Vol. 13 No. 43

THINK LIKE A SALMON!

So we FINALLY got in an opening weekend of fishing! Yes, I know, for many of you, the season never really ends and the only real change you do is buy a new fishing permit!

Well up here, we do shut down for the winter. Since the salmon only start arriving in the Ste-Marguerite River (Saguenay) in mid-June, we really only seriously start looking at the critters in the 3rd week of June. Job obligations and spring cleaning at the Cat House means we only got to schedule time off on the July long weekend!

PALE MORNING DUN

The fabled Pale Morning Dun hatch is one of the largest and most wide spread of the western hatches. The only hatch that is larger and more widespread is the Baetis Hatch. The term Pale Morning Dun or PMD was coined during the 1960’s by the late Carl Richards and Doug Swisher, the authors of “Selective Trout,” which was published in 1971.

The purpose of this missive will be to educate the angler, to help gain an understanding into world of the Pale Morning Dun, the insect, and the trout that feed on them. From May to October somewhere in the west there are PMD Hatches. All year long we look forward to these PMD Hatches of Summer. We talk about it; we read about it, we tie flies for it. We review patterns and try to construct imitations, which we think will be effective.

STRIP, TWITCH AND WIGGLE

While strip, twitch and wiggle might seem to be rather suggestive language, the strip, twitch and wiggle can be some of the most important techniques that you can master when fishing stillwater situations.

When fishing streams for trout imparting action is only used occasionally and under very specific situations; however when fishing in stillwaters using leeches, damsel and dragon fly nymphs, and similar imitations imparting action is an essential part presenting the fly. This is where the angler must know and understand the various forms of stripping, twitching and wiggling.

FLY FISHING IS ABOUT THE FLIES!

Everyone is always interest in hot new flies. Sometimes the names don’t indicated at all what the fly represents if anything.

Names like The Double Bunny, Convertible, High Rider, Camp Dog and Greeno may be very successful flies - but the names aren’t much help to the beginning, intermediate or advanced fly angler either. The only rule seems to be if they float or sink or have enough flash which might attract fish.

It really is helpful to know the insects which fish eat and it is easy. Really.

HIKING IN

It is another day to go fishing. Not sure that I can drive into any places, but the ability to walk in is still there. I find that it is still too wet in the low places to get into. I get to the pond and find that the water is not to clear. Figured that with all the rain that we have had, but it is time to get a line in the water. If the fish cooperate it will be a great day instead of a good day. I have two rods with me on this day. Both are 6 wt, 9 foot rods. Easier to do roll cast with and that is what I will have to be done in many of the places on this pond. I have put a Godlie Jr and a black boa yarn leech on the lines. Opposites to see what might work.

ROCK CREEK ADVENTURE (Part 2)

Wednesday morning we took the other duo upstream since they struck out Tuesday. My honest opinion was that they weren’t fishing deep enough in the right water. Perhaps I was getting lucky. We headed back upstream of Stoney Creek Campground looking for more cutties and browns. I was able to work further up the river this time and found an amazing deep run. I hooked a dozen trout out of it though I only landed six. Whitefish were not kept on a tally. Just as I released a beautiful cutthroat, the largest Bald Eagle I have ever seen flew over my head and perched in a tree just above this run.

"THE BULLY BASS GANG"

Bass are bullies! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, bass are bullies.

It’s the end of May and I finally got to go fishing. I work as a computer lab manger at the local university and this means the last 2 weeks of the semester and the 2 weeks after the semester ends are hard for me to get time off, it’s even hard to get away for lunch. This means I usually miss some good spring time fishing, but sooner or later I get the itch so bad I just have to risk attending an afternoon meeting smelling of fish.

THE ORANGE NYMPH

This is a very good-looking attractor nymph pattern originated by Joe Cornwall.  The first time I saw this fly, I thought it was a beautiful pattern!  I really like the black tips on the Golden Pheasant Tippet fibers.  They look like the hairy footpads some swimming insects use for propulsion. They can also resemble the black edges found on certain small fish.