March 9 - Weber River

I decided several days ago that I didn't care if it was a full out blizzard I was going to do some fishing for my birthday. I was in a fishing drought and had not seen the waders since Thanksgiving. It was past time.

I did some work in the morning and made it to the Weber around 3pm. Water is really low and slightly off color. Almost like the water managers have it artificially low trying to hold water for the summer. The off color-ness was most likely due to the rain/sleet that had been falling most of the day in varying degrees of severity.

I did some screening and was surprised to see a lot of big Yellow stoneflies with a mix of smaller Brown stoneflies and thousands of midge larva. I did not note even one caddis or sow bug and I thought that was really odd. I did see some blue wings in the screen but not as many as I hoped. In fact I thought the weather might have the blue wings in a little hatch but it never happened.

I went about to fishing and quickly picked up a small (10") rainbow on a zebra midge. After that it went totally silent. I switched rigging numerous times and even re-screened to confirm what I thought should be happening. But alas... nothing.

As the sunlight faded I began working my way back upriver to the car. Hopes of some browns at dusk were being dashed at every hole. I was figuring that I was just rusty and out of the fishing mojo as I made it to the final hole before I would leave the river. Like serendipity shining down through the sprinkling rain - it happened. The take was almost impossible to see but I had been focused on setting EVERY movement my indicator was making. I thought I had a Whitefish because the fish ran deep and shook its head. After a minute or so I thought perhaps I had the fish foul hooked because I just couldn't turn the fish towards me.

After another minute the fish tired and I stepped out to make the netting. First glance at the fish and I knew I had it in the mouth and boy did I have a good Brownie. It took 2 more tries to get him in the net and it was birthday wish come true.

I found a patch of snow for the picture (since I was alone), and a quick measure. I think the pictures speak for themselves.














In almost the same spot last year I caught a nearly as big Cutthroat, so I think the Weber is doing okay. It goes through some tough low water at times but you can see how the Blue Ribbon status of the middle section is beginning to pay off. Naturally this pig went right on back so I can fool him again another day.

In the mouth baby......