Whats going on?

[Thomas L]

I arrived at the stream yesterday and met up with two other guys that I sometimes fish with. We all have been flyfishing for about 3 to 4 years. The weather was good 75 to 80 degrees , a little overcast and a slight breeze. We could see a good hatch of small olives coming off but no fish were rising.After a while we took a walk and saw the fish holding in their normal areas . We dicided to go in the water and try anyway.The bugs were still coming off and after 45 min we met again and we were all skunked. So, does anybody out there know why the fish wouldnt be rising. Secondly I want to thank everybody who answered my post last week about carrtying a spare rod.I ordered today an orvis clearwater 4 piece.(happy fathers day to me). For obvious reasons I need that orvis guarentee.

[flyangler]

I can think of a few reasons, but not having been there, I'd just have to chalk it up to an exercise in humility. Flyfishing hands those out to me on a regular basis. Maybe you want to take my input with a block of salt in that case!

-maybe they saw, heard, or smelled you and don't want to expose themselves to danger by returning to normal feeding patterns.
-maybe they found something yummy on the bottom or subsurface (nymphs, emergers, scuds) that they like better.
-maybe the water down on the bottom is cooler and they don't want to leave it and stress themselves in hotter surface water.
-maybe they don't like to eat in front of strangers.
-maybe they don't like the cut of your jib.

A scene like you describe would have me floating an attractor over them with a scud or weighted nymph attached as a dropper. Or walking upstream to see what else I could find. Those fish don't want to play, then heck with them!

[J Castwell]

When I see "small olives rising" I figure it is air trapped in the pimento; usually prefer medium olives (two on a sword), even those little onions are alright, sometimes. If they float on the surface there is definitely a problem. I only saw that happen once, that I remember.

[Kaboom1]

JC
Did you practice catch and release?
Brad

[RickB]

In the words of the venerable Harry Murray:
"if that one won't take your fly move on downstream and find you a dumber one"

Of course Harry is usually referring to trout when he says that.

[J Castwell]

Kaboom, yes, in fact I have gotten so good at it I sometimes release then on purpose.

[Jax]

The best way to catch Floating Olives is wait untill they are stuffed then use a cocktail stick.

The trout could well have been dining below the surface. Have Fun. Jax

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Getting Old has it's advantages. It slows you down just enough to get your timing for tightening into a trout Just Right.

[Ray]

OK, here we go (not a smart aleck answer) Flyfishing 101.
Problem: You see a hatch and no rises
Solution: Fish a nymph
Problem: You see a hatch with fish rising but they are not eating duns
Answer: Fish an emerger
Problem: Big splasy rises
Answer: fish a nymph near to the surface with a little movement

Damn. I thought this was another music question like 'Smoke On The Water'.

Answer: Marvin Gaye

Allan

[Ed Woodsworth]

Maybe they were full????