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RETURN to Putah Creek Trout -> Putah Creek Fly Fishing Forum -> Putah Creek Fly Fishing -> tips for fishing putah during winter/low flows
Post Info TOPIC: tips for fishing putah during winter/low flows
spencer


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tips for fishing putah during winter/low flows
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Hey guys,

I was out on Putah yesterday from 9-5 with no success, not even a bite!  A very humbling experience.  Last time I was out there in November I had more or less the same issue, though I at least had one bite that day.

I thought I was all prepared for yesterday.  Tied up a ton of small flies, lots of #18-24 midges and micro mays, and even some 26-28s for good measure.  Went down to 7x tippet, even 8x for a little while.  Used a very small indicator.  Fished as stealthy as I possibly could.  Nada.

There were some bugs coming off throughout the day, though I didn't see any rises, so I stuck with nymphs.  I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, or if it's just a weird time of year?

Talked to a couple other guys out there, one was skunked, other got one 10" but that was it.  Second guy I talked to said he'd talked to some "old timers" who've been fishing putah for 15 years, and they said it's been the most difficult winter they've seen as far as fishing goes.  Perhaps something to do with the really low flows in early fall and the unseasonable weather this january.

Even though I was skunked, it was still an awesome day.  Perfect weather, and a day on a river, even if skunked, is still a day well spent in my opinion!

Hoping some of you guys can provide a few tips on what might work better. I just started fishing last summer, got putah pretty dialed in with 300-400cfs, but have yet to begin to crack it during the winter.

Spencer

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fear no fish


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Dont feel bad spencer.
I have flyfished putah for a long time now and many times it seems that in winter fishing things are either on or they are off (also a few average days). Most northern california rivers are like this and it is really hard to explain. I have guided a few rivers/ streams for a number of years and let me tell you something: There are plenty of times I have gone out with clients and done great only to go out even a day later and really have to fish hard for even poor results. It happens. A few days ago putah was fishing pretty good, and for some little glitch in the weather the action turned off the time you went. Also many times while fishing on days like you described the fish may not hit all morning and then just like that hit like crazy for just 15 minutes. Fish are like people, they can be very unpredictable sometimesconfuse.  You learn from the times you get skunked the important thing is to remember you are fishing; there are plenty of people behind a desk at work. 

Tight Lines

                                  --Fear No Fish--

-- Edited by fear no fish at 16:45, 2009-01-26

-- Edited by fear no fish at 16:45, 2009-01-26

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shon42073


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Spencer, I personaly think success isn't measured by one day on putah creek. Go several trips without a detected bite then maybe your doing something wrong. Maybe the fish weren't active at the time you fished a particular spot. I don't really think 7 or 8x tippet is needed on putah. Make sure your using enough weight.

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Flyin4:20


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ya bro, you don't wanna do the 7x or 8x during these times.  i learned my lesson after losing hella flies.  i go 4x then 5x dropper about 8 to 10".

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bono


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I personally like to use 5x dropped down to 6x on puyah this time of year,I have found that if you use anything lighter in order to land a fish you have to overplay it potentially harming the fish. Maybe resulting in a few less hooked fish but a much lower mortality rate. Bono

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Greg Bonovich
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Phone: 800-480-5285
Cell: 707-480-3809
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