Tips & Trivia
Golden Trout: Past, Present, & Future
The world's most coveted trout -vs- the State's most inept agency
150 years ago, almost all Sierra Nevada waters were barren of trout. Other than very limited areas of the Truckee, Carson and Kern River drainages, trout were unable to ascend from their lowland domain to infiltrate the high country Read More
The Golden Trout
The golden rules for high Sierra prospectors.
The golden trout is larger than life. It is not just a trout, but an embodiment of trout fishing taken, literally, to it’s highest realm. Because they dwell in the highest, starkest and most remote terrain in this country, the pursuit of goldens is not a casual affair. Read More
Myths, Legends, Lies, and other Fishing Facts
Flyfishing: 200 years of tradition unencumbered by progress.
Repeat a lie enough times and what do you have? Another lie. There are numerous myths, legends and lies regarding trout and fishing for them. Here are a few to chew on... Read More
Flyfishing Tips
Tips and Tricks for fishing
Weigh your catch with a tape measure, knots and lines, catch and release for the future, the Beaufort wind scale, and fishing dry and wet flies. Read More
All That Glitters
How to make your fly irresistible to trout.
Most aquatic insects create or trap bubbles of gas at some time in their lives. These bubbles are utilized for respiration, buoyancy, and as an aid for escaping the sub adult form. Whatever reason these insects use bubbles, all reveal themselves to trout as dazzling, quicksilver images that appear to glow with an inner light. Bubble encrusted insects look like living jewels. Read More
Streamer Strategies
Put streamers to work and start tagging the big ones.
Over the years of guiding and teaching I've browsed through hundreds of fly boxes and virtually all contained at least one streamer with its tell tale slip of leader dangling from the eye. When asked, the owner of the box would usually admit that he or she used the streamer once or twice then put it into retirement because it "didn't work." Read More
Truckee River Smallmouth Bass
They're heeeeer!
About 8 years ago some Neanderthal planted smallmouth bass in Prosser and Stampede Reservoirs. It is likely that the voracious smallmouth will deplete the wild trout of both reservoirs; however, the short growing season will produce only a mediocre smallmouth fishery. Shaver Lake outside of Fresno experienced an illegal plant of smallmouth and its once famous trout fishery has been replaced by a lake overpopulated with stunted bass. Read More