Posted ByMatt on December 23, 2003 at 01:24:44:
We fished Black Gulch again on Saturday. Came in on the 4x4 road from Keyesville. Overcast and cool, not much wind. I was encouraged by Chris' reports of the lower river lately, and brought the flygear. Started out with a BH Hare's Ear, and immediately lost it to a tree. Tied on another, and was actualluy able to fish a few casts before losing it again. Tried an Olive Matuka, olive seemed to be the color a couple of weeks ago. Again managed only a few casts before losing it also. Remembered Richard's post about the egg patterns, and tried an egg sukking leech pattern. No luck-dead drifted, on the swing, stripped back, nothing. Karen was using the spin gear, and could not coax a strike as well. Saw some mayflies coming off at around 1:30, saw a couple of rises, and decided to try something different. I was fishing a fast sink line, so I tied on a Royal Wulff to fish wet. First cast got me my first fish, a nice 12" rainbow. Next cast also got me another fish, about the same length, but a little thicker. Karen was having no luck, so about a half hour later we decided to head out. Drove up to Halfway, where we have been getting into a lot of fish the last few weeks. We fished for about an hour, until nearly dark, but I could only manage 1 more fish, about 11". Karen had one nice fish on, but he got off after a short fight. The Royal Wulff was the only thing to get fish, Wolly Bugger, Hare's Ear, Matuka, and Panther Martin spinner all came up empty. Matt