Chronicles of a Fly Fishing Diva

2011-10-24T23:45:00.000-04:00

Awesome fishing on Oak Orchard River in Upstate New York over the weekend!

Underwater Shots of a Brown Trout

2010-01-24T23:58:00.010-05:00

Lately, I've been missing the joys of fly fishing in Montana's most pristine rivers. Then, just the other day, I stumbled upon these photos I took from my waterproof camera.

Here are a few shots of a brown trout that was caught by my husband while fly fishing on the Missouri River last summer. After a big battle between them, my husband safely released him back in the water, and as soon as he was being released, this trout immediately found a shallow and grassy area to rest for a bit. So, I took the opportunity to take some up close and personal underwater shots of this gorgeous brown trout.

If I had to choose one trout, I'd pick a brown trout any day. I just love its subtle colors and beautiful markings, and there's nothing like hooking on a brownie since they're ferociously strong and known for their agile traits!

A brown trout at rest

Camouflage

Beautiful fin

Just gorgeous

Oh, look at his beautiful spots!

Almost like a painting! Can you see him?

Resting peacefully

In black and white...

Pristine waters of the Missouri River, Craig, Montana

Chronicles of a Fly Fishing Diva: Mountain Springs Revisited

2009-05-29T02:22:00.000-04:00

Chronicles of a Fly Fishing Diva: Mountain Springs Revisited

Mountain Springs Revisited

2009-05-29T00:12:00.046-04:00

On May 16th and with only a few hours left before sundown, my husband and I went up to Mountain Springs. We hiked and fished at the mouth of the creek called Cherry Run that flows into Mountain Springs lake, which is the headwaters of Bowman's Creek that meanders into the heart of Noxen. Mountain Springs is nestled in the back country roads of Noxen, PA of the Endless Mountains. This place is quite nostalgic for my sweet Barry. At least once a year, we try to visit and fish this area. It's a place where Barry used to fish as a kid. His father took him there and his grandfather took his Dad (son-in-law to Barry's Mom's dad) there as well. Barry never met his Grandpa, John Hewitt. He passed away before Barry was born and his Mom would tell me that his Grandpa would have been so happy to see one of his grandsons as an avid Fly Fisherman and Hunter like him. I'm sure he is smiling over us from the heaven's above every time Barry is doing something what he used to love.

Into the Woods...

Dandelion Flower

Wild Violets

Bowman's Creek

John Hewitt is a well known man in the Wyoming Valley during his time. He was a supreme land owner, Businessman, Philanthropist and did a lot of service for the community especially for the Boys Scouts of America. It really would have been great to have met him in person, but the memories of him still lingers on from all the stories I gathered from Barry's family. Barry and I love hearing his Grandfather's fishing and hunting stories from his Mom, Dad and Uncle Bud, especially on their trips to Nova Scotia among other places.

A Dragonfly

Cascading Water on the Rocks

A Young Newt

A slithering garden snake hiding under a big rock

Barry's mom would chuckle every time she's on a fishing trip with us. She tells me every time that she would have never imagined that handing Barry a fly rod at age 3 that fishing would be a huge part of his life. Almost thirty-seven years later and he is still going strong with his love and deep passion for fishing, as well as with hunting and now, he is rubbing his passions upon me. Barry has inherited much of his grandfather's fishing and hunting gears, including his beloved Bamboo Rod and a custom-made 8mm Mauser from the WWI era. They're simple material things to most people or prized antiques to some, but for Barry, they're prized possessions and a true reflection of his Grandpa.

A Painted Trillium, a rare variety

Barry first took me to Mountain Springs in the winter of 2005. I remembered it clearly as it was just yesterday. We went there on an end-tail of a blizzard-like storm. We wanted to see what Mountain Springs was like covered in snow. We drove through the mountain on Barry's '94 Jeep Wrangler, stopping at some points so I can take photos of a winter wonderland. I remember Bowman's creek was covered with fresh and white fluffy snow. The deep pools looked like an emerald gem. Something you rarely see. That Spring, we went back there again and it was the first time I saw a wild red trillium, an individual flowering sprout usually found along the creeks with three-petaled flower above a three huge green leaves. Trillium is said to be Barry's Grandfather's favorite flower of all times. The areas where they grew wildly are the same spots where Barry's Grandfather used to fish.

During his time, vehicles were not allowed in these areas except for loggers and trolleys that took blocks of ice (Natural Ice were used before electric refrigeration came about. These ice where made naturally in the course of the winter and they were harvested from the lakes or rivers) down to Harveys Lake and into the Valley, where the city of Wilkes Barre is located. Back then, people would hike into Mountain Springs just to fish. I can only imagine what it was like back in the day. You really must be an avid fisherman to go up there and hike through the deep forest before heading towards the creek. Now Mountain Springs is mostly owned by the State. Much of it is still untouched, but I can picture it more with lush forestry and pristine waters compared to today. Barry remembered going there as a kid with the lake and small streams were teeming with huge trout, especially with native brook trout. For the past few years that we've gone fishing there, we still catch some native brookies, but not as much as Barry recalled it to be. Each Spring or Summer time we try our best to go up there and it's not all about fishing, but remembering Barry's most adored Grandfather. Hopefully, in time we'll pass this tradition to generations to come.

Mountain Springs Lake

Cherry Run Creek

Barry at the mouth of Cherry Run Creek onto Mountain Springs Lake

This time around and with only a few hours to spare to get to our final destination, dark clouds were already upon us and before we knew it, a huge thunderstorm was already on its way. Luckily, we manage to reach our truck before the big downpour occurred. Even though our first trip to Mountain Springs was cut short this year, we still had a great time just hiking through the woods and observing the things that surrounded us...

Tears from Heaven

Through a dirt road

Almost back to civilization
To view more photos, click on the link below:
Mountain Springs Revisited

Fly Fishing School with Joe Ackourey

2009-05-24T11:34:00.000-04:00

From L to R: Brian, Joe, Bob, Master Joe, Jimmy and Moi
Ever since I met Barry, now my husband of almost two years, fly fishing have been a big part of our lives. This is my fifth season of fly fishing and finally, three weeks ago I took a one-day fly fishing course with one of the master local fly-fisherman, Joe Ackourey, a nationally known Fly Fisherman and Fly Tyer. Learning from Barry have been a wonderful experience and I owe him a great deal for his patience and bestowing his full knowledge to me, but I took the initiative to take it to the next level and learn from another Pro like Joe, which Barry is so proud that I have completed his course with flying colors! Learning different techniques from various people is always a good thing and as a novice Fly Fisherwoman, this course have certainly improved my skills in this sport, just like with the old adage, "The more you know, the better you are!"

At the break of dawn, we all gathered at the Sugar Hollow Trout Park and Hatchery in Tunkhannock, Pa. There were a total of 5 five students in the class and I was the only ROSE among the thorns, but this situation didn't hinder my ability to learn. Actually, I really didn't mind being the only girl in the class. I was there to learn and improve my abilities like everyone else.

Sugar Hollow Trout Park and Hatchery in Tunkhannock, PA.

The boys were all so very nice, kind and courteous. We certainly learned so much from each other in overcoming our own personal weaknesses and I couldn't be more happier being with our tight-knit group. Fly fishing is not a man's world anymore or as many people still believe it to be. For me, fly fishing is not just a classic "olde" sport, but an integrated form of SCIENCE as well as an elite sport that requires true dedication and full knowledge, which surrounds it.

During the first half of the day, we learned the four essential knots that are normally used in building up your fly line...from the tapered leader connecting to the fly line, extending and/or joining the leader to tippet, then from the tippet to the fly, plus, two dropper styles used for Nymphing.

Learning Knots

After learning and perfecting our knots, we geared up and we went off to the field for our fly casting lesson. Then, we're off to the pond to test our casting skills...from false, roll to basic casts. We also learned a few tips and techniques on how to properly strip the line, controlling our rod and reel and including how to properly handle a fish during catch and release. After catching our two fish and safely released them back to the pond, we took a short break. Then, the REAL fun begins...

Fly Casting Clinic with Joe

My First Ever Palomino!

For the second half of the day, we spent our time on the fly-fishing section of Bowman's Creek, which is located only a few yards away from the hatchery. From there, Joe taught us a little about Entomology, which is the scientific study of insects. Learning the different types of insects on which the trout feed on is one of the key information in the world of fly fishing. Knowing each of their life cycle (egg, nymph, adulthood and with larvae and pupae stages included for the caddis) are also useful information in distinguishing fish food. The three main flies that trout loves to eat, not to even mention terrestrial bugs like ants and beetles are Mayflies, Stoneflies and Caddisflies. On each of these categories, there are several species that fall under these type of flies and throughout the year, each species hatch at a certain time. Learning these various species will help any Fishermen be more proficient and make fishing at ease and ultimately, enjoyable!

Joe showing us how to look for bugs/insects in the water

While on the stream, we also learned the art of Nymphing (fishing with a wet fly - fishing under water or sub-aquatic). As a group, we lucked out that day. It was bright and sunny. The air and water temperature was just right. Everything around us was text-book perfect! We were able to find stoneflies and caddis underneath the rocks, then on top of that, there was a massive spinner fall happening all around us (Spinners are adult Mayflies ready to drop their eggs in the stream). It was fascinating to see them around. When a spinner fall occur usually indicates the fish will start to feed and rise up to the surface. This is the best opportunity to fish on a dry fly (letting a dry fly float on water). Each of us had the opportunity to nymph fish along with Joe. While nymphing, a few of the guys got their lines broken. We knew it was a huge fish feeding on the bottom of the stream because it kept snagging one of the flies on a 6-lb test fly line! Unbelievable!

A Caddis Larvae removed from its shuck!

A Spinner Fly with an Egg

A Stonefly Nymph

Joe demonstrating the Art of Nymphing

But when my time was up, I went upstream and looked for a rising fish. Lo and behold, in one of the big deep pools with very still water, I spotted a fish kept rising to the top near the rock face all the way across from me (roughly about 10-15 yards from the bank where I stood). Sadly, I checked my fly box and the only dry fly I had that is close (but not really) to a spinner fly was a parachute fly. After a few casts, nothing worked. Then suddenly, Joe came over to me and I showed him where the fish was rising. He saw my excitement on a rising fish that he quickly changed my fly to a Rusty Spinner on a size 12 hook. Then, he gathered all the men and he let me demonstrate how to fish on a dry fly! It was nerve-wracking to say the least, but I was able to hold up to the pressure (thanks to my hubby for showing me how to fly fish all these years!). After my third cast with a few big tight loops generating a longer cast each time, I was able to land my dry fly on top of the water. As it drifted nicely with the current just a foot above from where the fish was rising, then suddenly, BAM! WHAM!!- the fish rose to the surface and nailed my dry fly that I was able to hook the fish on accordingly and perfectly! oOH, how exciting it was to catch a fish on a dry fly! The brook trout took the fly in a huge force and nearly took me around for a big fight. I screamed with total excitement that the whole county probably heard me, but I didn't care! I just couldn't believe I rendered a long cast with such accuracy and precision to the point that I totally surprised myself in disbelief! It was the best feeling in the world...PROFOUNDLY AMAZING...TOTALLY EXHILARATING!!! These words can't fully describe that integral feeling of accomplishment. To perfectly deliberate all the different components in fly fishing is all it takes for a 5-second HIGH...a trip worth taking time and time again! And this is why Fly Fishing is an ADDICTION! Finally, Joe helped me net my fish and we quickly released it safely back to the stream.

My Brook Trout caught on a Spinner Dry Fly!

By the end of the class, Joe showed us how to fish with a dry fly!

The full day of our fly-fishing course flew by like a wind. It was jammed pack with hands-on activities and we truly learned a lot that day. Joe is a wonderful teacher and a friend and we really couldn't ask for anything more. Not only did Joe showed us the basic fundamentals of the sport, but he also showed us how to be passionate in the art of fly fishing as well as to be an advocate in land and water conservancy. This my friends is a class worth taking if you really want to get into this beautiful sport of fly fishing. It certainly made me a better Fly Fisherwoman and I owe this to him and to my loving husband! :-)

To view more photos of this event, follow these links below:
Fly Fishing School 1
Fly Fishing School 2