How
many flies do one use on any given outing on their favorite stream or tailrace? 5 or 6 flies is tops for me, which got me to thinking
the other day do I really need all these flies I carry in my fly box?
I had flies in the fly box that I hadn't used in years and some had
never touched the surface of the water. So to make space for the new flies I was going to add I starting culling those I seldom use. Take note
of the words “fly box” because that is the only box I use nowadays when fly fishing.
This
little Orvis metal fly box 2 ½ by 3 ½ has all the flies that I will
use on any given day on the water. It fits easily in my small chest
pack that is lightweight and compact as well. The older I get the
more I want to eliminate weight when wading and standing for long
periods of time in 55 to 60-degree water. Notice the difference in
the number of flies in the box before culling and after.
Given
the fact I had a well-organized fly box and the Sipsey Tailrace was
fishing some better than a couple of weeks ago; I decided to test
the waters with some of the newer flies that I had added to the box.
I was met with cloudy skies and of course high humidity and lots of
fog on the water surface. As I waded into place at access 5 I could
barely see the surface film for the fog coming off the water. I
decided to cast one of my new flies a size 18 Black Drake dry in the
direction of some trout feeding near where I was standing. I got a
hit after a few casts and thought I was in for some rapid top action.
To my surprise, just as quick as the surface activity started it
ended I surmised I was fishing the tail end of the surface feed.
With
the generation schedule changed I had to use my time wisely so after
surface activity slowed I moved on up the gorge. I replaced the Drake
with a fly Alan at Small Stream Reflections sent me sometime
back. I thought today would be a good time to give it a try. I tied
on the Salars Nemesis tight-lining it across a wide section that had some fast water in the
middle and slower water on both sides. As the fly drifted from the
edge of the slow to fast water I got a take and lost it just as
quick; poor concentration and slow hook set, not a good combo. I kept
working the Salars
slowly with some short jerks mixed in when a trout nailed it in the
middle of the swing, strong hook set, and the trout was in the net!!
Today
was one of those trips where one fly pattern didn't produce on a
consistent basis. In fact, that can be the norm on the Sipsey at
times. These trout see a lot of the same flies in the upper section
of the tailrace so it's good to show them a little something
different. My next stop was the log section in deep water where the
better trout hang out below the submerged logs. I decided to tie on
the Seal Leech to fish
this section. This is a fly that David Knapp gave me some years ago
to work in deeper water. I fish this fly a little unconventional by
casting it downstream and working it back slowly against the
current. As I work the fly I let it pause in the current and flutter,
usually during the pause is when I get the hit. Today this type of retrieve helps me land a couple of stocker trout just above the logs.
I was hoping for the bigger trout but I will take what this section
gives up.
I
ended today's trip at the Guide Hole, which is where the guys at the
fly shop bring a lot of their clients to fish the slow water in this
section. This part of the tailrace has a small seam with some fast
current above some slower water below. I think this little seam is
one of the best areas in the guide hole section. I've landed some
nice rainbow in this little seam. I've had much better luck in this
area using a small nymph with an indicator. I choose a red size 16
Copper John to drift
through the fast water and hopefully watch the indicator sink
quickly. It didn't happen quickly but I did manage to land one more
rainbow using the little nymph. All the flies used for today's trip
were some that I had never used here before and some that I hadn't
used in years. As I was leaving at access 5 the trout were into the
sipping mode, so I stopped to try to get a take with no success. I'm still having problems getting hits when the trout are feeding in this manner. I suspect they are feeding on tiny midges, but the color and the actual size is still a puzzle. I am thinking of purchasing a stomach pump----any suggestions are welcome!!
