fishing stillwater
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Cody309
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I've found that it's really trial and error with the strip speed - they seem to change their moods on a daily basis.
My go-to finder fly is the WB in basically any situation, so I generally start with that.
I've also learned that choppy water is the still-water fisherman's best friend... when I see some waves, I throw a slip strike indicator on, and let the waves give the bugger an undulating motion. Depths that I set the indicator depend on the water I'm in.
I'm no veteran, but hopefully what I've learned so far can help you a bit!
Cheers,
Cody
My go-to finder fly is the WB in basically any situation, so I generally start with that.
I've also learned that choppy water is the still-water fisherman's best friend... when I see some waves, I throw a slip strike indicator on, and let the waves give the bugger an undulating motion. Depths that I set the indicator depend on the water I'm in.
I'm no veteran, but hopefully what I've learned so far can help you a bit!
Cheers,
Cody
remyboy1
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- Dec 11, 2012
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They were quite large bass--some bluegills, sunfish --nothing too exciting but I tried a pheasant tail nymph --weighted a bit---wf line---nymph got down ok but fish were not having it at all--it dawned on me that I know nothing so I figure I would ask. one thing I did not try was the WB--funniest thing was the water temp--it was 64 where I was standing--I almost went for a swim.....anyway ya so I was a little lost needless to say..madoc you seem to do well on the stillwaters...give me more brother I need to learn this as it seems every river near my house is as dead as elvis.
Cody309
Well-Known Member
I would imagine so - I've never tried to be honest, but I know in some lakes out west it's killer. The larvael stage of the chironomid is what the blood worm and san juan worm are trying to replicate, and they are definitely present in still-waters around here.remyboy1 said:
Again, as I've never tried the worm, I'm not 100% sure, but I would guess that these need to be used very close to the bottom of the water column.
This year is really my full year of fishing trout in stillwater, and I've found that right at ice-out, and shortly thereafter, the fish were PIGS. Eating anything I threw out there and not really being discriminatory.... however now that the season is getting warmer, and more hatches are taking place, they've been getting VERY picky, and moving to slightly deeper water. Of late, I've had great results with the bugger when there is no surface activity, and emergers when the trout seem to be surface feeding (still no luck on any dries
)Some great advice I got once was to not overcomplicate it.. at the end of the day, trout are just another fish
Cody309
Well-Known Member
Also, when it comes to stillwaters (albeit in Kamloops), Brian Chan is the man! Read/watch anything done by him, and you're guaranteed to learn something useful.remyboy1 said:
Cody309
Well-Known Member
Yessir!remyboy1 said:
Cody309
Well-Known Member
My favourite is actually for bass... poppers and mice near shore for BIG bassremyboy1 said:
If I had to choose my favourite still-water technique for Rainbow, I'd say Olive Stone-Bugger fished with an indicator and slow retrieval... straight cash-money homie!
ChaseChrome
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Rem...check this out
Stillwater Retrieves
Overall, the movement of these aquatic insects is slow or at best they can move at a moderate speed for a very short distance. Some, like midges, only rise or elevate through the water column. It can be hard for many anglers to slow their retrieves down and then maintain the slower pace long enough to effectively retrieve the entire length of a cast.
The strip and hand twist are two basic retrieves that all stillwater fly fishers should be comfortable using with the various food sources being imitated. The strip retrieve is as simple as it sounds and it is the basic retrieve for almost all fly fishing situations. The rod hand lightly pinches the fly line between the thumb and index (first) finger while the retrieve hand uses the same two fingers to pull or strip in a set amount of fly line. It takes a lot of practice to conduct a 4 inch slow strip retrieve cast after cast for several hours but if that is how the damselfly nymphs are swimming then it is best to go with the flow. Without patience and practice, those 4 inch strips soon become 8 then 12 inch pulls! How slow is slow? For instance, to imitate a slow 2 inch strip retrieve count up to 2 seconds while the 2 inches is being retrieved. A fast 4 inch retrieve would count between 1 and 1.5 seconds per strip. Caddis pupa probably swims the fastest of these aquatic insect food sources. A fast 6 inch strip retrieve should take approx. 2 seconds to complete.
The hand twist is the other basic retrieve that should be mastered by all stillwater fly fishers. This is a busy retrieve, meaning that it requires more hand movement while at the same time helps to slow down the retrieve. The other advantage of this technique is that the angler has more control over the retrieve as the retrieve hand is always in contact with the fly line. The rod and retrieve hand start off in the same positions as the strip retrieve. The fly line is pulled down by the thumb and index finger of the retrieve hand while at the same time rotating the retrieve hand wrist outward thus leaving an open palm. The fly line is then hooked around the bay finger of the retrieve hand and then brought back to the thumb and index finger. This completes a full hand twist. As the manoeuvre is repeated coils of line will collect in the palm of the retrieve hand. It is best to release the fly line after 2 or 3 coils have accumulated. The hand twist is certainly the preferred retrieve to use when imitating the midge pupa either rising up through the water column or very slowly moving the pupal pattern horizontally through the water. In these instances a complete hand twist could take upwards of 8 seconds to complete.
The strip and hand twist retrieves will allow the angler to match the movement of these essential stillwater food sources. It can also be beneficial to impart a bit of irregular movement to your fly as it is being retrieved. In other words, try adding several very short, quick one inch strips in succession during any normal strip or hand twist retrieve. I routinely mix in 3 or 4 of these quick strip tactics into any stillwater retrieve. Sometimes this off tempo movement is enough to commit an otherwise slightly skeptical trout into taking the fly.
Wind drifting from an anchored boat is also an effective technique to present flies being fished with floating fly lines. It is used most commonly with mayfly nymphs, damselfly nymphs, caddis pupa and midge pupa. Although technically not a retrieve, wind drifting takes advantage of gentle wind conditions to naturally move the sunk fly in a subtle undulating motion horizontally through the water column. A cast is made sideways or perpendicular to the direction of the wind. A large arching bow develops in the fly line as the waves carry it downwind. The length of the leader and weighted versus un-weighted flies determine where in the water column the fly will travel. Make sure the rod is secure when using this tactic!
It takes practice in order to get comfortable with these retrieves. While on the water watch for the real insects and note their swimming and movement patterns. That will be the best check as to how realistic your retrieves are being conducted.
ChaseChrome
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Chan is quite well known for still fishing BC lakes...check out the following brothaa...
http://www.gofishbc.com/how-to-fish/fishing-articles/acquatic-insects.aspx
http://www.gofishbc.com/how-to-fish/fishing-articles/acquatic-insects.aspx
ChaseChrome
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You will notice pupae ascending through the water column
ChaseChrome
Banned
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LOL...awesome....try isonychia also...but remember to point your toes North...drink ONLY Monster on the water...facial stubble...it's Tuesday so it's ghost pepper salsa on pumpernickel...park car with wheels angled at 23.5 degrees...and NEVER wear a ball cap whose brand is the same as your rod...
THAT should do it...
THAT should do it...
