Orvis photo contest…

One of the photos that was taken on my recent trip to Montana in late August, is among those chosen for the Orvis 2023 ” 20 Days In September – contest” :

$3.00 Bridge , on the Madison River, at sunset…

One may vote at this link  ORVIS CONTEST 2023…

Choose what you wish…

 

 

PT/TB

To Finish…Cairo Eastern Sierra – Montana …

Been busy and have a lot of stories and photos to catch up with. Will finish Cairo’s trip up to the Eastern Sierra with his Mom & Dad and then an awesome trip to Montana with most of my family…

Cairo and Mr. Rainbow at Little Virginia Lake in the Eastern Sierra…

Arriving in Montana, August 26, 2023…

$3.00 Bridge on the Madison River at sunset, August 28, 2023…

 

Next: To be continued…

 

PT/TB

 

Cairo…Preview of trip to the Eastern Sierra…

Cario and his Mom and Dad are currently up in the Eastern Sierra, around the Bridgeport area. A full post will be coming on their exploits . Meanwhile…

Cairo prepping his fly and bubble cast at the Pasadena Casting Club…Saturday, July 1, 2023…

Cairo at Little Virginia Lake , in the evening of Sunday, July 2, 2023…using a soft hackle…

 

 

PT/TB

Belated Trip…Bishop, CA Fall 2022

This is the trip I took with Michael, Ally, Nick and HERO up to Bishop, CA in the Eastern Sierra over Veteran’s Day Weekend , November 2022. Friday was overcast and cold. Saturday was perfect and sunny. Sunday an arctic blast froze all of us off fishing and the Lower Owens River….

Upon arrival, a visit to Mahogany Smoked Meats for for some sandwiches and goodies to take up to Intake II…as we drove up the mountain, the snow began to appear on both sides of the road. We did not expect this so early in November. A preview of the record Winter of 2022-2023…

A frozen intake II above Bishop…

It was very cold…

We stayed long enough to eat and then headed down the mountain  to fish the canal East of Bishop…

One can see the Eastside of Bishop from the canal…it holds Trout and Bass year round…

Michael rigging up to fish a nymph…

Michael works a nymph while HERO and Ally watch from across the canal…

Looking South on the canal…

Some other folks appeared while HERO and Ally keep a watchful eye on everyone. No one was catching any fish with fly or spinning gear…

HERO and Ally switched sides…

Looks like productive water but nope…the water temperature was 43 degrees…

The guys moved over to the Lower Owens river…

Michael working hard for a Trout…

Sure is a pretty sunset…

Indeed…

Michael and Nick had a Jones for some Mexican food so we went to this joint and sat outside where it was freezing and the overhead heaters were of no avail…

Ally laughing at me while she enjoys a margarita…

Michael and Ally deciding on what to order…

Mmmmm…this was gooooood…I had to sit in the car to warm up while those guys finished desert…

The next morning ( Saturday ) we headed out for the Lower Owns below Pleasant Valley Res.

Our first stop was at this gate … there were tow other vehicles parked there. It had been awhile since I have visited the Lower Owens. Back in the day, one could driver up to the river’s edge, but too many fires caused by morons who don’t follow simple DWP rules, ended all of that easy access…

We started here:

The flows were just about perfect ( 150cfs.)…

Nice view of the Sierra while rigging up…

Michael is ready to catch a Trout using a small Baetis nymph pattern…Later, this pattern was very productive…

Barker’s Baetis…

These are some of the bugs present, in the bio-mass, at that time…

Michael brings a little Brown to hand…

Some dark water where I would toss a small streamer in the past…

Michael nymphing result…

My “Green Stick” in the tules…

Nick scores with his (Ahem) spinning gear…

Michael looking for a rise on the far bank while HERO watches…

PT, Ally and HERO with a great backdrop…

Ally and Nick trying an upriver bend….

Michael with another resident…

…and another…

…nice water and view…

HERO intently waiting for Michael to catch a Trout…

The gang in the meadow…Michael, PT, Ally, Nick and HERO…this was my last fly fishing outing with HERO…

This is where used leader material goes. It does not speak well for CA fishermen…

Sunset …

Whiskey Creek in Bishop for a Caesar Salad…

…and a really good steak…

I have been a customer at Eastside Sports in Bishop since Michael got his first boots here…

I always find something I can use…

 

NEXT:I will think of something…

 

 

PT/TB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HERO …PART II – A Special Dog

These photos of HERO are from 2018, when we moved to Pullman, WA to his return to Los Angeles after Ally’s graduation from Veterinary Medicine School at Washington State University in May of 2022…

On the way up to Pullman and new adventures, July 2018…

With Ally in the the backyard , apple trees at the bottom of the hill…

On the way to Palouse Falls after a pit stop in Colfax, WA…

Ally and HERO soaking in the Snake River, ID in the August heat 2018…

HERO at home in Pullman waiting to be allowed to eat the bacon…

HERO posing on the lawn in the backyard. Fall 2018…

HERO on a bug ID trip to the St. Joe River in Idaho. Fall 2018…

HERO basking  in the backyard in Pullman…

HERO early morning on the Grande Ronde River in SE Washington…

Getting ready for a snack with Ally and Nick on the Grande Ronde. November 2018…

HERO’s space on the return ride to Washington, from Los Angeles, in January 2019…

Racing in the backyard snow in February 2019…

HERO…amazed at the green stuff popping up – Spring 2019

HERO would hang out in the backyard with me while Ally went to school and Nick worked over in Moscow, ID…

If I didn’t latch the gate, HERO would dash out of the carport and down the street…Here, he’s checking to see if it’s open…

This was the view as the bloom started in the Spring in Pullman…

HERO on a lake down in Oregon just before I went into the hospital and abdominal surgery in May 2019…

HERO in the carport for the first BBQ after my surgery…

HERO… guarding the lamb chops…

Taking a snooze break…

Ally and HERO in Elk River Res. over in IDAHO when Jean came up to visit…

The guys on the dock…

At the market in Elk River, ID….July, 2019…

More water time…

HERO loves trout…

Down at the reservoir outlet looking for pumpkin seeds…

When Michael came to visit in July 2019, he took this photo from a watercraft…

Ally and HERO at the Oregon border when Ally had to bring me down to LA to have my left kidney, with a clear cell cancerous tumor removed – in August 2019…

HERO on a camping trip to the North Fork of the Clearwater River in 2020…

He loved the smells in the mountains…

Always something to see…

Road trip back to LA – 2020

Some burger joint out in nowhere, NV…

Back in Idaho…

Coming down to LA again…somewhere in Southern Idaho…

Gas station in Winnemucca, NV…

Hugs from Ally on the road…

Are we there yet ???

Jean, HERO and Ally coming down from Pullman – 2022

Morel in Winnemucca, NV…where’s MY food ???

Fallon, NV – last trip up to Pullman, May 2022

This is taking forever…

Pit stop at Red Rock Canyon…

Camping trip to Montana with Ally and Nick 2022…

…at a park in Missoula,  Montana…

car camping…

Tuckered out on Rock Creek out on the Palouse…2022

Back to California…

There are photos of HERO at home in Pullman for the four years he lived there…

Crashing with a toy buddy…

You can’t see me !!!

What’s cookin’ in there…

Assuming the position in the living room…this will serve as a memorial painting later…

I know you’re fixing something for me !!!

A sunny day out on the lawn…

…with the monster Teddy Bear after surgery…

Early morning sunlight…

Hillside snooze…

My new fur throw…

With the tiny amigo…

Ready for my close-up….

Spring 2022…

More Spring…

“I WANT !!!”

Flower bed…May 2022

Poppy time – 2022

Cold Winter Day…

My new ride…

…or, you can carry me…

…with Gabby in Simi…

Wanting something…

Posing in Pullman…

With Ally and Nick in the front yard…

More snooze in Pullman…

With WSU shirt and Coug (Butch)…

XMAS in Simi – 2022

With Trout gift from guess who ???

 

Some outdoor shots from the PNW…

Marble Creek, IDAHO

On the bike path between Pullman and Moscow…

Rock Creek out on the Palouse…

St. Joe River, Idaho…

Ice fishing with Nick in Northern Idaho…

In a raft with Ally on a small lake in Idaho…

HERO on a log with Nick the same lake…

Ally and HERO hiking on a cold day near Marble Creek, Idaho…

HERO munching grass while Nick fishes on a river in Idaho…

HERO making sure Nick does it right on the North Fork of the Clearwater River in Idaho…

Canoe and camp tour on Dworshak Reservoir in Idaho…

Snooze on the Clearwater near Peck, Idaho…

Campsite on Lake Isabella near Kernville, CA on a trip down from Pullman – 2020

Hanging with Ally while Nick fishes in Idaho…

HERO at the forefront, Dworshak Reservoir…

Ally and HERO dry testing the canoe Nick brought home…

Ally hiking with HERO in Idaho…

3 chums …same hike…

Ally and HERO on Graduation Day, School of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University – May 2022

HERO and Nick on Rock Creek – May 2022

Day on the pier, Ventura , CA…

Walking the canal, Veteran’s Day, Bishop, CA – November 2022

Pinnacles, Trona, CA  – January 2023

More Pinnacles…

Walk on a long leash…Pinnacles

Helping Nick…kinda’

Ally and HERO at home in Simi…

HERO and Ally with Michael and Cairo…

Ally’s profile picture a her Veterinary Clinic….

This memorial painting of HERO was done by one of her Veterinary clients…HERO will always be remembered…

 

 

PT/TB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right Angle Nymphing…

I saw this item in a the Blue Ribbon Flies Newsletter today ( 4.20.2023 ). I was introduced to this system back in the 80’s from an article in Flyfisherman Magazine. In those days the leader utilized polypropylene yarns and a rubber “O” ring.

Blue Ribbon Flies site

This item is perfect for plunge pools and for drifting over bottoms of approximately the same depth. It will get a lightly weighted nymph into the zone very quickly. Kelly Galloup describes this method using the old system, in an article from the same magazine in March 2021. The right Angle leader comes in variations from Scientific Anglers:

ABSOLUTE RIGHT ANGLE LEADER

I have been using this system for decades. One could put together their own right angle leader using the same components at a fraction of the cost…

 

Have at it…

 

PT/TB

 

 

HERO – Memories that will not fade… PART I

This is a tribute to Ally’s rescue dog HERO . Because we (family) have a lot of photos it will be BLOGGED in Two Parts. HERO was ALLY’s companion, protector and best friend. Wherever Ally went, there was HERO. When HERO was a puppy, he lived next door to my oldest daughter Nadia. His owners did not take care of him and left him in the backyard while  they were gone all day…

This is the first photo of Hero taken by Nadia…

One day, Nadia noticed the HERO was no longer in the backyard next-door and left a note on her neighbor’s door that HERO was missing. After a day, she went back, in the evening and  asked where HERO was. The occupants feigned ignorance and stated that HERO must have run away. Nadia didn’t buy that explanation and went looking for HERO …

She found him here, at a nearby pound/shelter…

HERO was not a happy pup…Nadia  called her sister Ally and asked if she would be interested in fostering HERO, until a permanent home could be found for him. Ally was all engaged in that suggestion and went through the process of adopting HERO. Fat chance that HERO would not become Ally’s shadow and a fixture in her life…

A young HERO…

HERO at home in Simi Valley with Gabby…

HERO beside himself after ALLy’s trip to China and the Philippines with NICK in 2018…

HERO was the best fed dog…

HERO loved sunshine…

HERO basking…

By the pool with Gabby…

HERO & Ally…bed mates

Stylin’ O’Pop’s Stetson…

Ally’s favorite photo of HERO at home with a bandana…

HERO’S daily view…

HERO was an outdoor adventure kinda’ guy. What follows are his trips to various locations here in CA before he moved up to Pullman, WA while Ally got her degree in Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University. HERO may have had something to do with Ally’s choice of profession…

With O’Pop at 6AM along Lone Pine Creek 2013…

Ally & HERO Symmes Creek in the Owens Valley along the base of the Sierra…

Water dog…

Taking care of BIZ near Manzanar in the Owens Valley – 2013

Near Lone Pine Creek…

Sunset at Lone Pine Creek…

In the sagebrush at Goose Lake, Dec. 2013…

Goose Lake…another favorite of Ally…

In the Owens Valley…2013

Ready for my close up…

Hand out at Georges’ Creek Sandtrap…Dec.2014

Downtown Lone Pine with Michael –  Dec.2014

 

HERO also enjoyed his visits to urban areas like San Francisco with Ally and sometimes the family…

In the marshes with Ally – 2012

Ally & HERO on the beach in Carmel, CA – 2012

With Liz Tran in September 2012

Up in SF for Michael’s graduation – May 2013

 

Some of HERO’s favorite places in the Eastern Sierra:

Bridgeport Reservoir – 2014

Hiking with Ally above Little Virginia Lake – 2014

On the trail with Ally –

Cooling off…

Hugs at Virginia Creek Settlement – 2015

Boat snooze with Ally & Nick, Little Virginia Lake – 2015

Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery …

My favorite photo of Ally & HERO …at the summit – 2015

North Lake Trout…

Upper Twin Lake Bridgeport, CA – 2015

Lanark Lake, Eastern Sierra – 2016

Smokey snooze lakeside…

North Lake above Bishop, CA – 2016

Sierra Road Dog…

Long leash …

Above Kernville in the Southern Sierra…

Kern River – Dec. 2016…

Kern River Dec. 2016…

Cabin in Northern CA – Dec. 2016…snoozer

Alabama Hills Sunrise…

Alabama Hills and Mt. Whitney…

Bishop,CA and long gone Culver’s Sporting Goods…

Long Valley in the snow…

Malibu Beach, September 2016…

Somewhere out beyond Joshua Tree…

Death Valley, CA…

Just another dry lakebed…Death Valley, CA –  2016

More dry lakebed…with bumps…Death Valley, CA 2016

Agua Dulce hike…2016

Red Rock Canyon – 2017

Looking for Flash Gordon – Red Rock Canyon…

Up there…

Goose Lake with Dad looking for small, pointy, black stuff…

Alabama Hills with Michael…Dec. 2017

Alabama Hills, above Lone Pine, CA…

Mt. Whitney Portal waterfall…Michael, Liz Tran, Ally & HERO…Dec. 2017

Northern CA…first trip to Pullman, WA  to recon WSU…

With Kyle and Liz in the redwoods…

Big trees…

With the family at Virginia Lakes – August 2017…

Family hike into the backcountry…

The last phone booth, Bridgeport, CA August 2017…

AM snacking at the Jolly Kone in Bridgeport, CA…

Taking a break in the parking lot a Little Virginia Lake…

Pleasant Valley Res., Bishop, CA – November 2017

Sandtrap Lone Pine Creek…November 2017…

 

NEXT:  HERO Part II…Pullman, WA, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Nevada and home…2018 -2023

 

PT/TB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…HERO passes…

We said goodbye to HERO today ( 4.03. 2023 ). He was Ally’s companion, friend, protector and best outdoor bud. He was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer this morning . He was surrounded by all those who loved him as he transitioned to Rainbow Bridge this afternoon…

 

I will be putting together a post of HERO’S adventures with the family over the years. He was a very special part of us…

 

 

PT/TB

Midges…Spring 2023

I had intended to have these Midge patterns up in the Fall of 2022. I  wasn’t able to get my ducks in a row to make it happen. So here they are because in most  tail waters, midges are always present. I would suggest to those who want to up their midge game to follow this link to Pat Dorsey’s Colorado Guide Flies, scroll down and read. This book contains a ton of midge patterns that will work almost anywhere. Several inspired the patterns I am posting…

Completed Midge Box….

MAMBA MIDGE…

HOOK: TMC 2488, #16-#20

THREAD: UTC Black, 70 Denier

RIB: Lagartun, Fine, Silver

WING: Krystal Flash, Pearl…coat fly with Hard As Hull or UV Resin of choice

Materials, Mamba Midge…

Midges are an important food source on the Lower Owens River in the Eastern Sierra…

SKINNY MIDGE… Wells / Variant

HOOK: TMC 2488, #16 – #20

THREAD: Body – Uni, Olive Dun –  * coat with Hard As Hull or UV Resin… Thorax Forward – Veevus 16/0, Black

RIB: Ultra Brite Floss, White

THORAX: UV2 Peacock, Natural

BEAD: Tungsten, Nickel, sized to hook

Materials, Skinny Midge…

White thread makes a excellent ribbing material for midge patterns. It remains white and lasts a lot longer from Trout teeth if coated with glue or resin…

BLACK RUBBER MIDGE…

HOOK: Daiichi 1120, #18 – #20

THREAD: Abdomen – UNI , Lt. Cahill…Head, Veevus 16/0, Black

BACK: Rainy’s Round Rubber Leg – Fine

WING: Zelon, White

Materials, Black Rubber Midge…

The above, $3.00 Bridge on the Madison River, MT, would be a perfect spot to use this pattern. Using rubber or silicone for the back, opens up almost endless possibilities for different colored variants of this pattern…I’ll be trying it out there with Michael, Miles and Cairo this coming September…

S.O.P MIDGE ( Silver, Olive, Peacock)…

HOOK: Gamakatsu C12-B, #18 – #20

THREAD: Danville #61, 6/0 Light Olive – Abdomen / TMC 16/0, Black Thorax Forward

RIB: Sybai Silver flat wire, Fine…

BEAD: Firehole Stone, Sterling Silver, sized to hook

HARD AS HULL: …or UV Resin to coat the abdomen for durability
Materials, S.O.P Midge…

After tying up a bunch of Perdigons, I found that many of the materials for abdomens and ribbing lend themselves to Midge Patterns. I will be incorporating more of these materials into standard nymph flies as I continue to experiment…

FIVE BRIDGES MIDGE…

HOOK: TMC 2488, #16 – #18

THREAD: Danville 6/0, #47 Tobacco Brown

RIB: UTC Silver, x-sm

WING: Mirage Opal Accent, 3 strands

BEAD: Hi-Lite Glass, Brown Metallic, small

Materials, Five Bridges Midge…

Wild Trout Section …

Below Five Bridges…

Five Bridges is located on the Lower Owens River, near Bishop, CA in the Eastern Sierra. It marks the end of the Wild Trout section of the Lower Owens River, where special regulations are in effect. No kill and barbless hooks – the game warden will run a cotton ball over where the barb was removed ( if the hook is not barbless ) and any residue left on the hook now costs $500.00 or more depending on attitude…The regulations do not apply below Five Bridges and the Trout are a lot larger…I have found the color Danville #47, Tobacco Brown to be effective almost everywhere in the West…I fish glass beads patterns as trailers, off a dry to imitate an emerging fly but most frequently about “3-6” off the bottom of the water column…

KRYSTAL MIDGE…Hyatt / Variant…

HOOK: Daiichi 1120, #18 – #20

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Black

RIB: Lagartun, Fine Gold Wire

WING: Krystal Flash, Pearl, 3 strands

THORAX: BRF Zelon Dubbing, Midge Black

BEAD: Killer Caddis Diamond Glass Bead, small

*Coat abdomen with Hard As Hull or UV Resin for durability

Materials, Krystal Midge…

An alternative to the ubiquitous Zebra Midge. Fish as trailer or just off the bottom…

TWO TONE MIDGE…

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, # 18 – #20

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Olive – Abdomen /  Head, Veevus 16/0 Black

OVER ABDOMEN: In spaced turns, Micro Tubing clear

• Swipe a black Sharpie over the tops of the spaced Micro Tubing

Materials, Two Tone Midge…

…another pattern that may be used in numerous colors. Use a seine net to kick up the bottom and observe the Midge Larva captured…

GREEN HORNET MIDGE…

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #20

THREAD: Gudebrod, 8/0 Chartreuse

RIB: UTC x-sm Black Wire

BEAD: Killer Caddis Chartreuse, x-sm

Materials, Green Hornet Midge…

An attractor Midge, using up a bit of the 8/0 Gudebrod Chartreuse thread that I still use for midge patterns. There are plenty of places, particularly tail waters, where these will take good Trout…like here…

Between the Lakes, Madison River, MT…

BLACK AND BLUE MIDGE…

HOOK: Firehole 633 #18 – #20

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Black

RIB: UTC Gun Metal Blue wire, x-sm

WING: DNA Holofusion, White

BEAD: Firehole Sterling Silver, sized to hook

Materials, Black and Blue Midge…

One more midge in black that I would use on almost any tail water instead of a Black Zebra Midge…this pace comes to mind…East Walker River, Eastern Sierra…Midge patterns work all season long…

CREAM MIDGE…

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18-#22

THREAD: UTC White, for Abdomen / Veevus 16/0 Black Head

RIB: Lagartun Fine Copper wire

• Coat with Hard As Hull or UV Resin

Materials, Cream Midge…

I tie a lot of Cream Miles for use in the Eastern Sierra and some other place we frequent. One of the largest Brown Trout I have caught in the last fifteen years took a #20 Cream Midge on the East Walker River. Someone who is knowledgeable told me that there are as many as 8000 Cream Midge larva per. cubic square foot present, in that water, in the Spring…

TOBACCO MIDGE…

HOOK: TMC 2488, #18-#20

THREAD: Giorgio Benecchi 12/0 Tobacco thread 

RIB: Lagartun Fine Gold Wire

THORAX: Ice Dub UV Gray

BEAD: Killer Caddis Diamond bead small

• Coat abdomen with Hard as Hull or UV Resin

Materials, Tobacco Midge…

I usually fish glass bead heads ,without a wing, deep in the water column… about 3″-6″ off the bottom…

BIG MAC MIDGE…

HOOK: TMC 200R, #18 – #20

THREAD: Abdomen, Danville 6/0, #60 Olive / Thorax Forward – Veevus 16/0 Black

RIB: Spaced between Midge Tubing – Datam Glo-Brite Floss #3 Red

OVER ABDOMEN: Midge Tubing, Olive

THORAX: BRF  Zelon Midge Dubbing, Black

Materials, Big Mac Midge…

Right in here , with Michael and the boys, this September…yes, it can snow there at that time of the year above $3.00 Bridge, Madison River, MT…

RORO’S AMBER SIERRA KRYSTAL BH DIP…

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18-#20

THREAD: Lagartun 74 Denier, 8/0 Amber 

RIB: UTC Amber wire, SM

WING: Pearl Krystal Flash, 3 strands, long-ish

BEAD: Firehole Stone, flat Black

Materials RoRo’s Amber Sierra Krystal BH Dip…

RoRo…the Sierra Angler

CUPCAKE MIDGE…

HOOK: TMC 2488, #16 – #20

THREAD: TMC 16/0, Brown

RIB: Sybai, fine flat wire, Bright Pink

THORAX: Ice Dub, UV Pink

BEAD: KIller Caddis Glass Diamond Bead, small

• Coat abdomen with Hard As Hull or UV Resin for durability

Materials, CupCake Midge

…another black alternative to the common Zebra Midge…

PRIMROSE AND PEARL MIDGE…

HOOK: Firehole 633, #18-#20

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Yellow

ABDOMEN: KrystalFlash, Hot Yellow over working thread

RIB: UTC Fl. Yellow wire, sm

THORAX: Ice Dub Hot Yellow

BEAD: Copper Tungsten, sized to hook

Materials, Primrose and Pearl Midge…

Something snazzy to break up the doldrums here…Lower Owens River on a crisp Fall day in November…

PERIWINKLE MIDGE…

HOOK: Daiichi 1130, #18 – #20

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Olive , Abdomen / TMC 16/0 Black, Thorax Forward

RIB: UTC Wire, Black, x-sm

THORAX: Ice Dub, UV Lt. Olive

BEAD: Ruby Glass Bead x-sm

Materials, Periwinkle Midge…

Right in here…This Spring…when it’s running about 700cfs….work the edges…

MAMBA MIDGE…

HOOK: TMC 2488, #16 – #20

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Black -Abdomen / Head- Veevus 16/0, Black

RIB: UTC Gold wire Sm or x-sm

WING: Flashabou, Pearl – 3-4 strands – long-ish

Materials, Mamba Midge…

A flashy, black midge emerger to brighten things up when the water is a bit off color…

GREY REEFER MIDGE…

HOOK: Firehole 633, #16 – #20

THREAD: UTC 70 Denier, Dark Gray, Abdomen / THC 16/0 Black – Thorax Forward

RIB: UTC Hot Orange, SM

WING: Mini Flat Fly Braid, Pearl – picked out

THORAX: BRF Zelon dubbing, Midge Black

BEAD: Killer Caddis Purple Glass, SM

Materials, Grey Reefer Midge…

A variant on a North Platte Midge pattern that would work in most tail waters when grey toned emerges are about…

 

NEXT: Veteran’s Day Weekend, November 2022, with these guys…

 

 

PT/TB

 

 

 

 

Those Guys,up there…

This post will cover my Grandson Cairo’s trip up to Bridgeport in the Eastern Sierra in the Summer of 2022 with his Mom and Dad (Michael) and other members of the family on his Mom’s side. This was his second excursion to the area that my family has been going to since 1971, when I got out of the Army and graduated from the University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL).

I am not going to” hot spot” all the waters that these guys fished. They may all be located on these maps on flyfishinthesierra.com…this, by the way, is an excellent site for anyone who wants to utilize a wealth of information about the wonderful Sierra…

Michael and Cairo, ready to hit the road…

A quick stop at the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery so that Cairo can feed his buds…the ducks and trout…

Arrival at the cabin at Virginia Lakes Resort and sorting the gear out…

Cairo bundled up and ready…

Big MOO and RoRo at Virginia Creek…

Arranging the essentials…

Mr. Mountain Man above Big Virginia Lake…

One of the lakes above Virginia Lakes Resort…there are many…

Cairo with his mini-spin outfit using a fly and bubble technique…

Wait…somebody else was doing this back in 1987…(Michael, Little Virginia Lake )

…and both those guys caught a lot of these Brook Trout…

…another lake, another adventure…

Cairo with the “Big Peoples’ Rod”…

Cairo and the Brookie…

Waiting for breakfast at the Virginia Creek Resort Cafe…

Bacon, eggs and pancakes…Carolyn Webb can whip up some good eats…

RoRo preparing to go airborne…

“Jump !!!”…

Michael and Cairo out on Little Virginia Lake with an assortment of rods early in the AM…

This is my current favorite photo of these guys – Little Virginia Lake…

RoRo going solo…

“Lemme see that fish”…

In the distance, with an assist from Mom…

Crash time…

Trail leader with Mom…

Trail follower…Mr. Pokey…

…another lake in the books…

…deer family back at the cabins…

..another day… chillin’ at the cabin at sunrise…

Little Virginia Lake at sunset…

…lunch…

Petting the horses down at the pack station…Miles wants to trail ride with these folks the next time he comes to Bridgeport…

…another Brookie with Dad…

Brookies everywhere !!!

One can wet wade to the shelf…

Cairo likes the colors…

Coming down to a different lake with Dad…

“Let’s do it, Dad !!!”…

Trail through the woods…taking the short cut…

The view, the view…

There’s a mallard over on the left…

Ice Cream cone break !!!..Lee Vining, CA...Mono Cone…

Local resident walking the wood…

“Hey Ally…you know this place !!!”

Both of them do…Trumbull Lake, Michael and Ally – 1995…

“Ill be tying this spot ! “

Cairo and the camp kitty…

Cairo rock climbing…kinda’

Tree riding…

Cherries are good…

In the meadow at Green Creek, just about where I parked my vehicle back in 1977 with Cairo’s Great Grandfather and where I caught a 21″ Brown in a nearby Beaver Pond…

Nice little Sierra creek meandering through a meadow…

Lake in the sky…

Pulling Auntie Noelle’s nose at the Virginia Creek Settlement…

…more ice cream…

“Bye Mrs. Mallard…until next time !!!”

Postscript...one of these will be in RoRo’s near future for Brookie exploration along with a Hardy LRH Fly Reel…

 

NEXT:…all of these Midge patterns with their recipes…

 

PT/TB