I snuck out to the creek before class this morning. It probably wasn't the best idea. I ended up sleeping through my first class. The water is still murky, but at least the brown tint is gone. I met up with dtp916 before sunrise, and we got into some pretty nice fish. The regular old Putah flies weren't working today due to the water clarity issues, but we were able to figure out something that the fish would take. Thanks for the flies, bro. Hopefully the water will continue to clear in the coming days.
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"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
That's what I wanna hear someone out there fishing and getting away from all this drama. I know your not going to tell me what flies were working, so I'm gonna ask you anyway. What flies were working?
nice to see that it is clearing up, cant wait till friday, i had the same problem with the really really mucky water on the 10th, the normal go to flies wasnt gettin nothing, first cast with a fly i never used or would even think of using and it got hammered. just had to through something bigger and brighter than the norm.
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Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
nice to see that it is clearing up, cant wait till friday, i had the same problem with the really really mucky water on the 10th, the normal go to flies wasnt gettin nothing, first cast with a fly i never used or would even think of using and it got hammered. just had to through something bigger and brighter than the norm.
Want to give any info on what fly that might be.....
I didn't even try the JT Special. The best color is olive, and with the water color that wasn't even an option. Most people go a little darker (or brighter) and a couple sizes bigger than normal in off-color water.
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"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
i was using a single fly no dropper and a size 12 and brighter than normal. lilwhippersnapper you already what i was using, and i will have a few waiting for ya when you get back out there.
sorry boys cant give all my secrets away. i have learned a few things on my own in my 10 months of fly fishing. hahaha just playin with ya.
lets put it this way, is clear water, you use natural colors, greys, browns, blacks, reds, right, whether you fishing for trout, musky, smallies, largemouths, walleys, any type of fish right, well when you get muddy murky water, you go larger and brighter. i just had to think outside the box that day, and glad i did.
nice report jt, glad to see you gettin out on the creek.
-- Edited by brian clemens at 21:38, 2008-01-14
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Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
I know, but I don't want to give away your secret. Unless JT wants to give away his. Huh JT? I can give you the secret of the Brian special for a secret of your own.
Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
When all else fails turn over a few rocks. I turned over a rock this weekend and there were several large caddis larvae on a rock with less than a one foot diameter. The caddis are tan to brown size 14 to 16. There were also a few scuds. Tie on a caddis!!!
I was out today as well. I fished from about 3 to 530. Water was still colored up but it was fishable unlike early last week.
I was hoping that it would be empty up there with the colored water and the spawn starting to wind down but I was wrong. I saw cars at almost every turnout including three or four cars at five and probably about 5 between access #3 and #4. Needless to say it was a zoo.
Fishing was ok for me today, didn't hook as many fish as usual but I wouldn't call it slow either. The fish were just extra good at spitting the hook today. I think the incredible amount of pressure had something to do with the little bit slower action, especially since I saw quite a few people wade through several of my spots that generally no one fishes.
Used the standard setup I've been using for the last several months, midge under an egg. Didn't really see the need in going bigger or darker, so didn't do it. I guess I should have but never got around to it. Generally when water is this color, I use bigger and darker. If visibility is generally less than eighteen inches I will use black since its the most visible through dirty water. I use brighter colors when clarity begins to clear. Words of wisdom for choosing flies for steelhead (I didn't make this up, just have heard it a lot): "bright day, bright fly; dark day, dark fly."
I fished the creek this past weekend and I tried everything in the box. I hooked 5-6 fish in the morning and then didn't get a take for the rest of the day. I tried bright and dark to no avail. Each fish that I did hook either spit it out or wound me up in rocks that I couldn't see due to the water clarity. A rough day indeed. I'd do it again in a second :)
I snuck out to the creek before class this morning. It probably wasn't the best idea. I ended up sleeping through my first class. The water is still murky, but at least the brown tint is gone. I met up with dtp916 before sunrise, and we got into some pretty nice fish. The regular old Putah flies weren't working today due to the water clarity issues, but we were able to figure out something that the fish would take. Thanks for the flies, bro. Hopefully the water will continue to clear in the coming days.
"Some pretty nice fish..."
Give me a freakin' break.
I had a Near Rod Breaking Experience, NRBE, day. I fished my 3wt Winston and it got put to the test. Damn, that stick is awesome. landed some pigs 21", 23", 18", 22". I thought it was going to snap but it just kept bending. Lost a few more, but the big boy didn't get away today.
You're welcome for the flies, thanks for the advice and landing help. You showed me up good that first part of the morning! Nice work! I want those pics ASAP.
ya same here, dont try brighter with muddy murky water, its all good, more fish for me and jt.
__________________
Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
I try many different things everytime i go to putah of course i'll use bright stuff. But the dark patterns seem to work well when its overcast or raining, Not when its muddy.Not like i am gonna stand there and cast a dark fly for 6 freakin hours and not try something bright .
Hi: I saw you below the bridge on Monday around 1:30 p.m. with your dog and we chatted. Landed a nice fat 20" after you moved on. Sage 5wt, #20 black midge.
