I woke up at 8:20 for my 8:30 alarm to head down to the Russian River. However, it was raining hard. I was told that when it rains one cannot see the salmon. Well, I normally can’t except for the bright red ones, so not a good day for me to go out. Also, I am exhausted from my trip yesterday: exhaustion and dehydration.
So, where does one fish when it is raining, and it is supposed to rain for the next 5 days. A Lake, or course. The guys at Mossy’s Fly Shop told me to fish Summit Lake as it held rainbows to 8 pounds and also held dolly varden that are on my life list. Only 15 miles up to Summit lake, found a campsite, and took a 3 hour nap. Once I was awake, it was 7:00 in the evening. But, I was not to be denied. I inflated my belly boat and entered the water, at 8:00 PM.
I trolled a size 8 bead head Louise Special for a half hour with no takes. I then changed to cast and retrieve, to no effect. Then, I tried a fast retrieve and got a hookup, and the fish broke off as the tippet material I brought out to the water was too light for fish up to 8 pounds. After getting off, the fish boiled the surface about 5 seconds later and then tail walked across the water. Poor thing had a hook embedded in it’s jaw. I hate that and nobody to blame but me.
I then found that I had a new, 12 foot, 4x leader with me. I put it on, much too long for stripping in an intermediate line, but stronger than the tippet material I had. And then, a second fish hooked up, I got it on the reel, and then it broke off. Evidently, 4x tippet is too weak for these fish. I was somewhat disappointed as I think both fish were dolly varden as then were tannish / orange in color.
I ended up fishing 90 minutes with no fish to the net, but two hooked fish. Not bad for the first time on a new lake. Tomorrow will be another day.
Tight Lines!