Caney Fork Trout Fly Fishing - Caney Fork Trout Guide

TrophyFishingTN.Com
Videos

Striper, Trout, Smallmouth, and Musky, guide trips in the Nashville area. Our home waters are Cumberland and Caney Fork River and our specialty is fly fishing for Trout and Stripers.

~Our tradition is that of the first man who sneaked away to the creek when the tribe did not really need fish~

Author Topic: Steelhead Alley trip.  (Read 6729 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

MikeA

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 12364
  • Karma: +65535/-4
  • https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http
Steelhead Alley trip.
« on: March 28, 2013, 10:10:02 AM »
On the road again with Dave in search of Steelies. I didn't take my DSLR and borrowed a Nikon J1 (THANKS Jarrod!!!) that is a great camera but I really needed more time to get to know it. Sorry about the image quality on a few of these shots. I had never touched this camera until we hit the water.

Surfing at 90mph.

DSC_0302.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

We arrived in Ohio in time for about two hours of fishing in some very cold conditions. We both had on light clothing and weren't prepared for the coldness we were about to be immersed into.
A good sign. No Bush drinkers here!

DSC_0310.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

My back is just about to finally recover from my last fall on the ice...

DSC_0308.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

Despite a good looking spot we didn't see any fish.Time for some rest.

DSC_0305.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

Next morning in Ohio. Very nice river.

DSC_0314.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

We saw a few fish caught by spinning gear and one on fly. Water was turbid and COLD!!

DSC_0307.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0320.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

Despite our best efforts Ohio showed us no love. Except this bad boy, who seemingly froze to death.... Time to call it and head to PA.

DSC_0319.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

There is not much collective security in a flock of sheep on the way to the butcher.

MikeA

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 12364
  • Karma: +65535/-4
  • https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http
Re: Steelhead Alley trip.
« Reply #1 on: March 28, 2013, 10:18:06 AM »
Lake Erie was in a mood for sure. Never seen ice balls before but they were everywhere. We would also discover you can get ice balls in your waders in PA. Did I mention it was cold and WINDY!

DSC_0322.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0350.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0344.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


NMS_0378.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0355.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


Dave is a die hard scientist. Always searching for some tiny little minnow that only lives in this one spot. ;D  AHhh look around Dave, everything that lived here has been smashed to death by iceballs.

DSC_0374.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

Unable to catch his beloved shiner he curses the elements. Damn you to hell ICEBALLS!

NMS_0375.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr




There is not much collective security in a flock of sheep on the way to the butcher.

MikeA

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 12364
  • Karma: +65535/-4
  • https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http
Re: Steelhead Alley trip.
« Reply #2 on: March 28, 2013, 10:28:07 AM »
We hit the larger of the tribs this day and finally, my first Steelhead, albeit a small one.

DSC_0385.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0386.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

Dave not to be outdone stepped up with this toad.

DSC_0388.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0390.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0392.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

We moved along the river in search of more fish.

DSC_0393.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0395.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr



There is not much collective security in a flock of sheep on the way to the butcher.

MikeA

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 12364
  • Karma: +65535/-4
  • https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http
Re: Steelhead Alley trip.
« Reply #3 on: March 28, 2013, 10:35:27 AM »
Tired, cold, and very hungry, we found this awesome place called Green Roof Inn. Just up the rd was Crowleys restaurant, an absolute first class place that seemed,, well, it seemed kinda out of place... If your in this area I highly recommend you stay here. Very nice, updated, clean, American owned, affordable, rooms

DSC_0396.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

Next morning brings us more snow and ice. Nice PA,,, real nice....

DSC_0401.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

My best attempt at a smiley face.

DSC_0407.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

Heard that the water temps were about 32. "Too cold for steelhead" I heard one of the spinners say. Hmmm....

There is not much collective security in a flock of sheep on the way to the butcher.

MikeA

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 12364
  • Karma: +65535/-4
  • https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http
Re: Steelhead Alley trip.
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2013, 10:49:09 AM »
New location this morning.

Boy, these yankees sure know how to have fun.

DSC_0412.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

Very wintery wonderland here.

DSC_0418.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0421.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0419.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0423.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

This little creek was awesome! But the fish we hooked either broke us off or came unhooked.

DSC_0428.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0426.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0427.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0432.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


Here is a shot of the woods you have to meander through to find holding pools. Notice Dave in the bottom of this pic.

DSC_0434.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

When we found a pool we had to approach them like we were fishing for Brookies. Short casts in stealth mode.

DSC_0436.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0438.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0440.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

A few casts at the mouth.

DSC_0442.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

Surfable

DSC_0448.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0449.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0452.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr
There is not much collective security in a flock of sheep on the way to the butcher.

MikeA

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 12364
  • Karma: +65535/-4
  • https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http
Re: Steelhead Alley trip.
« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2013, 10:59:58 AM »
Back to larger water

DSC_0454.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

Pray that one of these 8 to 12' ice spears don't fall and kill you.

DSC_0456.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0466.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0467.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

We hiked our asses off wearing lots of cold weather gear and waders and boots. There were times I had to just do some of this.

DSC_0477.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

But then this would make all the pain go away.

DSC_0486.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

Fishing was very tough and Dave and I were both getting desperate. Dave took it to a new level.  I stood back and took in all the comments from the bank fishermen. It was hilarious. Then Dave hooked up.

DSC_0508.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0510.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0511.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

I had found a nice pod of fish and was working them over pretty hard. It paid off finally.

DSC_0502.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0496.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0505.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0507.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

There is not much collective security in a flock of sheep on the way to the butcher.

MikeA

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 12364
  • Karma: +65535/-4
  • https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http
Re: Steelhead Alley trip.
« Reply #6 on: March 28, 2013, 11:08:17 AM »
Back at the little creek we found a pool full of this.

DSC_0512.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

And we started to score.

I was up first.

DSC_0520.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0526.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

Then Dave's turn.

DSC_0566.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0568.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0569.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

Then me again.

DSC_0574.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0575.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0576.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

Damn that was fun!




There is not much collective security in a flock of sheep on the way to the butcher.

MikeA

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 12364
  • Karma: +65535/-4
  • https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http
Re: Steelhead Alley trip.
« Reply #7 on: March 28, 2013, 11:13:54 AM »
The end of a great whirlwind last min trip was near and what a great time it was. I'll be making this drive again I can promise you that.

A few parting shots.

DSC_0593.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0594.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0595.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0597.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0602.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0603.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0607.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0614.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0624.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0630.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0634.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0639.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0649.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr


DSC_0654.jpg by FLY FISHING TN, on Flickr

Then End.
There is not much collective security in a flock of sheep on the way to the butcher.

Glenn Hawkins

  • FishHead
  • *****
  • Posts: 1273
  • Karma: +4/-0
Re: Steelhead Alley trip.
« Reply #8 on: March 28, 2013, 11:36:49 AM »
Awesome TR Mike.  Looks like you and Dave covered some ground and water.  But damn that weather looks cold. :o  As always great photos and Dave I like your FJ too.  I want one myself.  ;D

Dub

  • ***
  • Posts: 105
  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Steelhead Alley trip.
« Reply #9 on: March 28, 2013, 11:39:36 AM »
WOW  :o   Looks like you guys nailed it. Glad you scored.

MikeA

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 12364
  • Karma: +65535/-4
  • https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http
Re: Steelhead Alley trip.
« Reply #10 on: March 28, 2013, 11:41:53 AM »
Glenn, This trip was 1/3 fishing and 2/3's hiking, wading, shivering, hiking more, eating whatever you could scrounge up from your pack, and then more wading and hiking, and some rolling around in the ice, snow and mud..  I loved it!
There is not much collective security in a flock of sheep on the way to the butcher.

MikeA

  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 12364
  • Karma: +65535/-4
  • https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http
Re: Steelhead Alley trip.
« Reply #11 on: March 28, 2013, 11:43:24 AM »
WOW  :o   Looks like you guys nailed it. Glad you scored.

Not really Todd, we worked our asses off for those few fish. I'd say in a few days or weeks of warm weather that place will be off the charts good.
There is not much collective security in a flock of sheep on the way to the butcher.

DSchlact

  • ****
  • Posts: 254
  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Steelhead Alley trip.
« Reply #12 on: March 28, 2013, 11:53:30 AM »
holy crap, what an adventure!  Great report and pics!

dbradyh

  • FishHead
  • *****
  • Posts: 1044
  • Karma: +5/-1
  • bhaston
Re: Steelhead Alley trip.
« Reply #13 on: March 28, 2013, 12:09:39 PM »
Now that is epic!

toddro

  • FishHead
  • *****
  • Posts: 1643
  • Karma: +1/-0
Re: Steelhead Alley trip.
« Reply #14 on: March 28, 2013, 12:21:33 PM »
Awesome!!!  I will view them again in Washington State next week as I sit in my room just a few feet away from Steelies and Salmon in federally protected and closed water...  Tears in my beers already!  Great stuff!!!
"A passion for steelhead is a hard ride. It is all consuming. God help the woman, man, or child who hopes to compete for some small claim to the passion in the angler so stricken." Bill McMillan, Foreword- A Passion for Steelhead