The Purple Haze Blew My Mind!

I went to Willow Creek on Thursday for probably one of the last fishing trips this year. The weather didn't look like it was going to cooperate and right when we arrived it started pouring buckets of rain. But as soon as the rain started it was over and the sky and stream stayed clear the entire evening. I started with the StonedHopper but only caught a few fish in the first few likely spots. But when I switched to a #14 Purple Haze the fish started slamming it kamikaze style. Fish were completely jumping out of the water for the fly. By the end of the night I caught over 50 fish in less then 4 hours. They were never larger then 11", but fun nonetheless.

I'd like to thank the guys from Fishtech for taking the time to help me round-up all the materials for this fly. I went to about three other shops before ending up at Fishtech and no one prior could help me out. For those unfamiliar with the Purple Haze, it's basically a Parachute Adams with a purple Flex-Floss body. I sometimes add a dubbed thorax of purple dubbing mixed with UV Pink Ice Dub.

Non-Violent Crisis Intervention

I attended a four day training in SLC this past week to be a certified Non-Violent Crisis Intervention instructor for my agency. I hoped to mix business with pleasure and fish as much as possible working around the training schedule. As I drove up, I planned to fish Willow Creek, but severe thunderstorms changed this plan. But I was able to find a break in the storm and semi-clear water on Fremont Flats. I was excited to fish my newly repaired 3wt. The Stoned Hopper was the preferred method and with a dozen fish under my belt in a hour, I moved on.

After the first day of training, Craig met me in downtown SLC and we headed to the cabin outside Oakley, UT. The water dropped at least 12" since the beginning of July. We were still able to find willing fish, but not as many as last time. I caught most of my fish in a para-Adams, but my largest Cutt fell victim to the Stoned-Hopper.

I wasn't able to get out and fish again until the trip home. I chose Fremont Flats as my playground, but the water had a lot of chocolate milk mixed in making it less productive. I threw the Stoned-Hopper and streamers picking up fish 50/50 on both methods.

Family Cabin Fishing Fun

We were able to make it to Katy's family cabin outside Oakley, UT a few weeks ago. It was a wonderful experience and great to watch Katy master her skills. She still hadn't had a phenomenal day of fly fishing up to this point. We went out the evening before and Katy was able to hook a few small Brookies and Cutts. But the next afternoon the heavens opened. With five other family members fishing the same small run, Katy hit a streak and caught some very nice fish on my Stoned-Hopper. It was a great setting for Katy to have all the elements come together.


Katy's brother Sam rocked some hammer pants and also found some willing participants. I'd like to use the excuse I was helping the others get into fish and giving up the best spots. But my fishy-juju was off and I only managed a few fish to hand. It must have been the whitefish slaughter I put on the morning before fishing the Upper Weber that gave me bad karma.

I've spent much of my fishing time this summer with my family. I've really enjoyed sharing my passion of fly fishing with Katy and Connor. I'm not sure how many more trips I'll get under my belt this year, but I have many fond memories to keep me going through the next year of school and new baby .