What the F*ck is a Half back!?

First things first. I have to give a huge shout out to my MTFTM crew, we're a little spread out this weekend but I know that the spirit of last falls adventure lives strong...

This song is for you....

Happy Friday!!

How the heck is everyone!?

I hope you are as stoked about things as I am. For some reason I feel as if I could burst at the seams and shellack the world with my loving insides! I have been pouring over my old fishing journals lately and a couple of things occurred to me, firstly I am hopelessly in love with natural world and secondly it has become incredibly important for me to reflect on past experiences. Its seems that reflection of past experiences allows me to appreciate the "moment"a little more and this makes me happy. Don't worry I'm not going to touchy feely you to death, so lets get on with the business then...

I was organizing my lake fly-box last night and I started reminiscing about a day of fishing I had with some buddies. The day sticks in my head not because of fantastic fishing but rather stands out because I learned something new and now I'm going to reflect on it.

My friends and I were working in a back bay of the lake we were on. We were catching trout but not with any regularity, it was especially frustrating as you could see large fish everywhere actively feeding.

Then quietly, another boat moved into the bay. The occupants of the other boat were fossils and they reeked of a lifetime of experience. They parked on the shoal of the bay and began working wet lines from the deep into the shallows. They used continuous short strips and immediately started hooking up! The two old codgers proceeded absolutely light us up! They had at least ten fish to our one!

WTF!!!

Having slaked their thirst for huge trout the old boys exited the bay, and as I watched them slip away I asked my buddy if he knew what fly they were using. He replied, "Half Backs dude". I looked down my nose at him and said, "What the f*ck is a Half Back?"

 I had never heard or of a Half Back and was honestly a little embarrassed, but that doesn't matter. What matters is the fact that the Half Back pattern and its variations has been around longer than I have been alive. It can be fished in lakes and river in various different sizes and colors and when tied on to your line at the right time it is deadly. It just so happens that right about now is the time that I will start using Half Backs as a searching pattern in lakes.

I like to hit my HB's with a generous dab of UV epoxy to help prevent them from coming to pieces after catching a few fish.

LONG WEEKEND FISHING REPORT!!!!

Almost all of our local lakes will be fishing well this weekend, reports of strong hatches and willing fish are coming in from all over the area. That said some lakes may still be turning, as of Tuesday Lazy Lake was a mess as it had just flipped. I would expect though that the majority of lakes in the area will be fishing well.

The deeper hatches seem to have tapered off and the fish have moved into the 20ft and up range in search of prey. Exploring lakes with your eyes peeled will pay dividends this weekend as you will be able to see fish hunting. Look for Swallows buzzing the surface of the lake as this is a tell tale sign of bug activity. Taking advantage of the "morning"and "evening" bite, these times will be productive as fish move up onto the marl to feed.  

Expect to see a wide variety of different bugs out there so make sure that your box is stocked!!

Don't let any inclement weather scare you away from the lakes.... Good things happen in the rain...

Have Fun This Weekend and Be Safe Out There!!!

Peace and Love,

Spence

Welcome to May!!

April showers bring May snow storms right!?

Spring can be difficult for those of us that like to get outside and enjoy the bounty that Mother Nature provides us with. Unfortunately Spring weather can be a lot like an emotionally vapid relationship, hot heavy one day and bitterly cold the next. Angling this time of year can is similar to our lovely Spring weather, awesome one day and shitty the next and success seems to be more about timing and luck than skill.

So with most river in the area either closed or chugging mud what opportunities are available to us weirdos who do nothing but think about fishing? Well, we can dance, we can tie flies, we can drink too much, we can go on road trips, or we can go lake fishing or you can do all of the above.

Road trips this time of year are highly recommended, in fact they are almost a necessity if you live in Fernie. There are so many pieces of water relatively close to us that are fishing right now, the Bow is probably coming close to fishing and many waters in Montana, Idaho and Oregon  are in good shape. Last week I had the opportunity to fish the Henry's Fork of the Snake River, there were bugs hatching and trout eating them!! Road trips are fine and dandy but they require time and money and sometimes they aren't an option, so maybe you should try dancing...Click Me To Dance

Ok I'm done dancing for the moment so lets talk lakes. When it comes to lakes many anglers have a Poo Poo attitude towards them... I've never really understood why but many anglers would rather stay home and be depressed than go play on a still water...

Lake fishing is a little more cerebral than the very visceral experience of a river. One must "tune" themselves into the hidden structure, bugs and fish to have a measure of success on a lake and the fact that these factors are hidden from plain view seems to dissuade people.

The fact of the matter is, once you have some basic tools lake fishing becomes incredibly engaging and rewarding and I encourage everyone to give it a go. So how do you learn how to lake fish? Well go with someone who knows, go to your local fly shop and pester the guy behind the counter, ask the Google god, watch YouTube and buy, borrow or steal the book Morris & Chan on Fly Fishing Trout Lakes. Seriously get this book!!

 

How about a local lake report!!

The initial ice-off gorge fests are done and for the most part turn over is too (read the book and you will know what turn over is). Chroni's are still the major food source on many of these lakes right now, but there are reports of other food sources coming on line and the fish are starting to come off the bottom to feed higher in the water column:) 

Unfortunately Summit Lake had a major winter kill this year with reports of 600-700 massive dead fish lining the banks. Gross... 

Get ready to get out there, thing are about to "pop" in a big way and I know you like catching big Rainbows.

No matter what the weather is doing great things can happen especially when your with your friends. This past month I have been blessed to spend time on and off the water with the people that matter the most to me, and for that I am eternally grateful!

Peace and Love and thanks for reading!