In The Meantime...Czech It Out!

Long time, No post!  Well, it's not because I haven't been writing...In fact, I have been very busy on a special piece that is almost ready to publish... But, until then, come check out why I love the Czech nymphs so dearly!  

This past summer, I took a class in Czech nymphing and really got hooked.  It's a highly effective nymph fishing technique. The Czech and Polish anglers have been amongst the top performers in World fly-fishing championships.  Why? One reason is because you are fishing very close to where the trout lie in the river.  I load up my leader with two nymphs that are heavily weighted.  The lead fly will be the Czech nymph that has lead to drop close to the river bottom. The flies have a lot of color...pretty vivid in fact. The size of the Czech nymphs runs large and this doesn't seem to deter the fish.  The heaviness of the flies will cause it to sink rather fast and down to the bottom where the fish are eating nymphs.  And the best part of this technique is that I don't have to use an indicator...it's all about the feel of the take. Tight line nymphing can be very productive and a lot of fun! (I love fast water!)  By using this technique, the fly is in the water longer and that means a greater chance of hooking a fish! And isn't that what we all want?

Dear Santa...I Believe!

If kids all around the world believe in Santa Claus...why can't adults believe too?  So, I submit my "Christmas Wish List" to Santa this year and hopefully he thinks that I have been a pretty good, little damsel this past year... 

On the light-hearted side...

10. In that Christmas stocking, just for once...how about See's chocolates instead of the little reindeer and snowmen wrapped in foil and that taste like foil...

 9. A stocked pond of tiger trout in my back yard. (Then, I won't have to jump the neighbor's fence anymore, although I do have permission!)

 8. A better steering device for my pontoon... I have trouble reaching the handle on the motor.  For some reason, I am always going in circles!! Ha. (Maybe it's just me)

7.  A pair of waders that fit a woman (And make her look 2 sizes smaller instead of 2 sizes bigger!)

6.  A year supply of tippet...have you seen my snags and tangles?  Those darn rocks and tree branches follow me everywhere!!!

On the more serious side... 

5.  A new transmission for the old car in the garage that sits for now. (Although, I must admit, that we are saving on fuel by carpooling!)

4.  A trip to Alaska.  The first time wasn't fair game...I didn't know how to flyfish, then got stuck in a riverbed of silt (lets say "quicksand"...my hip waders got left behind), and I sure deserve a second chance!!!

3.  I could really use a new pair of wading boots with non-felt soles...dang, that snow is slippery!

2.  A steelhead rod for my next trip to Idaho to fish with "The Outdooress!!"

1.  A Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season for all of my family, friends and fellow bloggers!

There you go...a few funny things, a few needed things, a few things from the heart.  Just keep it simple, Santa, and deliver what is needed.  Whatever that may be.  We are truly blessed and are very thankful for what we already have...LOVE.        Yours truly, The River Damsel

The Best of Both Worlds...

Now, you can't blame me for wanting to enjoy "The Greatest Snow on Earth"!!  So, this week is the beginning of my time on the slopes once again.  I did get in a little winter fishing in as you can see...It was exhilarating!  Utah is special in that you can hit the moguls in the morning and the riffles in the afternoon...Nothing like Park City and the Heber Valley to give me a perfect day!!  Lucky Chica.

 

The Three "F's"...And Fishing Is One Of Them!!

These three "F's" are my favorite things in the month of December... Family, Friends, and Fishing!!  There...I squelched out the fun of guessing what the other two were! So, when I think about the month ahead and all that goes on during this busy month, it is flabbergasting!  The parties, the trips to relatives houses, the relatives visiting you, shopping for Christmas presents, cooking and more cooking...etc. etc. etc..  So, how do you get fishing in?  EARLY in the month!!!  I remember a fun trip to one of my favorite places...The Madison River, in the great state of Montana.  I have now been up there a few times since the wintry trip that I'm so fond of.  I must admit, there was something special about sharing a snowy river with a great group of friends.  Now, it doesn't look like the cold is bothering us, does it?

This was a lunch break in the parking lot...yes, there were quite a few crazies that got together for a great time.  Heck, we even had "Piper" Jim, the "Bagpipe King", serenade us while we munched down our hogie sandwiches in the snowstorm!  If you must know, the tall geek in the middle with the fur hat is me.  Believe it or not, this was one of my first flyfishing trips and the cold didn't drive me away!  I wanted more!!!  I love the Madison...and I'm sure that most of you that have visited this "big water" river, would agree with me on how special it is.  What type of winter fishing?  Well, I do remember that I had a nice 23" brown trout...maybe that's why I kept flyfishing!  Beginner's luck...  Ok, I look a bit colder standing in the river...don't I?

But, to this day...I will always remember how this nice, brown trout "warmed" my heart as he was finally pulled out of the water.  My friends were cheering all around me as this was my first "brownie" and my largest trout caught up to that point.  It was awesome.  And the cold, brisk days are ahead again.  And guess what?  They won't deter me, not one bit.                                          

Respect Breeds Respect

Sure would like to see more of these postings...