It's this time of year that I begin to wonder how I caught any trout over the last few months. My fly boxes are a mess! What had started earlier in the year as something that was well stocked and organized ended up with being a collection of worn out flies in many sizes that I don't really need and this happened even with the fact that I am always tying flies throughout the season. My fly box has a collection of "can't miss" flies that looked good during last Winter but struck out during the season. The great idea of last May ended up being a dud in June. They are still there! There are two ways to look at this: First, I shouldn't feel inferior when someone that I guide shows me their "perfectly stocked fly box". Maybe they don't fish as often as me and don't lose as many flies OR they only use one or two patterns, the other flies are window dressing. Anyway, my fly boxes contain few "patterns" but they are in many sizes. The good sizes get lost, the bad sizes remain. I am trying my best to restore order, whatever that is.
Now for Lousy Flies - The "pellet fly" is a lousy fly BUT you have to have a few during that time when it "Happens" at the Pipe. Seeing dozens of trout slashing the surface for 10 minutes will drive you crazy so this awful thing has it's place. There is a problem. The standard piece of cork lashed/glued to a hook will cause some missed strikes because the cork just takes up too much room. Solution: Run a length of 6x mono (with a sewing needle)through the cork (glue it) and then lash this to the hook a quarter of an inch from the cork. The trout will rise to the cork and take in the hook (size 16 works fine).The trout will be hooked in the mouth. It works! Tie on a size 20 emerger instead of the bare hook and have an indicator pattern an inch from the surface.
Maybe this has been done before but I don't know anyone who is doing this. Try it out.
Next Up - Improving the worlds worst fly (if I have the guts to do it)
15 comments:
Thanks Ken for posting the loathesome pellet. I like your innovative set up. Mine is much more conventional - cork lashed to a #14 scud hook. Yes I do get a few drops because of the reduced gap. I also find the fish can quickly learn to refuse the offering which causes me to go back to my favorite fly for the Swift - variety, lots of it in a few different sizes and colors.
R%on C.
I may have written about 35 flies but I don't carry that many. My Swift river bag has about 10 patterns. My freestone bag may have a dozen. I've known some anglers who brag about carrying hundreds of flies.
Ken
Ken we both know a guy that has soo many flies he could open a fly shop. Ohhh wait he already has. Charlie that is. Went Sunday to the pipe section with George and he saw the pellet rises he was astonished. He also caught his first fish on the Swift with a fly he tied that you inspired the hot spot. You made me into a dry fly guy as I caught mine on a dry during that pellet release.
Congrats on your marriage and hope to see you out there soon.
Harvey
Hey Harvey,
Good to hear from you and good to see that you guys did well on the Swift. I will certainly see you there.
Ken
Hi Ken and Company,
As always - great hearing about a new "fly" for the local river. I'm brand new to the area - so this blog has been great reading for me. I spent yesterday on the swift above Rt. 9. Had lots of early success, but things cooled off as the day went on. After 10 more fish hiding in the wake of my waders than chasing flies. Is this the usual routine for this time of year? Also - wondering about getting out of the crowd and onto the EB you've been saying such fine things about. Is it worth making the trip this time of year, or should I just stick to the Swift? I'm trying to get out next week - looks cold.
Muggs,
The flow is fishable on the EB but be careful with the ice which will be forming on the shore.
The Y Pool - It is what it is. As for the trout holding in your wake, tie some leader material to your boots with your choice of fly :)
Ken
Thanks, Ken. Glad to hear the EB is still fishable. I think I'll give it a whirl. I've never been, but I saw that video of you fishing there and it looked like a beauty. I'm looking at google maps and don't see much access. Do you just park at the scenic overlook area (main gate) or is there a preferred fishing entrance?
Thanks again!
The pellet fly may be "lousy", but it can still be fun to fish. Has anyone ever used a dragonfly or damselfly nymph fly at the Swift? One time at the Swift I stumbled upon a sunken branch with tons of dragonfly nymphs on it. Next time I went there, I caught half a dozen rainbows on dragonfly nymph flies.
Scott
The EB has a rod that runs along it through the CR section. It's dirt and it isn't plowed so be careful.
Ken
Ron C.
I am talking about the dirt road that runs from the Trustees of Reservations property (Chesterfield Gorge) for over 6 miles along the CR section of the EB. This is your best place to start. This is the easy access to this section.
Ken
I love reading this blog, especially when I'm away around the country working and not able to head to the swift, which I only live 15 mins from.
I was down there three times last week and did well each day using egg patterns. I tried others but the eggs won out in the end.
Thanks for a great blog.
Damien
Damien,
Yes, the egg patterns work well through the Winter and into the Spring. When I use egg patterns I use micro eggs, size 18 or so. What size do you use?
Ken
A pellet fly? Oh, Ken...:)
I went to the Swift the other day. Was slow, first time I didn't catch one on a hopper though. Is it me or were the fish looking a bit beat up??
Around the size 18 was working well for me.
Damien
Where do I buy one of these?
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