Sunday, October 31, 2010

Fall and Winter

The famous native Alaskan Leopard Rainbows here in the Valley have a very unique life. The season for fishing bows usually starts late April or Early May and ends around late September to early October. Its not because they stop feeding or because fish and game shuts it down,rather its due to weather. As everybody knows, it gets cold in Alaska. Some parts colder than others but, due to the temperatures in Northern Alaska, all the creeks freeze shut. So, as fall starts to ease into winter and the creeks start to drop and get colder, the trout and grayling all move out of their summer homes and into the Big Susitna River. The holes are deeper in the Big Sue and so the fish are able to sustain life through the winter. The trout and grayling live off mainly insects and sculpin during the winter but it is hardly a meal.


Susitna Valley fall rainbow.

Knowing that the fish have a long winter ahead of them, they have to stock up on food for fat storage (energy) during the winter when food is scarce. Kind of like the bears before hibernation. Luckily, for us fly fishing addicts, fall fish can be out of control without the crowds of summer tourists. During the fall season, the fish are trying to stuff their faces with food, mainly eggs and flesh, and gain pounds on pounds. This also means good chances for a trophy rainbow.

So while people get to enjoy fly fishing year around in the lower 48, we here in the Valley resort to tying flies and watching our library of fish porn again and again during the cold winter months.


But there is one place to go not too far from us and that is the world famous Kenai River.......
(to be continued...)

The outlet of Kenai Lake as it turns into the Kenai River.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Mug Shot

New Simms Mug.

Simms camo to keep the ruggedness and chrome lining the bottom for a touch of class.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Anadromous Autumn

Story and Pictures By Deroy Brandt.


Everything that has been written or said is true about the pursuit of Steelhead in the Fall. The long hours spent traveling, casting and waiting. The unpredictable water conditions and the guaranteed inclement weather. Add in the fact that the fish may not be willing or even there. These factors are the reason why the word obsession, is always used in our Epic Poem.


What sets this stanza apart in the poem is that Steelhead were caught. Not without some disappointment along the way though. We overcame some diffilculties and anger to reap the rewards of the water. Alyssa and Colton learned that the couple that Steelheads together, stays together. I learned that being the Third Wheel is not always bad. Especially when you are bringing some Cold, Hard Steel to humble hands.



Colton "Chrome" Conner


Colton and Alyssa

Deroy Brandt


Sunday, October 24, 2010

Day on the Poudre

Finally got to get out on the riv for a day. It was a battle for the first 5 hours or so but the fish finally got active later in the day, that or I finally figured out what to use. Very different from Alaska.


Rainbow

Lunch


Brown Trout


Wednesday, October 20, 2010

TroutHunter

Just received my first round of the new TroutHunter leaders and tippet. These guys are the real deal. Great customer service, innovative spool design, and waterproof and UV resistant hard core packaging.

Check back for more updates on TroutHunter leaders and tippets.




Sunday, October 10, 2010

Enjoy

Pics by Deroy Brandt






Saturday, October 2, 2010

Rocky Mountain High

Went up to a "secret lake" in the Rocky Mountains and here is what happened...



Coffee with my cousin Jake on his deck. Colorado River in the back yard.



Beauty Rainbow


One word: SLAB


Sweet Reel