Bamboo and a break in the smoke

Dave Westburg

Fish the classics
Forum Supporter
IMG_4586.JPG

After being smoked out a couple weeks ago, Speyflyfisher and I walked into a kittitas county high lake today. I fished a 9' Wright and McGill Waterseal 6 weight with a full sinking line and Speyflyfisher fished his Monsos 5 weight and an intermediate line.

IMG_4582.JPG

There were some callibaetis spinners on the water although the bigger fish didn't seem to be looking up. We found healthy cutthroat with big shoulders on subsurface wet flies. This cyclical lake is on the upswing...

Screenshot 2026-08-24 at 8.56.13 PM.png
 
Is that wallet all Carey specials?
This fly wallet is for lakes and Canada. It's got some extra strong wire hooks which I thought I might need because the cutts in this lake can get big and you have to turn them away from snags and logs. The wallet contains scuds...

IMG_4587.JPG

Marabou damsel nymphs...

IMG_4588.JPG

Self bodied Carey specials, Dandy Green Nymphs and a few Hares Ear nymphs...

IMG_4589.JPG


Olive Carey Specials...

IMG_4590.JPG


Black Carey Specials and Claret Carey Specials...

IMG_4591.JPG
 
Nice report Dave.

My 8642 Waterseal is a little faster than my other 8642’s. Do you notice the same in the 9’ Grangers as well when comparing them? No reason for asking, just curious if you’ve noticed the same.
 
Agree with you Greg - the impregnation and the taper makes the Wright and McGill WaterSeal a little quicker than its Granger/Wright and McGill counterpart. John Gierach liked WaterSeals. He called your 8'6" Waterseal "a good, quick, authorative dry fly rod" with a "nice and crisp" action.
 
Agree with you Greg - the impregnation and the taper makes the Wright and McGill WaterSeal a little quicker than its Granger/Wright and McGill counterpart. John Gierach liked WaterSeals. He called your 8'6" Waterseal "a good, quick, authorative dry fly rod" with a "nice and crisp" action.
I’d say Gierach (RIP) nailed it.
 
Dave, gotta' say, your fly tying is remarkable. I've been tying off and on for 42 years now and recognize high level technique and I admire yours. Keep up the posts and the use of your classics. All great stuf
Since my trip with Speyflyfisher I've added some size 12-14 pheasant tail nymphs and hares ear nymphs to my lake fly wallet so I have an option when the fish are looking for callibaetis nymphs.

IMG_4592.JPG
 
Back
Top