Saturday, September 21, 2013

Dead Drifting Nymphs in Pocket Water


How many of you guys like to fish pocket water with a little depth? Well that was the ticket for Thursday’s trip to the Sipsey Tailrace. I skipped the usual areas where a lot of the guys fish and went directly to some deep pocket water with submerged logs and large boulders. I choose the Seal Leech again today, because I felt I needed the extra weight of the beadhead to descend right below the current drop. There was nothing fancy here; just letting the Leech dead drift towards the edge of the current and dropping into the pocket. After a few short hits, I finally made a connection, this time with the maroon Leech. I tried the grey color today but couldn’t attract any interest, so tying on the maroon pattern proved that color really matters.
The deep pocket in this run right below the log make it an excellent place to hold quality rainbow. I saw some trout in access of 14 to 16 inch here, but no takers.

This nice rainbow was using the pocket to inhale anything coming its way. In this case it was the maroon Leech. The grey Leech was getting attention in the form of short hits, which cause me to tie on the maroon pattern. This trout was quite a test for the 3 wt. especially against the current.


These colorful rocks can be found in the shallow areas of the tailrace. Both rocks made it home with me and now have a new place to rest in my rock fountain.


 Numerous ferns line the banks up and down the tailrace
Another nice bow from the log pocket on the maroon Leech. All the takes came as I slowly worked the Leech back to me. Notice I am not handling any of these trout.
I just had to stop at this spot on my way back to the truck, and see if a dry could muster a hit. I waded out a few feet from the steps that take you back up the hill to the truck. I was about ready to leave after ten minutes of casting, when I had a subtle take with the size 16 Parachute Adams. 

There was absolutely no dry action at all when I arrived and none when I left, with the exception of this trout. I got the perfect drift for this take, which lead me to believe their would more bows landed today on the dry, but it was not to be. Notice I didn't handle any of these trout today, my next post will address why.
 
 
 

 

8 comments:

  1. Hi Bill, those look like some healthy fish. I'm anxious to hear why you didn't touch any of the fish although that's certainly a good thing. Glad you got out and posted some pictures, I'm missin' my fishin'!

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  2. Well, I am curious as too why Howard and Mark are curious? Not handling the fish is not easy to do necessarily when releasing all your fish. So, I will be waiting to see how you did it. Oh, agree with Howard on the fact that fishing is a sad state of affairs where I live.

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  3. Howard
    I finally get to fish the tailrace for trout for a change. With all the generation going on it is about time I have a little trout fishing time. thanks for the comment

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  4. Mark
    Just use the forceps to release and never touch the trout. thanks for the comment

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  5. Mel
    I have started using the forceps to release the fly from the mouth of the trout. I try to work the fish into a small puddle of water at the stream edge and release the fly from the mouth and gently nudge the trout back in the water. thanks for the comment

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  6. Great looking trout. what kind of reel are you using? it is very nice!

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  7. J
    The reel is a G-Loomis which is not made by Loomis anymore. I have 3 of these reels, because of the lightness and free spool. Free spool means that this reel can take up lots of line at your feet in a hurry by spinning the face of the reel. I am so impressed with this reel and wish G-Loomis would bring it back. thanks for the comment

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