Exercise, exercise, exercise, flippering around the trout pond. I lasted a good 5 hours this time. Getting into shape for ice out of the lakes upcountry. Also something I can tell my doctor so he quits nagging me about exercise. I also found out that using a floating line is not the way to go when fishing a lake. Ok, so it's all I have (floating line) for the moment, but that's about to change.
I've been mum about breaking the tip off my 8'6" rod because it was a stupid move. I tried to get my rod into the house and snagged the tip in the top of a bi-fold door. I figured all I had to do is open the door and it will come out, right? Wrong. Snapped that sucker off in a heart beat. So, for the last couple of weeks, that rod has been in transit (to & from) LL Bean getting fixed. In the mean time, I purchased a Temple Fork Outfitters 9' - 4 piece 6wt to keep me fishing. As soon as my rod returns, I'm off to the fly store to get a new reel with a sinking line set up.
Why, you ask? Yesterday I fished with one of the regulars at the pond, him using a sinking line and me using a floating line. The score was Shoreman 1, Bob (not I plow for fish, Bob) a lot. His secret, sinking line and a custom Wooly Bugger. He's obviously been fishing with a fly rod a lot longer than me and he ties his own fly. Might have to look into that in the future.
In any case, the difference was an eye opening experience. Bob was killing them (not literally, actually he is a catch & release kind of guy) and everyone was struggling, even the shore guys. Using my own teaching method, that being, once you find out what works, share it with your buddies, I'll be off to the fly store to rig up, very shortly. I also need to find out what that Wooly Bugger looks like.
The one I caught ( 1lb 1oz) was on a little black something (maybe size 8 or 10) one of the guys at the fly shop gave me to try. I'll have to find out if it has a name and I'll pass it on. Oh, I had it rigged with a small split shot to get it down further, sans the sinking line.
That's my adventure for this week. I don't think I'll be out again (maybe Thursday if I can) because we are expecting snow tomorrow and Friday and that takes a good part of my time, as all of you back East know.
So, until next time.
Mark
My deepest sorrows and sympathies for the snow you are going to experience:)
ReplyDeleteSorry about the tip. Unfortunately sh*t happens. I am personally looking at getting into fly fishing. Just having a hard time swallowing the extra cost to start a new hobby.
ReplyDeleteTight lines
Thanks for your visits Mark, and for a change, there is no snow on the ground at my home and none expected. You need to try spincasting for those trout instead of flies. Butch
ReplyDeleteIs that a sinking line or tippet? Is there a strike indicator used for something like that?
ReplyDeleteDon't send that snow this way!
Hey Owl. Sinking line at 1 1/2 - 2 ft per second. Some use an indicator, I like to feel the hit. OK, I'll keep the snow.
ReplyDeleteMark
I think you have just learned from this experience two huge factors in successful still water fly fishing. A sinking line and a Wooly Bugger will catch a lot of trout in lakes all over the west.
ReplyDeleteHappy hookups, Shoreman.
Hey Shoreman,
ReplyDeleteIt's great to hear from you again. I can sure relate to that broken fly rod thing. I have gone through so many rods lately, I am afraid to buy another one.
Sinking lines open up a whole new world of float tube fly fishing. I actually enjoy fishing with a floating line more, but I would rather be at whatever depth I can "kill 'em" at, and if that requires changing to an intermediate or full-sinking line, I'm there!
Tight Lines!
Nothing wrong with being an observant angler (& a quick study). Glad to see you continuing your fly fishing education. Now that you know the "secret," can't wait to see more posts.
ReplyDeleteI shall say a good word for your broken fly rod. That is considered a tragedy in my world! Sounds like you had a great day in excercise and learning from another angler. Let us know how that sinking line goes for you ~
ReplyDeleteTough one on the rod, Mark.
ReplyDeleteWhen I used to fish some stillwaters out west, I had one reel for that purpose - an STH CR-Pop. The reel itself was no great shakes (but it didn't suck, either), but it had a very easily detachable pop-out cassette that held your fly line. Cassettes were cheap - $10 - 12, By comparison, extra spools are always 1/2 the price of the reel. I would carry 4 lines on the spare cassettes - a floating line, and internmediate line, a sink tip, and a full sink line. Probably used the intermediate more than any other, but when you needed a full sink, nothing else would work.
I think Orvis makes reels now that are cassette style.
Wolfy
Like the STH reel own three(3) the cassettes are cheap to replace and easy to carry,When I fish stiilwater I carry three(3) lines a floating(WF,Cortland camo intrenmediate,and a type 4 full sinking to get down where the big boy's live.Tye my own and have been for years able to try odd paterns and create even odder ones,adds to the whole fly fishing thing.
ReplyDelete