Hey Guys,

 First I wanted to let you all know that I have decide to change the way I fish. I been thinking about this for a while and this spring I have decided to start fly fishing for trophy trout. I still plan on fishing the same lakes in Central Oregon that I have for the last 25 years, but now out of a float tube. It will be challenging fishing out of a float tube when I am use to covering a lot of water from my boat. My plan is to fish specific areas on the lake and fish them foot by foot instead of making one or two passes trolling plugs. That's my plan anyway. Time will tell if it will work. My goal for the rest of this year is one brown over 5 pounds on a fly. In time I truly believe that I can average the same catch as I did trolling plugs.

 I bought a 10ft, 5wt TFO fly rod. I wanted a 10ft rod for casting out of the float tube. So far I am happy with my choice. My line choice was Scierra HMT. I chose this line because the line is built on a power braid core. Very little stretch is always good. It is a full compensated sinking line with a sink rate of 5ips. The reel is a Ross Rhythm which weighed just over 4oz. It was a tough decision between a pontoon boat or float tube. I went with a float tube mainly because it would fit in the back of my explorer. I went with a Outcast Prowler which has plenty of storage and kept me high and dry over this weekend. Last I got a pair of Navigator Flipfins. It was nice to walk around in my fins before and after launching my float tube.

 When I was planning my first trip in my float tube, I was thinking about fishing a small lake. With another late winter in the cascades this spring most of the high lakes are still frozen or not accessible. So I decided on fishing Crescent Lake. To be honest, Crescent Lake has Yurts available at the campgrounds for only $30 per night. Just about twice the price of a campsite. A pretty easy choice to have a wood stove, bunk beds, couch and to be out of the weather. The forecast was for snow and high winds most of my four day trip.

 I arrived at Crescent Lake Resort around noon on Thursday. I checked in and took advantage of their lunch special before unloading my gear at the Yurt. I decided I would cut some wood so when I got off the water I could get a fire stated fast. My first swing with the axe to cut some kindling went bad. The axe just bounced off the wood and went into my thump. It didn't hurt but my hand was bleeding very bad. After getting the blood to stop. I found that the dull axe did not go very deep into my thump. Having no band aids I made up a bandage using black tape. My mom would be so proud. By the time I was done unloading and dealing with my hand it was already getting late. I loaded up my gear and went down to Tandy bay area. It was snowing at times with a good steady breeze. It had been a few years since I made a cast with a fly rod or was in a float tube. I was glad to be by myself on the water. I fished for a few hours with no luck but felt good about my time on the water. Friday morning I got out late. I put in over 7 hours on my float tube kicking around Tandy Bay and finally got my first hook up. A few small head shakes then a leap out of the water the fish was gone. My first strike gone. Not the way I was hoping it would go. After reeling in my line I found that the fly was gone. I tied on another fly and this time tested my knot. The fly just broke off. The leader I bought was a hybrid leader with a fluorocarbon tippet. The fluorocarbon part of the leader was just junk. Live and learn. That what this trip was for. Saturday morning I awoke to very high winds and the ground covered in snow. I wanted to fish Simax Beach but the waves were white capping, so back to the other end of the lake. This time Tandy bay was blowing also so I went to Rainbow Point. I would kick out past the point and drift with the wind and then kick back in the wind protected area. I did this for a while with no luck. I called it a day because of the weather. It will take some time before I will be comfortable tubing in white caps. Sunday morning was very nice, no wind and sunshine. I only got a few hours on the water before it was time to pack up and head home. Just my luck. I hope to make it out next month for another attempt at a brown trout on a fly.

Jimmy