Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Going Light on The Sipsey

I’ve been waiting about a week to make today’s trip to the Sipsey because my game plan was to go super light using my new 7 ½ ft. 2 weight. I purchase the fly rod mainly to fish in the Smokies, but I decided I would use it today to break it in on the Sipsey rainbow. June of last year was the last time that I wet a fly in the Sipsey since we moved to Tennessee.  

Upon arrival, I found one other truck, so I knew I would have the place pretty much to myself most of the afternoon. The skies were a crystal blue with a slight breeze out of the northeast most of the afternoon. I entered the gorge at access six and saw no surface movement, so most of the afternoon was spent fishing nymphs. I did manage to take a few trout on top but I think the trout were annoyed with the presence of the fly as opposed to really eating the fly. The drift had to be near perfect to get a take on any pattern. I’m really glad I had numerous boulders to sit on because I did a lot of experimenting with different patterns most of the afternoon. A lot of fun takes and a lot of trout lost today.
This was the size trout today that broke the 2 weight in on its first outing. I kept wondering on the way home why I missed a lot of takes today; could be slow reflex and learning to fish a lighter fly rod. Whatever it was I enjoyed the afternoon on one of my favorite tailraces.
Special!!

11 comments:

  1. Beautiful Rainbows, Bill. Congratulations on getting out and getting some quality time in...

    I must have missed the news. Did not realize you had a new two weight rod. You will have to fill me in!

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  2. Nice going Bill, handling those big fish on a 2 wt.

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  3. Great to hear you got out on the Sipsey Bill! I've never fished with a two weight before but I imagine that perhaps that was the reason for missing a few fish.

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  4. Mel
    I am kind of behind on my blogging and this was my first post in over two weeks---been super busy with family. I am going to do a post on the 2 wt. and 3 wt. in a couple of weeks. Glad to land my first rainbow of the season. Thanks for the comment

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  5. Lester
    The Sipsey is not your average tailrace, because it makes you think you are fishing a wild trout stream out your way; it is that beautiful. It was worth every mile of the 145 miles I drove to fish it again. It fact the drive was so easy I will making numerous trips before fall. Hope the rivers clear up for you soon. Thanks for the comment

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  6. Alan
    Quite a challenge at times yesterday landing some of the better rainbow with the 2, made for a fun afternoon---thanks for the comment

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  7. Howard
    I agree the rod could have been the factor in losing some of the trout yesterday--I will be doing a post on fishing a 2 weight in the coming weeks. Thanks for the comment

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  8. Glad you had a fun afternoon with a 2-weight, Bill. I'll be interested in reading your report on how the casting goes on open spaces with the light-line rod. I'll soon be fishing with a new 2/3-weight rod but haven't yet tried the lighter line. Thanks!

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  9. Walt
    I can't wait to give it a try in the Smokies in the near future. I will be doing a post on its performance soon. Thanks for the comment

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  10. Nice going Bill! I am sure you will enjoy the light rod. It should be really nice for fishing the Smokies

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  11. Mark W.
    Love fishing light---thanks for the comment

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