Keeping It Real On Christmas
Good morning to all you 'wake up early the day after Christmas and check Missouri River fishing blogs to see what you missed out on yesterday' hardcore anglers. For me, this Christmas was very different than any I had ever had the pleasure of living through thus far. It was the first year I didn't make the long drive or short flight back to the land of cheeses and packaged meats (chalk up another pack attack.) When working the week before and week following Christmas Day, this is where I fortunately had to spend my Christmas. Yes, I missed Mom, Dad, Sisters, Nephews, Aunts,Uncles, Grandma, and the fluff balls, but I didn't miss out on stroking feisty rainbows and browns just south of town.
They all say the tug is the drug, and it was on Christmas day. I met with 'Party' Paul Constandine, and long time Mo. River guide, and hell of a good guy Erik Mondragon at Wolf Creek Bridge, 9 a.m.
The wind was down up at WCB and the temps were hovering around 40. Would we see 50 yesterday like they told us we would? No. I am in no position to complain about wind, because it was indeed tolerable all day. Paul shows up at my place at 8 with no waders, no tippet, no food, no liquids, no gloves, and only one puck of flies. Ulm, closed down, no Quigley's burritos for us, serious bummer. Cascade??? Boarded up of course, no water or beverages for us.
We dunked the boat at 9:15, and I rowed up into the inside slot while Mondragon and Party ran the shuttle.My first bobber drift got wacked by a classic 17' wild bow. Present #1 for me. Mondragon gets in front, Paul loads into the back. I row back into the slot for a real drift thru this time. Wack, wack, wack. Three bows before we get back to the ramp we put in @. Good start. Mondragon and Paul wanted to pull streamers within 100 yards. Paul went 3-4 on streamers right away. Mondragon does 2 for 3.
At this point we could have rowed up to WCB and called it with Christmas smiles, but Mondragon hopped on the sticks. More nymph fish for me, more streamer eaters for Party. I found myself stripping quickly after, and tricked a nice bow immediately. The key to streamer success, which Paul pioneered early in the float, was an ever slow retrieval on floating line. To cut to the chase, we all landed lots of fish, including a stud or two each.
Action was consistent all day with the exception of the tail end of the float. Thank you so much to Mrs.Mondragon for the outstanding Christmas FEAST. I'm still in the middle of a food coma! Can't wait to do it again on the 31st and New Years day. Visit the shop in the next few days, and I'll put you on some Streamers and nymphs which will produce a great day for you.