Guide Trip w/ Howard & Dubber
- July 22nd, 2010
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Day 1 – We started our first day with “chocolate clear” water from unexpected rainfall up north. I thought to myself – this will be a real challenge for the Oregon & Nebraska natives (this being their first time to Iowa) however on days like this you just have to approach it with the mind set that the fish are there and if we can get the right fly at the right depth and close enough to see, we will catch a few tight lines. Howard had just come from fishing in Montana and his skills where very sharp. Dubber was new to fly fishing, but after a few casts into his second hole, he showed great potential and a soft, easy cast. We started to catch fish using what I call the “special one” – aka the “Green Weenie”. size 22. Fish are creatures of their environment- as long as the conditions of the water stay the same for at least 24 hours they will adapt and find food, when the sudden change happens they tend to hold and cover until they adjust to the water conditions. Lucky for us the fish were starting to adjust and they were finding our flies. We fished most of the day with the “Green Weenie” and a BH FPT. We concentrated on the faster water and long tailing drifts catching some fish on the up swing of their drifts. It was a gorgeous day and Howard and Dubber worked very hard on honing their skills to the stream. We ended up catching more then enough fish for a days worth and trading some stories about our love for the outdoors, the beautiful North East Iowa scenery, and of course Nebraska/Big Ten football.
Day 2: I decided to take them to a stream that was a little smaller then our 1st day, but had a more intimate feel and was great for a half day trip. We spent the morning on the clear water and had alot of the same results. I put their casting skills to test a couple of times into some tight drifts against banks and they met every challenge. Dubber caught a “double” on one stretch (2 fish on 2 separate flies on one single drift) – unfortunately the bigger fish got off before the landing, but he still managed to get both fish up to the bank before the bigger one got off – very common in a double. Howard showed his ability to make long precision casts near small pockets holding fish – I will have to say it was fun just watching him cast. We ended our day at lunch time and I was thinking to myself – I wish we had all day because these two guy’s were great to fish with.
I considered it a privelage to fish with these two guy’s. I could tell they really enjoyed being around each other and I would be glad to fish with them any day. Howard had a great love for flyfishing and Dubber was an avid outdoorsman – kindred spirits that landed in the Driftless Region to Flyfish. Thanks Guy’s – I look forward to fishing with you again next year. -Ethan
Ethan was a fine guide and a joy to fish with. Howard and I will be back. to fish with Ethan. I was loned a fly rod because I did not own one at the time, but I hope and plan to have one by the time I hit those beautiful streams again. Thanks again for a wonderful time.
Thanks for the kind words Ethan, and your guidance on your great streams.
I made it to Miami just in time for Tropical Storm Bonnie but the weather should be better by Saturday. We truly enjoyed the chance to fish with you and will most definitely be back soon. Your intimate knowledge of the area’s streams made our “job” that much easier. It still amazes me that such small water harbors such a great fishery. Congratulations again to you and your wife on the upcoming birth of your child.
Take care,
Howard Stern
Portland, OR