Dr. Bill Young and I finally found a day that we could share his Marlon and get out on the water. The weather was less than perfect but we decided to make a dash to Beaver Lake that is a bit west then south of Caroline. It was pouring rain in Red Deer but if the weather radar was accurate, there was a window of opportunity. We got on the water and had an enjoyable day out on the water. We set up in several areas and were fly fishing with leeches hoping the boatman/backswimmer action would get going. We kept trying different depths and areas but the fly fishing was slow. We caught trout but the lake was not very active. Few fishermen caught anything all day!
Our intel told us that the lake was fishing well but later in the afternoon. For us and others on the lake the anticipated boatman/backswimmer action was sparse. Sigh!
What got us into several fish was hanging a size 14 Flashback Pheasant Tails about 3-5 feet below an indicator along edges/ drop offs. The Flashbacks were slightly modified with a red bead and biots for legs.
Dr. Bill has a 14 foot Marlon. It is a joy to fly fish out of the Marlon. The boat is incredibly stable and comfortable with lots of room for gear. I hope to get one soon!
As we packed up, I talked to several fishermen who told us, "We should have been there yesterday and the day before." Sigh!
It was a pleasure to fly fish with my friend today. Also, the weather radar was accurate. We had light showers here and there but for the most part it was just an overcast, cool day!
...also, if you go, be sure to have some flying ant patterns with you as well!
