Just when you think you have
this trout fishing solved, it throws you a curve ball. My trip last Thursday
proved that I have some more work to do in learning water reads, and matching
fly patterns, with a particular hatch. The hatch was a few tiny flies, which I
haven’t a clue as to the name, flying around most of the morning. When I say tiny I am referring to a fly
pattern in size 22 range; I know the following phase is a familiar theme with
you guys “nothing was happening on top”, with the exception of an occasional
sip at the surface once every 20 to 30 minutes. I tried to match the hatch with
a tiny Gnat, Renegade, and a tiny PMD; knowing I was convinced that these series of flies were what the trout should be eating. These trout this day was going to show me that they had no interest in anything dry and wanted me to offer them something a bit more appetizing. So the process of elimination begin.
This area is moss covered and
always has trout early and late in the day. I decided to give the run a try because
I had landed a couple of trout here 3 weeks ago. So with the Zebra Midge tied
on and using an indicator to stay just above the moss I begin casting. After
some missed fish and problems with moss I decided to move onto another likely
run.
I am so impressed with the breaks and small pockets here. This area is the closest I can get to western and eastern fishing.
The Zebra Midge got this trout's attention in one of the small pockets in this run. I missed numbers of trout in this segment of the tailrace, because it was really difficult for me to detect a take in some of the fast seams. This is the type water one needs to master using an indicator to be successful fishing tiny nymphs; I discovered today I need some work in this department.
I so enthralled with dry fly fishing today I even brought my little 7.6 ft. Redington with the matching Redington Drift reel. This little reel is only 3.5 oz. and is 2 1/2" in dia. The rod/reel combo weights in at 5.2 oz. and is a breeze to cast, and land this size trout here. I prefer my 9 ft. 3 wt. if I am fishing nymphs, but today I improvised with this little setup.
The bees were out today stocking up on the sweet nectar.
Howard over at Windknots and Tangled Lines ask me the other day how I fared with this years bluegill quest; CHECK OUT THE YEAR OF THE BLUEGILL
Nice post and rod. That looks like a sweet combo.
ReplyDeleteBill I to am fascinated by the size of those tiny flies. I feel the smallest I can fish is a size 18.
ReplyDeleteI can't speak for the rod, but the reel is hard to beat.
Hi Bill, it looks to be like you've got the routine down when you don't know what the fish are eating. Pretty water by the way.
ReplyDeleteKevin
ReplyDeleteThat combo is becoming one of my favorites. Super light is what attracts me to it. Thanks for the comment
Alan
ReplyDeleteI will probably passed up some trout along the way for not using the tiny flies, 18 is the smaller I will go. Thanks for the comment
Howard
ReplyDeleteI still in the learning process. Thanks for the comment
Hi, Bill. I am liking the looks of that little rod and reel combo also. I am thinking that I agree with your theory, too. If we had trout figured out and could catch them at will, how much fun would that be after awhile?
ReplyDeleteI'm liking that outfit Bill..great post..
ReplyDeleteMel
ReplyDeleteTrying to out smart my quarry is what makes this great sport so interesting. Thanks for the comment
Pen
ReplyDeleteThe older I get the lighter fly rods just work best for me. Thanks for the comment