Post by reelteacher on Mar 6, 2008 21:20:23 GMT -5
Here is my first installment of tip of the week. I hope you find this helpful...
As we prepare and anticipate the melting ice and liquid surface waters, we should keep a few things in mind about the fish attitude and behavior this time of year. Remember, the fish will be very lethargic. They are cold blooded, they will be looking for small meals, not a steak dinner. With water temperatures in the high 30's and low 40's their metabolism will be very slow. So fish will be concentrating on easy to find, small insect larvae or small fish that don't take much energy to locate and inhale. Typically for bluegill, I'm using sinking nymphs in sizes #14 - 18 this time of year. Yes, this is small, but I feel that I catch more fish on these flies than on larger flies of the same type. Use a strike indicator to keep the fly just off the bottom. Use slow twitches to imitate emerging largae swimming along the bottom. Takes will be very subtle, so be ready!
For Bass, I use small streamers with hook sizes no larger than #6 and usually go with size #8-10. White marabou streamers with a small bit of flash are the ticket. Chad's hellgrammite is also a favorite in a size #8. You will want to use some weight such as split shot or a sinking tip fly line to get these fish which are still hunkered down in deep holes and slow moving water. Remember to fish SLOW. These fish will not want to waste energy chasing a fly all the way across the river. So, this calls for locating a likely holding spot, deep with little current and casting up stream and letting the fly come to you. A twitch of the rod tip now and then may help if you've tried several drifts without success. But remember, SLOW! A speedy fly this time of year generally not a good idea. I have used strike indicators for bass, and some people swear by them, but I like to watch my line for any small hesitation or pause. Experiment with each method to see which works best for you.
My most important tip though is GET OUT THERE AND FISH!! You will never catch fish sitting at home dreaming about it, you have to get out and do it!
Regards
As we prepare and anticipate the melting ice and liquid surface waters, we should keep a few things in mind about the fish attitude and behavior this time of year. Remember, the fish will be very lethargic. They are cold blooded, they will be looking for small meals, not a steak dinner. With water temperatures in the high 30's and low 40's their metabolism will be very slow. So fish will be concentrating on easy to find, small insect larvae or small fish that don't take much energy to locate and inhale. Typically for bluegill, I'm using sinking nymphs in sizes #14 - 18 this time of year. Yes, this is small, but I feel that I catch more fish on these flies than on larger flies of the same type. Use a strike indicator to keep the fly just off the bottom. Use slow twitches to imitate emerging largae swimming along the bottom. Takes will be very subtle, so be ready!
For Bass, I use small streamers with hook sizes no larger than #6 and usually go with size #8-10. White marabou streamers with a small bit of flash are the ticket. Chad's hellgrammite is also a favorite in a size #8. You will want to use some weight such as split shot or a sinking tip fly line to get these fish which are still hunkered down in deep holes and slow moving water. Remember to fish SLOW. These fish will not want to waste energy chasing a fly all the way across the river. So, this calls for locating a likely holding spot, deep with little current and casting up stream and letting the fly come to you. A twitch of the rod tip now and then may help if you've tried several drifts without success. But remember, SLOW! A speedy fly this time of year generally not a good idea. I have used strike indicators for bass, and some people swear by them, but I like to watch my line for any small hesitation or pause. Experiment with each method to see which works best for you.
My most important tip though is GET OUT THERE AND FISH!! You will never catch fish sitting at home dreaming about it, you have to get out and do it!
Regards