EB Mini- report

[Future Fanatic]

My WB trip on wed. turned into an EB trip yesterday. It was a hastily decided affair with me zipping out there at 1:00pm. When I got int the water (2:00), there was NOTHING happening. No insects, no rises; there were no fish to be seen- so unlike the first time I was here with Mike. I nymphed and I even tried a streamer all to no avail. I took a break at 4:30 and poked around up and down the river a few miles in each direction; but went back around 6:00. It slowly became a different river then.
First some occasional sulphers started coming off. Then small tan mayflies (I couldn't grab one, but it was the size of the sulphurs (Approx. 17-18 mm)but tan in color). Then, there were these tiny mayflies popping out of the water. They must have been 10mm or less. There were fish rising only occasionally; I was watching some 100' of water and there was a rise or two every fifteen minutes , or so. I went with a pattern to mimic a sulphur (dry) and was not able to hook any of the sporadic risers. But then around 8:00 some yellow sallies (and some that were lime green too) started coming off and the fish started to rise a bit more. By 8:30 the sallies were every where, the fish were rising every where I looked and I was able to get three ( a 5" (yes, 5"), a 7" and an 11", all wild browns). I also lost one that was probably 11-13" based on the fight of the 11" fish. By 9:00 it was over, no bugs, no rises... calm water again.

 

[shware]

Thanks for the report. That's how it goes up there some (most) times

A small suggestion....

I think it's time you changed your moniker to "Current Fanatic" or something to reflect present tense. I think you qualify


Shawn

 

[Future Fanatic]

I have to ask the question to you all (since my buddy Mike is out gallivanting across Connecticut and New Hampshire in his "quest" for new waters). I noticed yesterday(I had a lot of time to practice), when casting a dry around that casting felt much more comfortable when I had a lot of line out. I can only describe it as if with let's say with 25' of line, it is like I'm just waving it around, while with 40-50' of line I could feel the resistance (the weight) of the line and the casting seemed much more controlled and (for lack of a better word) powerful. It's true that with that much line out I did have to put a bit more umph into the casting, but I could feel the pull of the line as it went behind me (which pulled on the rod) and it made the casting so much more "crisp". I have heard the term "loading" the rod, is this what that is refering to? Am I being a bit too "shy" when making shorter casts? My rod (as DC knows) is a six weight 81/4' Orvis graphite circa '79, (Mike says it "feels" somewhere between a 5 and a 6. Should I have, a let's say a 4 weight, to feel the same type of comfort in casting with shorter casts? Oh no.... is this how a rod collection starts? Any response is greatly appreciated!

I'll have to think about the new "handle". I don't quite feel fanatical (Joe T. or perish the thought, Charles Manson come to mind) but there must be something else...

 

[HydeLowRider]

Yeah,

That is feeling of a rod loading. Weight forward, Wulff Triangle Taper, Double Taper and Teeny Shooting head lines will all create different feeling when loading your rod.

What type/weight of line are you using?

 

[Future Fanatic]

The type/weight is a weight forward/5.

 

[shware]

I'm by no means an expert caster...

As Hyde mentioned you are definitely feeling the rod loading when you're making longer casts. For the shorter casts, if you're not feeling this load then you may have to work on your timing a bit to achieve the same comfort level - or - put more "umph" into your short backcasts in order to feel this load.

One area to research (and my knowledge is sketchy) is fast action versus slow action rods. I'd give some pointers but I really dunno what qualifies as what in this area but do know it affects casting. I've only had 4 rods in almost 20 years and have always "gotten used" to what I use. I still actively use 2 of them (a 4wt and a 5 wt). The 5wt is strictly for bigger water (ie, the main stem).

FWIW, if you're still in your first FF'ing season then I'd personally hold off on building the rod collection and continue with your current rod. You'll know when it's time to get a new rod and for each person it's different. When I started I used a $30.00 rod from Hermans Sporting Goods (anyone remember them?) and used it for my first 5 - 6 seasons before spending some money on a nicer rod.

Of course having said that, today was bonus day at work and I'm gonna pick up a 3wt rod for smaller PA streams real soon now Anyone got any suggestions - I'm looking for a 4pc 3wt ?

Hope this helps!


Shawn

 

[wildness]

Future,

Before you purchase a different rod, I'd simply try putting a heavier line on the rod your using. Perhaps even barrow a 6 weight line and real from someone to test it out if your able.

Line wieghts are based on the mass of the first X feet of line. Thus, if you are making a short cast (say 20 feet) you will need that first 20 feet of line to wigh more if it is going to load your rod properly. However, for longer casts (say 50 feet) you'll need that first 50 feet to weigh less if its going to load your rod to the same extent that a twent foot cast would.

Unfortunately, there is no one line that will be absolutely perfect for both short and long casts on the same rod. However, the line taper has a say in determining how great a range of cast you can perform well. The only thing you can do is try to find a line whose weight and taper match your average fishing conditions.

Hope this helps.

 

[JOE.T]

If the rod is a 6 weight then you should use a 6 weight line.There is no reason to under weight the rod.

When you make longer casts you will always feel more weight,or resistance since there is more weight that you are casting.

You might want to try the scientific angler mastery series line with a gpx taper W/f.

You might also want to "test" your timing.One thing I was taught by a few expert casters was to look back at your line on the back cast until you see that you line is completley straightened out..When you come forward the rod will be loaded perfectly.And beleive me you will feel the difference if your timing was off.If you timing is off by even a smidge it can make all the differnce in the world.

I still practice looking back to this day since it keeps my technique sharp and really helps with with fishing in the dark,since I can feel the rod loading perfectly every time.And when fishing in the dark you need alll the help you can get.

Also when making your back cast try and have your arm come up at an angle as if you are sliding your elbow up a slide at a 20 deg angle or so/You may find this will help your over all casting techinique as well as get some more distance.

I use the same rod and line for presentations from 20 feet to the end.Wind and no wind.I also use the same for size 4-28 flys.If your technique and timing is right you will feel comfortable at all ranges and under any circumstances.