Redfish fishing in Texas

I routinely tape Fly Fishing with John Barrett. It is very much a travel show and this episode was typical. There was no mention of flies or tackle nor much on technique.

But it did look like a nice place to fish. They were based in Harlington, Texas and fishing for redfish off San Padre Island.

They stayed at Arroyo Lodge, which looks like a nice place. At $1,235.00 for three Days and three Nights (3 full days fishing), this is doable.

New Fly Fisher: Spring Steelheading

This episode (Season Two, Episode 3) was about spring steelhead in Conneaut Creek in Conneaut, Ohio, near the Pennsylvania border.

It was stressed that there are lots of steelhead and affordable accommodations here. And that was about it. They never discussed flies nor tackle nor really much on techniques.

I did get a couple of tips:
Trout are a current-loving species and are usually facing upstream.
Remember to vary weight according to conditions

The editor of Fly Fisherman was featured.

Overall, it was a disappointing episode as there was more of a focus on travel (go here and catch big, pretty fish) than the usual education.

Leader to fly size chart

LEADER	FLY SIZE	TEST
0x	2, 1/0	15 lb
1x	4,6,8	13.5 lb
2x	6,8,10	11.5 lb
3x	10,12,14	8.5 lb
4x	12,14,16	6 lb
5x	14,16,18	4.75 lb
6x	16,18,20,22	3.5 lb
7x	18,20,22,24	2.5 lb
8x	22,24,26,28	1.75 lb

Nymphing Lesson

Lobies Park in Walkeron has a major white fly hatch at the end of August and in early September.

Saugeen Valley Conservation Association.

The New Fly Fisher: Snake River Fly Fishing

Colin was fishing for cutthroat, brown and rainbow trout while floating the South Fork of Snake River near Idaho Falls. He was joined by Chad Householder (Loon Outdoors) and Eric White (Hyde Outfitters).

They were casting large dry flies to rising trout. Here smacking flies down when casting is a good thing.

Trout can be found near structure such as:

• Undercut banks


• Snags, logs, fallen trees


• Gravel bars


• Boulders and seams


• Overhanging bushes

You will snag so bring strong tippet and lots of flies.

Rubber nets are recommended, as they are easy on the fish.

Learn to do a double haul cast before arriving

RIG:
9' leader - 1x and 2x
6’ – 7’ at the shortest
12' leader when nymphing

Bring a 9' rod, 5-6 wt.
Floating line
3x, 4x, 5x leaders

Use a weight forward floating line with full body hopper pattern.

New Fly Fisher: Prairie Lake Pike Fishing

In this episode, Colin was fishing for pike on small lakes and ponds in western Canada and US with Ben Rudmik from Fish Tales Fly Shop in Calgary.

Near Calgary in small pariare lakes, you can find 25", 5-6 pound pike.

At the end of May, in the post-spawn, there is a 10 degree difference between main lake and bays , with 55 degrees being the threshold. Minnows and leeches are the main part of diet. Look for drop-offs and water temperature as there may not be much structure

Great flies to use remember to pinch down barbs:

• Black Egg sucking leach is a great pattern


• Chartreuse and white clauser is another


• Black bunny


• Deceiver


• Popper

Use a slow retrieve. Twitch fly occasionally.
Keep rod tip down and lift up to set rod.

Use 12" strips

Cover as much water as possible with your casting

Rig:
6 weight, Floating Weight Forward fly line
5 foot sinking 10-12 pound leader from Rio or Scientific Angler
Double surgeons knot to wire leader
Saltwater hook

Bob Jacklin's Signature Rod

Bob Jacklin runs a fly shop in Yellowstone, Montana. The fine folk at St. Croix have created a rod to meet his demanding specifications. It is a 8 1/2' 5 wt. 4 piece travel model.

Read more »

40 Best Trout Flies

I found this book on Amazon: 40 Best Trout Flies by Robert Alley

Here's his list of the best trout flies:

NYMPHS Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear Gray Nymph Zug Bug Beaver Black Midge Pupa Pheasant Tail Kaufmann's Stone (Brown) American March Brown (Nymph) Scud Prince Nymph	STREAMERS AND BUCKTAILS Woolly Bugger Muddler Minnow Marabou Leech Matuka Light Spruce Streamer Zonker Sheep Shad Allies Chenille Coachman Black Nosed Dace Mickey Finn
WETS Brown Hackle Peacock Gray Hackle Yellow "True" Woolly Worm Brown Woolly Worm Black Woolly Worm Gray-Brown Woolly Worm Olive Woolly Worm Hare's Ear Black Ant Coachman	DRIES Adams Light Cahill Dark Cahill Bivisible Irresistible Hair Wing Royal Coachman Elk Hair Caddis Dave's Hopper Black Fur Ant Black Midge

Natural Tendencies of Rivers

This is a very advanced article by Jack Imhof. It is too complex for me. While it might help many with their fishing, I have so much to learn before I get to that stage.

If can be found here:
Natural Tendencies of Rivers

Fishing for Steelheads

I read a couple of articles on this: Fishing for Steelies by Jason Akl and one by Ian James.

I prefer Ian's.

Basically in the fall you use streamers, while in the spring you fish with nymphs.

Jason recommended this setup:

8.5'- 9' 4/5 weight rod
9' leader for big water
7.5' leader for smaller streams
2X, 3X or 4X tippet

The New Fly Fisher: Wyoming Smallstream Fishing

This is the third episode of the season of this great series. Colin was fishing on tiny streams on the Willow Creek Ranch near Hole-in the Wall, Wyoming. The Buffalo Creek hard would go up to your ankles, but still there were some nice brown trout in it.

There is not much invertebrate life in these streams, so trout must be opportunistic. Terrestrials, especially grasshoppers can provide a substantial meal. They just fall into the stream and the trout eat them. The wind also knocks them into the water so use big patterns.

Stealth is important. It is important to hide your movements and form. Crouch down and move slowly. Blend in with local topography by wearing camoflague shirts and hat. Hide in the shadows, like a trout

Hoppers are natural part of the trout diet, so carry flies in a variety of colours and patterns to match them.

Cast the fly and wait 5-10 seconds before making a slight, very slight twitch. Terrestials don't make big movements on the water.

Colin's rod of choice would vary depending on where he is. In Maine, with lots of trees hanging over the water, he’d use a short rod. In the open praries, like Wyoming, he would use a longer rod, with more casting choices. That said, he'd prefer a 7 1/2' – 8', 4 wt rod with a double taper configuration.

I REALLY want to fish hopper patterns!