I fished the creek this morning with KHB. The day started out nice with no clouds in site, but it was freezing cold. The cold didn't bother me too much, though, because I was wearing LOTS of clothes. Anyway, the fishing was good. I hooked five and landed four--a 10"er, a 12"er, a 16"er, and a 19"er. All but the 16"er were caught on an egg pattern. The 16"er took a #20 zebra midge. The one lost fish was about 20" and also took the egg. The egg pattern was an otter's egg. The fish seemed to like it, but the eggs didn't hold up well. The first one was ripped of the hook by the second fish I landed. The second "fly" got pretty chewed up by the last couple of fish. Anyway, I'm looking for another egg pattern with similar coloration that will hold up better.
__________________
"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
Can you explane to me the pattern you were using. I am not familiar with a otters egg pattern. I have also had good luck with a multi color egg pattern that was made of foam.
Also how was the wind today. I almost went this morning but decided to stay in.
Great report JT. Glad someone is out on the creek. I have been hunting SH in the american the past couple trips, with a grand total of a couple of half pounders and one smallish adult. What area were you fishing at? Props on fishing in the cold. I am down in SoCal this weekend for the gf's b-day. Its 29 out right now, low was 20.
JT those otter eggs are nice, I've used them for steelhead on the A. But they do come off easy. I've learned to put some thread down on the hook first than some glue and than slip the egg on, it helps but they're still kind of fragile. Other than that I mostly use McFly Foam for tying egg paterns. Easy tying and good color selections.
Another egg pattern that I've some luck with is a glue egg. They only take about a minute to make once you have everything set up, and they're indestructible if made right. They are hard, though, so fish don't seem to hold on to them for very long.
Timmosaz,
If you google otter's egg, you'll see the pattern that we're talking about. They come in a few sizes and colors. An Otter's Egg is a soft egg that you slide onto the hook. Most people wrap the hook shank with tying thread and glue first to add to the durability of the "fly" but it still doesn't last long if the fish are biting. Most people add white silky thread as well to imitate the sperm on the egg.
101fish,
I was fishing near the bridge. I fished a little above the bridge but didn't see much. Below the bridge there were quite a few fish holding below the redds, though. I'm actually hoping to hit up the American myself this week. I went to the hatchery yesterday with my wife to take a look around. There were quite a few fishermen and fish in the river. There was a fish in the ladder that had a fly stuck in the corner of his mouth. He must have somebody for a ride. Those fish sure do put your gear to the test with every hookup!
__________________
"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
JT thanks for the info on the otter eggs. It just happends that I have those in my fly box. I was drawing a blank when I read your post. Those are great. Thanks again.
