What to use on opening day in April...??

[Werloc]

OK, so, what would "YOU" use on opening day in April...? This will be our (wife & I) fly fishing in Apirl. I was given permission to fish/access the S/B on 1/4 mile of pivate property where there will be no one else fishing due to no access. It is stocked on both ends of this property, so I would think the trout would be in this area for opening day. The property owner fished this for a long time, but due to his age and health, he is no longer able to fish. Since I just started tying flies also, I want to start tying what I will be using next Spring. So far, I only know how to tye Pheasant Tails, and Hare's Ear nymphs. I just yesterday pick up materials to tye Wooly Buggers.

So all this being said, what should I be tying for next April on the S/B Raritan..? What do/would you use, or have in your fly box for this time of year?

 

[PRomano]

With those 3 pattern's you just mentioned you should do fine. If you get desperate try egg patterns; if you get really desperate throw in a stick of dynamite.

 

[Drossi]

As mentioned you will be fine with those 3 patterns. I would also try a traditional feather winged streamer, my choice would be a Gray Ghost for that but many others will do. In the cold water you will want to make sure you get down deep and impart very slow strips if you put any action at all on your streamer. I often go with a sink tip line in March and early April.

 

[Broadheadscreek]

Hi Werloc,
The patterns you are going to tye will work well as everyone here has stated already . I would put a little twist on the nymphs and make them in a soft hackle version as well . This can be done by putting a turn or two of partridge for a full collar on both the pheasant tail and gold ribbed hares ear. Other than what you had mentioned I would carry some mickey fins a long as well they are always a good bet.Good Luck on your opening day adventure and have fun!!

 

[streamfisher]

I tie weighted nymphs with latex casings. Basically, I'll wrap lead, then some light colored dubbing, and then wrap latex around that leaving enough room to dub a head with sparkle dubbing. then, I'll use sharpies do color them. I use two main types. Caddis green colors and tan/peach colors:


Here's a bug from April 10th of last year:


fyi,
From the same river, local to me, I toko this shot on Dec 8th 2008:

 

[Andy B]

The Woolley Buggers, Hares Ear Nymphs and Pheasent tail nymps are good patterns to start tying and fishing on. Two other simple patterns that I would consider for you tye and fish with are scuds (Plentiful on the South Branch) and Soft Hackle wet flies/flymphms (Easy to tye and extremely effective fly). This would be two great patterns to add to your selection that you have mentioned. Any other questions or help in tying, just ask. This board has some very knowledgable anglers and very good tyers.

Sincerely
Andy Brasko

 

[Werloc]

Great info guys. Thank you....

 

[Trouser Trout]

Far more important than your choice of fly is your ability to fish with it, all the patterns you named will work fine anywhere at almost anytime, but the ability to fish them correctly is the sport. I have fished many times with others who are using the same fly in the same stream as me, and i invariably get outfished, but i can drink more beer so i win.....

 

[Trout Fever]

lol i suck at nymphing lol its a tough to get used to... not like dry flie fishing!!

 

[G Lech]

Your list seems fine and there has been a lot of good info posted. I would just say tie up a few caddis larve nymphs and highstick em in some riffles. Should bring some fish to hand.

 

[thrashers.wheat]

OK, so, what would "YOU" use on opening day in April...? This will be our (wife & I) fly fishing in Apirl. I was given permission to fish/access the S/B on 1/4 mile of pivate property where there will be no one else fishing due to no access. It is stocked on both ends of this property, so I would think the trout would be in this area for opening day. The property owner fished this for a long time, but due to his age and health, he is no longer able to fish. Since I just started tying flies also, I want to start tying what I will be using next Spring. So far, I only know how to tye Pheasant Tails, and Hare's Ear nymphs. I just yesterday pick up materials to tye Wooly Buggers.

So all this being said, what should I be tying for next April on the S/B Raritan..? What do/would you use, or have in your fly box for this time of year?

Just out of curiosity, would you mind sharing where this private stretch is located? I don't ever plan on fishing there, I'm just not familiar with any water, other than the lake solitude club, downstream of the gorge that is unfishable.

 

[Werloc]

Just out of curiosity, would you mind sharing where this private stretch is located? I don't ever plan on fishing there, I'm just not familiar with any water, other than the lake solitude club, downstream of the gorge that is unfishable.

Yeah, It's a few miles down stream of Rt. 202. It's a fairly large farm. It's very close to where we normally fish. My buddy hunts this property. My wife and I plan to start fishing there next Sunday after Christmas. I want to get familiar with the water.

---------- Post added at 07:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:02 PM ----------

Far more important than your choice of fly is your ability to fish with it, all the patterns you named will work fine anywhere at almost anytime, but the ability to fish them correctly is the sport. I have fished many times with others who are using the same fly in the same stream as me, and i invariably get outfished, but i can drink more beer so i win.....

Yeah, I know. That's why I've only caught 1 trout on the fly rod, and that was 100% pure luck. I wasn't even trying to fish that cast. I don't know if you read my post about it. It was getting dark, at the Gorge. Well, I'm learning....LOL, at least trying to learn...lol. The main thing is, I'm having fun. Fish, or no fish....

 

[emoussa]

talking about opening day in december? its gonna be a long winter..

 

[Joe Mairo]

Your list seems fine and there has been a lot of good info posted. I would just say tie up a few caddis larve nymphs and highstick em in some riffles. Should bring some fish to hand.

Hey mate. It's super cool that you get access to this water. I agree with G Lech. I'm no expert, but caddis larva work and they are easy to tie. You can tie a bunch up on curved scud style hooks, with or without weight, with or without a bead. I'd also try tandem rigs. You can fish a juicy looking, heavy caddis larva to get you on the bottom as the main fly, then through that fly's eye tie another section of tippet and fish a hares ear or pheasant tail or something. Best of luck.