guided gift

FrogPond · 01-02-2007, 08:30 AM

My fiance and I received a gift certificate for a one day trip with fly and field in Bend. We are looking forward to the trip, but I don't know what would be the best trip to shoot for.
Any suggestions on a trip conforming to these criteria:
warm weather
increased chance of fighting a fish (or more)
species unimportant
river or lake unimportant (Deschutes, cascade lakes, etc.???)

The fiance hasn't fished much, but is excited about going...I don't want to loose momentum! She has never fly fished, so we will have some yard practice before the big day for sure. Since I have been away from the whip for a few years, I thought it best to ask the guys in the know...YOU!

I appreciate the help...we are really looking forward to this trip!

Thanks!

Two Fister · 01-02-2007, 10:19 AM

Frogpond,
Scott at Fly and Field does a great job up on the High Lakes with beginning fly fishers. Maybe a mid summer trip to East Lake when the Callibaetis are coming off. I know of several people that have had 50+ fish days with him up there. The downside is that I've had it snow on me in July a bunch of times so the weather can play a role any time of year.
TF

srogers · 01-02-2007, 12:12 PM

If you are bringing a non-fisher, I'd do a WS to TC run on the Lower D. Do it after the salmon fly craziness, so you don't have to combat fish and the fiance can kick back and enjoy the sunshine if she isn't into fishing...while you get a guide working you through some of the choice runs and feeding you lunch.

Troutinator · 01-02-2007, 12:29 PM

I'd second the lower deschutes considering the circumstances...

FrogPond · 01-02-2007, 12:30 PM

TF-
I like the idea of her fishing dry flies...Who doesn't love to see the take! Good Idea.
Originally I had thought of a trip down the D, but I wonder about the sucess rate there.

Two Fister · 01-02-2007, 01:07 PM

FP,
They'll do a great job on the D as well. I thought about that too, but even though the fishing is great during the Salmonfly hatch, the flies are really hard for a beginner to cast and the river is so crowded that it can be a real turnoff to somebody that is interested in the estetics of the float as well. Depending on the year the prime time for the hatch can also vary by a couple of weeks so it's pretty easy to miss the real non-stop action.

The fishing on that stretch seems to slow a bit after the Salmonfly hatch until the PMDs and Caddis really get going in force later in June. IMHO, if you want her to see a dry fly get taken it's pretty much an early morning/late evening show. The bright daylight hours are all about nymphing and that can also be really hard for a beginner. You can certainly catch fish on dry flies during the bright daylight hours, but you have to work a lot harder for them and you also have to be able to make longer, more accurate casts with lighter tippets.

That being said, it's one of the prettiest floats around. My wife likes to fish, but she loves floating on the river to just see the sights. She'll bring along a lawn chair to sit in the river and read on the really hot days.

I don't think that you can really go wrong either way! I'd ask Scottie for his opinion. He's a really good guy and he'll let you know what's up depending on what time of year that you want to get out on the river.
TF

FrogPond · 01-02-2007, 02:42 PM

TF-
Thanks for such thought...it is exactly what I was looking for! My Fiance's parents know Scott & his family very well (daycare & business partner with his dad). I am sure he will take care of us

I just wanted to get some other opinions and try to have a clue before I talked to him.
I am a fisherman and I could (have) sit all day in one spot in the freezing rain hoping for one steelhead (a really stupid one) to swim by and get hooked. Then show up the next day to do it all again. I don't want to ruin her with my idea of "fun". I am excited that she is excited to go hang out on the water!!!

Two Fister · 01-02-2007, 03:35 PM

FP,
It's a small world 'cause Glenn (Scotties Dad) was my boss for the first 7 years that I lived in Bend. Katie (Scotties little sister) has baby sat for us before. They're a great family.
I'd just leave it in Scotties hands for sure. He'll definitely put you on the best spot for both fishing and the experience of fishing.
Dan (aka Two Fister)

Redsider · 01-03-2007, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrogPond

Since I have been away from the whip for a few years...

Whip? I could have sworn you had a different name for it last time I fished with you.

What was it again?