I'm wanting to go and do a little fishin this week and it's bend cold here lately. hugs in the 30s. the trout parks around here are catch and release this time of year so I'll get to fish more buy I'm a little unsure on what flies to use. I would think midges with some florocarbon are gonna be my best bet. what do you all use when it turns cold?
going fishing this week. are midges my best bet?
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FrankB2
Well-known member
Hi Luke,
I've been using a #10 white Wooly Bugger exclusively for stocked trout, and doing well. The water is murky from all of the rain, and that's the reason I'm using white (with lots of gold flashabou on the tail). Some people like to go dark with stained water, but white is working well for me.
Are you fishing a lake or stream? Is the water clear, stained, chocolate river? What are the other fly anglers using, and are they succesful? Try buggers and midges both. I've tied a Green Weenie off the back of a wooly bugger with success before, and a GRHE can be substituted for the Green Weenie, etc. With all the rain we've been getting, it's become important to add enough weight to the flies to get them down in lakes, and currents in streams. I've doubled the weight I tie my buggers with, and can't snag the bottom two feet from the bank (normally 6" deep, but 18"+ right now). I've also had more success in shallow water/close to the bank. The water is more shallow, and hence the fish can see what you're offering better.
All of the above is assuming you're getting lots of rain. Well, the bugger idea will work regardless....
I've been using a #10 white Wooly Bugger exclusively for stocked trout, and doing well. The water is murky from all of the rain, and that's the reason I'm using white (with lots of gold flashabou on the tail). Some people like to go dark with stained water, but white is working well for me.
Are you fishing a lake or stream? Is the water clear, stained, chocolate river? What are the other fly anglers using, and are they succesful? Try buggers and midges both. I've tied a Green Weenie off the back of a wooly bugger with success before, and a GRHE can be substituted for the Green Weenie, etc. With all the rain we've been getting, it's become important to add enough weight to the flies to get them down in lakes, and currents in streams. I've doubled the weight I tie my buggers with, and can't snag the bottom two feet from the bank (normally 6" deep, but 18"+ right now). I've also had more success in shallow water/close to the bank. The water is more shallow, and hence the fish can see what you're offering better.
All of the above is assuming you're getting lots of rain. Well, the bugger idea will work regardless....
tbblom
Well-known member
I've been managing a few little fish on midge larvae, midge emergers, PT's, barr emergers, etc. mostly in the 20-24 sizes. And catching the occasional larger fish on wooly bugger equivalents (gray/black/or tan).
In between snow storms, when it gets above freezing the river experiences a small 'runoff' effect. Lots of debris and stuff in the water. #20-24 red midge larvae seem to work well under an indicator or indicator fly (have not had anything on the upper fly for a while, but some fish prefer a bug over head to an indicator.
It is finally above freezing today, so I am about to head out and try to catch a few over a long lunch break :shades:
In between snow storms, when it gets above freezing the river experiences a small 'runoff' effect. Lots of debris and stuff in the water. #20-24 red midge larvae seem to work well under an indicator or indicator fly (have not had anything on the upper fly for a while, but some fish prefer a bug over head to an indicator.
It is finally above freezing today, so I am about to head out and try to catch a few over a long lunch break :shades:
MoscaPescador
Well-known member
Be open to try anything. If you are fishing a tailwater fishery with low and clear water, smaller flies and fine tippets are usually safe. When I mean smaller flies, I mean smaller flies of the various bug types. For stoneflies, try using darker ones in 14 and 16. For caddis, try some of micro caddis types in 16 and 18. For Baetis and midges, think 18 and smaller. Your fly selection will vary from what bugs that you have in the water system.
Don't rule out buggers. A well placed bugger can get a fish. A trout won't give chase as far as it does during the warmer months, but it will take a stab at it if the fly is in front of its face.
Dennis
Don't rule out buggers. A well placed bugger can get a fish. A trout won't give chase as far as it does during the warmer months, but it will take a stab at it if the fly is in front of its face.
Dennis
FrankB2
Well-known member
Hi Luke,
I thought you lived in Maryland, but a quick look at your threads revealed you actually live in Missouri (you probably knew that ). I don't know what the conditions are in your state regarding rain, drought, or temperature. Look to MP's advice in that case.
I thought you lived in Maryland, but a quick look at your threads revealed you actually live in Missouri (you probably knew that
). I don't know what the conditions are in your state regarding rain, drought, or temperature. Look to MP's advice in that case. yea im in Missouri. the place ill be fishing is a spring. its a pretty good size spring too even when it rains and the river the spring dumps into gets muddy the spring itself stays pretty clear.
i have a pretty limited supply of flies mostly beadhead copper johns but do have a few midges i thought i would try. guess ill just see what happens and go from there. no matter what it will be better than sittin on the couch watchin TV
i have a pretty limited supply of flies mostly beadhead copper johns but do have a few midges i thought i would try. guess ill just see what happens and go from there. no matter what it will be better than sittin on the couch watchin TV
planettrout
Well-known member
Aaron Jasper, in this Winter's issue of Flyfishing and Tying Journal,has written an interesting article on patterns he uses during Winter. They include scuds, sowbugs, egg patterns and worm patterns...
Having spent more than just a few frigid days on this water - in Winter...
I would include a selection of those patterns in my vest...
PT/TB :wink:
Having spent more than just a few frigid days on this water - in Winter...
I would include a selection of those patterns in my vest...
PT/TB :wink:
I believe Meramac springs is also listed in ozarkanglers.com. Get a seine a see whats in the water yourself. Turn rocks over, look at sunny side of trees close to the water. Watch the sky for bugs, shake bushes and branches and watch the water.