Sunday, April 29, 2018

FRC wake up with Mark

Yesterday was my first visit to the FRC this year and it was with Mark, my nephew.  After the usual Rob "number whatever" breakfast at home, we made the drive to Ellensburg.  Water was flat calm with just a very light breeze.  No surface activity visible, but we were there to stalk them. It was about 10:30 when we got started on the water.

We quickly had a small one that grabbed the fly, tail-danced, then broke off--tippet too light or too old--leaving a limp line to reel in.  Several more grabs and brief runs--yes we were farming them, but we are in the farmlands after all--and then we finally got into a rhythm.  We had tried black buggers, purple buggers, fuschia buggers, smaller nymphs and didn't have much early interest.

A fat 21" rainbow--first fish to hand.  Great way to start the season!

As the day warmed up, the fish did too.  We found the most success with green or greenish buggers, weighted.  I used an intermediate line and Mark had a floating line.   I caught all rainbows, with two over 20" and a couple 18-19".  Mark had similar results, but also managed to bring in a couple of brown trout.  We spent two productive hours enjoying the sunshine, the fish, and the friendship--and then had to head back to Wenatchee to pick up kids from school.

Mark adds a nice brown to his tally for the day

I look forward to more visits to the FRC this spring to make up for my lack thereof last year.  My Dad's illness took a toll on our fishing trips there together, though as I started on the water with Mark it brought to my memory my last time there last spring--it was the last time I went fishing with my dad at the club.  Good memories!