13 replies to this topic

[Troutaddict]

Semi new to fly fishing and fly fishing this early in the season. If anyone has any info on good strike indicators, split shots or what type of flies to use this time of year i would appreciate the advice! Fishing for steelhead of course

[Paul1913]

Stone flies, wooly buggers, Cooper johns, san juan worms, leeches, egg patterns. So many option

As for indicator it depends on the depth, flow and so on

[Ibstacle]

I like fishing an egg pattern and black stonefly in tandem. This is one of my most productive rigs for spring steelhead

[DILLIGAF?!]

I'm with Paul here...Copper johns are great during spring...stone flies on stain water. If there's some clarity bust out hare's ears and zebra midge. san juan worms after the rain.

[ChromeAddict]

Do you always use an indicator when you nymph?

[Troutaddict]

Thanks for the info guys! I don't usually use indicators when i nymph later in the season for resident fish. But i figured the indicator will help keep my fly in the strike zone for a longer period of time. Gonna stock up on some egg patterns, midges and san juan worms before i hit the water next. Hoping to hook up on a few fish before opener this year!

[Symmetre]

If you're going to add split shot and indicators and all sorts of other crap, just use a centerpin and be done with it. Once you add weight and "indicators" you're no longer fly fishing, you're adapting fly tackle to something it was never intended to do.

[Ibstacle]

yep just use a centerpin and go float fishing. You can still use flies and present them effectively. Maybe try beaded flies or jigs. 

[Huronfly]

Get some NZ strike indicators. They float high, cast easily, won't spook fish, and are super sensitive. Thingamabobbers good for fast current, heavy flow, and heavy rigs.

[Drew D]

F--k the "bobber". Keep that poop for the float boys. Go to tight line nymphing, numerous resources on the web. Also f--k the split shot, just go to multiple nymphs, and use heavier beads ( tungsten ) 3, 3.5, 4mm for example. For indicator use indicator tippet available from  several fly line companies ( Rio , Cortland, S.A, Umpqua etc..etc.. ). The strike detection and sensitivity on euro rigs is amazing.

[Berg]

There are advantages to fishing a centrepin-type rig with a fly line. It's still fly fishing despite what the dry fly elitist argument, not that that is what symmetre is saying. You can roll cast accurately with practice and then mend, or even mend before your rig lands depending on how much weight you have on. You can pick sections of water behind rocks or structure that you wouldn't necessarily be able to access from an upstream float. Another advantage is you can switch up your method as you encounter different water on the river. Switch from a float type method to a streamer or woolly bugger if you see a deep seam, etc. You can even get good at "walking the dog" as you float, which means you let out line as your float drifts away, similar to a centrepin letting off line, although it's not as effective and you can't set quite as well. Point is, you can still be very effective "float" fishing with fly gear. 

 

Don't have anything to add for flies, but another tip: changing weight and position of it is better than changing flies.

[fenwickfisher]

Large black stonefly about 5-6ft under an indicator with either an egg pattern or san juan off the bend of the first fly and a single bb sized split shot about 10-12" above the stonefly...change depth/weight as required

[Symmetre]

There are advantages to fishing a centrepin-type rig with a fly line. It's still fly fishing despite what the dry fly elitist argument, not that that is what symmetre is saying. You can roll cast accurately with practice and then mend, or even mend before your rig lands depending on how much weight you have on. You can pick sections of water behind rocks or structure that you wouldn't necessarily be able to access from an upstream float. Another advantage is you can switch up your method as you encounter different water on the river. Switch from a float type method to a streamer or woolly bugger if you see a deep seam, etc. You can even get good at "walking the dog" as you float, which means you let out line as your float drifts away, similar to a centrepin letting off line, although it's not as effective and you can't set quite as well. Point is, you can still be very effective "float" fishing with fly gear. 

 

Don't have anything to add for flies, but another tip: changing weight and position of it is better than changing flies.

 

Fair enough. But you can do all of that more efficiently with a centerpin outfit, so why not just use that from the start instead of going the more awkward route with a fly outfit? It's not elitist at all (and thanks for noticing that) ... I just don't see the advantage of trying to do any of that with a fly outfit. The only real benefit seems to be that you can cut it all off and go to streamers.

[Berg]

That and the ability to fish the smaller pocket water. There is no doubt a centerpin will pull more fish out of a good pool or run. To each their own.