http://www.ontheflatscharters.com

http://www.spinnerfalllodge.com

Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - Magazine - Index

PAUL B. DOWNING PHOTO
TOM BOYD PHOTO DUDLEY HALL PHOTO PAUL B. DOWNING PHOTO
800-256-7596) has pioneered a technique that substantially
increases your chances of a hookup. First, you
search the horizon for circling birds. They are feeding
on shad, and so are the stripers. Rushing to the area, the
boat is stopped short so as to not spook the fish. To get
the stripers within casting range, Bill casts a big teaser
(a surface-action plug without hooks) into the feeding
fish and works it back to the boat. Stripers follow. Cast a
chartreuse and white Clouser or Lefty’s Deceiver near the
excited fish and hang on. Bill offers day or half-day trips
out of Page, Arizona, starting at $375, as well as his great
5- to 7-day houseboat adventure. by Paul B. Downing
8,000 odd feet elevation, with deep undercut banks. Rainbows
and browns feed on prolific caddis, stonefly and mayfly
hatches. In the late summer, hoppers provide endless opportunity
for surface-smashing action. In addition, a trip to the
shop’s private waters on the Michigan or Illinois is a must. Just
to add to the mix, there are several of the best trout fishing
lakes in the west within an hour’s drive of North Park Anglers.
Tough, monster trout are found in Lake John, North Delaney
and Cowdry, to name just a few. With all this quality fishing
available, plan at least a week-long trip. On second thought,
a week is not nearly enough. Guided trips range from $300
per day on public water, plus rod fees from $35 for private
water. Cabins start at $195 per day. by Paul B. Downing
excellent quill Gordon, Hendrickson, BWO and light
Cahill hatches, along with a variety of caddis, stonefly
and midge hatches. Fishing slows as water temperatures
warm, but during the fall excellent fishing resumes.
Short rods (6- to 7-foot) and light lines (2- to 4-weight)
work best. The Salmon is a thoroughly wadable river, and
floating lines handle all your fishing. Connecticut has an
aggressive TMA program, and there are fly-fishing-only
stretches, along with designated handicapped and disabled
veterans fly-fishing areas. Non-fishing family members will
enjoy mountain biking, swimming, camping and kayaking
in other areas of the park, and history buffs love the
Comstock Bridge, a covered bridge built in 1873. Get the
latest conditions on the Salmon River from Cubeta’s Field
& Stream at (860) 347-4353. by Tom Keer
Bay National Park and the northern Keys. Dave also offers
an offshore service.
Southern Florida is a year-round fishery like none other
in the world, and Dave is one of my all-time favorite guides.
His skills and knowledge are truly the stuff of legends, but
his personality sets him apart. He’s a straight-talking, outgoing,
friendly man who is fun to share a flats boat with,
and continually teaches skills and techniques that improve
your odds of success. Hell, I’m sure I’d enjoy fishing with
Dave in a Wal-Mart parking lot.
Dave’s better half, Julie, is a skilled marine artist who
shares Dave’s enthusiasm for the outdoors. Check out her
work on their website (www.ontheflatscharters.com), and
while you’re there, go ahead and book the trip of a lifetime
($550/day), or call Dave at (305) 248-6126. by Tom Boyd
CALIFORNIA
• Fall River
• Spinner Fall Lodge
Fall River is where braggadocio and verbosity come
to die. When your fishing buddy starts to boast about his
nearly perfected fly fishing skills, take him to northern
California’s Fall River to drool over huge rainbows and
browns finning deep in wavering fronds of grass and moss,
slurping size-24 somethings, in window-pane water where
12-foot, 6X fluorocarbon leaders are dangerously short.
Fall River is a spring creek on steroids—ultra clear,
deep, wide, fertile, thick with hatches, fat with the
spookiest 16- to 25-inch wild trout in North America,
and ensconced in private land and no-trespassing signs.
Fishing is so technical, and the fish so wary, that casting
during daylight is out of the question. Dead drifting a
fly downstream on a long, slack line kinked into a series
of S-bends, sliding behind a size-18 comparadun or
size-20 trico is how it’s done here—a tactic known as
the Fall River Drift. Late in the evening you may catch
a hatch of bird-size Hexagenias that will let you cast. Edible
hatches are legend here: hex, caddis, BWOs, green
drakes, and PMDs.
Access is almost non existent, except for limited entry
through Cal Trout boat access and Spinner Fall Lodge
(www.spinnerfalllodge.com; 530-336-5300) which
overlooks some of the finest water. Spinner Fall has great
rooms, comfortable beds, rental prams, guides, flies,
outstanding food, and a balcony overlooking an exquisite
piece of flat water. Limited to 16 guests, rates run
$89.50/day, or for $325/day guided. by Terry Sheely
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VALATKINSON.COM PHOTO