California Trip '08 

On Friday March 28th, my wife and I are renting an RV - packing up the dog - and setting off in search of spring hatches.  We are going to start with a side-trip to Lake Cachuma for some early Small Mouth action.  Then we are coming back home to do some stuff before leaving again Saturday night for Bishop.  I plan on fishing around Bishop before taking off towards Markleeville and the East Carson.  From there, it's the crown jewel of the trip; the Truckee.  If there is time, we might hit the Hat Creek on the way to the lower Sacramento.  If it turns out that time is running short, we will probably cut across to the 101 and hit some saltwater fishing.

These plans might change once I research the water flows and fishability.  My planning is primarily based on a book loaned to me by my boss - hi Brad - which was printed in 1998.  I'm not even sure these places still exist.

I will of course be posting updates as I move through these "Blue Ribbon" trout streams, so check back.

DFG Stocks Piru Creek at Frenchman Flats March 6th, 2008

So I am hanging out at Concrete Falls trying to land a couple of wild trout before heading to work when I hear from another fly fisher that the DFG is stocking the creek.  I remembered hearing that the DFG site named Piru Creek as a stock location for this week, but I really didn't expect to see them where I was: in the wild trout section.  I also expected to see the big green water tanker style truck, but instead there was the rig pictured below.  I also expected some fairly complex or even sort of slick method of introducing their stockers into the water.  That wasn't the case either.

Fly Fishing Show West - Pasadena, CA March 1-2, 2008

Today I attended the Fly Fishing Show in Pasadena with my wife.  We sat in on a seminar about nymphing techniques and another on tying midges and small flies, both were lead by Ed Engle.   The public casting demonstration was excellent too.  I don't know who they had chucking the rope, but he was a magician with a fly rod.

The best part of my time there was watching Ed Engle tie his micro-flies.  To watch someone tie a #32 midge pattern is pretty impressive.  I came right home and tried the same pattern on a #20 hook... with lesser results.  Mr. Engle is entertaining and a gentleman.  He allowed me to keep one of the flies he tied in the demonstration - it now resides with my collection of "first" flies.

I spent some money at the show, but like I mentioned, my wife was there so it was a modest amount.  Note to self: leave the wife at home next year.  I purchased two bobbins - besides the vise, the second most important tool in tying - and I will try them both and write up my thoughts.

The first bobbin is the rite bobbin shorty by Merco Products.  It sports an ergonomic design and a drag/tension adjuster.
The second is the Automatic Bobbin by the Norlander Company.  The "automatic" comes in with its spring system that rewinds the thread without manually turning the thread spool.

Stay tuned. 

Piru Creek - Frenchman's Flat - Feb 2008

The filming crew for a TV Pilot called Mongoose (give or take) crowded the parking area.  There was nothing happening.  Yet another skunk at Piru Creek post-storm.  The normal flow here is about 20 cfs, but for the last month it has been no lower than 170 cfs.  I just hope that the water gets clear - at any cfs.

Piru Creek - Frenchman's Flat - Feb 2008

The filming crew for a TV Pilot called Mongoose (give or take) crowded the parking area.  There was nothing happening.  Yet another skunk at Piru Creek post-storm.  The normal flow here is about 20 cfs, but for the last month it has been no lower than 170 cfs.  I just hope that the water gets clear - at any cfs.

Piru Creek - Storm Video

If you haven't seen Piru Creek (Frenchman's Flat) during a normal flow, then here are some reference shots.

Piru Creek Normal - Low Flow

Piru Creek - Winter Flow

Continue reading for updated images and video of the current state of Piru Creek.

Piru Creek - Blue Point and Beyond

A short photo journey of my long hike to the closed Blue Point campground above Lake Piru on Piru Creek.  I was skunked, so all I have to show for my sore legs and back are these pictures.

Piru Creek - Blue Point and Beyond

A short photo journey of my long hike to the closed Blue Point campground above Lake Piru on Piru Creek.  I was skunked, so all I have to show for my sore legs and back are these pictures.