1st attempt at river fly fishing (video only - NO fish)

[mirogak]

Hey Miro, I was out Sunday, I didn't see much rising so I never touched the dries. I am surprised you got nothing on nymphs or emerges.

 

I found most fish hit at the end of the swing. Next time try the classic wet fly swing, its dead simple and it works. If you were fishing nymphs, often times when you are not getting any takes its likely one of two problems.

 

The first is that the fly is not getting down to the bottom, you should be ticking bottom every few casts. You may just need more.

 

The second can be drag so the fly does not appear to be drifting naturally under the water. If you are using an indicator a good measure is to make sure your indicator is drifting at the same rate as the bubbles on the water.

 

Bill I like the idea of thermometer and a very good point for our cold water fish.

 

I think it was a combination of both. I remember thinking there is NO way that little nymph is hitting the bottom with that stronger upper current. So what do you guys do in situations like these, do you "high stick" it, like hold your rod high and not letting the main line float like that? And in order to hit bottom do you add little tiny splitshots to your leader? But wouldn't that mess up your presentation?

[cuzza]

Weighted flies with either a lead underbody or a beadhead or both! I tie my own and use a tungsten bead with a few wraps of lead if I can get away with it - great for deep pockets behind a boulder. You can help your fly sink quicker by mending the line, which slows the drift and lets it sink. I'm not a fan of split shot but they do work - if you use them position it about 8-12 inches above the fly.

 

Don't get too hung up on fly selection and match the hatch, a generic bug pattern like a Pheasant Tail Nymph or Hares Ear will catch fish if you fish it correctly.

[mirogak]

Cool