For many of us in the northeast, fly fishing is a seasonal sport. Saw a great article on winter gear storage tips in Midcurrent that’s worth sharing. To read it click here. Enjoy!
Turkey Enchiladas from Chi Wulff
For those of you who are looking for something interesting to do with your turkey leftovers, here’s a great recipe from the Chi Wulff site. Click here to see it.
First Carp on a Fly/World’s Ugliest Streamer
This didn’t start out to be a post about my first carp caught on a fly or about using the world’s ugliest streamer to do it. The trip was originally supposed to be the opportunity to test of a new popping bug. But over an hour into it I realized that despite my best efforts and some great new poppers, there was no chance of catching a bream, bass, or other moderately desirable fish on the surface.
This is where I turned to the world’s ugliest streamer. Up until recently I fished this lake regularly. It is a productive place, but has a bottom full of grass and other vegetation. I wanted to prospect subsurface, but knew that I would most likely lose my streamer or nymph somewhere in the process. Not wanting to risk too much, I tied on a green woolly bugger, or at least my version of it.
A few months ago I went to a local fishing association meeting and took advantage of free fly tying lessons. I ended up tying two green woolly buggers, neither with any weight or bead head. Later I wrapped some solder around the head of each and colored the solder with a red Sharpie. I threw them in my bass fly box figuring that one day they might come in handy. Today was the day.
This is where the carp comes in. After about a dozen casts with a slow retrieve I hooked up. The fish fought me from the start and peeled off line like a trout. I could easily see that it wasn’t a bass or bream, but what was it? I had heard that there were some pickerel in the lake, but didn’t think that I was going nearly deep enough to hook one of them. Then I saw the sides. Shiny with golden tint and well defined scales, I started to think that I had hooked a carp. when I finally saw the mouth I knew that I was right.
I reeled it in and took a couple of pictures for this post. Then I removed the streamer and gently placed the fish back in the water. Instantly it took off like a rocket.
Although I probably won’t target carp on future trips, I can see why there are those that do. Enjoy!
Fall Scenes
Fall is a great time to be out on the water. The fishing pressure on rivers and lakes drops as many anglers trade waders for camo and the start of hunting season.
Others simply choose to avoid the cooler temps and occasional gusting winds that can tangle even the best casters.
As hatches become less common and dry fly activity diminishes, nymphs and streamers become more popular. This is a great time to tie on a copper john, hare’s ear or muddler minnow and find out what’s holding in smaller runs and pocket water.
This weekend I caught an 18″ rainbow using a 3-nymph rig comprised of a stonefly, prince, and copper john. It was the copper john that did the trick.
Unfortunately, fall also brings some unwanted species, namely the dreaded leaf fish. Whether it finds you at the end of a dry fly drift or a nymphing lift, it suddenly instills a sense of hope that dissipates just as quickly.
Past experiences have proven that they are easy to catch and release. Luckily, many leaf fish never make it to the net.
Looks like I’m not the only one in the family that thinks about fishing this time of year! Enjoy!
Fall Morning Catch
This Sunday morning offered me an increasingly rare opportunity to get out on the water. While the rest of the family was sleeping I packed up the car and headed down the street to the local river.
Fall is undoubtedly one of the more scenic times to fly fish. The reflection of the trees on the river only adds to the experience.
It can also be very challenging. Hatches are rare, and the colder water temps mean that fish are generally less active and more selective about the flies they chase.
The flow of the river, which was much lower in my recent visits, was now high enough to present some challenging wading. New tributaries had also appeared, adding new riffles and opportunities.
My first hour was rather unproductive as I switched from dries to streamers and then to nymphs.
I changed locations and went upstream about 50 yards. Things started to improve. I caught both of these on a stonefly, floating it just below the surface. I also tried a prince nymph, hare’s ear, and two types of bead head stonefly nymphs with no luck.
Sorry the picture quality isn’t better. I left the camera in the car and took these with my cell phone.
Also, if you haven’t entered our November contest, now’s the time. We’re giving away a copy of George Douglas’ Fish Like A Guide to one lucky winner. All entries must be received by November 30. To enter, simply sign up for our email subscriber list. For more info, see this post. Enjoy!