During the early season/opening day, when most streams are a bit high and off colored, do you guys opt for a bit larger or brighter patterned flies or do you continue to utilize smaller patterns. Just trying to get set for the upcoming season and curious to how others approach opening day on their favorite stream. Thanks.
Give us a try!
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Opening Day/Early Season Technique
- Thread starter pmjasper
- Start date
flyI4
Fishizzle, I use worms but I'm looking to upgrade!
you can still catch fish now no need to wait until next season. Typically when the water is cold and high you have to options. You can throw big stuff hoping to attract a few fish that might be a little more aggressive or you can fish slow in an area you know holds fish and hope you run your fly right past their nose. Both work with varied degrees of success.
theartoflee
Anadromous Angler
I like to fish larger patterns when streamer fishing because I have confidence in them and they produce even when fishing small streams. I am personally not a big fan of flashy patterns but do like patterns with allot of action or movement.
When it comes to colors I am a big fan of white day or night because of the flash light theory I can see the white streamers and so can the trout. If I am not going to fish white I opt for natural colors.
Corndog
Ephemerella Subvaria
PM,
One thing to remember that I learned at a seminar long long ago, is that fishes gills are sensitive to muddy and sandy water. It burns their gills, kinda like when the campfire smoke blows in your direction. So, many species of river fish including trout will move and look for cleaner water to hold in. Usually, the smaller streams and runoffs flowing into the river are clearer where they dump in and therefore are holding trout. Also, look for back eddies, whirlpools, and slow water along the bank. These spots are usually clearer as well. Basically, the fish are trying to get out of the muddy/sandy water if they can. If not, they will move to deeper water where the current is slower. After a big rain or snow meltoff, I will take a hike and look for clear water running into the river. This way I can fish the same way I usually do. The trout there are usually easier to catch than the ones that remain in the muddy/sandy water.
Now, if you just have to fish the muddy/sandy water, go bigger and deeper and use artee's approach.
This technique is also used by us striper fishermen, when the stripers come out of the ocean and into the rivers to spawn.
Cdog
One thing to remember that I learned at a seminar long long ago, is that fishes gills are sensitive to muddy and sandy water. It burns their gills, kinda like when the campfire smoke blows in your direction. So, many species of river fish including trout will move and look for cleaner water to hold in. Usually, the smaller streams and runoffs flowing into the river are clearer where they dump in and therefore are holding trout. Also, look for back eddies, whirlpools, and slow water along the bank. These spots are usually clearer as well. Basically, the fish are trying to get out of the muddy/sandy water if they can. If not, they will move to deeper water where the current is slower. After a big rain or snow meltoff, I will take a hike and look for clear water running into the river. This way I can fish the same way I usually do. The trout there are usually easier to catch than the ones that remain in the muddy/sandy water.
Now, if you just have to fish the muddy/sandy water, go bigger and deeper and use artee's approach.
This technique is also used by us striper fishermen, when the stripers come out of the ocean and into the rivers to spawn.
Cdog
Fishin Technician
Fly fishing is a way of life !
Most of my stream sized streamers are #4's and 6"s, The bigger fly keeps the small fry off F/T
