'12 Manzanita, McCumber 5 Flies Campout

With all flies in attendance and a new fly to the group this trip had the makings of great one. After a long drive we put up camp by lantern light and although windy were able to get a fire going to add a little warmth, we spent far to much time discussing the next days fishing and before you knew it was late and we wanted up early we all went to bed with the expectations of fishing tomorrow. A couple hours of sleep and we were up and at it but we would not fish before a flies first... biscuits and gravy!! And with full bellies the fishing began. The sun was out early with no clouds in sight beautiful morning on a calm lake and even a rise or two. Fish were active we all saw them and each had a few strikes but no fish to hand, after a few hours on the water we met back at camp to discuss our fishing options. It didn't take long for us to decide to give manzanita lake a try so we grubbed on some food loaded up the tubes and 30 min later we were on the lake. To our surprise manzanita was on fire big browns were prowling the shoreline and rainbows were hitting the surface. But once again we just could not quite figure it out Prince nymph had quite a few strike and even lost a larger fish when it broke him off and Blue dun to go along with the takes he got fought feisty rainbow all the way to his boat before finding enough slack to shake loose, Meanwhile Hares ear and I decided to cruise the lake on foot sight fishing to cruising and feeding fish but strikes were all we got as well. So we left humbled but also exited to get back to manzanita tomorrow. Shortly after returning to camp the rest of the fly family arrived first Red humpy and Copper john followed by Klinkhammer and Renegade arrived and the party started. After greetings, hugs, jokes, and b.s. were exchanged we all hit the water for some evening dry fly action. Some decided to fish battle creek just below camp and Renegade was rewarded with his first 5 flies fish two of them in fact well done, but all were on the water for the evening hatch on the lake and Red humpy got the skunk off the lake with a nice rainbow he fooled with a parachute ant, and it was a good thing cause everyone else just could not bring a fish to hand so we had dogs and chili, tied flies, and chatted about the days fishing before calling it a night. Saturday morning the early birds were up again eager to get the worm. Red humpy keeping the mojo going had a big fish hammer his fly and make a reel spinning run and ran and ran and when he finally reeled his line in he noticed something was wrong.. his leader was missing even worse I was the one who tied it on, truly sorry uncle Geno. Everyone else still could not get it though despite many takes we all met bake at home base and felt we'd try our luck at manzanita. And a good choice it was within minutes of arriving rises and rolling fish could be seen and just shortly after the 5 fly armada set sail Hares ear and Prince nymph had the double brown trout hookup Prince nymph caught his with great short cast into the willows on Mikes show stopper and after fighting to loosen it from the reeds it ran right back and ended up breaking him off soooo close bud, Hares ear just a little ways off shore had his slam mikes show stopper (fly of the trip) and put up a good fight before Red humpy was able to lend a net to wrangle what was possibly the fish of the weekend. Then just minutes later Prince nymph decided to finish the deal with a huge bow to hand and Blue dun made up for the fish he lost yesterday with a manzanita brown of his own. Later I would find myself in the middle of some great action, I got started off right when a pig of a bow nailed my large parachute adams and took me for a ride after a long hard fight he was netted then released but they didn't stop rising so I cast out again only to have another rainbow take my offering, but I was not done a little bit of kicking and I found myself casting to a large brown feeding along the shore after refusing my fly a few times the cast seemed to have spooked him so I took a break to re-float my fly and give the water a rest in hopes of another chance and on cue he rose again just a little further back toward shore and on my very next cast I put it right in front of him and in a few seconds he calmly swam up to my fly and slurped it, no sooner than I put on pressure and set the hook he was off making large runs with line screaming and even three jumps something I'm not used to from brown trout I finally got him in whooo hooo!! And if that just wasn't enough as were all coming in to head back to camp most of us are loading the rigs and breaking down rods when out of nowhere Klinkhammer pulled a fish in a way only he could. Reminiscent of our first trip ever to manzanita Klink catches an awesome bow on literally the last cast as everyone watched from the shore, well done dude. Back at camp Red humpy was already on the lake while some joined him others ran down to the creek for some fun. Finishing up the fishing in style with a Prince nymph and Mosquito double then ending on good note or in this case a good dinner of spaghetti and sourdough bread. With our hunger satisfied we told stories old and new while roasting marshmellows sitting around the campfire. Thanks to everyone for making this such a great trip it as awesome to have all the flies there and nice to welcome a new fly to the group, already exited for the next one good times and tight knots on your leaders.

We Are Getting Close!!

With only a month away from our rendezvous at Lassen I decided to compile some pics from years past to in a way remind and revisit in anticipation of this years trip. For as much as I talk up the fishing and camping in my home state of Oregon (and for good reason) there is an area in nor-cal that I hold with such high regard you'd think I was speaking of Oregon. It's a special place that reaches all expectations for a fishing/camping trip, with great mountain scenery, cold and clear flowing streams, lakes, lots of good camping, and of course exceptional fishing. And with the many varied places to fish like hat creek which offers two totally different fisheries, Upper hat contains brooks, rainbows, and browns in clear cold fairly fast moving stream as it makes it's way from mt. Lassen to the town of Cassel it can be considered more of a bait fishery with heavy stocking near the campgrounds and accessible areas, however once away from the heavy traffic areas one can be treated to good fly fishing opportunities in the riffles and runs flowing through arid volcanic scrub land, then it runs to the powerhouse and changes into a wild trout fishery as storied as any in California and one of the true gems of the west. Many notable people from former presidents (Eisenhower) to movie stars (Bing Crosby) and countless others have tried there luck on these difficult waters but for good reason. Even though lower hat isn't what it used to be it's still an amazing place, the riffle and carbon flats sections are arguably the best spots to fish but don't forget there is plenty of other water on this soried stream, then you have manzanita lake the main draw for me scenery, fly-only, big browns nuff said, McCumber lake however is what keeps us coming back year after year, this small mountain reservoir containing the north fork of battle creek is a gem in it's own right we have camped at the walk in site for 4 years now and found it has everything. Location is good and you're within 30 min of all the places we want to fish, has a real short walk to carry in camp, nice fairly quiet camp with a spot to moore the boat right at camp, pretty setting lake and camp and only electric motors is a nice touch too, the fishing can be as good if not better than any other place visited on the trip, and if that's not enough grab your rod and walk to the outlet just 20 or so steps from camp and try at some small browns and bows from battle creek..........ok I can't wait.

5 Flies Update and Fishing Report

Is it May yet.... well no, but it's almost April and that's pretty close... right? Obviously I can't wait til our 5 Flies Lassen trip (43 days and counting), and with trout season right around the corner (April 28th), I'm beginning to feel a recovery from cabin fever already. While thoughts of browns and rainbows gorging themselves on a termite hatch on a warm sunny day with a snowcapped MT. Lassen prominent in the background are in my head reality is it's 35 deg with 15-20 mph winds blowing rain sideways, nope it's still not May. I have made it out to the "Holy waters" a few times and all though the catch rates have been down the ones we have brought to hand have been some pretty nice fish

and these too

Also finished another rod this one with a mid eye wrap and a decorative spiral wrap pretty cool

A New Mariner

So the mariners didn't sign Prince Fielder or any big free agent of note, but thy now have something to show off. The next edition from the Five Flies series is a Mariner dedicated rod built for fellow fly Blue dun. It's a 9' 5wt the blank color is translucent teal with a green cypress wood real seat, and the wraps consist of navy and dark teal trulock thread

First Fish Of The Year (quick report)

Headed out to the Holy waters this morning it was 29deg with freezing fog. Prince nymph, Blue dun, Hares ear, and I got on the water about 10:00 and it was still cold with remnants of the fog still visible, fishing early was slow. But as the fog cleared and allowed the sun to warm the area to the extent of 50deg, we were able to get some fish to move. Bugs were out too, lots of midges and some bwo's also but little or no surface action to speak of. To get to the fish sink and sink-tips worked for us combined with a bd wooly bugger got to the bottom. A slow erratic strip after allowing the fly to reach at or near stream-bed, or swung slowly through deep channels and troughs. Also heard some other folks did real well using a black and silver minnow....interesting? Fishing was not lights out but it was good weather turned out nice even though it is January, yes that's right Jan can't beat that

. That's how we get a little fishing in winter while thinking of summer.

New Logo Design

Blue dun has designed a nice logo and t-shirt design I'll post them as I get them. like to hear what you think so post in the comments below.

On the upper photo- FLY FISH will be replaced with FIVE FLIES

A Rod Wrapping Extra

No fishing for the last few weeks, instead we've added to our arsenal by building a couple rods a 3pc 7ft 4wt and a 4pc 10ft 5wt. Here's some shots for you guys to check out hope you like