An active Nature Conservancy here has pond that is stocked with Golden trout that are fed as in a hatchery setting to the point that the Golden trout are successfully breeding. They maintain a very closely regulated, and monitored, catch and release program. I know that Goldens are reputed to be more difficult to catch on flies but the situation here is extremely frustrating. When the fish are fed there is the expected frenzy among the Goldens while a few really huge Browns continue to just cruise below them. The fish are 18" or more in length and are not seen rising to flies. Some guys have even tied wet flies to represent little food pellets but they failed. Only rarely do they respond to a wet fly or nymph. What would be an appropriate technique other than to fish elsewhere ?
Ray,
I am not qualified to even respond to your question, but, since the Golden are reproducing, why not try a streamer pattern in the colors of the Golden fry. The Browns being 18" or more are eating something and I know they will hit a streamer here and they may hit it there.
Just a thought and I feel someone here will have the answer for you.
Here is a thought. Try a stayner ducktail. here is a reciepe
tail red or orange hackle (I use deer hair)
body yellow or peacock chenile (can use peacock herl)
rib gold or silver tinsel
beard same as tail
back mallard flank feather
I would recommend yellow chenile instead peacock herl or chenile and silver tinsel. When fishing it jerk it in erratic motion to stimulate a wounded bait fish. If you need a pic you can google stayner ducktail and find lots of reciepes and pics. I swear by this fly especially with big browns. Even in places where the fish have eaten well all day. I use it in rivers and lakes. It works very well for me. Hope this helps
I thought it might help to tell you that the Stayner ducktail pattern can be found here on FAOL. I’ve found some pretty good patterns within the articles written by Marv Taylor. Here’s the one with the ducktail
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/feature … art12.html
I haven’t tied this one yet, but I’ve been looking for new patterns to try lately. Hope this one works for your elusive browns, Ray.
Hey thanks for posting that I have both of those pics and don’t know where I got them LOL now I do
Try chumming. Use a fly that looks like trout chow. Cast and throw a small handful of gravel in the pool. The entrained fish will rise to what they believe to be supper and gulp your fly.
Those big browns probably feed at night.
Where did you hear that? They eagerly attack most any dry fly cast to them in the high country of the southern Sierra, which is their home. I consider Goldens the easiest trout to catch on flies.