Sunday, April 13, 2014

Outsmarting Fish ~ Sunday Tippets, Damsel Style

Now, first of all, I am going to tell you right off the bat, I'm not an expert in any means in "outsmarting" fish.  But, recently, I have found a few new tricks that I thought would be helpful to some of you.  Well, at least those that are in the same learning mode as I am!!  In some way or another, we are all learning something on the water each time we go out.  That is a given.  And that is why we fly fish.  Because it is not always the same scenario each time we go out.  Water levels fluctuate, currents change, hatches change, etc. etc.... And so the adventure continues.  So, how do we "outsmart" those trout that lie beneath the riffles and pools of our stream?  




When there isn't a hatch going on and you can visually see the risers in front of you, we look for places that hold trout.  This is where reading the water is a necessity.  When I first started fly fishing, I was so confused on what to look for and where to find it. Five years later, I'm not an expert... but, I do know where they lie a lot of the time.  I just need to perfect that bug selection and set that cast a bit quicker!!   (I have lost way too many trout)   When fishing a river, I look for where the fast water meets the slow water.  Where the deep water meets the shallow water.  And where the rocks offer a resting place for the trout from the fast current. 



This past week, I had a fun experience.  I saw a tree and a lot of obstruction falling across the narrow channel on the side of the main river.  Boy, did I want to investigate!  The short riffle on top going into a deeper small pool in front of a fallen branch.  For sure, there would be a fish in there! Mainly because, he would think that no one would bother him and be in a safe haven.  This was a highly hazardous place for a fly to go astray and not come back.  Do you get my drift?  Drift... yes, that is what I needed to do.  Carefully, drift that fly across that deep spot and then pull the line up quickly before it got caught in the fallen branch. Can you see a "tangled line"???  And maybe only one chance if it was a spooky fish.



I'm definitely getting more daring.  What the heck, I reached into my fly box and picked two flies that I was ok in losing.  (Positive thinking, huh?)  My placement of the flies would have to be perfect.  I could so easily be snagged.  I had about three to four feet of water to drift.  I casted... I drifted right over... BOOM!!! Hello!!!  Up and out of the water he came and then down under that stinkin' branch.  I have lost too many fish lately due to pulling the line.  So, I waited and kept the line tight.  A minute later and he went towards the corner of the trunk of the tree.  Now, I could start stripping the line in a bit.  I worked him a few minutes and he was in the net!  Lucky?  Yeah, that I didn't lose my flies. But, not lucky that he was there.  It was just the perfect place for a fish nap. 



A huge grin appeared on my face as I released him back into the slow current of the river.  I "outsmarted" a fish and it felt soooooo good.   I cannot lie.  We will all have this experience sometime and will relish in what we have learned in our many journeys out to the water.  It makes it so worth it.  = )  Go with your instincts.  You will probably be right!!


How sweet it was...

Size 16 beadhead rainbow sow to lead and entice and a Size 18 purple zebra midge to bite on... 

Footnote:  I recently started tying and both were my poor ties.  But, fish don't seem to care.   Lol.

Sunday Tippet:  Trout fishing is challenging.  But if we find places that fish can feel secure, don't be afraid to try it!  Even if there is a bit of obstruction.  They will try to find a comfortable place where the current is slowed and food is pushed their way, as this channel was.  Trees, undercut banks, rocks (I know, bring a few extra flies) are usually great places to find Mr. Trout.




11 comments:

  1. Well, I'm no expert either, but I think you're getting there judging by the tippet and the photos. Now if we can just do something about those nails!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Howard ~ I will bring my brown trout nails to Colorado when I come out. = )

      Delete
  2. Howard is just jealous if your fingernails. Pay him no attention. I always thought we had a lot of flies because we lose them all the time. I didn't know we were supposed try to keep them. Just kidding.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark ~ I think he is. And yes, we are supposed to keep the flies... well, most of them. At least the ones that work. Haha.

      Delete
  3. RD
    First off, outstanding post, this is why I blog to learn more about this great sport we all love “fly fishing”. Beautiful brown taken in some tight quarters with some excellent mending and casting; just curious what weight and length fly rod were you using? Thanks for sharing a lesson in landing a worthy opponent in the form of an educated brown.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Bill ~ I tell you what, nothing feels better than catching a fish on your first cast. Except for when that first cast has to be so very perfect, It might sound like I'm tooting my horn, but I really was excited to be able to land this guy!! I guess what I was trying to say in this post is that experience and time on the water pays off, You learn more and more every time you go out. I bought a Ross Essence FC in a 9 ft. 6 wt. Now, it handles like a 5 wt. Which is just perfect for me. I really need to do a review on it. Thanks for the idea! So easy to cast and I have put my middle range Sage on the shelf.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Really enjoyed reading this post. It is of very,very good quality. Rather it is the first cast or the last one, when you stalk a fish or a particular piece of water and you have success like that, who wouldn't swell up with pride! Now, if only I could do that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mel ~ I know you can do that... Why? Because you are the Pondstalker... = ) I'm sure that your years of experience lead you to these type of trout hiding places!

      Delete
  6. i see you are in my neck of the woods

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mike ~ Thanks for stopping by and finding me in one of my favorite places to fish! Yes, this river has been very good to me.

    ReplyDelete