I've been going to the Putah roughly once a week for a month now. Skunked x4. I'm a bit discouraged. I'm trying #18 dark bead head nymphs behind a leading fly of various configurations - small san juan worm, wooly worms. Mostly I've been dead drifting with an indicator. I'm using 4 or 5x 9' leaders on a WF5F line. I've been concentrating on above and below the bridge area but I'm really new to the water.
It's like they see me coming! Arg. Any tips would be appreciated.
Would fluoro tippet help? I've been using mono to this point but I've been reading some people swear by it and others think it's bull.
Thanks!
Dan
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I thought I would head off any obvious comments of "it's not the leader, it's the fisherman" type comments- I DO realize that how you fish is more important than the gear.... I also realize I have A LOT to learn to expect to catch 'em every time.
Dan
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In my opinion, Remember just ones guys opinion other may and will disagree. First thing you should do is come to the Nov. 20th creek cleanup and I think theres going to be a BBQ after like usuall, Then you can pick some brains all day and maybe fish with some experienced putah guys. Next you could always do a day with Greg Bonovich or halfday to get the hang of things. I would suggest exploring the entire creek as there is plenty of fishable water all along putah from access 5 to the dam. Small fly's are the norm midges probably being the most productive type of pattern #20's and smaller on 5 or 6x I shy away from 6x because theres really big fish in there and they love to snag you in whatever they can. Take some time to turn over some rocks and see what the fish are eating, You'll find lots of insect life especially in the riffles. Experiament with weight, leader length, and indicator placement, After awhile you'll know exactly what combo. is needed for each spot you fish due to experience. I personally am one of the ones that believe flouro. is overated, I always use mono. Each has its pro's and con's. The most important thing is this.....Get out there and fish as much as you possibly can, Putah is just plain hard ! 4 trips without a hookup isn't nothin. I'll throw one more thing out there, I'm willing to bet your getting bites and not detecting them. Super suttle bites alot of the time. Good luck out there.
Yep I agree with Shon on the subtle bites. I try not to use bead heads, they don't seem to work for me at Putah. On my 2 nymph rig I use about 14"-18" tippet between the two flies and one tiny split shot on that (between the flies). Of course thats in addition to whatever weight I add above my first fly. Good luck, and just keep fishing.......................
Regarding flies, visit your local fly shop and ask them to make recommendations. Almost all of the local shops can help you with this. Small copper johns, brassies, disco midges, and zebra midges are usually a good starting point. Regarding what you are doing wrong, I would focus on getting a good drift and getting your flies down near the bottom of the stream. Presenting a fly down to the level of the fish and in a natural manner are typically more important than what fly you are using; usually a fish will not focus exclusively on one fly unless there is a prolific hatch going on. If you are not catching fish at one spot, move! Just keep trying different holes and areas. Sooner or later, you'll start finding them. If you run into other anglers, watch them and see what they are doing (from a courteous distance). You can learn a lot from watching others.
Thanks for all of your encouragement. I'm not sure if I will be able to make the stream clean-up day due to family obligations...
I especially appreciate the detailed guidance regarding rigs. I think it's great that we have Putah so close and that it DOES challenge. Although could it give it up once in a while! Please Fish Gods? I may try some fluoro soon just to see if it makes any differece. I just got a $100 gift card at Cabella's. Still having fun!
Dan
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I may be a little unorthodox but to save a bit of money on tippet I just buy a normal bass fishing flourocarbon 4# test I can buy 200-300 yards for about $20 and thatll last me a long time. I know its not ideal and a little on the heavy side for anything less than say a 4 weight but it works for me and saves me money
I think getting down to the bottom is probably the most important thing at Putah... Make sure you're bumping the bottom every once in awhile. I've had time where I've made 20 drifts in a hole with no takes, but once I added another weight I would get a fish on the very next drift in the same hole.
I think I have found my new Putah Creek fishing outfit. It has a nice mossy look. I should blend right in so they wont know it's me.
The suite collects serious amounts of sticks and various types of debris thourghout a day of fishing along an overgrown creek. Be prepared to spend a substantial amount of time cleaning it out. Don't ask me how I know this
-- Edited by shon42073 on Wednesday 17th of November 2010 05:35:21 PM
