Summer dry fly action is heating up to go along with the continuing nymphing.
The spring season has been outstanding and continues into the summer. Nymphing continues to do well in early mornings with sporadic traditional dry fly action happening and again into early evenings.
Time for my favorite style of dry fly fishing which occurs when no major hatches are happening, the horse flies are buzzing and biting your head, it’s time to bring out the Big N’ Uglys! Large size 6 and 8 attractors and terrestrials in various patterns do the trick for us. When I see dragon flies, I watch for their colors, some a sparkling blue and some an iridescent green, then pick a fly of similar color and size. Then there are the Coffin or Big Salmon flies which seem to call for more natural colors.
Fish these patterns in all kinds of water where there should be fish holding. Fish them persistently as they will eventually bring a nice fish to the surface to either inspect them or eat them voraciously.
What a blast to work over pools, runs, and fast moving pockets to have a hungry trout smash these western pattern flies.
Don’t fall into a routine of what’s been productive in the past,while you continue to make cast after cast of what you know is fish holding waters. Change up your approach, flies, and techniques and have some fun while you’re learning and experimenting.
Try some large nymph patterns, size 6 and 8, in the same areas. We seem to have the best success while nymphing these big n’ uglys by not using any weight or strike indicators. Dead natural, slack line drifting is a must and you must be up for the challenge to increase your success. The challenge equals concentration, which is to watch your line tip for any movement, have an idea of the location of the nymph and set the hook an any flash that happens in the vicinity, and the easiest is to watch the nymph, ala dry fly fishing, set the hook as you see the fish rise up to the suspended / drifting nymph.
Remember; pinch down the barbs or use barbless hooks to minimize injury and stress to the fish. Use fluorocarbon tippets which offers a higher poundage than mono does. The use of these fluorocarbon tippets allow for shorter battles, with the ability to bring the fish in sooner, which insures it’s chance of survival. With the pinched hooks, you’ll also find a net may not be necessary, as you can easily remove the hook while cradling the fish gently in your hand for its safe release.
Want to have some fun while not injuring or stressing the trout. As I do on my scouting days, I’ll cut off the hook and fish the flies this way, that’s right hookless! It’s a blast, you can cover lots of water and you know where the fish were and most likely will be again.
I personally get great enjoyment of fooling fish this way, especially during the summer months, but there’re times that I cant’ resist a battle with a creature from the deep, like everyone else. So how ever you decided to fish this summer, be safe, have fun and fish ethically!
Catch me and my guests on PAX TV, fly fishing the Salmon River Region in New York with Charlie, Juan and our gracious lodging hosts Tom Rodda of Salmon Acres Lodge and Harry Powers of Salmon Heaven Lodge!
To hear more about our shows and others, see "Fly Fishing the Outdoors with Charles Charlesworth" on WQPX PAX 64 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA and their Northeast Affiliates.
While planning your next trip, be sure to plan early because prime dates fill fast, both guiding and lodging.
New York:
Fall Salmon Season is just around the corner,
be sure to reserve now to insure your lodging and guide dates.
Massachusetts:
Dry Fly Fishing is heating up, call for your guided trip now!
Alaska:
If you haven’t gotten you deposits in yet, it’s time to do so! As we currently have 4 spots left. We are also taking reservations for Alaska’s 2006 week and season. If this is not a week that fits your schedule, then give me a call and I’ll do my best to fill your needs just as a few others have chosen other weeks from July to the end of August.
See my Alaska Page for Details!
I’ll be doing seminars with videos and slide presentations at the sites listed below and will be available for questions and friendly conversations before, after and during my stay in:
Be sure to check with your local Orvis Stores for all weekly seminars for any changes or updates.
I’ll be more than happy to assist you with any of your fly fishing related questions, weather it is on equipment and line choices, tactics and techniques and lodging or my hosted Alaskan trips.
You can also review archived newsletters for more information.
Remember, if it looks fishy,Fish It!
"World Class Waters"
Carry a camera and a cloth measuring tape then use the formula, which is fairly accurate, if you'd like to have the weight, (length X girth X girth / 800 = lb.) and this should give all the info needed for bragging rights without over stressing the fish. Once you land that trophy fish of a lifetime, it's your choice to kill and have mounted and no one should condemn you for your decision to do so. You can also send a good photo and measurements to a professional taxidermist where they can make a reproduction of the fish that you released.