Fly of the Day

Thinking of some trout fishing next summer. Two little Elk Hair Caddis. One is a #18  and the smaller is a tiny #22 hook.
I can see a rainbow rising to take one of these at either end of a nice quiet pool on a NE Iowa spring creek. The guys with the worms, while perhaps taking home more fish,  will never understand the beauty of it all. It's not really about bigger fish or more fish than the other guy. It's about seeing the details and being in the moment, the experience of God if you will.
My fishing lessons this year were to patiently study the water, sling my line less often, use more stealth.
Happy New year everyone.

Fly of the Day

Here is a picture of the flies in my drying cup this morning. Nine Black Woolly Buggers in three sizes, a Fire Orange Ant, and a new Black Buggley.

Pond Report

The beavers have been really busy. The water level in the pond is very low (almost three feet) as Wayne County is in a little area of drought for several months. Water is so low on the South Fork of the Chariton river the beavers have moved upland to the farm ponds for the winter. Hmmm. They can do a ton of damage real fast. They made this den over the last ten days. The three deer camped out in the tall grass on the dam looked unimpressed by this den this morning. However, the bluejays were busy letting everyone know I was lurking.  A lone turtle came by to have a look at me.  Amazing, but nature always is, amazing.

Pond Report

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Let's all be thankful children and name those blessings in our hearts.
Bluegills were biting on a gold ribbed hares ear this morning.
(Yes, He went back in the pond to grow some more.)

Otter Creek

Fishing just East of West Union, Iowa last Monday with Rev. Crow and his buddy Nile. Great day on the stream. Here is a small rainbow that went back into the creek to grow. The fly in its mouth is one of the pheasant tail nymphs you saw pictured on my drying cup a week earlier.

These fish are so beautiful.