Every morning, rising at about 5:15 AM, I would stir the critters (Aimee and Michael), have a cup or two of ”jet fuel” Java, put on the warm underclothing, waders, lace up the wading boots, heat up the rig and head out to the River…
Sometimes, it took a while to heat up the rig…
Looking North on Hwy. # 395 at about 6:30 AM…In Bridgeport, CA…
Where one turns left to head down to the East Walker River…that is the East Walker in the foreground, before it flows into the reservoir…
This is the dam on the East Walker…
This section, at the dam, is known as the “Glory Hole”. It holds some of the largest Trout in the river and is frequented by hardware slingers, bait dunkers – who sneak in at night- and those who want to test their angling skills and post photos to leader boards. The hostility level there is commensurate with increased testosterone levels – alcohol is sometimes known to be involved…
Some of the smaller locals found in the East Walker at this time of year…
A resident Brown poses…
PT nymphs in front of, to the sides of and behind a large rock in the meadow section early in the AM…
Here are three more patterns that provided Michael and I with continuous action:
TAN GRAPHIC CADDIS…
Hook: TMC 2457, Diiachi 1120, TMC 2488, 2488H 0r 2499SP-BL # 14-#18
Thread: White Uni 8/0 for body or Uni 8/0 tan, olive or grey.
Tag: Gold holo tinsel
Overbody: Micro tubing clear, tan, olive or gray
Thorax: Gray , Black or Tan Ostrich Herl
Wing: Mottled Partridge Natural, dyed brown or olive
John Barr and his buddy Charlie Craven tie this fly on TMC 2499 hooks. Whichever hook is chosen, it is important to build a pronounced hump at the hook bend before wrapping the gold holo tinsel tag. Charlies’ Flybox has a great tutorial on this guy. I have noticed that most commercial ties do not use the appropriate thread or micro tubing colors to match Sierra Caddis hatches. Solution, tie ‘yer own. Fish dead drift with weight and let the fly swing in the current. Anticipate a hit and be prepared to use a “slip strike”….
Michael asked me early one morning what he should use… knowing that Caddis of hatch before Baetis and other small Mayflies on this water, I suggested this pattern:
Michael with a nice Brown that took a Tan Graphic Caddis…
CREAM MIRACLE MIDGE…
HOOK: TMC 2487, Daiichi 1130 #18-#22
THREAD: Gordon Griffith 14/0 White/14/0 Black for head
ABDOMEN: White floss or 70 Denier Ultra white thread ,thin, 1 wrap back and forward…
RIB: Wapsi x-sm wire
* I give the head two coats of Hard as Hull
“What’s in the net son ???”….
“Why, it’s a MIRACLE (Midge)….”
COPPER KF BH SERENDIPITY…
HOOK: TMC 2457, Daiichi 1120, Mustad CO68 #18-#20
THREAD: Gordon Griffith 14/0, Brown
ABDOMEN: Copper Krystal Flash
RIB: Wapsi, x-sm, copper
WING: Light Coastal Deer Hair
BEAD: Copper or Copper Tung, sized to hook
Yup, it’s bent and dinged at the point. The last guy that was on this hook did that…I didn’t land him…
“Hey Dad, I got another one !!!”…
SOMEBODY’S TUNG BEAD ROCK WORM #10…
What’s wrong with this picture. I found this beast in some foliage on the far side of the river…Michael found one bush that was decorated like a Christmas Tree with flies. In this case, some dolt did not remove the barb from the hook before casting it…this is barbless flies ONLY water…
Michael releases another nice Trout…
Michael thinks it is funny that PT caught a sucker…
“That’s better Dad…”
“Mo’ Betta’ Dad…on a Buffalo Jump Attractor…”
Dad helps Michael out…
Aimee shoots a Trout…far cry from models in NYC…
Michael, at the gauge, at 7:00Pm, it’s SNOWING…I’M freezing..”Just one MORE cast Dad !!!”…Yeah…Right…
Damn…he did it again !!!…
The EMPTY parking lot at dusk...ALWAYS the LAST to leave the River….
Yummmmm….
THE BRIDGEPORT INN FOR DINNER…
Next: 8 Days on the EASTSIDE (SIERRAS) PT and SON…PART III
PT/TB 
PLANETTROUT: Fly Fishing, Fly Tying and LIFE
You weren’t kidding about the sucker! I usually get the same kinda ribb’n from my Uncle when that happens. Looks like you caught the flow rates just right, I see they bumped them to 400 cfs shortly after you left. Did you & Michael fish below the bridge in your 8 day marathon? I like the Tan Graphic Caddis tie.
Keith,
We stayed from the meadow upstream…no reason to go anywhere else…Hot Creek was windy and so was the Upper Owens. They kicked the flows up today…don’t expect them to come down for some time…too much water in the snow pack and the lakes are full…
PT/TB
Your writing skills are exceeded only by your tying skills.
Thou art truly a god among men.
Cheers!
SS
Shaun,
My AA Sponsor told me: “The only time you will walk on water…is when, it is raining in the parking lot”. I tend to agree…but, thanks for the compliment !!!
PT/TB
Nice post. I’ve got to find a way to get back there.