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Last week I had the chance to get out to one of my favorite fishing spots as of late. Its a meadow stream that meanders through a grass-filled valley, the type of stream I have always imagined myself fishing since catching the fly-fishing sickness just 6 months ago. This stream is such a welcomed get away after starting fishing on the Provo river in the middle of winter, and then moving to the extremely overgrown streams that surround me now.


This was the third time I have been to this stream. The first two times produced a lot of fish, and some really good sized fish. With the runoff completed and an absence of recent rainfall, I was hoping for clear water and some nice dry action. As we walked to the creek, it seemed all my wishes had come true as we saw a fish rise. The closer we got the more fish we saw eating bugs on top, I was sure it was going to be a productive day. I began casting to 5 or 6 holding fish. They were eating bugs off top, and occasionally they would snag a sub-surface bug drifting by. The caddis in the air were thick enough to get a full lunch if I were to run with my mouth open for a minute or two, so naturally I started with an elk hair. That was followed by a goddard. That was followed by a para adams, BWO, hopper, ant, orange stimi, royal wulff, midges, streamers, and yes, even a san juan and egg. Pretty much everything I had in my bag (not much, I'm new) had been right in front of these fish. I tried changing my leader up. Nothing. No hits, just ocassional inquiries. I switched back to an elk hair and headed upstream, wishing I had a spear gun to teach those stubborn fish a lesson.

Kyle got into a few fish right after another, but between the rest of us (3 including me) no action at all. We had been fishing for a long time, and we had lost one commrade to the slow fishing. We talked about hitting another stream nearby, and I, like most people do, had to try just a few more holes. I chucked in my recently set up nymph rig (ok it was really rainbow super scent) and bam! submarined indicator. I set the hook and was relieved to have any fish on my line after a long day of struggle.
One thing I love about this stream is that the fish are fiesty as any I've seen. Even the smallest of brownies in this creek will give you some good fight, jumping a ton. I was happy to land this guy. A decent sized fish, but getting the skunk off is a very good feeling.


Right after I landed that fish, we headed to the other creek. In my opinion, it was even worse than where we were before. The water was chalky, but I didn't even seen any fish. Kyle had a good one on, and spooked another, but that was it. I know the creek can produce, our friend went there the day after us and did very well, but it just was not our day. I blame Steve and his bad fish juju. Even with slow fishing, it was a great day with great company.