As most of you know I spend a lot of time during the
winter months watching trout fishing videos. I especially like the ones that
share information on how to improve one's skills when chasing the trout using
the fly rod. I keep a list of the better ones I have found over the years and
sometimes refer back to them over time.
I found myself this past week going back and viewing some
of my saved videos from some years back. A January 2016 New Fly Fisher video
really got my attention with a piece showing how to fish the emerger. The trout wasn’t taking a dry or nymph
subsurface feeding that day. This same experience has happened to me numerous
times on the Sipsey and Caney. They would be in a feeding frenzy just below
subsurface; no dry or nymph would be working---this clip shows how to put the
odds in your favor; forward the video to 13:45 time to view the clip.
I know you guys have witnessed this type of feeding mode, so
what would be your fly choice in size and pattern to get results? This guy was
using the “USUAL”.
Hook: 94840 or 94842 Mustad (sizes 14, 16, 18, 20 or 22)
Thread: Size 6/0 grey prewaxed.
Tail: Small bunch of hair from rabbit's pad.
Wing: Larger bunch of hair from rabbit's pad.
Body: Underfur from rabbit's foot dubbed on thread. Use a
blend of the grey next to skin and light tan which has very fine guard hairs
mixed in to make it float better.
Looking forward to some great post from all you guys in 2017------Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
Bill I have been fishing that way for 20 years. It's deadly at any time of year "no Hatch necessary" Just the other day I was fishing a soft-hackle with a bit of floatant on the tippet, and the response just as I lifted it to the surface "crazy"
ReplyDeleteA stimulator fished as such is great.
Seasons Greetings
Bill, like Alan, I think I would fish an unweighted soft hackle (no beadhead), and if necessary, put a little floatant on the fly and tippet.
ReplyDeleteI have had some success with an Elk Hair Caddis without floatant tied with no hackle so as to sink s little, fished in this manner, also.
Alan
ReplyDeleteI will give the soft hackle subsurface a try, thanks for the advice and comment.
Mel
ReplyDeleteHaven't tried the Elk Hair; I assume you are dead drifting the fly? Thanks for the advice and comment
Lester
ReplyDeleteI have landed a few trout when they are sipping just below the surface using the soft hackle. I haven't tried a buoyant pattern such as the "Usual" when the trout are feeding subsurface.
Very frustrating when you know the trout are there and can see them feeding and even know the pattern, but can't get any takes. Thanks for the advice and comment
I think the two things I learned from the video is tie some Usuals and carry a small seine. Both seem to be good advice.
ReplyDeleteHoward
ReplyDeleteI am going to give the Usual a try come spring. I like the way the fly pops back to the surface after it is submerged, killer technique. Thanks for the comment