TIPS ON FISHING BIG NYMPHS
I remember the first time I traveled to Yellowstone Country to try my luck during the salmon fly hatch. (It is indeed a painful memory.) At 8:00 A.M. I strolled into the local tackle shop to ask what section of river the "hatch" was on and what patterns they suggested I use. You know, the normal questions asked by anglers when traveling to fish water outside of their home area. Well, the place was packed! I never realized that fishing the hatch was so popular. As a matter of fact, I had never seen so many people in one place at one time that were all fly fishermen. Well, needless to say, by the time I got close to the counter and asked what patterns to use, I could see that the clerks were swamped. Not wanting to be a bother, I just grabbed about six of the size 2 Bitch Creek nymphs which had been recommended, paid for them and beat feet out to the river.
Being from the Midwest, I had never fished anything even closely approaching the size and weight of those monster flies. Much of my fishing at home had been done with 4X and smaller tippets and 9' to 12' leaders. So I proceeded to gear up with a 9', 4X leader and started to fish.
Now, in those days, I couldn't afford a guide if I had wanted one, and I would have given almost anything for one that day. Well, I had read about the salmon fly hatches and the methods used to fish them. Now, either I missed it, or the writer forgot to mention it, but I didn't remember anything about leader lengths and tippet size. I proceeded to beat the heck out of myself for the next hour. I had never tried casting anything like that in my life and the 9' leader and 4X tippet just wasn't what was needed to do the job.
The next hour is all it took me to lose the six huge Bitch Creeks I had purchased earlier. In the process of losing these marvels of fly tying, I had also hit myself in the head, shoulder and back several times and it was painfully clear that I needed help.
Finally, a fellow approached who had been fishing upstream from me. He said, "Hi there young fellow. I couldn't help but notice that you seem to be having a bit of trouble." (That was a definite understatement if I had ever heard one!) "I would have been down sooner, but I was having a bit of a problem myself." (I figured that he was just being nice. I sure never saw him have any problems other than landing two nice trout. He probably figured that it wasn't safe to come anywhere near me as long as I was slinging around those lethal weapons. Come to think of it, I don't blame him at all!)
After the introductions were over, I proceeded to explain the problems I was having. He quickly explained that the problems were easily solved. He then gave me a lesson on how to fish big, heavy nymphs. I would like to pass on his lesson to those of you who may find yourselves in a situation similar to mine.
First, the big nymphs are necessary when fishing the salmon fly hatches as the mature, natural nymphs can be 2" to 3" long. The salmon fly nymph doesn't hatch like a mayfly by floating to the surface and emerging. They migrate to the bank, crawl out of the water up on the stream side vegetation and there they split their nymphal skins and emerge. Now, after reading this, you might ask, why fish the big nymphs at all? Well, they become very available to the trout during this time period when they are migrating toward shore. The current breaks them loose and drifts’ them along and the trout will give up their deep pools and undercut banks and venture into the shallows to feed on this natural feast. What's that?! Shallows, you say? Then why the heavy flies? Hold on and I'll explain.
The period of time which the salmon flies hatch coincides with the end of the annual spring run‑off. The rivers are high. Sometimes very high and the water may yet be slightly discolored, so the trout feel perfectly safe moving into shallower water. Besides, the trout move to the edges where the current will push the food. Why hold out there in that super fast water and waste all of that energy? No, the trout will be in close because of the water conditions and because that's where the food is. Now remember, shallow water is a relative term. The water on the bank is slow and shallow compared to the water further out, but it still may be 2' to 3' deep in places. Have you ever noticed how little fast water it takes to float a heavy fly up off the bottom? Using scuba gear, I have watched a heavy fly being presented in the wrong way with too long of a leader and no extra weight. I have seen the fly whiz by in the middle water and that's not what you want. You want the fly bouncing along on the bottom if you are going to have any success at all.
The keys to success while fishing big, heavy nymphs are few in number. While fishing sizes 2 and 4 during the salmon fly hatch, use leaders no longer than 9'. Use heavy tippets of 0X and 1X. These leaders and heavy tippets will help the fly turn over. Next, be deliberate and powerful on your pick‑up (back cast) and on your delivery (forward cast). Pause long enough for the big buster to straighten out behind you. Remember, you're not fishing a dry. Keep those false casts down to a minimum. When possible, use floating lines. They give you a better feel for the strike. Also, use a rod powerful enough to do the job, at least an 8‑1/2' for a 6, though I prefer to use a 9' for a 7 weight. 907's are generally slower than the 856's and are more forgiving. And, believe me; I need a rod that is very forgiving when fishing big nymphs. The cast is almost a backward lob, then a pause, and then a forward lob. Take your time, what's the rush? I like to fish upstream or right out in front of me using a dead drift method, using the raising and lowering of the rod tip to help control some of the slack line. I will also employ a "Little Corky" style strike indicator, which really helps in detecting the strike. The trick is to keep that fly bouncing along the bottom, take your time and be deliberate.
FLOAT FISHING
The same method already discussed can also be employed while fishing from a boat. Another technique that lends itself nicely to float fishing is the "Tip & Strip" technique. That's our name for it. For this method we use a Mastery Sink Tip Type IV or V and a 4' to 5= 0X leader.
Using a size 2 Girdle Bug, Bitch Creek, Montana Stone or whatever, cast the fly straight into the bank and as close to the bank as you can without hanging up. Then slowly strip it off the bank. If it's bouncing its way off the bank, you're doing it right. If not, well, either you need to add a twist‑on lead strip or split shot to the leader or you're stripping too fast. Keep your rod tip pointed right at the fly as you strip. With this technique, you will have no trouble detecting the strike. Just make sure that you have a good hold of the rod.