Let's go back to the Fall of 2008. There were these times when my standard subsurface offerings on the Swift just didn't seem to be getting it done. It was time for some thought. The trout seemed to be active - chasing something that I wasn't offering. I knew that it was something small and it was not on the surface. A session or two at the vise and a session or two on the river resulted with this very generic fly - the Pinhead. Generic is the word. This fly covers the bet for many tiny hatching flies on this river. My first day with this creation resulted in a dozen trout on that mid October evening. It worked.
This is a good fly. When flows are low on the Swift (50-60 cfs) I use it without shot. When flows are above that I put on a micro shot 18 inches or so above the fly. This fly seems to work at mid day during the winter and in the late afternoon/evening (especially the evening) at other times.
As I write this the weather guys are predicting 18 inches of snow starting in 24 hours. This is the best time to tie flies and to think about SPRING!!!!
Ken
8 comments:
Thanks KEn!
Cliff
Nice to see Ken. I like what you said about "my best guess for what a lot of insects on this river look like". I think that's a key for a successful fly. My "little Red Nymph" was born the same way with the E. Branch of the swift in mind, but really popped as a crushing fly on the millers. I'd not thought about it until reading your post tonight.. but the best flies seem most often to be born that way - fitting many needs - not just one.
Ken, I have been fly fishing now for 2 years....looking forward to the Spring. I have the opportunity to upgrade my rod, real and line, from my current entry level package. I primarily fish the Swift and Millers, occasionally the Deerfield, Kennebec and Rapid Rivers. Not really a small river fisher.
With that said - what rod length
should I use? What line weight? mid-arbor or large arbor reel?
I have a gift certificate for Cabelas - any recommendation on what to get?
Welcoming comments from all.....
Dave
Dave,
You fish a good sample of of New England Rivers. If you fish throughout the season I would suggest this lineup:
Rod - 9 ft, 5 wt. That will keep you armed for every river that you mentioned. The Swift works well with a 4wt or lighter but a 5 will do.
The Reel - Forget about the arbor size. That's more of a marketing ploy when it comes to freshwater trout fishing. I can land any river trout in New England with my inexpensive reels AND HAVE over the years. Don't buy the hype, buy the reel at the best price. The reel, if you fish freshwater for trout, isn't that important.
TFO makes good inexpensive rods. Charlie at EVENING SUN has them. I bought one and it works. Cabelas has them too. Get the best reel that you can for your gift certificate. It will work.
It seems like yesterday but...In the 1970's we fished with fiberglass or bamboo (if we could afford bamboo) rods. Our reels that were nothing but "click" drags (no disc drags were really available) and we caught big fish!! I can say that in over 40 plus years of flyfishing I have never lost a fish due to "equipment". I lost them because of my errors and that included inshore saltwater.
Get a rod that you can afford (every rod between $100 - $300 fishes the same),a reel that will not break the bank and you are SET!!!
Ken
Ken
Serendipity's and Hot Spots saved the day at the Pipe. A couple of the fish taken were hot silver chrome sided bows that felt like they'd not been stung before. Lots of fun. Thanks for your tips of what to use and when. See you on the water.
Bob
Bob O,
Good to hear that. Glad to hear that you braved the snow!!
Ken
plenty of pinheads on the other end of the rod around here too
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