Posted on July 28 2024
Jim N. asked two questions this past week and Dennis, (perhaps in hopes of gleaning some information that would help him make up for the fact that he doesn't tie flies and has a truly miserable selection of sulfurs), chimed in on the request trying to get info on the downriver fishing.
In answer to Jim's first question about the "wonder fly", no. I've gone into explicit detail about how to improve your flies and you can't even get mayflies into your house as models. You would need to get a far more ferocious creature into the house to have a model for the wonder fly.
With regards to down river fishing - Because I get bored with the "Sulfur Zone", at least once a week I fish someplace downriver in the evening. If I've had a really good afternoon of fishing, sometimes I go down river twice in a week. What have I found? I have not yet been skunked, nor have I caught more that 3 fish on any night. Saw a few bugs and rising fish and hooked three fish in the middle section one night fishing 6:00 to 8:00. Might have done better if I had stayed until dark. All other trips have been bugless until dark, when the fish start rising, for what, I couldn't see, but they have eaten whatever fly I've been throwing. DRC seems to back me up on this by saying any hatching down river is at dark or later.
The rise in the water may liven things up, but I believe it will take cool evenings with colder water temps to get the bugs going during daylight hours. If solitude is your goal, downriver is the place, go about 8:00 and stay until after dark, any of the well rested fish you hook will seem a good five inches bigger than they actually are.
Hi Jim N that sounds great!! Looking forward to hopefully crossing paths!!
Dennis
From your reports you ARE having a great year on the river! If we cross paths I’d be happy to share any flies that work for me and see what is working for you.
Jim
My best success with sulphur flies are the ones I have that have a very thin body and are comparaduns. If for some reason a fly has hackle on the ventral side, I clip it off. Depending upon a fly I capture from the water, I try to match the color since as you probably know all “sulphurs” are not yellow.
I am seeing lots of baby trout.Is it time for the big browns to start feeding on this years fingerlings? Thank you for all of your reports.
Darryl
Many years ago my wife purchased a Rene Harrop framed fly selection at the Troutfitter in Syracuse for one of my past birthday’s. Perfectly tied and so well proportioned. What sets these flies apart are how they mimic an actual mayfly…no “arses and eyeballs “ on these! Just look at a mayfly and you will see they are not that complicated. Size ,color and minimal dressing as well as presentation will get you in the game. Tying your own flies is beneficial to replicating what is floating down the river…
Well I am not sure how to respond to my fly selection!!! I am having my best year ever on the river system so I must be doing something right. I will consider learning to tie my own flies when the ones I get from the troutfitters stop catching fish.
As always thanks for the advice !!!
Angler119-As always, thanks for your advice.Ed