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

Check Your Calendars

Write in some times that work best for you in the comments bar below, then we'll work to make a date that's good for everybody. For our first trip let's go for mid to late may somewhere, and for later trip(s) I need other months/weeks suggestions as well.Our first trip is set but we have another tie, so when all date suggestions are in we will see if we can't make 3 trips this year. But if we can't work that out we'll vote again between the two tied trips and go from there. Can't wait to get back on the water with all you guys, to good times and tight lines.