I have come to realize that my 2009 fishing year is coming to an end. So I’ve reflected on the year and put together this post. If I am lucky I’ll get out on the water a few more days, but I know due to an upcoming extended vacation that I won’t get a lot.
I have read other posts on here about people’s lifetime fish lists and fish that they dream of catching. I am no different. Every year I attempt to catch different species of fish and go fishing in different settings. I think mixing it up is a fun way to work through the year. I also keep a detailed journal of all my fishing days, no matter how big or small. At the end of each fishing year, I like to go back and see how many days I fished, different species I caught, various locations I’ve fished, and the many different people that I’ve been on the water with. 2009 was a good year although I did not get out as much as my usual average. Here goes…
This year I really wanted to hike up to an alpine lake (9000 ft.+) and fish it when the ice-off was just beginning. I have fished many alpine lakes, but never been fortunate enough to catch one at this time of the cycle. In May I scouted many lakes in the Uinta Mountains (eastern UT) most were still frozen. This equated to lots of tough hiking/postholing on unsupportable/rotten snow, but come early June I found a lake that was perfect. I think I was the first person up to fish this lake this year. I saw no other tracks and it looked like the melt had just begun.
Many cutthroats were hungry that day.
I fished one of my favorite spots on the Green River in Utah. Pretty spectacular scenery for trout fishing. This shot turned out cool I think. It was right after the fish took the fly off the surface. I think Mr. Bow had just felt the sting.
Another goal I had for this year was
Very Nice. I would love to go out west and chase trout.
Chris.
Awesome pics Yiman, especially of the Green. I need to make it up there if I’m out in the Rockies again next summer. Where in Virginia did you go smallie fishin? You covered 3 of my favorite types of fishing, smallmouth in my home state, trout out west and tailing reds in chucktown…
There is no normal life, there’s just life.
Tarpon 140
Knot the Reel World Fly Fishing LLC
You had an awesome year! I’m pretty ■■■■ jealous right now. I’d love to go out and see the country out west and catch a few fish along the way
Every piece of tail you turn down is a piece of tail you didn’t get.
xHCFKx
Great post Yiman! I always take note of my year and especially what my fishing goals are for the next year. This year was my year to learn about fly fishing, and a bonus was getting my 2 boys interested as well. I added to my OTF list: bream, largemouth, rainbow trout and striper. And I learned a lot about what NOT to do chasing tails on the grass flats.
Next years goals (in part): Tailing red OTF, low tide red in winter OTF, go to see my cousins in Rochester NY next fall and get a salmon and/or steelhead. And, I want my cousins to come down here so I can put them on some tailing reds!
SeaPro 180CC
Thanks for checking this out. To anyone whose never fished out west I would suggest starting in Yellowstone. The Park is a great place to fish. There is every type of water there. Big rivers, small streams, alpine lakes, and big water lakes. The license is relatively cheap when compared to out of state costs for WY, MT, or ID. And the scenery is amazing.
Hokie- I was on the New. I’d like to go back and fish the James and the Shenandoah though. I really want to catch more smallies in general. And yes, you need to get to the Green. That is a place not to be missed by any flyfisher. 12,000 trout a mile are some impressive numbers.
Optiker- So glad to hear about you getting your boys into the sport. I can’t wait till I have kids (one day) and can teach them to fish. I love teaching kids to fish. Or really anyone whose interested … the energy newbies bring with them is contagious. Good luck with the steelhead and salmon, both of those are still on my list. Chased Steelies for a season in WI, but never stuck one.
1720 Key West Sportsman
115 Mercury 4 stroke
-or-
1997 Honda Civic 200k+
My Own 2 Feet
great read Yiman! a beautiful Cuttie pic!
www.flyfishingsc.com
That’s awesome you fished the New. I went to Virginia Tech (obviously) and the New runs right by it about 20 minutes away. Alot of good holes in that river. There’s alot of musky in the New too, fish around bridge pilings and they are caught on a fairly regular basis apparently. I’ve never seen one though. The south fork of the Shenandoah is my favorite smallie river, though I haven’t fished it in a long time. About 5 years back it had a huge fish kill and it is still recovering from what I’ve heard. GREAT river though. I’ve never fished the James, but there are alot of smallmouth in there and I know of some guys who catch monster catfish out of it on flies around Richmond.
I myself succeeded in a few goals this summer. Nailed a brown over 20", caught a Rocky Mountain slam in one day (brook, brown, bow and cut) and also got an 18" brookie. Prettiest fish I’ve ever caught. Still dying to catch a bonefish, big tarpon, tailing red, 20" smallmouth, permit and many more
There is no normal life, there’s just life.
Tarpon 140
Knot the Reel World Fly Fishing LLC
I’ve had three follows from large muskies right up to the boat in the past. First time it happened I ■■■■ near jumped out of the boat i was so shoked!
Look at those colors on that Brookie! Did you pull that fish out of a river or a lake? I’d sure like to catch one like that!
1720 Key West Sportsman
115 Mercury 4 stroke
-or-
1997 Honda Civic 200k+
My Own 2 Feet
Yiman, how big were the musky? i’d love to see what a musky does to my 10 weight. I’m assuming it’s similar to a big cuda! Those fish was caught out of a top secret lake. The brown is 21". I caught over 30 brookies in 3 or 4 stops at that lake, the smallest was 13" and they all looked like that. Next biggest was 17". My buddy caught the brown in the pic below that is 22". Probably the dumbest fishing i’ve ever done. The bigger the fly you tossed, the bigger the fish. I’m willing to take anyone to the lake, but there better be a lot of beer in it for me! You’ve also got to be willing to get arrested if you get caught there. (the key is to fish it in the dark and wear camo so they can’t see you!)
There is no normal life, there’s just life.
Tarpon 140
Knot the Reel World Fly Fishing LLC