top of page
Writer's pictureBMO

Take a balanced (leach) approach to fly fishing

Updated: Oct 5, 2021


Bill Matthews Outdoors
First fish in my new Hobie Pro Angler 360

It is March in the Pacific NW and water temps are just starting to approach 50 degrees. We have had a few days of unusually nice weather so I decided it was time to take out my new kayak and see if I could catch some fish.


After reviewing all my options I finally decided on trying a trout lake in south central Washington that I know should warm up early.


This was may maiden voyage in my new Hobie Pro Angler 360 kayak so I figured that even if the fish were not biting, it would be a good time to get to know the new kayak.


I got a late start and did not get to my destination until about 1:00pm. I unloaded my new kayak, attached the fish finder, and other gear and was ready to head out. I shoved off from the launch and started the learning process of a peddle kayak. I must say that I love it, even though it is weird not having a paddle in my hands, the fishing capabilities of this kayak are incredible! I will write more about the kayak in a later post.


I started out using a black wolly bugger under an indicator for about an hour. I had a few takes, but nothing really committed and I did not land any fish. I was beginning to think that maybe I was just too early and it was going to be a slow day.


Bill Matthews Outdoors
My Balanced approach to today!

It was time for a change so I looked in my fly box and reviewed my choices. I saw a reddish green balanced leach that I had purchased from the Reno Fly Shop a few months ago and it looked promising so I tied it on. On my very first cast, my indicator not only went under…in shot off and changed directions before I knew what was going on. I set the hook and landed a nice rainbow. I’m not sure if it was the red/green color or the fact that it hung horizontally, but either way I knew that I was on to something.


A few cast later I hooked a really nice fish. It took off and all I could do was hang on as my line screamed off the spool. I fought the fish for about four minutes before it finally came unhooked. It was really nice fish.


Bill Matthews Outdoors
Lots of action on the balanced leach!

For the next two hours I caught fish after fish. it was a great run, and apparently I had the right fly. Days like this are few and far between, and I was very happy to escape all the crazy talk about the coronavirus and just enjoy a day on the water.


The bite finally died off so I peddled my way back to the launch, trolling my fly behind my new Hobie 360. As I was approaching the launch my rod doubled over and I landed one last beautiful rainbow.


One last trout for the road!

It was an incredible day and a great way to realize that the world is still good!


Thanks for reading,


Bill

bottom of page