STILLWATER TACKLE SYSTEMS
I believe the angler should organize a tackle system that will be used in stillwater angling. First I start with a 5 gallon plastic bucket which I set up with my insect collecting equipment. Then I take a second bucket and store my stillwater flies, lines, reels and extra spools, leaders, tippets and mini vest. (In my case this takes two buckets, one for the flies and one for the tackle.) Gear bags will also work, however, the buckets are cheap and waterproof. This equipment and fly selection is kept separate so when I go fish stillwaters I don't find that my midge boxes were left home because they were in with my spring creek gear. But the degree to which one wishes to organize is a personal choice.
EQUIPMENT LIST
Float Tube
I prefer Caddis or Bucks Bag tubes with an apron and backrest. As I get older, I find that I prefer the U-Tubes, they are easy to get in and out of.
Fins
I prefer Caddis or Force fins. I also suggest the use of fin tethers to prevent the loss of a fin.
Rods
I prefer an 8' 6" for a 6 weight or a 9' for an 8 weight for most of my stillwater fishing. I will also use an 8' or a 9' for a 4 weight for my small fly fishing.
My favorite rods are the Orvis Seven Piece Travel Rods, with one rod put together to fish with, I can put the other two in long pocket on the back of my tube.[By the way the travel rods are one of the best values on the market.]
Reels
Capable of holding 100 yards of backing plus the fly line.
Extra Spools
I carry a full selection of fly lines for stillwaters. I buy one reel and several extra spools (which is a lot cheaper than buying 6 or 7 reels and spools.)
Leader Kit - Complete to 8X
Stomach pump
Small insect net
Assorted split shot
Twist Ons
Nippers
Hemostats
Net and retriever - Which are attached to the tube
Dry Fly Crystals
Foam Fly Patch
Waders
Rain Jacket
Chapstick
Hook Hone
Fly Floatant
Chest Pack or Mini Vest
Sunscreen
Insect Repellent
Tape Measure
Complete selection of flies
FLY LINES FOR STILLWATERS
I prefer SA or Orvis, with a strong leaning toward the SA fly lines. For fishing the stillwater I carry the following lines for my 6 or 8 weight.
1. Ultra 4 or Mastery XPS Weight Forward Floating.
2. Mastery Stillwater Sinking (clear), sink rate at 1.10 inches per second. Used in 1’ to 3’ of water when you wish to keep the fly on a more even plane of delivery.
3. Mastery Wet Tip II, sink rate at 1.75 inches per second. (I cut back the tip to 10') Used in 1' to 4' of water, for swimming up nymphs or scuds.
4. Ultra 3 Wet Tip III-13' sink rate at 2.25 inches per second. (Again, I cut the tip back to 10') Used in 3' to 5' of water and over drop-off edges. Used with nymphs, leeches and streamers.
5. Uniform Sink III Full Sinking Line, sink rate of 2.50 to 3.50 inches per second. Use in 4 to 12 feet of water.
6. Uniform Sink V Full Sinking Line, sink rate at 4.50-6.00 inches per second. Used when you wish to keep fly on a more even plane when fishing in 10' to 20' of water.
7. Wet Cel IV Shooting Head, sink rate at 4.75 inches per second. (Note: the shooting tapers should be attached to amnesia) Used in 6' to 20' of water when fishing streamers or searching deep and making long casts. This line I can carry for my eight weight.
I prefer to use one of the SA System reels and 6 extra spools. Each of these lines has a purpose for fishing stillwaters. However, this past summer I used a set of the Dan Bailey Large Arbor Reels and really like them and they are a good value.
Note: For my four weight rod, I only carry a WF Floating Line, and have an old fashion Hardy Reel, which I love to use. Now the waters that you fish and the ways that you fish may call for different tackle. Regardless, put it all together and get organized, there is nothing worse than being crossed the lake and realizing you need piece of tackle that is in the truck, or worse yet setting on the bench at home.