Fly Fishing Tips (collected from the experiences of our membership)
Fly Fishing Tips Published in Past Newsletters
Gleaned from old newsletters and edited slightly to preserve this valuable, ancient information; fly fishing tips are timeless and valuable. A feature of Trout Tales for many years, members generously shared tips they found or thought of during their fly fishing journey.
Gleaned from old newsletters and edited slightly to preserve this valuable, ancient information; fly fishing tips are timeless and valuable. A feature of Trout Tales for many years, members generously shared tips they found or thought of during their fly fishing journey.
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Topic Index (alphabetical order)
Achieving Depth with Your Fly Fly Casting Fly Rod & Fly Line Fly Tying Fundraising Indicators Keeping Dry & Safe Knots Leaders & Tippet Packing Gear Playing & Handling Fish Presentation Protecting Equipment & Gear Serving Up Trout Selecting a Fly Stealth & Patience Stream Advice Tools & Gadgets Where Fish Hold (scroll down to your topic of interest) |
Achieving Depth with your Fly
Tip of the Month (January 2014) by Alen Baker Do not use any weight for nymphs that you expect to have a very natural drift. Use a beadhead (BH) for slow sinking flies, a Conehead (CH) or tungsten beadhead (TB) for deep sinking flies, and equivalent amount of wire wrapping for weight without the “head look” or add additional weight to "headed” flies by adding wire wrapping. Use a different color of thread for coding flies that are wire weighted. Tip of the Month (February 2014) by Alen Baker Here is a good rule of thumb for dropper lengths for bumping the bottom: For a slow current use 2 times the depth which is 2 feet for every 1 foot of depth. For a moderate current use 3 times the depth which is 3 feet for every 1 foot of depth. For a fast current us 4 times the depth which is 4 feet for every 1 foot of depth. Fly Casting
Fly Casting Tip Have you ever been fishing and noticed that your fly was missing and you can’t remember snagging it on a branch or bush? What may have happened is you snapped the fly off in your back cast. This can be caused either by starting forward to soon, before the back cast has straightened out, or by failing to supply sufficient force to straighten out your back cast. To resolve this problem, simply watch your back cast to make sure it straightens out before you start forward. After several casts you should be able to stop watching your back cast and return to your normal casting routine. Tips for the Fisherman by Alen Baker Face it; there are places where the fly rod just will not cast well. Brookie streams and overgrown banks in general are sometimes better fished with a spinning rod. Carry an open faced spinning reel (of for example a ZEBCO 144 type closed faced reel). Switch over from the fly reel to the spinning reel and use your flies by attaching a float to the monocline for casting weight. Streamers or spinner lures will work well too. Don’t let that big one get away because of the brush. Tip of the Month (March 2011) by Alen Baker Never make snap or quick back then forward casts when only a short amount of fly line has been unspooled. This sudden change of direction will pop a fly right off the tippet. Also, watch your timing when fly casting. The loop of the fly line on the back cast must be straightened out before making the forward cast. The pause between back and forward casts becomes longer and longer as the amount of line out is increased. The amount of force put to the back and forward casts also must increase gradually as the amount of line out is increased as well. Should you notice that your casts are somewhat awkward with a large loop in the back cast and the leader and fly line bunches with the fly on the water, there is a simple correction. Place your attention to making sure that your rod tip moves along an imaginary line that is parallel to the ground. The straight back and forth direction of the rod tip along with the correct amount of pause to allow the line to fully straighten on the back cast will create a tighter loop and a more efficient cast. Fly Rod & Fly Line
The Beginner’s Box by Tim Wilhelm Just because a rod is labeled for a certain weight line does not mean that it is. Experiment with your rods. Cast it with a line size smaller or larger. You may find that you already own your favorite rod with one of the combinations tried. The Beginner’s Box (original 1990s advice) by Tim Wilhelm How many of us as beginners put our rods together and start running the leader part of the line through the guides only to lose our grip on the line somewhere near the tip top and watch all of the line slide back down the rod and out of the guides. Next time, pull several feet of line off the reel and double it over itself to form a loop. Then grasp the loop and feed this up the guides. If you follow this method and let go of the line, it will slide down to the last guide you came through and then the loop will stop it there. No more starting over from scratch. Also, the line loop is easier to see while threading in low light conditions. Tip of the Month (January 2011) by Alen Baker When threading the fly line through the rod guides many anglers will take the leader in hand and beginning the step by step, guide by guide process of threading the fly line. If you drop your hold on the leader, you may well lose the threading completely and have to start over. This is especially frustrating in low light conditions at dawn and at dusk. Instead, take hold of the fly line a foot or so past the leader connection where the diameter is smaller, fold the line and thread the collapsed fly line loop through each guide. The line loop is easy to see, is much easier to run through the guide than you may expect, and, the loop tends to keep the line in the last guide threaded. If you lose your grip, you likely will not lose the threading you have so far. Once the rod tip guide is reached, simply pull on the open loop and the leader will come forward through each guide readily. Done, tie the fly on and start fly fishing. Tip of the Month (June 2013) by Alen Baker Take a backup rod. I buy a 2 piece rod for local trips and a 4 piece rod for travel for each weight rod I use. When I travel I also take two selected weight rods that I believe will function best for the targeted waters, thus I have a backup. I use 5 and 6 weight rods for western trips, 4 and 5 weight rods for northeastern trips. I most typically use 9 foot rods and only use shorter 7-8 foot rods in heavy canopy streams. Fly Tying
Fly Tying by John Benbow Hunting seasons are opening and the smart trout fisherman will start now talking to hunting friends about saving fur and feathers. Last year I got three buck tails, two complete wood ducks, all the feathers I wanted from a wild turkey, one raccoon tail, four squirrel tails, and two mallard wings, and I never fired a gun. If you hunt but don’t tie flies, please offer a fly tyer your fur and feathers off anygame. You’d be surprised what can be used. Tips for the Fisherman Use different colors of thread when typing nymphs to code the weight associated for Deep Sinking (Brown), Intermediate Sinking (Yellow), or Surface Sinking (Black). Based on the situation and appropriate nymph is easily selected. For dry flies use different colors of thread to code the time a pattern is expected to produce the best results, for example, Morning (Brown), Evening (Yellow), All Day (Black). Tip of the Month (September 2011) by Alen Baker Craft and hobby shops are ideal shopping spots for fly tying. They carry refined tools, artificial fur, and several types of plastic doll eyes, tinsel, glitter, paints, beads and similar materials that can be used for making flies. Tip of the Month (January 2013) by Alen Baker When you wear out a fly catching multiple fish, keep the hook and recycle in the tying vise. Or, in some cases if a high number of trout are caught on the same fly, add it to the keepsake box with a tag label about it's productivity. These retired flies make a great memory and provide good stories la Fundraising
Fundraising Tips by Steve Craig Fundraising is essential to the survival of volunteer / non-profit organizations. Here are some fund raising strategies that have worked well for the chapter… - Keep your expenses low. You can do this by scaling back on the meal or going to a location that is flexible in what they charge to use their banquet facilities. This allows you to keep the admission price down and will help with ticket sales. - Pay a commission to the individuals who sell raffle tickets and give a bonus to the top seller. - Get most or all of your raffle and auction items donated. If you have to pay for items, sometimes you will lose money on an item or just barely make a profit. Donated guided trips or a weekend at a vacation home works great. - Have some variety in auction and raffle items. Don’t make it all outdoor stuff. Have things that are of interest to everyone. Indicators
Nymph Indicator For a real low tech and low cost nymph indicator, try using yarn and a small piece of surgical tubing. First double the leader to make a loop. Second, insert the leader loop through the tubing. Third, put a small length of yarn through the leader loop, using a length of yarn about 1 to 1 ½ inches long. Finally, pull the yarn partially back thru the tubing. If there are no knots in the leader it is possible to fish leaders of any length you desire. When the indicator reaches the tip top it will slip down the leader when landing a fish and it is easily adjustable at any time. Tip of the Month (June 2011) by Alen Baker Use a bright and heavily hackled dry fly as a strike indicator when nymph fishing. The dry fly looks natural, and sometimes even catches a fish. Tie it on a short dropper to the main leader. Tie it up on the leader far enough to allow the nymph to sink to the desired depth. Also, when fishing with a partner, each of you should start with completely different flies that you believe will catch trout. That way, after the first catch, both of you may switch to the effective fly. This cuts down on trial-and-error fly fishing time. Tip of the Month (August 2012) by Alen Baker Why use a thing-a-bobber or strike indicator? Ever notice that a trout will often strike at the strike indicator. Use a dry fly that floats well as an indicator fly and double your odds of a catch on either the dry or the nymph. The dry will often attract a strike even when only nymphs seem to be working. Keeping Dry & Safe
Tip of the Month (May 2011) by Alen Baker When wading in swift or deep water, always work sideways to the current to reduce water pressure on your legs. A wading staff helps, as does a stick picked up along the stream bank. Also, chose the place to cross a stream carefully, broad and shallow is ideal or places where the bottom can be clearly seen and the rocks are fairly consistent in size. Tip of the Month (October 2013) by Alen Baker Use a Zip-lock bag for the wallet (and fishing license) always. Use a Zip-lock bag for the cell phone (many streams have cellular service these days) if you can not part with your phone. Use a Zip-lock bag for the camera (unless you have made the superior decision to purchase a waterproof camera) as you will surely want a snapshot of that biggest fish today. Use a Zip-lock bag for the dry fly box (if you are prone to stumble and fall a lot) to guarantee they stay dry. Use a larger Zip-lock freezer bag for spare clothes to keep them dry if you float the river. Knots
Tip of the Month (February 2011) by Alen Baker Are you having trouble tying the improved clinch knot? Getting the end of the tippet through the loop at the hook eye with a small fly, large fingers and poor eye sight is a definite challenge. Instead learn to tie a uni-knot which is much easier, quicker and provides a comparable connection to the hook eye. The uni-knot may be used to replace the arbor knot when connecting the backing to the fly reel. The un-knot may be used to replace the Albright knot when connecting the backing to the fly line. The uni-knot may also be used to replace the nail knot when connecting the fly line to the leader butt. One knot to know and use rather than three keeps it simple. Tip of the Month (January 2012) by Alen Baker Are you having trouble tying the blood knot to connect two sizes of clear monofilament or fluorocarbon leader or tippet? Getting the end of each the line through the middle loop with large fingers and poor eyesight is a definite challenge. Instead learn to tie a (3 turns) surgeon’s knot. Actually the surgeon’s knot is less likely to fail when connecting a very fine 6X to 8X tippet to the leader. Leaders & Tippets
Tip of the Month (March 2012) by Alen Baker If you fish the South Holston often, you will find yourself dropping down to 7X tippet on occasion to improve the presentation of your size 20-24 parachute, emerger or nymph. A new product has recently become available from The Trout Hunter that provides a compromised solution. Purchase 6.5X tippet from the local fly shop. The tippet material is slightly smaller than 6X which is why you change to 7X, yet the 6.5X tippet material has a 3 pound rating. A 6.5X fluorocarbon tippet spool can also be purchase which provides virtually a clear tippet, but remember that fluorocarbon is not as strong as compared to the same size monofilament. Tip of the Month (November 2011) by Alen Baker When placing a dry fly in a pocket of glassy, slow moving water apply SINK gel to the tippet. The tippet will blend into the surface film and improve the presentation of the fly, appearing virtually unattached from the fish eye view. For nymph fishing, apply SINK gel generously to the nymph and to the full leader and tippet. This will allow maximum sinking to the bottom. To fish the water column, apply SINK gel to about half the leader and the tippet. Tip of the Month (November 2013) by Alen Baker Buy leaders one size smaller than needed and add two feet of tippet. For example instead of buying a 9 foot 5X, by a 7 ½ foot 4X and add two feet of 5X. This allows for the tippet to be cut and retied and number of times, then eventually replaced with little loss of the original leader. Use the same size tippet to tie on additional flies in tandem. Packing Gear
Tip of the Month (May 2013) by Alen Baker Setup your gear for 3 modes of fly fishing. A shortie vest and chest waders are the best all round for larger, deeper rivers and tailraces. A regular vest with waist-high waders if best for typical streams and a regular vest provide more warmth in the winter months. Use a fanny pack and hip waders I the hot summer months. Tip of the Month (August 2013) by Alen Baker Pack a Weather Bag with layers of clothing for the unexpected extremes. Pack a Wader Bag with your waders, wading staff, warm socks and wading boots. Pack a Fly Box Bag with additional fly boxes that you may need. Pack a Spare Clothes Bag with an additional set of clothing in case you take an unexpected dunk. Pack a Gear Bag with hat, magnifying glasses, sunglasses, lanyard, vest or pack and reels. You are now ready for any trip and conditions based on organizing with these bags and a mental checklist for each bag. Combine bags in a larger travel bag for plane flights and and do not forget your fly rods in their respective tube Playing & Handling Fish
Tips for the Fisherman In cooler months of the year release undersized Trout as quickly as possible. Small fish that have been handled roughly or allowed to struggle until exhausted seldom survive when tossed back into heavy, icy water. Hold all fish belly up while removing the hook. This position has a paralyzing like affect and will calm the fish, allowing a quicker, easier release. When you release a completely exhausted fish, hold it upright in the water long enough to let it regain its strength and depart on its own. Tip of the Month (September 2013) by Alen Baker How long to play a fish? The shortest amount of time it requires to bring the fish to a careful, safe landing. Nets allow the angler to more quickly land larger fish that run the risk of full exhaustion from playing the fish. Use a Ketchum to remove the hook while still in the net. Keep the fish in the net in the water until your buddy has the camera in a ready position to take a picture with the fish. In this manner the fish is out of the water for a very short time and handling the fish is minimized. A Ketchum also allows the angler to more quickly land and remove the hook from smaller fish without even touching the fish. Photo handling C&R care. Presentation
Tip of the Month (April 2011) by Alen Baker To impart a different type of action to your flies when all else fails, try the salmon angler’s riffling hitch. Use this on woolly buggers, streamers and wet flies to make them skim the surface and slightly wobble subsurface. Tie the fly on normally, and then wrap over the head with two half hitches, pulling them up tight to one side. The leader will tend to pull the streamer with a sideways wobble making for a unique presentation to the trout. Tip of the Month (March 2013) by Alen Baker Dry flies must drift drag free without the water seam from the drag that can be very visible to the fish. Very often we determine that a particular fly is not attracting fish but be careful and certain you are drifting drag free before you change dry flies. In addition to the normal drag free drift, try twitching a caddis to attract the station keeping fish. In addition to striping, try an occasional pause-jerk to make the streamer act erradically for more attention when the fly passes the fish by. Keep nymphs suspended and drifting unless bottom bumping. When bottom bumping a nymph, set quickly when the line stops as either a fish will be on or a rock may be avoided. Protecting Equipment & Gear
Tips for the Fisherman by Alen Baker Take it from a guy who knows, raccoon repellant would be a great invention. When camping tie your vest in a tree, suspended by rope away from the trunk or limbs at least 4 feet. In the Great Smoky National Park, my vest was torn from a tree limb and dragged 50 feet to the creek. I was lucky to find it totally submerged with the Sundrop can in it– emptied by a smart coon. Bears and other varmints are also capable of such destruction; suspension 8 feet above the ground is wise also. This tip does not apply to those who sleep with their vest on. Tips for the Fisherman (original advice from 1980s) Should you walk through bush with the rod tip behind you or forward in front of you? When the rod tip trails, often the line will get caught on a branch; keeping the rod tip forward allows for a watchful eye in preventing this. Mark your trail with biodegradable tissue paper or broken limbs to prevent blazing return trails and risking that rod tip even more. Tie a bell or something that will easily make a noise on the top to help remind you to watch. Tip of the Month (November 2010) by Alen Baker When walking a trail less used to access a stream, the thickets can be a challenging series of low branches to dodge and maneuver the rod through. Do you break down your rod, carry the rod with the tip running ahead of you or do you carry the rod with the tip trailing you? Breaking down the rod completely will make the trek through the thicket much easier, but the down side is the risk of breaking the rod tip section as it is held with the other components and can readily twist away and get hung on a branch with little springing action available. Keeping the rod setup allows for the needed springing action and allows the rod to recover from impacts. Holding the rod in a leading position allows you to keep an eye on the rod tip and where it is placed. Holding the rod in the trailing position allows you to mostly ignore the rod as you move ahead. This sounds ideal until the line snags on a branch and you have to back track to untangle. Therefore, my choice is to hold the rod in the leading position, the second choice is the trailing position and the last choice is breaking the rod down. All of these methods work as long as you understand the side-effects of each one. Tip of the Month (May 2012) by Alen Baker When climbing a steep bank either going in or leaving a stream, always lay your rod to the side, climb a few steps, then move the rod along. In this manner you eliminate the risk of breaking your rod should you slip or slide back down the steep bank while holding the rod. Serving Up Trout
Tips for the Fisherman by Alen Baker Occasionally trout should be eaten, particularly stocked trout. So here is one great recipe!!! Trout recipe... 2 12-inch trout ½ stick unsalted butter, melted Black pepper, bay leaf, fennel 1 cup diced onions 2 cups red wine 3 egg yolks 1/8 cup fresh lemon juice Place two cleaned trout in a slightly buttered baking dish. Sprinkle black pepper and diced onions over them; add a bay leaf and a sprig of fennel for flavor. Bring 2 cups of dry red burgundy wine to a boil and pour over the trout. Cover and cook at 325 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. The remaining liquid should be strained, boiled briskly down to 1 cup, mixed with three eggs yolks as a sauce. Serve on a warmed platter with the sauce and some lemon juice over the trout; you have Trout in Burgundy. Another recipe… 2 12-inch trout ½ stick unsalted butter, melted 1/8 cup fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons parsley flakes Lemon slices Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix together butter, lemon juice and parsley flakes. Place trout on greased broiler pan. Brush butter mixture on inside and outside of trout. Bake the trout in a preheated oven for 20 minutes or until done. Garnish with lemon slices. Serve with wild rice, tossed salad, iced tea and fruit for dessert. Selecting a Fly
Spring Advice The Smith River in Virginia is our only piedmont tailrace. Be sure to have these flies in your fly box: 4/1-5/31 #16 Lt. Hendrickson 4/15-6/30 #16 Lt. Cahill 4/15-6/30 #16 Cream Cahill 5/25-7/25 #18 Sulphur Dun The Beginner’s Box by Tim Wilhelm Some of the responses to our chapter request for the six (6) “American Express” flies: Parachute Adams Olive Sparkle Dun Elk Hair Caddis Stimulator Hare’s Ear Pheasant Tail Thunderhead Griffiths Gnat Caddis Larvae Blonde Wulff Tellico Dark Brown Stone Tip of the Month (April 2012) by Alen Baker Why put on a single fly to determine what rising fish are striking? Instead, put on a dark and a light dry fly that seem to best match the size and potential colors of the hatch. In case the rises are for Emergers, why not add a dropper nymph as well. Yes, three flies in tandem! Using the same size tippet tie the two dry flies in tandem 12-15 inches apart, and then add an 18 inch dropper nymph using an improved clinch knot eye to eye to eye allowing for maximum looking power. The two dries will dance side by side downstream and the trout will hit the one that matches the hatch. Thus you soon know what to simplify to as three flies will eventually bird nest, hopefully after you catch a few and determine a final tactic. For example, you know that a small fly is attracting rises but you are unsure if the trout are hitting a BWO or Sulphur or an emerger. This is often the case on the South Holston River, there is often either a Blue Wing Olive (BWO) hatch or a Sulphur hatch, thus a size 22 BWO followed by a size 20 Sulphur followed by a size 20 Zebra nymph is a perfect way to catch the first fish of the day while determining what the trout are rising to. Tip of the Month (June 2012) by Alen Baker Over the years I have tested woolly bugger patterns of various colors over a large number of fish and various water conditions. Use olive for typical spring and fall water conditions, use black in dingy water and brown for extremely clear, low water conditions. The woolly bugger is a “go to fly” for delayed harvest waters. Fish 45 degrees downstream and allow the streamer to tail out. Repeat for several casts, then move down stream 1-2 steps and repeat to cover deeper riffle areas and the moving waters in a pool much like one fly fishes for Atlantic salmon. Tips for the Fisherman by Alen Baker When you begin the fishing season or when you are fly fishing the first time in a long time, this tip is for you. Begin fishing with an old used fly instead of a new one. The probability that a tree limb will grab the fly is great since practicing was performed in the open back yard. Besides Murphy’s Law would not dare act on an old used fly. Seriously, until casting falls back into the groove, why waste a new fly on obstacles designed to ruin a good start. After a few casts (or fish), systematically switch to that new pattern you’ve longed to try. Stealth & Patience
Summertime Tip (by Art Lee) During the time of low, clear water, especially when fishing a flat pool, try fishing downstream. In slow water, trout have a much longer opportunity to study their food before taking, and a leader is quite visible in slow, clear water. If a leader is the first thing a fish sees, as would be the case with traditional upstream casts, he will generally reject the offering. Obviously, if the fly arrives in the trout’s window before the leader, as with a downstream cast, he is more likely to be fooled. Tips for the Fisherman by Alen Baker What do you think the trout said today when he saw you in that red checked shirt? Hopefully, many did not see the bright, unnatural shirt and were caught. Fishing in green or camouflage shirts in the spring (and summer) and yellow or brown shirts in the fall will improve the catch rate. Obviously, you should be careful and not allow the trout to see you but a little camouflage can help. Often a trout may be within the distance to see you. The camouflage will give you an edge particularly if you minimize your movements. There are green, gray, and brown vests sold based on this concept if you want to take this tip to the extreme. Tips for the Fisherman by Alen Baker So you noticed boot tracks in the mud where a fisherman has beaten you to a fishy-looking pool; try it regardless. He may have tripped and spooked the fish or just may have given it a look and moved on. By the time you come along the fish may be ready to bite again. You may have an item or approach to try that didn’t work for him. Anyway, would you move on to wonder if that big one go away; you must think positive and persist to try it! Tips for the Fisherman by Alen Baker Are the fish hitting and not hooking on your fly? There are at least three things to do in hopes of transforming these strikes to catches. First, carry a whet rock or sharpener and sharpen your hook. Second, bend the point slightly out of line from the shank for a twisting set action. Third, use a smaller fly and catch that fish. The fish may be a dace or other type of (trout) forage fish or it may just be a young trout. Tip of the Month (September 2012) by Alen Baker Arrive at the first pool with the most probable fly tied on and ready to fly fish. But stand and watch the waters for 3-5 minutes which is enough time to determine the activity level of the fish. Enter the stream to the desired position and stand still another few minutes. You now have time to switch to another fly if needed, otherwise continue to study the activity. As all the waves are settled, make that first cast carefully. When a fish is caught, give the water time to resettle in the same manner before casting for the next fish. Tip of the Month (November 2012) by Alen Baker Make long careful casts to moving shallow areas long before you are near these areas. Trout will lie in shallows at times and will take a fly only if shadows are not seen and a well presented fly happens to hit near a fish to one side. Stream Advice
Spring Creek Tips A spring trip is a totally different experience from freestone streams in North Carolina. Size 18 to size 28 are the typical fly patterns used to lure very selective trout that feed continuously on midges until the next real hatch comes along. Here are some potential destinations: Some Eastern Limestone Creeks: Carlisle, PA – Yellow Breeches, Mill Pond Run, Big Spring Creek, Green Springs and Letort (Close by in Harrisburg is a great freestone stream – Clarks Creek) Chambersburg, PA – Falling Spring Creek Harrisburg, VA – Mossy Creek (There are other private spring creeks in Virginia as well) Some Western Spring Creeks: Armstrong Livingston, MT (406) 222-2979 (reservations required) Nelson Livingston, MT (406) 222-2159(reservations required) Depuy Livingston, MT (406) 222-0221(reservations required) Milesnick Bozeman, MT ( ) (reservations required) Tip of the Month (February 2012) by Alen Baker Have an alternate stream in mind when you travel to the mountains to fish a trout stream. As you have looked forward to a nice day on a stream you have had in mind, you may arrive to find that too many anglers have the same idea or the last few days of weather have caused the stream to rise to dingy, almost unfishable conditions. Study the maps and ask others for a good alternate stream and have the stream as plan B. Keep in mind that rain has less impact on high elevation streams that are in pristine watersheds, so know these areas that are close-by and explore another stream rather than get snooked by high dingy waters. Tools & Gadgets
Tip of the Month (August 2011) by Alen Baker Small leaders are often difficult to tie to small flies, and become more so as we get older. For aid in tying, get a pair of reading glasses and keep them hanging around your neck with a glasses strap. It’s more embarrassing to take too long to change flies than to let others know you need glasses to see small things. If you are willing to spend a little more, there are magnifiers that snap onto t cap or hat bill that hinge down for use and hinge up out of the way while fly fishing. Magnifying or reading glasses are especially helpful in the twilight times of low ambient light on a stream. Tip of the Month (October 2011) by Alen Baker Hemostats are locking pliers-like tools that originated for the medical profession. They are ideal for a number of angling purposes and available from medical supply houses, through mail order and at fly shops. Use them for holding small flies to tie a leader, unhooking fish and for pulling up knots. They clamp right onto your fishing vest for safe keeping. Tip of the Month (April 2013) by Alen Baker Use forceps to pick up and hold the fly. This tool will keep you from fumbling and dropping the fly and it gives you a handle to twist and tie the improved clinch knot more easily. Forceps also serve to bend down barbs as well as their main function of removing hooks. Tip of the Month (March 2014) by Alen Baker Here are ten gadgets that you will find most useful and may not want to spare no expense: Nippers (must have to clip the tag each time you tie a knot) Forceps (serves as hook remover, pliers and a fly holder for small flies) Floatant (keeps dry flies floating well) Tapered leader (unless you simply like to build them with lots of knots) Tippet (use the largest you believe the fish will not notice) Hook sharpener (dull hooks lose fish) Ketchum (why handle and possibly harm a small fish when you can lift and remove the hook without touching the fish) Thin, light, clear fly boxes (pack more choices of flies in your vest with less weight) Waterproof camera (otherwise keep your camera in a Zip-lock) Ruler or marks on the fly rod (keeps the length youreport accurate and honest) Tip of the Month (April 2014) by Alen Baker Here are ten gadgets that you will find a waste of time or somewhat useless: Sink liquid (get the nymph or streamer wet enough and it will sink) Indicators (use a dry fly that floats well and double your odds while nymphing) Leader straightner (at this point, change out the leaders) Knot tying tools (except for the nail knot tool) Fleece patch (best place to lose your fly, put it back in the fly box instead) Tippet smaller than 7X (not enough strength to bring a fish of any great size) Fly rods lighter than 3 weight or shorter than 7 foot (too light, too little to effectively cast) Heavy fly boxes (unless you just like lugging a heavy vest or pack) Flies smaller than size 24 (too small to effectively keep a fish hooked long enough to land) Spare spools (if you lose or break the reel the spools are useless, not a bargain at typically more than half the price of the reel) Where Fish Hold
Tips for the Fisherman – Where to Find Trout by Alen Baker Trout love to lie under stream banks that have been undercut by the twisting current. Look ahead for such places and roll a nymph into them before you approach close enough to flush out the fish. When you do not find Trout lying below the mouth of a cold feeder stream in hot weather, explore the stream itself. The fish may have left this river in the morning to lie in the brook during the heat of the day. Even if it is only a trickle, the first pool may be full of Trout. The easiest Trout to catch with a dry fly are those that lie in shallow fast water or ripple runs. The hardest Trout to catch are in a still, glassy patch where they can examine and take the fly with leisure. Tips for the Fisherman by Alen Baker Temperature is the key! Carry a thermometer along and keep notes on the temperature versus the catch rate. Trout almost always start surface feeding when the water temperature begins to rise after a long period of cold (Cool) weather. When the friendly weatherman forecasts a warming trend you can look for improved surface fishing and the beginning of the fly hatches. Other factors like water level and clarity may affect the fishing, but temperature and temperature change are measurable and reliable tools for the serious fisherman. Tip of the Month (October 2012) by Alen Baker First, fish the tail, sides, feeding lanes and the head of a deep pool with a dry fly. Then use removable split shot and a nymph or streamer in the pool. Gradually add split shot to fish the water column. Use as many split shot as needed to bump the bottom. A deep pool must be viewed as 3-dimensional as often trout will hang in the water column and certainly will not rise from great depths to the top. Tip of the Month (February 2013) by Alen Baker When delayed harvest waters become warm, low and clear from July to September the trout often struggle to survive in deep holes and well oxygenated deeper riffles. Spend your time wisely at these holdout locations. Or, fish for native smallmouth bass and sunfish in the slow moving shady side areas of the stream. Smallmouth and sunfish will essentially strike the same flies. Since they are ambush fish, the fly must be allowed to simply stay still for a few minutes until the strike occurs. |
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Rocky River Chapter of Trout Unlimited - 2014
Rocky River Chapter of Trout Unlimited - 2014