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[KLX]

We rafted the Thompson over a couple days during the long weekend. Water was prime for rafting and happy to see a few new harder rapids created since last year. friday was the perfect scenario in every way, weather was optimal, water conditions excellent, some hatches coming off. Some sockeye showing though almost all were dark. Saturday summer went away, stormy, low pressure, gusty wind. Sunday was mixed cloud and sun, also windy.
Tonnes of sockeye can be seen staging in the rough sections just past hyak rafting camp, this should push fresh fish up into the fishable sections as we speak.
We only got one sockeye, and the trout fishing SUCKED. I was able to rise and move fairly nice trout all weekend but they were so passive in their strikes. I'd get fish roll over a dry or tap at a streamer but they rarely took it in their mouths like they would have earlier in the summer.

GF exprienced fishing for the first time and out fished me catching 3 trout in 30 minutes, landing a nice 16"er for the skillet.

I'd stay off the Big T for 2 more weeks...

[cohojoe]

You should have waited until I gave you some sockeye egg artificial flies ;  truly for fly fishing.    Trout bite these like candy.   Swift bites because the trout are mortal enemies of the salmon when they are both on the redds or on the way to the spawn.    Dead drift the eggs behind the last salmon of the school.    You will see a flash of silver grab the artificial egg fly and the fight is on.   Jeff

[RalphH]

Trout spawn in the spring and sockeye in the fall so it has nothing to do with "mortal enemies" or competition for redds. Trout eat salmon eggs because eggs are a superb source of protein and fat. Eggs help trout fatten up for winter.

[Hooks_of_Fury]

i think hey was talking about the trout trying to sneek in and steel eggs and thats why there enemies. salmon will attack trout

[cohojoe]

yes ;  that is what I was trying to say.   Not that trout and salmon eat each others fry on occasion.   I was fly fishing in the Bella Coola river and the Atnarko rivers  a decade ago and witnessed such action.    A  trout would be following the salmon's tails really close and then dart around and bump the salmon's  belly.   Out would pop some eggs and  gulp goes the trout.   The male salmon ; upon  seeing this happen goes beserk and chases the trout .   Sometimes the salmon bites the trout and that is something else to behold.     

[RalphH]

salmon also bite each other.  Bucks chase other bucks and even fight. I've always been skeptical of the tummy bump theory -and tend to think the trout dart in as the doe releases eggs. Loose eggs are far easier fair when the redds are crowded anyway - streams like the Adams will be carpeted with dead eggs once the spawning gets rolling.

[hawg hunter]

Went up o the Thompson for an overnighter on Sunday afternoon. Got into a few trout, broke off a couple still trying to get used to the switch rod.
The river is sure much lower than it was in the summer. By about 8 feet or so.
As an aside has anyone had any problems with flies from Outdoor Outfitters. This is the second trip where I have been casting and all that come back is the eye of the hook tied to my tippet. The rest of the hook broke off??? Not just one but several flies.

Here is a picture of one of the nicer trout I picked up.

[BwiBwi]

Outdoor Outfitters sells cheap stuff.  Had too many of that problem, I only buy at Berrys and Hatch Match'r now.  Save some agony.

[cohojoe]

Where did those Flies from outdoor outfitters come from ?   We only buy the best .    WetFllies  company  from winfield.   I have been buying these for commercial  re sale  since 1993 ish.     The guy is the son of the  Umpqua Flies creator ;  Black.      We have no complaints from the Alaska lodges to my Japanese store customers.    Only on a rare occasion do we get a bad batch.   

[hawg hunter]

Hey Cohojoe, I am not sure where the flies came from. I bought some for Bull trout fishing and out of 6 only one did not break at the eye. On this trip to the Thompson (totally different flies)I must have lost at least 8 if not more. After the first batch I went back to the store and was told I had to come back to talk to the Manager. I didn't have time and the next time I went back trying to get the 4 individuals who worked there away from each other was next to impossible. Could not tell who was the Manager?? They do have a great selection but service well that is another question. I prefer to go to my favourite fly shop but it is a bit of a drive and I work really close to Wholesale outfitters.

[cohojoe]

we rarely hear of flies breaking that way.   However here is possibility for why they are breaking.    Are the flies touching / hitting rocks behind you during casting ?   Even the slightest touch at fly cast speed would weaken the hook and just your luck ;  you hook a 4 pound trout and click.    the hook breaks at the weak spot caused by impact on the rocks.    It happened to me once when i   hit a  sign behind me while casting at beach .    Then the hook broke at the curve near the point

[hawg hunter]

Hey cohojoe, the rock issue was exactly what I was concerned of as well, however, the majority only got one roll cast out and came back with only the eye of the hook. Also, they were many different sizes and patterns and two seperate trips. I do agree with you on the hitting the rocks thing. I would expect what you said to happen.

[cohojoe]

keep all those broken hooks and show the store manager.   it would be interesting to hear what they say.    We would never make flies commercially with sub standard hooks or materials.   it takes the same amount of time to tie with good materials as it does with bad materials.

[hawg hunter]

Thanks cohojoe, The first batch, I didn't keep any of the eyes. Just chalked it up to a bad batch. The second trip I only kept a couple I think. I do plan on going back but don't think they will do much. Myfirst attempt had me sent away. Its hard enough to get anyone in the store to help you let alone try to return something. But hey, will giver a try.