a box with go-to-flies so that next summer when I am on the road I can steadily refill my creek-side arsenal. I would like to send a belated thanks to some other Arizona fly fishermen, Alex, Aaron, and Kyle, over at Fat Guy Fly Fishing for the perfect fly fishing art with which to adorn the front of my fly box.

The Box

The flies I have been stockpiling are bugs that have consistently produced here in Arizona and even back on the Adirondack streams of New York. Quick run down of what I have tied:

1. The mini-hopper (green, brown, and orange)

2. Sparkle Parachute

3. Parachute Adams

4. My version of an Ausable Parachute

5. My take on the Hopper Juan

All great flies, which are fun to tie and fish. Anyone else started their bulk winter tying?

The Assortment

 

Hooked Up Films Comes for a Visit…

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Eric Davis with Hooked Up Films

Several months ago, I was fortunate enough to be contacted by Eric Davis from Hooked Up Films who had found me through the Outdoor Blogger Network. Eric hails from Bend, Oregon and was going to be in town for the Thanksgiving weekend. While here, he hoped to sample some of the local Arizona stream fishing which has been lights out all summer and fall. A long story short, all the arrangements were made and we were zipping up the Bee-line Highway headed for the Mogollon Rim early Saturday morning. Stepping out of the truck at 8:30, we were greeted by a frosty 28º as the sun was slowly peaking over the canyon walls. With high hopes, we decided to hike downstream and work our way back up to the truck. Keeping with tradition, I stopped at one particular run on my way downstream which always holds a few nice browns. As I eased line out for my three weight, I laid the dry/dropper just on the edge of a seam and was rewarded with a hard fighting 13 inch brown. As I released the fish, I was excited to see what the rest of the day would hold and anticipated a fish-filled day ahead for my visitor and myself.

Stream-side

Unfortunately, the day seemed hexed from the “first fish, first hole” curse and there was a significant amount of fishing before any more catching was to be done. The fall bite seemed to be over and the cold weather and water kept fish stacked on the bottom of deep slow pools, unwilling to move for anything. As the sun started to reach the west walls of the canyon, tiny midges and BWOs brought several fish to the surface and we were able to bring a couple small fish to hand. Overall, I was disappointed with the catch rate, but any day on the water with a friend is a good day.

Small Brown

Eric Davis is a quality individual and really knew his way around all small stream. His website, Hooked Up Films, focuses on the diversity that Oregon’s water has to offer and really deserves a quality look-over. I look forward to making my way up to the Northwest to investigate all that it has to offer. I think the quality fishing on the Rim is mostly over for the winter, although I am sure I will head up a few more times to flog the water.

Barbed Wire

* Note: Eric has a real talent for videography and will be putting some of the footage together to showcase a small taste of what Arizona has to offer. Stay tuned for the final product due out in a few weeks. Thanks again to Eric for making the trip down and for the good time spent on the water.

AW Crayfish…

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Crayfish Pattern
Crayfish Pattern

This is a good pattern to drift or strip through those crawdad infested streams and lakes that can be found throughout Arizona’s high country. A couple of people have emailed looking for more specifics, so here are the basic steps for tying up AW Crayfish. Enjoy…

Materials:

Hook: #8 streamer hook

Thread: Brown 6/0 Uni-Thread

Tail and Arms: Cheap assorted marabou feathers (local craft store)

Eyes: Bead chain

Rib: Vinyl ribbing

Dubbing: Simi-Seal

1.In the first step, I like to build a little platform of dubbing. This will help at the end when the fly is completed to be able to actually find the eye and tie a knot.
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Underside

Westside Fly Tying…

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Preteding like I know what I am doing for the guys...

Spent an evening with some new friends on the west side of Phoenix. It was nice to only drive a few streets over for a tying event when most are posted for the other side of the city. Bo, Gary, and Jason were all stand up gentlemen that were more than willing to share and impart their wisdom to me. It is always interesting to hear what others are throwing and where they are fishing. I look forward to more get-togethers with more photos of the flies and happenings of the evening.  This was the first of what hopefully will be a bi-monthly event and if you ever find yourself out Surprise-way, feel free to join. Thanks again to the guys for letting me tag along.

*Photo courtesy of Jason Jones

Birds and Guns

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Doves
Doves

Spent a short morning in the field with good friends and plenty of birds in the air. Dove season is back on and there were no lack of hunters or birds out for the reopening weekend in Arizona. All four of us limited out (some faster than others) and made quick work of cleaning the birds. Dove is not my favorite game bird by any stretch of the imagination, but one of the guys cooks up a mean dove sausage. It was good to get out and dust the rust off of my shooting which is always in need of practice.

Signs of Success...

Fly Fishing Arizona: Icy November…

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Skinny Morning Brown
Skinny Morning Brown

After a few weekends of no water, it was time to get my fix. Jake and I headed up early and found ourselves alone in the frigid mountain air. It was not surprising that no one else was present in the wee hours of the morning as the temperature gauge in the truck read 27°. The morning was slow and cold with only a few willing fish coming out to taste our wares and at mid-day we switched streams and found our luck changing. Over the summer, I had many days logged on this particular creek and have been stunned by the reliable fishing that it provides. Jake and I landed fish after fish, most of which were wild browns around 10-12 inches.

 

Mini-Hopper still doing the trick…

The midday sun warmed the canyon to a mild 60° and took the bite out of the frosty landscape.  Small hatches of mayflies were coming off the water and caddis and other terrestrials could still be found fluttering along the banks. The creek was in pristine condition and it appeared to very healthy. Jake and I spotted several monsters that we attempted to target but to no avail. One was well over 20 inches in length and was hanging near the tailend of a large pool. Several casts sent him scurrying letting me know that my presentation could use some work. Another interesting sight was after laying my first cast into a long pool, a behemoth brown launched itself out of the water only a few feet from my fly. After many attempts, nothing I could offer would induce the same action from the fish.

Brown
Brown

Trudging back to the truck and stepping out of the waders, I realized that this creek deserves more of my time and energy. The quality of brown trout fishing is fantastic and I believe I am only scratching the surface of the opportunities that this beautiful stretch of water has to offer. I hope to have a couple more shots at these browns before the Rim is snowed in for the winter.

Fat Brown

A special thanks to Matt Smythe over at Fishing Poet. He sent me one of his t-shirts which I wore while fishing today and I attribute my good fortune and success to him.  Check him out at Fishing Poet.

Fishing Poet
Fishing Poet