Nymphs

Winter Fly Fishing Tips

Posted Sat, 02/13/2010 - 12:17 by jmaslar
Your rating: None

Winter Fishing Tips:
Just because you are cold don’t assume that the trout are cold and not feeding. Many of us have caught hundreds of trout in the mounatins of North Carolin and Tennessee when the water was between 45 degrees and 50 degrees and even when it was below 45 degrees! Of course you will need to slow down your presentations, and have confidence expecting to catch fish. I can not stress enough that the winter fishing required slowness and stealth!

However, if you are planning to use a dry fly in fast moving water the way you would do in warm weather, you will probably not have a good day. You will need good imitations of nymphs fished correctly to overcome the slower, clearer water conditions and the slower metabolism of the trout. Under the right conditions and the right degree of stealth you can have some very productive days in the winter. There are fewer hatches in the winter but despite that, there are more nymphs and larvae in the water than any other time of the year.

During the winter months, the Blue Winged Olives, and the Midges will be the most likely hatches that you will see. Occasionally, there will be hatches of the Little Black Winter Stoneflies on the warmer days. However, the major insect activity will be a result of the Midge hatches. Be sure to not key on the hatch itself but be prepared to fish the nymphs before the hatch. Check out Class 3021 “Correctly Matching the Hatch” for some tips about hatches.

Try using midges or try to match some of the naturals that you see in red, black, gray and cream colors and think small in the area of size #20 through #24 hooks. Again we will stress that Midges are by far the fly of choise for all purposes in the winter. The leader tippet combination should be about 10 feet or more. Fish the lightest and longest leader that you can be comfortable with, perhaps a 7x leader, to make the leader and tippet combo equal to 10 feet at a minimum.  Use a longer rod, especially in the larger waters as it will allow you to achieve a drag free drift and you will get longer casts in the open runs.

It will always be necessary to weight the nymph with split shot in order to get to the bottom especially in the deeper fast moving water. Remember the trout will stay lower or on the bottom since that is where they expect the food to be. Also, with the slow metabolism brought on by the colder water, the trout will not move far to take the fly.

Cast upstream slightly across and quickly mend the line. As the fly begins to head down stream raise the rod holding the tip of the rod high above the fly keeping the fly line out of the water. Get the fly to drift in a natural manner and not be dragged along by the fast current near the surface. Keep the fly line upstream behind the fly throughout the drift. This will keep the line tight so that you can feel the trout strike.

The Czech method of nymphing often referred to as the "high stickin" method provides an alternative method to get your fly down into deeper water or pockets where trout may be hiding. This method eliminates the impact of the drag caused by faster moving water on or near the surface pulling the fly line.

For tips on how to use a strike indicator and the dropper technique for nymphing go to Top Nymphing Tactics from George Dainel, the National Fly Fishing Champion .

Note: The pictures above are trout caught on the Davidson River, North Carolina in December by Ralph McClellan Jr. from Mountain Fly Fishing Adventures in Spruce Pine, NC.

Fly Fishing in Winter

Posted Fri, 02/12/2010 - 14:09 by jmaslar
Your rating: None Average: 4 (1 vote)

Since we have been having a major winter here in the Smoky Mountains with a great deal of snow fall and with unseasonably cold weather, it may be time to discuss the water temperature and how it affects the trout fishing. We have discussed this in some length in Class 2052 Winter Trout Fishing  by Dan Farnsworth who is from the very far North and who will not go fishing in the summer.

 
How Water Temperature Affects Trout:
Trout are cold blooded creatures and their body temperature is the same as the water temperature and unlike humans, they do not feel cold or warm. For humans the “normal” body temperature is 98.6 degrees and we feel cold when the air temperature is freezing. The trout’s metabolism is however affected by the water temperature and slows down as the water cools down. In cold water, they move about much less than they do in ideal water temperatures of 55 to 60 degrees. In warm water, their metabolism is high and they need to eat a lot to maintain their body weight or grow in weight. They will need to position themselves in faster or moderately moving water. where they can get the maximum amount of food with the least amount of energy.
 
Cold water on the other hand will contain a greater amount of dissolved oxygen and the water does not need to be moving to pick up more oxygen. Therefore, the trout can live well in the still or slower moving areas of the stream making it unnecessary to spend energy fighting the fast water. Another point to consider; if the water is flowing at five miles an hour and the trout are in the fast water, they must swim at five miles per hour just to keep from being carried downstream.
 
How Changing Water Temperature Affects Trout:
Changes in water temperature affect the feeding habits of the trout more than the actual water temperature. When water temperature suddenly changes from an ideal temperature to a colder temperature as it may during a freezing rain or hail storm, it will slow down the feeding habits of the trout until they adjust. This may take one day or more to occur and in the meantime they will definitely be in the slower water. In the Smokies we have often been successful when there was snow on the ground and even when it was snowing. The falling snow will not affect the water temperature as much as it will affect the angler. Also, contrary to what some anglers believe, they are not going to be in the sunny spots of the streams. Since the water in most Smoky Mountains streams is moving rapidly, the temperature of the water is not going to change in those small areas of sunlight.
 
Locating Trout in cold Weather:
What I am trying to point out is that it is very possible to fish when the water temperature is 40 degrees or even as low as 35 degrees. To locate the fish, ideally, you need to slow down and catching trout will be a little more difficult. Trout can be found in the slow moving water of pools or areas of water near the faster moving water. But you must be careful in identifying the slow moving waters in a stream. Finding the slow moving waters can indeed be deceptive. The slow water can be easily seen from the surface in eddies, etc., however, there are also many areas of the stream beneath fast moving water where the water is moving slow.
 
A large boulder or series of rocks can create an eddy effect beneath the surface and it is not easily spotted. Of course, there will be cover and slower moving waters near obstructions like brush or logs and also near some banks. Don’t expect to find the trout feeding in runs, but the water under the runs may be moving slower and they may hang there.
 
Water depth especially in pools will be a factor and the trout will in many cases position themselves near or on the bottom, where the water is barely moving.   As a result you will often find the trout in clear, cold water appear to be lying on the bottom. However, these trout in the clear, slow moving waters can see you easily. Trout near the surface have a very small window of vision while the trout holding in deep, clear water have a very large window of vision and can detect objects above the surface much easier and much farther from them. Also, since the water is moving slowly and carrying the fly much more slowly, the trout have a much better look at it and can be far more selective.
 
Next, we will discuss the best equipment, flies and methods for winter trout fishing.
 
 

Fly Fishing Japaneese Style: Tenkara

Posted Sun, 01/17/2010 - 18:23 by jmaslar
Your rating: None

Tenkara is the traditional simplified Japanese method of fly-fishing developed over centuries in the small mountain streams of Japan. In this method, only a telescoping rod, line and fly are used; there is no need for a reel. Without the complexity of the added gear, you are free to focus on your casting and fishing techniques.  

Tenkara is especially effective for fishing the pocket water in the fast flowing streams such as are found in the Great Smoky Mountains. The obvious advantages are the simplicity, the ability to make delicate and precise presentations, the ability to keep the line off the water and the ability to reach small overgrown challenging streams. The Tenkara method also gives perfect control over the fly at all times.
 
All that is needed is a telescoping rod that is 11 to 13 feet in length when fully extended. To the end of the rod, tie a length of small diameter fish line that is approximately one foot longer than the extended rod. To the end of the line attach the fly; simple! And since the rod collapses down to 20 inches Tenkara is great for the SmokeyMountains backpacking and camping trips.
 
The fly is propelled by the line as done in the West, but the fly casting technique is shorter and slower. The Tenkara rig will also be perfect for dry fly fishing in the small mountain streams using the Great Smoky Mountaineer developed method of "caneing" using cane poles as well as the "slingshotting" or "bow and arrow"method of fishing. Also, the Tenkara method can be employed for high-sticking nymphs or for the Czech method of nymph fishing.
 
Landing a fish is very intuitive and similar to any type of fishing with a rod. All the angler must do is to simply raise the rod high, and reach for the fish.
 
For much more information on the subject refer to Tenkara USA. 

Fly Fishing the Green Sedge Pupa

Posted Sat, 12/12/2009 - 16:33 by jmaslar

The Green Sedge Pupae General Description:
The green sedge (green rock worm) hatch occurs from early spring through the middle of summer and occasionally on a warm day in the fall of the year. There are over 100 species of the green sedge so it may be possible that the hatch can be extended depending on that particular species. Normally, as a hatch occurs, it will last over one month before all have hatched, deposited their eggs and die.

In the late afternoon hours in the spring, you will often see them emerging and swimming to the surface of the water. Later in the season, they will emerge in the early evenings..

 
 Presentation Information:
As with the pupa you should fish the imitation fly on the bottom of the fast moving waters, riffles, and runs. Of course weight will be necessary to compensate for the depth and the speed of the water. An alternative is to fish it as a dead drift somewhat below the surface, or you can fish it as if it rising to the surface. As you swing the rod, lift it up and let it down to simulate the movement of the pupa as it rises to the surface. 

 

See the new double sided fly boxes.

Fly Fishing the Little Black Caddisfly Pupa

Posted Thu, 12/10/2009 - 17:31 by jmaslar

Little Black Caddis General Information:)
The little black caddis hatch is an important hatch due to the fact that the pupae swim up to the surface when emerging causing the hatch to look very much like the typical mayfly hatch. The caddisflies hatch will usually take place in relative smooth portions of water.


The hatch will start usually in the early afternoon hours often lasting until the late afternoon hours. Usually, but not always, the hatch is still going on the female adults will start to deposit her eggs on the surface film of the water.
 
The trout create a feeding frenzy once this activity commences. As they hatch on the surface, they shed the thin pupa skin and start to dry their wings. Note that the shedding of the skin enables the wings to become strong enough to fly away to the foliage beside the stream. The process of ascending to the surface and shedding the skin causes them to change into an adult and this process makes them vulnerable to the trout. The trout will gorge themselves at this time.
 
As the trout feed, they take the pupae just below the surface and you might see a slight swirl on the surface of the water. However, sometimes you might miss the slight effects on the surface, none the less, be assured it is happening if the trout are present. We believe that more little black caddisflies are eaten in the pupae stage than are eaten as adults.

Pupae Presentation Information:
The little black caddisflies pupae usually hatch in the slower, smoother areas of the stream such as pocket water. Using the up and across stream presentation would be appropriate for the pupae imitation fly. It is suggest that you will do somewhat better fishing upstream because you will get closer to the feeding trout.

Using either the across stream or the downstream presentation will be effective if you duplicate the pupa swimming to the surface to hatch. To duplicate this action, stop the rod near the end of the drift, allowing the fly to rise up to the surface. Let the current at the end of the line, bring the fly to the surface much the same as the rinsing pupa.
 
The caddisfly hatch can be detrimentally affected by the early heavy spring rains in the freestone streams of the Southeast USA like the Great Smoky Mountains, however, it still remains the most important early season hatch.

 

 

See the new double sided fly boxes.

Fly Fishing the Golden Stonefly Nymph

Posted Wed, 12/09/2009 - 12:33 by jmaslar

Fly Fishing the Little Brown Stonefly Nymph

Posted Wed, 12/09/2009 - 11:34 by jmaslar

Fly Fishing the Little Yellow Stonefly

Posted Wed, 12/09/2009 - 10:42 by jmaslar

Nymphs General Information:
For fly fishing, stonefly nymphs are very important in fact, they are more important than the adults. The reason is that they make up a major portion of a trout’s diet. There are several species of stoneflies, but the species of the Periodidae family are the most important. Within this family, the basic color and shape does not vary much, however, there are some differences in their size.

The Little Yellow Stonefly, (Yellow Sally) is of this family and like all other stoneflies; they crawl out of the water to hatch. The migration route takes them from their home between or under the rocks on the floor of the stream to the banks where they will hatch. This action allows the trout to eat them in great numbers. As long as the little yellow stoneflies remain in or under rocks they are safe from the trout unless they become dislodged in some way and drift downstream.
 
Since there are so many species of stoneflies, their hatches occur often, more so than most anglers realize. Therefore, it is wise to try the stonefly nymphs almost anytime throughout the entire year especially since the trout will eat them whether or not they are hatching. The little yellow stonefly provides the best opportunity for anglers as they often hatch during the daytime hours and some may hatch during the early evenings in warm weather. Other species however, will hatch only during the evenings.
 
Stoneflies must have clean fast flowing waters to live. Some of the stoneflies will crawl up on the stones projecting above the water to hatch but most of them will migrate to the banks to hatch. Upon reaching the banks, they will abruptly shed their shucks and fly away. The several species of the little yellow stoneflies hatch at different times of the day with the Yellow Sally species hatching predominately in the afternoons. Warmer weather will sometimes delay the hatch to late afternoon. Although the nymphs may migrate all day, the best opportunity for the anglers will be later in the day.
 
Nymphs Presentation Information:
Avoid walking down through the water preferring to ambush the trout from the banks so as not to spook the trout. As you may already know, the trout can hear you through their lateral line as you walk on the bank close to the water so be very careful with your approach. Where the vegetation allows, cast from the bank. When it becomes necessary to wade into the water do so as quietly as possible without kicking the rocks, staying about a rods length away from the bank. Fish the nymph down and across allowing the nymph to swing back to the bank slowly dragging the nymph along the bottom as it goes toward the bank. Obviously, as with all nymphs, it is important to keep the nymph on the bottom so use weights as appropriate.
 
As you slowly continue along the bank, cast frequently to cover the water. To increase your coverage of the water, use a reach cast to cast 10 or 15 feet into the midstream. Slowly drag the fly toward the bank lifting the rod tip frequently allowing the nymph to drift a few inches toward the bank with each lifting of the rod.

 

 

See the new double sided fly boxes.

Fly Fishing the Hendrickson Nymph

Posted Tue, 12/08/2009 - 14:36 by jmaslar

Nymph General Description:
The Hendrickson nymphs hatch in the surface film in smooth mild flowing water as found in pools, shallow pock water and the ends of runs. They usually hatch in the mid afternoon if the weather is favorable. The nymph is a crawler that prefers the softer stream bottoms such as soil, sand or smaller gravel and they can be easily swept away by the currents. They are slender and have various shades of brown on their bodies.

Presentation:
Start fly fishing with the Hendrickson nymph in morning because the Hendrickson, like other mayflies, are more susceptible to being eaten by a trout just prior to the hatch in the afternoon. Present the fly on the bottom of the slow side of seams. As with other nymphs, use the short up and across stream cast (high sticking) or the longer up and across approach. Let your fly slowly drift downstream, and then stop the rod allowing the fly to rise to the surface as if it going to hatch. It might prove interesting to use the high sticking method or the bolder Czech nymphing technique.

 

 

See the new double sided fly boxes,

Fly Fishing the Quill Gordon Nymph

Posted Mon, 12/07/2009 - 14:22 by jmaslar

Nymph General Description:
The Quill Gordon nymphs are flat shaped and have two tails. They are clingers preferring to remain attached to the bottom gravel and stones of the stream making it somewhat difficult for the trout to eat them. Should they become unattached they will tumble down the stream in an awkward fashion, but this seldom happens.
 
Before emerging, they will crawl on the bottom to the slower waters, which may or may not be shallower water, but often will be behind a large rock or near a bank. Remember they don't necessarily move to shallow water, just slower calmer water and most of the time this means they move behind a boulder or large rock to hatch. They will congregate in these small pockets of calmer water within the faster portions of the water.  Once in the slower water, the Quill Gordon nymph will commence to hatch.
  
Remember the important difference from other mayflies is that the Quill Gordons hatch on the bottom or on their accent to the surface while other mayflies hatch on the surface film. As they rise to the surface the wings will open so wet flies like the wet dun will work great during the hatch. As they leave the bottom, they will shed their shucks.

Nymph Presentation:
The Quill Gordon nymphs must be weighted properly to fish the faster moving water and seek the bottom where the nymphs live.  The nymphs will begin to emerge in the early cool mornings and early afternoons, so you should fish them at that time in the current seems where the water is downstream from the calmer waters. After the hatch begins, the trout begin to feed on the emerging nymphs and that will signal the need to switch to the wet or even the dry imitations of the dun
 
 

See the new double sided fly boxes