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We used to catch Rainbows that big on Taneycomo as a matter of routine: 5-10 lb. Rainbows were COMMON. But as these fisheries mature and stabilize over the decades since they were created by the dam constructions, the Browns become increasingly the "trophy" species and the Rainbows become "Plan B." We catch a LOT of them in between hookups on big Browns. An average Rainbow landed on Taneycomo, for example, is probably 13-17" now. With usually one fish out of about 20 being larger than 17". Nowadays, a 5 lb. Rainbow makes the local fishing news with a photo. But a few times each year, someone really lands a brute. Most of our fish over 5 lbs. are Browns. And a decent angler does have a realistic chance of hooking one of those on each outing if he has good local knowledge of the stream and techniques.
This is pretty much true of the Arkansas streams as well, only their Rainbows are a bit smaller. They stock them smaller. They also stock brookies and cutthroats. And so you can even catch the occassional cut-bow.
The Little Red River has produced a few world records. So have the Norfork and Taneycomo. In fact, they do so every few years...each. The Little Red and Norfork are skinnier water than the White River or Taneycomo (actually White River main channel as well...on the MO side of the border). But these are NOT spring creek size rivers. They are rivers. In many places, we have multiple skinnier channels running through a shoal side by side at low water. And on a video or TV show, fishing one of those channels often gives the impression that one is fishing a small stream. In actuality, those guys are 200 yards out into the river bed. But the Little Red is the skinniest of our really productive trophy trout fisheries over much of its productive beats.
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Doug:
I was the guide on that show. Joe was fishing a black sculpin pattern but at night as long as it imitates a bait fish it really does not matter.
Different areas of the 3 main rivers here offer different forage but all grow HUGE fish. The Little Red is supported by massive moss beds which are full of sow bugs. Those big fish expend very little energy and basically feed all day and night.
The White and Norfork are sculpin and midge fisheries. Sculpins are thick on the bottoms of both river and trout forage on them with abandon. During the day light hours you will see 48 inch fish sipping midges as they lay motionless on the bottom of the river. A 50 pound fish on 7X is just about as usefull as spitting on a forest fire but it's fun to try.
Joe has lost several fish over 20 pounds here now. The first show we shot was about 4 years ago and he missed 4 fish that were pretty well in the 20 pound range. The fish Joe just lost on this last show was waaaayyyy over 20 pounds. In fact it would have probably been in excess of the current world record. To have a fish like that on the line and then let it slip the hook.... Joe was crushed......
John Wilson
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I read that the Arkansas River in Colorado has few rainbows, because the browns eat all the bows that are stocked there.
Poor little guys. :(
On the other hand it makes fat browns. :D
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John,
It's special to have you respond to my Post. I am very impressed by your patience. the FTW show was the second one I have seen of you and Joe.
I think this show was better than the last one, because it showed more balance and information. Showing more daylight fishing helped me see where you were actually fishing.
I think it is a tribute to Joe that he has that kind of determination. I can only wonder what I would do with a 20 pound brown on the end of my line, in the dark! :lol:
Thanks for your efforts and I'm looking forward to watching you again!
Doug :D
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What are you using for vision to flyfish at night? redlight? blacklight?
Are you using a chuck n duck technique and avoiding big casts?
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Rawthumb:
Really even though it is at night you still have some available light to see. I very rarely use a light of any kind since it drastically puts off the fish.
A couple of summer ago I guided a night trip on the Norfork. We entered a public access and walked about a mile to the spot where we wanted to fish. It was on a moonless night with a little cloud cover. We walked in the river since I was more familiar with the river than the potential hazards on the bank.
I told the two guys I was fishing to stay right behind me as we walked and there would be no problem. Since it was their first night trip I think it was a little disconcerting for them to walk in the river waiting to fall into a deep hole, trip on a log, or catch a tree limb in the eye. All the while you could hear the noises of the dark in the woods along the bank. We spooked a heron on the bank which made a loud squack and flew into the air only a few feet away. Even I jumped a little.
We spent the rest of the night catching lots of fish including several good browns. Nothing huge but several good fish over 20 inches. One of the guys caught his largest brown of about 25 inches. When we took a picture the flash killed the fishing for the rest of the evening. Any light at all and our fishing was over.
If you want to learn to night fish you need to learn the post you intend to fish first. Make a few land marks on where the holes are. I will often line up the limb of a tree to find the direction. I'll tie a piece of mono on my fly line at the correct length of footage to the middle of the hole for distance. If you prepare in the day light hours it can lower the stress level of the night considerably.
John Wilson
http://www.flyfishingarkansas.com
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Doug:
By the way if you have an interest in seeing more of those type shows you might contact Barrett Productions and tell them you enjoyed the show. Joe does not have many years left in him so we may not have a chance if we delay for long. We've talked with them in the past about doing another show but I think they are concerned about doing the same thing more than once.
John Wilson
http://www.flyfishingarkansas.com/
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John,
I understand that Barrett productions doesn't want to duplicate shows. In my opinion it isn't duplicating if it's the next season.
Also a fisherman like Joe Humphreys needs to be on those FTW shows because we lose veteran flyfishers all the time and he is a good example for us.
Thanks for your efforts in doing a show about fishing for browns at night. Filming during the day is all we ever see on Fishing shows.
My prediction, John, is THAT show should increase your bookings.
Doug :D
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Hi Doug - I for one thought those two episodes of FFTW were the most exciting fly fishing shows I've ever seen. I wish you could see the "fire" in Joe's eyes when he talks about that huge fish he lost at the end of the 2nd show. It haunts him like you wouldn't believe! John Wilson is right about there not being a whole lot of time left for Joe Humphreys to complete his quest for the 20lb brown, and I encourage anyone that would like to see another episode (or more) of that quest to send John Barrett an email at:
frontdesk@barrettproductions.com
Let John Barrett know that you'd like to see the quest continue. Your opinion counts :!: .......Ed
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I talked with Joe last night about the World Championships in PA this year. He's ready to come back here and give it another shot.
Norm McClean might be haunted by waters but Joe is haunted by the one that got away.
John Wilson