Definitely God's country 🙏. Beautiful area, so tranquil. We've had many fantastic times fishing the beautiful river in Trinity, CA. Thank you for sharing this fantastic video. God bless 🙏
I have some serious mend envy! That’s the way it’s done. What a perfect display you offer, PD. I also love that you humanize yourself in your videos. Sometimes you’re absolutely slaying fish, making us fly fishing mortals feel bunglingly incompetent. And then there are the vids of yours like this one where we’re left believing that we’re not all that bad, after all. I appreciate your humility, as well as your evident passion for the art of fly fishing and sport of the catch. Keep teaching and we’ll keep watching.
@@fishingwithdrake8090 Thanks for the heads up, PD! I will most certainly come check you out...and subscribe, of course! If ever you're looking for a companion on one of your NorCal adventures...hit me up! Pretty sure we'd hit it off just fine. I'm a long-time flyfisherman with a cabin up in Northwest Montana (Flathead country). I promise I wouldn't hold you up! lol Love your channel and have sent many of my buddies your way. I also follow you on IG and love all of your content. Keep it up! -Ryno (Ryan)
I loved fishing back home in North Carolina Been in weaverville for a year now and still haven’t fished looking to get into it just don’t know what lures to get and what species there are to catch
Steelhead and salmon will pretty much be your options. Mainly small trout in the smaller feeders creeks around there. I think some of the large reservoirs have good trout and bass fishing though.
I haven't watched the whole video yet, but I think it's very cool how you use tags instead of tying to the hook bend, even for large flies. I'm sure the same rigging would work great for fishing two midges, because the idea of tying anything to the hook of a size 20-22 midge would probably limit that midge's freedom of movement like crazy. Thanks a lot!!
Great video and everyone should be on your blog. Very detailed and valuable information. I have subscribed to your videos for a while now but I do appreciate your extra effort in documenting the area, flies and technique. I was just on the Trinity in early November and was curious if your remember the CFS during your trip last year? Thanks!
Thanks Anthony! Greatly appreciate the positive feedback 🍻 It was around 300-325 cfs when I fished the Trinity last year. How did your trip go on the Trinity? I almost went there but was worried about the road closures there.
@@purpledrakefishing it was the first week of November. We had a cabin on the Klamath and the water was high and unfishable in the lower river. Our last day, we cut out early and fished the lower river near Hoopa. It was big water (around 3,000 cfs) but good color. Landed 6-7 half pounders in a full day of fishing. No adults. A lot of grabs and the fish were chromed. I was swinging flies and it would have been a lot better indicator fishing. We got caught in the road closure after a tree blocked the road and took out power. Let’s just say the country road to bypass the issue and get to Weichpec was a nightmare!
@@anthonyfabiano4827 Sounds like another bad year on the Trinity in terms of fish returns? Last year I recall it was poor and I felt pretty lucky to have hooked into 2 adults. The fishing reports on the Redding Fly Shop sound too optimistic imo.
@@purpledrakefishing the fish reports do sound too optimistic! We spent some time talking with a Hoopa tribe member that manages a large section of the river and he actually said the run we were at had record salmon and steelhead the month before. Last year on the Klamath, the peak seamed to be much earlier. I’m starting to think the October rule of thumb is becoming an earlier event. It’s a long drive to be throwing darts at the calendar!
Hi PD. I'm wondering if you have tried with any success any perdigon or Klinkhamer flies in your Nor Cal travels. Also, don't recall seeing you with streamers ever. Thanks. Tight lines!
Hi Pat, I haven't tried yet the perdigon style nymphs but I plan on tying some soon. I haven't tried the Klinkhamer either, but I like the half in-half out way it rides the water. I sometimes streamer fish but rarely anymore. I spent one year just fishing streamers exclusively a while back and I am decent at it. I do plan to start fishing them again this year.
@@purpledrakefishing Hey Purple. I've got some Klinks coming and I'm going to give them a try on the Lower Yuba and maybe the Upper Sac. I'll let you know how it goes. Same with the Perdigons.
Hi Len, It was a 9' leader that I made that had 5' of 8lb fluorocarbon line (Seaguar brand) for the bottom section. I can't quite remember exactly, but I think the top section was made out of 2' monofilament line of 15lb Maxima and 2' of 12lb Maxima monofilament. For my nymph rigging I had a 5" tag section as the dropper which was tied off of a surgeon's knot, and then 22" below that knot was my bottom fly.
Does it really matter what kind of fly irritant you use on fish that are not feeding? I fish hardware on steelhead and just about anything will work. The trick is fishing where people haven't fished that day.
Totally agree about finding fishing where other people haven't (check out my Putah Creek video where I was able to cross and fish the other side after the flows had come down). For salmon/steelhead, I think the reason why a lot of the flies from the traditional to the today, are flashy and have bright colors are to trigger that bite when it passes in front of them. My favorite hardware lure when fishing for salmon/steelhead is the Blue Fox spinner, blue color (#4).
Ah man, way to keep a good attitude. I was thinking about heading up that way, maybe I'll let a few storms come through and see if that moves some steelhead up the river.
@@purpledrakefishing moving up to the klamath might need me a ride on a drift boat. I read there is a big brown population closer to lewiston, do you think that would be worth checking out?
@@driftstone I have beard about the resident browns & sea run browns in the upper section below the dam, but I haven't fished up there before and don't know if they are numerous or not. I think if you were to fish the Trinity, the best fishing will be from Steiner Flat upstream to the dam at this time of year. Very bank wader friendly for a fly fisher.
Awesome, PD...! Gorgeous fish. The first fish almost took you into the water! LOL.......Glad your trip was fruitful. Did they take the bugger or the RLegs? Looked cold, but at least no ice on the eyelets! Looking forward to your next video.
Thanks Jon--fish took the Rubber Legs. I backed over a rock that luckily didn't get me completely soaked in the cold water, LOL. My heart was racing during the fight; hours of no action and then wham! what I thought was a snag that turned into a hot fish.
Fished almost every hole and run in this river ! Magical place !
Definitely God's country 🙏. Beautiful area, so tranquil. We've had many fantastic times fishing the beautiful river in Trinity, CA.
Thank you for sharing this fantastic video. God bless 🙏
I have some serious mend envy! That’s the way it’s done. What a perfect display you offer, PD. I also love that you humanize yourself in your videos. Sometimes you’re absolutely slaying fish, making us fly fishing mortals feel bunglingly incompetent. And then there are the vids of yours like this one where we’re left believing that we’re not all that bad, after all. I appreciate your humility, as well as your evident passion for the art of fly fishing and sport of the catch. Keep teaching and we’ll keep watching.
Thanks Ryno, I greatly appreciate the kind words.
Hi Ryno, I have moved! Fishing With Drake is the new channel 🍻
@@fishingwithdrake8090 Thanks for the heads up, PD! I will most certainly come check you out...and subscribe, of course! If ever you're looking for a companion on one of your NorCal adventures...hit me up! Pretty sure we'd hit it off just fine. I'm a long-time flyfisherman with a cabin up in Northwest Montana (Flathead country). I promise I wouldn't hold you up! lol Love your channel and have sent many of my buddies your way. I also follow you on IG and love all of your content. Keep it up!
-Ryno (Ryan)
@@rynoinoaktown8194 For sure! I will be back in Reno this fall 🍻
I loved fishing back home in North Carolina Been in weaverville for a year now and still haven’t fished looking to get into it just don’t know what lures to get and what species there are to catch
Steelhead and salmon will pretty much be your options. Mainly small trout in the smaller feeders creeks around there. I think some of the large reservoirs have good trout and bass fishing though.
Those trinity river fish are just special. Beautiful fish in my definition of gods country.
They truly are! great description! The Trinity Alps is a special place.
I haven't watched the whole video yet, but I think it's very cool how you use tags instead of tying to the hook bend, even for large flies. I'm sure the same rigging would work great for fishing two midges, because the idea of tying anything to the hook of a size 20-22 midge would probably limit that midge's freedom of movement like crazy. Thanks a lot!!
Man beautiful river, drove that many times out to Arcata and the few times i tried it didn't have much luck either. You got skillz! LOL
Thanks Ed. I love the N CA coast. One day I stopped fishing early and drove out to Samoa Beach to see the ocean.
I’m so bad at fly fishing, I love to watch it though so keep it up
Will do!
Gonna be there this tomorrow! Hopefully, the rain brought a few in!
Good Luck on the trip! 🍻
@@purpledrakefishing Thanks! I love your vids bro keep em coming !
Nice, since you’re in that area I’m gonna guess the next location. Klamath?
Thanks--no, didn't fish it but I wish I had. Sounds like there are having a good steelhead run this year.
Nicely Done PD....love the Trinity.
Thanks Vinnie
Great video and everyone should be on your blog. Very detailed and valuable information. I have subscribed to your videos for a while now but I do appreciate your extra effort in documenting the area, flies and technique. I was just on the Trinity in early November and was curious if your remember the CFS during your trip last year? Thanks!
Thanks Anthony! Greatly appreciate the positive feedback 🍻 It was around 300-325 cfs when I fished the Trinity last year. How did your trip go on the Trinity? I almost went there but was worried about the road closures there.
@@purpledrakefishing it was the first week of November. We had a cabin on the Klamath and the water was high and unfishable in the lower river. Our last day, we cut out early and fished the lower river near Hoopa. It was big water (around 3,000 cfs) but good color. Landed 6-7 half pounders in a full day of fishing. No adults. A lot of grabs and the fish were chromed. I was swinging flies and it would have been a lot better indicator fishing.
We got caught in the road closure after a tree blocked the road and took out power. Let’s just say the country road to bypass the issue and get to Weichpec was a nightmare!
@@anthonyfabiano4827 Sounds like another bad year on the Trinity in terms of fish returns? Last year I recall it was poor and I felt pretty lucky to have hooked into 2 adults. The fishing reports on the Redding Fly Shop sound too optimistic imo.
@@purpledrakefishing the fish reports do sound too optimistic! We spent some time talking with a Hoopa tribe member that manages a large section of the river and he actually said the run we were at had record salmon and steelhead the month before. Last year on the Klamath, the peak seamed to be much earlier. I’m starting to think the October rule of thumb is becoming an earlier event. It’s a long drive to be throwing darts at the calendar!
Hi Anthony, I have moved! Fishing With Drake is the new channel 🍻 Hope all is well.
Hi PD. I'm wondering if you have tried with any success any perdigon or Klinkhamer flies in your Nor Cal travels. Also, don't recall seeing you with streamers ever. Thanks. Tight lines!
Hi Pat, I haven't tried yet the perdigon style nymphs but I plan on tying some soon. I haven't tried the Klinkhamer either, but I like the half in-half out way it rides the water. I sometimes streamer fish but rarely anymore. I spent one year just fishing streamers exclusively a while back and I am decent at it. I do plan to start fishing them again this year.
@@purpledrakefishing Hey Purple. I've got some Klinks coming and I'm going to give them a try on the Lower Yuba and maybe the Upper Sac. I'll let you know how it goes. Same with the Perdigons.
I have moved! Fishing With Drake is the new channel 🍻
Got the old channel back--will be posting videos here again!
Love your videos Purp. Question: you use a wooly bugger as a nymph? It’s effective?
I have experimented with it a few times and it didn't seem to be effective.
Hi Johannes, I have moved! Fishing With Drake is the new channel 🍻
I'm a little confused about your leader setup. Can you give me a better explanation of it. Thanks so much
Hi Len, It was a 9' leader that I made that had 5' of 8lb fluorocarbon line (Seaguar brand) for the bottom section. I can't quite remember exactly, but I think the top section was made out of 2' monofilament line of 15lb Maxima and 2' of 12lb Maxima monofilament. For my nymph rigging I had a 5" tag section as the dropper which was tied off of a surgeon's knot, and then 22" below that knot was my bottom fly.
@@purpledrakefishing ahh thanks..that explains it
What fly line are you running
Glad your looking at this river bro! youll love it
It was a 6wt DT Orvis Rio floating line.
Hi CA dry fly, Hope you and your wife are doing well. This is Purple Drake, I have moved--Fishing With Drake is the new channel 🍻
Hey drake me and the wife doing good. Awsome one the name move looked forward to more videos
@@californiadryfly5439 Good to hear 🍻 Tight Lines, PD
love this river
Great day for sure!
Just got here this evening, will be fishing all day tomorrow 🙏🏽
Good Luck! 🍻
Wow nice fish !
Not high in numbers but high in volume.
Does it really matter what kind of fly irritant you use on fish that are not feeding? I fish hardware on steelhead and just about anything will work. The trick is fishing where people haven't fished that day.
Totally agree about finding fishing where other people haven't (check out my Putah Creek video where I was able to cross and fish the other side after the flows had come down). For salmon/steelhead, I think the reason why a lot of the flies from the traditional to the today, are flashy and have bright colors are to trigger that bite when it passes in front of them. My favorite hardware lure when fishing for salmon/steelhead is the Blue Fox spinner, blue color (#4).
ナイス ファイト！
ナイス フィッシュ！
アウトリガーの方が釣れていたんじゃないか？
That first rainbow was a faaatty...
Ah man, way to keep a good attitude. I was thinking about heading up that way, maybe I'll let a few storms come through and see if that moves some steelhead up the river.
I think the Trinity is having a weak return of steelhead this year. If you do go, the Klamath might be a better bet.
@@purpledrakefishing moving up to the klamath might need me a ride on a drift boat. I read there is a big brown population closer to lewiston, do you think that would be worth checking out?
@@driftstone I have beard about the resident browns & sea run browns in the upper section below the dam, but I haven't fished up there before and don't know if they are numerous or not. I think if you were to fish the Trinity, the best fishing will be from Steiner Flat upstream to the dam at this time of year. Very bank wader friendly for a fly fisher.
Awesome, PD...! Gorgeous fish. The first fish almost took you into the water! LOL.......Glad your trip was fruitful. Did they take the bugger or the RLegs? Looked cold, but at least no ice on the eyelets! Looking forward to your next video.
Thanks Jon--fish took the Rubber Legs. I backed over a rock that luckily didn't get me completely soaked in the cold water, LOL. My heart was racing during the fight; hours of no action and then wham! what I thought was a snag that turned into a hot fish.
Take ne
and you wonder why that fish was dead? Quit playing them like that just for fun wtf lol.