Friday, May 1, 2015

Landing Weary Trout in High Winds and High Water

I finally got back on the tailrace today with my fishing buddy Charles. The 3 hours Charles and I had to fish proved to be productive.  We were fishing in high wind with gust in the twenties and some of the highest tailrace water we have fished this year. As we approached the first access point we notice no hatch and a wave covered water surface, so dries were ruled out. There was an occasional sub surface trout scattered in some of the faster runs that both of us normally fished. We decided to tie on a couple of soft hackles and fish the flies just under the surface of the water. The drift would be difficult at times with all the wind; but we were persistent and it paid off.
This rainbow just couldn’t resist Alan’s Soft Hackle. I have really got into fishing soft hackle flies this year. An excellent pattern when trout are sub surface feeding. The drift is critical even on windy days.

Charles with another sub surface bow, a good fight for the 3 weight
One usually walks dry on all these rocks but today we were wading for the entire trip.
My best rainbow this year, giving the 9 ft. 3 weight Greys Hardy fits!!!
This trout made my trip---I know this trout may seem small to you guys, but a trout this size on the Sipsey is special!!!
Charles working this trout to the net
I change my tippet after landing this fatty---one determined rainbow!!
Fishing a tailrace today with water reaching from bank to bank, super clear and a cold 55 degrees made for a special outing for Charles and me.


17 comments:

  1. Enhorabuena por la jornada. Yo siempre he dicho que lo más importante es la presentación de la mosca y su deriva. Más importante que la forma y el color de la mosca.

    Saludos!

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  2. Bill a very nice few hours.
    Glad the flies worked well.

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  3. Wow Bill the water looks nice. Glad to see you hitting the rainbows.

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  4. Looks like a nice day on the tailwater, and when the water's choppy like that, the soft hackles are the ticket. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Very nice! Looks like a very pretty area. Trout really don't live in ugly places, do they?

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  6. Mario
    Sorry I don't understand your comment.

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  7. Lester
    The generators are running when we have heavy rains. Next week should get better, with no rain in the forecast. Thanks for the comment

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  8. Alan
    The Soft Hackle is becoming one of my main go to flies now. Thanks for tying those up for me.

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  9. Howard
    Some of best trout I have landed there. Thanks for the comment

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  10. Walt
    I fish the Soft Hackle alone without a dropper, and no indicator. The tight line method works really well for me. Thanks for the comment

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  11. Phillip
    The Sipsey is a beautiful tailrace to fish. Thanks for the comment

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  12. Hi, Bill. Very nice post! I was going to ask you about a Strike Indicator, but, you answered that in response to Walt. Three weights in fast waster takes a goodly amount of skill. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. Mel
    Tight lining is the ticket with the Soft Hackle, no need for an indicator especially when there is high wind. Once you see the line go set the hook. Thanks for the comment

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  14. What a day! I almost sold my lighter weight fly rods because I really don't use them very often. There a few special days when they were magic though and I look forward to more of them

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  15. Brook
    My light fly rods is the reason I enjoy fly fishing so much; to land a quality trout on a 3 or 4 weight is quick a challenge. Thanks for the comment

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  16. Beautiful fish and water. Sounds like you had a fantastic day on the water.

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  17. Drew
    We are so lucky to have trout in Alabama, especially 20 minutes from my house. Thanks for the comment

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