Dusty Rhodes streams

wildtrout2

wildtrout2

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 19, 2009
Messages
5,758
City
Montgomery County, Pa
I have watched a few of Dusty's more recent videos, where he's catching his typically big wild browns. But, some of these same streams are also producing some really big, apparently stocked rainbows. It seems strange to me that a stream holding these big wild browns, and in some cases good numbers of them, would be getting stocked at all. I could be wrong, but I believe most of the streams he's catching these big wild browns on are private waters. I have NEVER seen another fisherman on ANY of the streams he fishes.
I'm curious to hear what others think might be going on with these streams?
 
It’s the area of the state he’s in. There’s big rogue Browns all over the place, just in small numbers. I can’t even the imagine the hours and miles he puts in to catch the ones he does. I’ve ID’d some of them. There’s nothing special about them. Some of the ones I’ve ID’d are private, but some are public. Some are stocked, some aren’t. Some are club stocked. Again, it’s the area he’s in. There aren’t a lot of wild fish necessarily, but there are some big Browns. I’m not convinced all the Browns he’s catching are wild, many are, but if they’re that big, they might as well be either way.

Edit: He’s using very specific techniques, in very specific micro-locations to catch these fish. He doesn’t catch a lot of fish like the Frank Nale guys or some of the better Brookie guys on here do. He’s not all that great of a caster with a spin rod either. Across the spectrum of all spin anglers, yeah, he’s good, but I’ve fished with guys who are better, more accurate anyway. His biggest skill is his brain. He understands where these fish are, and when, and why they’re there.
 
Last edited:
Let's not forget that bows show up many miles from where they are stocked, so just because they are being caught by Dusty doesn't mean that they are always necessarily stocked there. No doubt that he catches some big fish, and if that is your M.O., more power to ya.

Just remember one thing about the public. Most of them only fish places that are stocked. Most of them are lazy. Most of them quit fishing within one month of the opener. And even if Dusty runs into people in his footage and fishing, he might choose not to show that part to us.
 
Swattie87 said:
It’s the area of the state he’s in. There’s big rogue Browns all over the place, just in small numbers. I can’t even the imagine the hours and miles he puts in to catch the ones he does. I’ve ID’d some of them. There’s nothing special about them. Some of the ones I’ve ID’d are private, but some are public. Some are stocked, some aren’t. Some are club stocked. Again, it’s the area he’s in. There aren’t a lot of wild fish necessarily, but there are some big Browns. I’m not convinced all the Browns he’s catching are wild, many are, but if they’re that big, they might as well be either way.

Edit: He’s using very specific techniques, in very specific micro-locations to catch these fish. He doesn’t catch a lot of fish like the Frank Nale guys or some of the better Brookie guys on here do. He’s not all that great of a caster with a spin rod either. Across the spectrum of all spin anglers, yeah, he’s good, but I’ve fished with guys who are better. His biggest skill is his brain. He understands where these fish are, and when, and why they’re there.
Click to expand...
We've talked about this privately. I agree with you 1000%. I was able to figure out some of his locations too with a lot of online legwork. That said, he won't ever run into me. That's his niche, and mine is mainly native/wild mountain trout. I definitely respect his game though. Mepps Anglia #3 (gotta have red tubing) or custom tied streamer jigs by his friend 🤙
 
Yep, I’ve fished that area of the state a good bit, both before and after learning of his videos. There is nothing special about the streams he’s fishing (in comparison to any other stream up there I mean). He’s looking for habitat. Potentially different kinds of habitat at different times of the year.

There’s a couple places where I can reliably catch numbers up there, but for the most part, it’s exactly what you see in his videos. Lots of nothing, followed by brief glimpses of chaos.

I have a theory that Dusty is among us on PAFF. If I’m right, and you’re ready, find a way to show us.
 
The man, the myth, the legend. At least he uses a net now and de barbs his hooks. He has improved a lot in his fish handle skills over the years. He builds on past data and returns to the same holes and catches the same fish multiple times. He has the pattern dialed in and then uses that to find new streams and holes. He also is not against drifting a bit of worm on a hook when he needs to. Low density streams make fewer but larger trout. Selective editing of the videos to only show the action, remove most of the "where am I fishing" evidence and also any interactions with on stream anglers. He also does not post the driving miles, the days skunked, or the streams that are not producing. It is impressive, sure. That's his thing. More power to him.
 
sixfootfenwick said:
I think he is the best spinner fisherman in the state and possibly the country.
Click to expand...
With all due respect, I beg to differ. IMO, FrankTroutAngler has this dubious distinction, hands down. Dusty is quite good with the BIG wild browns, but as far as all around wild trout success with the spinners, FTA easily takes top spot. And, FTA doesn't resort to using worms. 😉
 
Last edited:
wildtrout2 said:
With all due respect, I beg to differ. IMO, FrankTroutAngler has this dubious distinction, hands down. Dusty is quite good with the BIG wild browns, but as far as all around wild trout success with the spinners, FTA easily takes top spot. And, FTA doesn't resort to using worms. 😉
Click to expand...
I don't go by numbers but consistent quality.
Also not acting like a hammerdick about it, gives extra points.

Special thanks to dudemanspecial for that wordsmith.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20250424-181544.png
    Screenshot_20250424-181544.png
    166.6 KB · Views: 53
wildtrout2 said:
There's no diversity to Dusty's fishing. Big browns, period. FTA catches native brookies, wild browns, and has unreal numbers of wild tiger trout to his credit. Did I mention he doesn't use worms?
Click to expand...
I use a different metric. I just disagree. I find his methods more interesting and thought provoking.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Montana Angler Fly Fishing
Montana Angler Fly Fishing
Harman's North Fork Cottages


Real Time Data From
the USGS Site

Share this page

Back
Top