We headed north for the three day weekend. I am not going to post the name of the lake, cause again it cannot take the pressure.
Very HOT on Saturday, but had a nice storm move through Sunday that cooled it off nice (we won’t alk about the 60 mile per hour wind that came in first, thank god we were not on the water)
A few things that were out of the ordinary that happened. First we got up there, and unloaded the truck. We had boats (Navigator II) oars, life jacket, whistle, flippers, waders, licenses, batteries, but forgot motors…bummber! But it was not bad at all. I love those boats and they move fantastic.
Second, the water is still very warm. 68 degrees at 30 feet so it took time to revive the fish (something I hope everyone is aware of this time of year)
Third thing. I fly fish and I was deep nymphing with a Prince Nymph at 19’ down and a Chironomid at 15’. I hooked and landed TWO fish at once. I have hook two fish before on several occassions but never on this two different depth zone set up, so that was cool.
Forth thing. While on the water Sunday, the storm started to come in and we got rained on (no big deal). We headed for camp shore rowing and kicking. I kept hearing this “click-click” sound and looked back at my rods in the rod holders on the back of my boat to see if one came loose. They were fine, but my GLASS rod was making the noise. I reached back to grab it and got SHOCKED bad. Now that is scary right there, and I don’t care who you are!
We caught A LOT of fish with a few in the 16 to 18" but more 20" to 23". This lake is trying to come back. I still miss the BIG fish this use to have.
Your getting shocked reminds me of a time we were fishing the Madison with thunder storms all around. We decided we better go back to the pickup. Walking back our graphite rods began to tingle and I swear pop…there was so much electricity in the air it was scary…needless to say… we picked up the pace and kept our rods low…I know how you mount your rods…might want to take them out of the holders and lay them flat when things get “electric”.
“Second, the water is still very warm. 68 degrees at 30 feet so it took time to revive the fish (something I hope everyone is aware of this time of year)”
Something I’ve thought about this summer as I have fished a few times in the hot weather…73/75 degrees on the surface and 51 degrees at 20+ ft [spring fed]…the fish are definitely more stressed and I found myself reviving them in less than optimal surface temps…thinking this can’t be good…I did two things …released them a little quicker than usual so they could head back down to better temps …and also am not fishing them till things cool down…
Geez; and I thought I was safe fishing all of those glass rods I have! I guess it’s a static electricity thing. Maybe you need to attach a chain to your rods & boat and drag it behind you.
Great report - especially catching a double-header…did you drop them down to the bottom then do a slow retrieve up to the surface?
Sorry to hear that the water temps are so high! But the hot days of summer are soom to be over, or at least the nights will be getting cooler - either way that’s got to help.
FYI - I fished and fished the “crayons” down at the Cumberland…got a couple of stikes but missed them. But I’ll keep at it until I catch one!
Glad you had fun. Also glad the lightning followed a different step leader to ground other than the one in contact with your rod, or rod components. You came darned close to an official membership to the “Crispy Critters Club”.
F.Y.I. Everyone, carrying a small A.M. radio with you can save your life. Unlike F.M. transmissions, the electromagnetic discharge of lightning readily disrupts A.M. frequencies. You hear it as a loud burst of static. So, listening to your favorite A.M. broadcast or just monitoring an empty frequency will let you know if a thunderstorm is close enough to harm you. When you hear that loud burst of static, get off of the water now!
I am thinking the Glass rod was the only one picking up the electricity because it was wet. It was the one I was using. I would have thought that the GRAPHITE would have been more a lightening rod.
The AM radio is a great idea, I forgot all about that.
I was fishing straight down with a breakaway strike indicator and about 20’ of dry line out. You have to reel the fish all the way in because of the 20’ of mono, but I can get them in pretty quick with a few runs.
No it isn’t castable. It is, drop the flies straight down, set the indicator, peel some line out and back away. I did catch several on the drop. Plus with the waves the indicator was creating some great movement on the flies. I know a lot of you don’t care for the indicator/bobber idea, but I love this style. It keeps the flies in the zone and I don’t have to guess how deep I am. And when it is on…I stay very busy.
Bamboozle, I said the same thing, I got to get me a 6wt bamboo, but I am thinking an eight footer to keep the weight down. Haven’t found one that fits my taste yet. I like them real light and balanced although I have tried the ones that are a little tip heavy and I was able to cast a country mile with them. I think it would be the icing on the cake for sure, cause that GLASS rod on this deep nymphing was tooo kewl!
I know it won’t be hard for you to consider Orvis but…
…think older Battenkill or even a Madison for a LOT of reasons.
A two piece 8’0" 6wt should be a bargain if you find one you like. Even a one tip Madison should be considered because Orvis will build you an extra tip for a ridiculously low price.
Be careful out there! [url=http://www.thesmilies.com:9e005][/url:9e005]
I know it won’t be hard for you to consider Orvis but…
…think older Battenkill or even a Madison for a LOT of reasons.
A two piece 8’0" 6wt should be a bargain if you find one you like. Even a one tip Madison should be considered because Orvis will build you an extra tip for a ridiculously low price.
I am trying other makers, kinda trying to move away from Orvis (no reason other than something different)
I would like to feel one of the new Sweet Waters, but I really wanna find and check out an OYSTER.
I am fickled though cause I want a 12’ or 13’ switch also.
Sorry I got confused between lightning step leaders and streamers. I believe that your rod or line was sending out a positive streamer. The wet line and moisture on the rod would definitely make a good conductor.
Thanks for the info on your set up you were fishing. That should work well in the canoe for me. I will have to give it a try.
Fly Goddess - I am getting more info on your trip over here. Are you still using Phil Rowley’s indicator or something new these days? I had several guys using my break-free indicators on Monday and we sure had fun but did not fish 20’ - more like 15’. Then the storm came in an spoiled the afternoon…
Mine are an EGG shape (same idea) but you can get them in much more sizes. The one I was using was about the size of a nickle (the bigger part), but the old man was using one about the size of a fifty cent piece…
I get them at “The Fly Desk” Dennis Brakke, but he is a hard one to get a hold of. Only there on Saturdays and Monday Nights. They also come in several colors.
As far as the Forums, this one is much more civil. I don’t get slammed for what PRINT I use LOL.
All those size 32’s I have tied! :lol: [/quote]
FG,
I certainly don’t find your print offense. Now some of your OPINIONS??? :lol: :lol:
Doug :D[/quote]
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