A Few Summertime Flies

Summer is terrestrial and trico time on our rivers, that is, when the water temps are low enough for trout survival.  This week, that means no trout fishing in our area, but you can still tie a bunch in anticipation of better days.  There are also a few nice Pennsylvania limestone creeks that will be cool enough that have serious trico hatches.  Do teh fish a favor though, and carry a thermometer so you don't fish in water that is over 68-69F.

Here's a fur ant - side and trout view.  Simple to tie - black fur and dark hackle. 

And here is a foam beetle I like to fish - side and trout views.  Another simple pattern that is very effective. 

And finally, a couple of trico patterns I like.  This first one is Al's Trico.  It's tied backwards on the hook with the tail being mimicked by the tippet.  It's very visible with the grizzly hackle, which is good for blind people like me.  I like to blame my poor distance eyesight on the fact that I've been tying since I was a wee lad, but the reality is that I'm just getting closer to being an old geezer.  Not that the reading glasses I have dangling from my neck all the time is any indication...........   

Here's a standard trico spinner tied with clear zelon wings.  Again, simple and quick to tie, just the way I like them.  The trout don't give a hoot whether they have the right number of tails or even legs, its all about size and presentation.

Tie some up and go get them trouts!  And sharpen those hooks, especially when they are so very small........

Catching Up

It's been a while thanks to hot weather and other busy stuff going on, but I thought I'd update a few things.

If you can get your ass out of bed in the morning and onto a river just after sun up, the Trico hatches are coming off well right now.  You'll see the clouds of the tiny bugs over the riffles, and depending on the conditions, they will fall by 8:30AM, 9AM at the very latest.  The trout have been on them, but the fishing is very technical thanks to the very low water condtions....and the fact that the flies are small.   How small?  Size #26 is big, most are smaller.  Think the size of your average Irish freckle.  Use a long - 15FT - leader and approach from below and you'll hook a few.  Fish the transition water just below the riffles where it flattens out, you'll see little sips that look like tiny raindrops hitting the water.

Keep in mind that many of our rivers are too warm to fish, even in the early AM.  Take a thermometer with you and use it.  If the water is over 68F, don't fish.  The last fews days the Musky and the South Branch have been too warm, but if you are willing to go north and west, or to PA, you can find some pretty good Trico fishing. 

We just added Spruce Creek Fly Company to our blog link.  This is run by PA fly fishing guide Eric Stroup and his wife Tracey.  Eric is a top notch guide, fly tier, teacher, and all around good guy.  I'll be fishing with him in Montana next week!  Check out the programs he and Tracey have going on.

Three more days until we're airborn and on our way to paradise.  Karen and I are going to spend a couple of days in Bozeman, then it's off to the cabin on the Madison River.  Bruce and his wife will be flying out in his turbo prop (we are taking a commercial fight as Karen is ascared to fly in a 6-seater).  The prince, Bruce' son, has been on the road and will meet us there.  The river is just coming into prime condition after run-off, so to say we are excited is an understatement.

Finally, I was just appointed to the Environmental Commission.  I'm looking forward to helping to protect our fragile trout streams.

Get up early and go fish!!!!  Tricos are on! 

Why Aren't We Fishing?

This was taken at 5:30 Tuesday as I was driving home from work........................yesterday it read 102F.

The rivers are very low, and VERY warm here in NJ, PA, NY Catskills, which completely rules out any trout fishing.  Some rivers are reaching the 80F mark, which is likely killing those trout that can't find a cool refuge. It has been unusually dry the last month or so after a rainy, cool spring that gave us great water levels and temps.  Go figure..............

I'm tying dozens of flies and getting psyched for Montana, where I hear the fishing is just getting good after run-off.  They have had cool weather and plenty of rain, so that bodes well for our trip.  I'll post some of the flies I"ve been tying here when I get a chance.  I've also just finished building my bride a fly rod for our trip, she doesn't fish much, but loves floating and fishing the big western rivers.  Our last trip she had some double digit days catching fish.  She plays it cool, but the other day I came into the kitchen quietly and found her watching a video on fly fishing the Madison River.  I'm glad she's excited, although she'll only fish a day or two, and leave the rest to me and the boys while she and Megan go on excursions into Yellowstone and other points of interest..............you don't think they'll shop, do you??     

That's it for now.  Stay cool while we wait for rain and cooler temps.