Day 44: I Spent 4+ Hours in My Waders!

I got to the Russian River, in waders, at noon. I headed down the path to find a spot where fishermen were catching fish. Within a short time I found the platform in the upper left of the picture, and sat down to watch (REST) with four fishermen working the water below me. The man in the baseball cap in the picture above, was hooking 10 fish to 1 for any of the other 3. I just watched in amazement for 30 minutes.

The master fisherman shouted to me and we started a conversation. He asked how I was doing and I stated that I was happy watching fish get caught and learning. He stated that he had a good teacher, and I replied that I hoped that this would be one for me. After a half hour he told me that the next river entrance down stream was more shallow and easier to cross. I took that as an invitation, and made it to the other side, although exhausted (actually, I forgot to bring water with me so exertion and dehydration can be a pain).

I stayed and hung out as they cleaned 24 salmon. The head guy told me he would show me how to spot fish in the water, and gave me a sinker that they were using. We headed out into the stream (after my falling in twice fishing when they were cleaning fish). He showed me two submerged gray blue rocks on the far bank. These were more rectangular than most rocks so I guess they were fish. He told me that I should cast above them and let the sinker and fly to move by them.

First cast, hookup. The fish ran 50 feet in no time, and I had him on the reel. I was playing him when the line broke. Evidently my leader was 15 pound test and they were using 30 pound. I restrung my line with 25 pound, and did not hook another fish for hours.

And then the Warden came by. Several fishermen and a fisherwoman joined me trying to find fish still in the area. Everybody but me, and the kid, got a ticket. Your backpack has to be within 3 feet of you, and your stringer of fish have to be within 12 feet of you. I’m catch and releasing so no stringer, and stupidly no backpack full of water, but no ticket after seeing my license.

I’m setting my alarm for 8:30 tomorrow, and hope to be on the water by 9:30. Evidently the fish come up at 5 AM and spread throughout the river. There apparently is not a continual movement of fish up the river during the afternoon. So, I’ll get up, and fish for the second day in a row.

Tight Lines!