"If you fish a fly long enough and hard enough it will become the right fly"
The Millers has been a tough customer this year and it all has to do with the rainfall that we've had since July. Here's something to ponder: the 106 year average flow for this date (10/23) is 253 CFS. As I write the flow is 425 CFS! Actually, todays flow is gentle compared to the last two months. without additional rain the flow will keep dropping. I love a flow in the 250 range for this river in the Fall because it gives us a chance to fish over what have been great BWO hatches in the recent past. But the flow must be low to maximize this event.
Maybe in a week.
That is not to say that fish have not been caught. I went there Thursday morning in what probably will be the warmest day until next April. It felt good to be fishing in shirtsleeves and actually catching some clonebows even if the flow was in the high 400's. (Note: the dam operators in Orange may have been playing with the flow on Monday and Tuesday afternoon. We went out when they were holding back water and almost got caught in the flow when they released it. Be careful!!!). Fish slow and deep when the flows are high (400 cfs+).
Every other river has perfect flows. Go fish!!!
Ken
9 comments:
Love your quote this week. I feel seen.
On the Swift, after landing a beautiful buttery brown on Wednesday, as well as a number of clonebows, I began to wonder where are the brook trout? My question was answered Friday when, among the bows, four lovely brookies (all decked out for the dance) came to the net, and no browns. They're here, and they're ready. Lots of fun in this beautiful time of year.
Hi, Ken,
Beautiful brookie! From the Swift?
My son Sid and I are looking forward to fishing with you this Wednesday! Any sign of brookie spawning activity on the Swift?
Cheers,
Dave P.
Dave P.,
Yup, a swift brookie from a year or so ago.
Bob O,
Finally!!!
Ken
Happy to say I've seen some redds and gorgeous male brookies in a section of the quinny that I haven't noticed being there before. Saw what looked like two or three redds and about 10 fish mostly small hens around 6 inches and 3 bucks one looking around 12 inches. That section used to produce a few wild looking browns back some 10 years ago and was one of the few spots I've ever seen fish actually chasing down quill Gordon's as they skittered around the water fun sight!
Paul,
Saw 4 very large browns on the usual brookie spawning grounds yesterday but no brookies. It's funny but one famous brookie redd had a big brown patrolling it, a blue heron standing guard over it and two flyfishers all waiting for the brookies.
Ken
Ken
Received a hand full of your Partridge and magic recently. Went up to the Ware Saturday,flow was perfect as was the day, and I was unsuccessful with them. I think I am answering my own question but when I switched to a Pat's rubber led and fished it "down" I was able to land 3 nice rainbows (clonebows I am sure)
Re the Partridge and Magic, would you be willing to divulge how you would fish that? Maybe with a split shot and down? Would you tandem with any other fly?
As always love this blog and all you provide.
John
John,
Soft hackles are my favorite trout fly but sometimes they just will not work.
Micro shot will work if the river is running high.
Ken
In regards to John's question about the P and M soft hackle, flies like this are best swung down and across the current using down stream mends to drop the fly into the water column then letting it lift back up at the end of your drift, also very effective nymphed deep and slow with some shot or a heavier point fly. Understanding where in a stream insects like to emerge from also helps to narrow down where to fish these flies as they represent emerging insects very well.
Post a Comment