How old is that fish?

Steel head return to rivers when they are five or six and can live up to 8 years.  (credit http://www.salmonfishingnow.com/steelhead-trout-biology/)

Chinook Salmon don’t live as long and return to rivers when they are typically around 4 years old – give or take a year. 

Chinook Salmon age comparison photo from the University of Washington

(credit http://courses.washington.edu/fish450/Lecture%20PDFs/Salmon_age_and_size_at_maturity.pdf)

The fish I’m holding below is quite a bit older than any steelhead or salmon or trout I've ever caught – it’s even older than I am! 

Fossil Fish - age????????

My eldest daughter went to a Gem and Mineral show and found this “Rock Fish” (no – not the Stripers found in Chesapeake Bay) and bought it for me.  

I have no idea what species it is or if it’s full grown or just a baby.  But, it’s really a wonderful gift and will be cherished forever – Thank you!

Waders, waders everywhere, but which are right for you?

I believe I have the answer to that question for me.  But, it came with a lot of trial and error over many years and many waders with a variety of styles and prices, and a lot of research on the internet.

Last weekend as I was standing in the middle of Oak Orchard Creek casting to phantom steelhead at the Archery Club pool, I realized that to get there, I struggled to get into a pair of boot foot insulated waders, carefully and awkwardly navigated a very steep hill to get to and from the water, and to top it off, my feet were freezing!

Waders are a very personal item and what’s good for your fishing buddy may not be right for you.  I started my wader quest with 35 years of wader experience and a budget in mind.  I narrowed my search, printed my choices of brands and stores and after work on Friday I went shopping.  This was not something I trusted to an internet order.

My first choice turned out to be the right one.  I went to Orvis at Eastern Hills Mall in Williamsville, NY.  I go there frequently to buy fly tying material and to check out the many wonderful items they carry – including waders.  I've had my eye on their Silver Sonic Convertible-top stocking foot waders since Thanksgiving. 

 A critical element in buying a quality pair of waders is the sales person.  Do they have the knowledge and experience to allow you to make a purchase or do they push you to the most expensive item regardless of what you want or need?

Adam S. at Orvis has what it takes.  Even though I probably caught my first steelhead before he was born, he has a wealth of fishing experience in Western New York and beyond, uses the products he sells and is passionate about fly fishing, his job at Orvis and helping others enjoy the sport.

He was very patient while I looked and questioned and second guessed if I really needed another pair of waders.  

And, he gave me good advice as I tried on several sizes of waders and then boots – I got Riverguard Ultralights to go with the Silver Sonic waders.  Adam made sure I was comfortable in the waders and boots before my purchase.  (Photos from Orvis website)

I plan to use my new waders and boots on the East Branch of the Croton River during my family’s annual Easter trip to visit relatives in Brookfield, CT.  Will my new Silver Sonic Convertible-top stocking foot waders and Riverguard Ultralight boots help me catch more trout?  

That’s another story.

Finally!

Well - it wasn't exactly like it was in my dreams, but I did finally make it to Oak Orchard Creek.  I had too many things to do around the house, but I think my wife just didn't want to hear me whine about it any more and told me to go fishing - works for me!

Oak Orchard Creek - March 9, 2013

As I met other anglers, the word was always the same - SLOW.  With about 2 feet visibility  "you had to bump them on the nose to get their attention."

I heard of two Steelhead caught and saw one landed.  One was taken on a very bright pink and silver fly that was totally new to me, and the other two were taken on eggs - not egg pattern flies - salmon eggs.

But, it is a beautiful, fishy looking piece of water and in the words of the Terminator - "I'll be back!"

Oak Orchard Dreams

I first heard of Oak Orchard Creek in the late 80's.  A friend had fished it and came back with unbelievable stories.  The pictures, however, made me a believer, and that's when I started dreaming about my dream trip to the Oak while living in Croton-on-Hudson, NY.  My trip was going to be picture perfect – because that’s all I saw – pictures.

It was just a short seven hour drive, but before I could head north for a weekend on a classic stream with monster browns and steelhead navigating upstream between kings and Cohos and maybe even an Atlantic, I moved to Portland, Oregon.  The Oak was put on the back burner for about 26 years while I caught my first steelhead and salmon on a fly – with a rod I built – a 39” King on my 4 weight using a 10 lb. tippet with a #8 natural, Teeny nymph tied by yours truly, but that’s another story.

After fishing in Oregon and Washington and one trip to Alaska, 

Steelhead - Cowlitz River, WA 

Halibut - Ketchikan, AK

A new job forced me to move my family to the San Francisco Bay area, and then another job took us to Buffalo, NY.  I knew that Western New York had a wealth of fishing opportunities, and when I read an article in New York Sportsman magazine that referred to Oak Orchard as the next “famous trout stream” - the dream was alive again - and only a short drive away! How lucky could I be!  Not very.  

Job, family, responsibilities and really good local fishing kept me from thinking about Oak Orchard, until I was organizing my basement recently and came across the article from 1998 – I’m a bit of a pack rat – my wife calls me a hoarder – I prefer to think of it as preserving history.

                        "Fish of the Orchard" -  New York Sportsman, August 1998

The important thing is that I rekindled my Oak Orchard dream.  I only live about 1-1/2 hours away, but have yet to hit the Oak.  However, a friend has been fishing it for years and is headed there this weekend (3/9/13).  I’m looking forward to her report, especially on several flies I tied and gave to her to field test. 

Dave's Fly Bench flies - wooly bugger, spoon fly, DFB laser eggs and minnows, leeches

And while she fishes the Oak, I’ll be prepping for my dream trip.