7 replies to this topic

[grayer]

Another little adventure to a local park, which apparently holds resident brown trout. I ventured down there when I had only a couple hours to fish 2 times, once with with my fly rod, and again with my UL trout outfit. I am a relatively new fly fisherman, and for the last 2 years or so, I only used woolly buggers and streamers really for smallies. I thought this year would be the year that I learn how to fish for trout properly on my fly rod. 

 

I hit a couple spots that looked decent enough to hold fish, so I put out my cast. Not really sure what to do with my dry fly (elk haired caddis), if I should let it drift, swing...etc. So I just did whatever really lol. Moved on to my next spot and got a nice little brown! It was awesome, it really reminded me of getting a largie on a frog. What I found was that I after a few casts, my fly would drift under the water and I didn't really know why. I was using a 6x leader I believe with a 4x tippet. 

 

Anyways, I am definitely hooked on this dry fly stuff and can't wait to learn more. Its pretty sweet. I have a 5wt and an 8wt. I was using my 5wt but I would love to see how fishing for resi's on a 2-3wt is! 

 

I put a little video together again to show what the evening looked liked! Make sure to watch in HD 1080p! 

 

Cheers!

 

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[prettyflyforawhiteguy]

Looks like fun nice spot

[Kit]

I know that spot. Good to see theres fish there. 

 

As for why your fly was sinking after a few casts the fly will take on water and sink. Doing a dozen or so false casts usually drys out flies but I recommend getting some fly floatant. And go smaller line size for dries. 3x is good. Also from watching your video im not sure if your mending your line so theres no drag on the fly which will also sink a dry.

 

I recently got a Echo Glass 3wt and its awesome for residents. Was at a local trib this evening and also got a nice brown and a dozen bows. 

[Shawarma]

I can't get your video to play on iPad or mobile.

[Berg]

You can also get this silicone stuff... Believe it's called desiccant. You toss your fly in the bottle, shake it lightly and it should be dry.

[rybak]

...

I hit a couple spots that looked decent enough to hold fish, so I put out my cast. Not really sure what to do with my dry fly (elk haired caddis), if I should let it drift, swing...etc. So I just did whatever really lol.

...

I had the same problem when I started so I have done some research on what methods and applications seemed to do the best job for others about keeping a fly on top of the water.

 

With that info, I looked into what was available in stores around me and I use the Loon Aquel floatant. I apply it before I cast the fly and do some false casts( cast back and forth to shake the water off the fly ) and I always pack some paper towels to dry off fish slime and water. I found that Elk hair flies perform really well and stand up well to being rubbed and shaken off without losing shape or otherwise.

 

During my last Sunday trip, I think I used only three files over the course of a few hours using the above method. I would dry the fly or false cast + reapply over and over and it seemed to work well.

 

Have fun!

[Shmogley]

You can also get this silicone stuff... Believe it's called desiccant. You toss your fly in the bottle, shake it lightly and it should be dry.

this stuff dries a fly quicker then anything else but make sure to give a few firm false casts after to get the crap off the fly or itll make your fly look all huge and white which can really turn the selective fish off in my experience.

 

i personally use gel floatant and let it dry. most people dont let it dry and end up having to reapply it every 10 casts or so

once properly dried it will last a couple hours

 

also if the fish are hitting the emerging flies having your fly dip under the film can be a good thing. as long as it isnt a parachute fly with some obnoxious colored indicator on its back  just watch for line jumps instead of a visual take

 

good luck 

 

edit: jesus, just realised how old this thread is...

[Catfish Everdeen]

Nice job! I just recently caught my first brown on a dry fly, one that I tied by myself even! That was a great feeling!