Looks like I'll be able to take a half day at work tomorrow (Wednesday the 17th) and am hoping to head up to Putah for the afternoon for a few hours of fishing. I've been up a couple times before but am still trying to figure out the best spots (I've fished off of #3 & #4 but not extensively).
If any one wants to meet up or has any advice on where to go this time of year it would be much appreciated.
Fished Putah creek today for the first time in about 15 or 20 years.. It is such an absolutely beautiful stream.. Things have changed a lot since I took an Entomology class there with Mike Monroe.. Folks, I'm talking about before the Anhauser brewery was completed and put on line.. If my memory serves me correctly the flow was increased by about half just to accommodate the brewery's needs..
I only fished for three hours this morning and Putah Creek has never been an easy place to fish..! But I really got my Ass Kicked big time today..! I was both befuddled and famished..! I was completely lost and without a clue.. I'm going to give it another try this Friday the 10th.. I hope someone out there will read this letter and take Pitty on my Dumb Ass and send me a few tips I can try on Friday.. Thank for reading this letter..! HELP! Chuck B.
I tried using the combination of Hairs Ear wet fly and Gold Ribed Hairs Ear nymph fished on a dropper.. I used a 10 foot HD fast sinking tip line trying to get down deep fast.. I used the same line setup but with a AP Copper Nymph on a dropper instead of the Hairs Ear Nymph.. Still no interest..! Anyone have any suggestions..? Chuck
I would start at the bridge and fish below that if you're into swinging soft hackles. Cast quartering up stream to let your fly sink and then you'll be "fishing" out in front of you and downstream from there. You may not even need a sinking line. In fact, if you're splashing and stirring up the water with a sink tip this may be spooking fishing. Try a 9-12' leader with a small soft hackle and maybe a split shot a few inches above. Another spot to swing but shorter casts is #5 around the island if you can find a spot to safely cross. The island splits the river into two manageable sections. Fish the side farther from where you cross.
Swinging flies is a lot of fun but on Putah it's kind of like streamer fishing, lots of casting for a few tugs but if that's your thing keep at it. You may end up teaching us a few things. However, if you're into getting hookups you may want to suspend your smaller nymphing below an indicator and focus on getting a slower drift giving the fish a change to inspect the fly and take it while they're hunkered down near the bottom. Try smaller nymph 16-20 in black and olive. Such as a zebra midge or Micro May.
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Leland Fly Fishing Ranch 24120 Arnold Dr. Sonoma, CA 95476
