Caddis Chronicles

Here's a simple little midge pattern tied by Tim Flagler, who is usually behind the camera while someone else ties.   All it takes is some 15lb. mono and dubbing, and you can crank them out in no time.  He uses Amnesia, which comes in a few different colors for the body and black dunning for the thorax.  It might not be a bad idea to tie some with a peacock herl thorax, too. 

I'm tying a bunch up in a couple of different colors for my trip to Montana, as an alternative to the serendipity.  I'll report back after we return.

 

Hit the full-screen icon for a better view of some serious footage.

After almost 2 months off from trout fishing in New Jersey, the weather and water temps finally reached trout friendly alignment this past Sunday, so I spent some time wading, casting and catching trout.  The weather cooled late last week, and by Sunday the water temperatures were around 66 degrees at 5:00PM, when I stepped into the clear, low water of the South Branch.   The skies were overcast but fairly bright; the sun fighting to find its way through the thin clouds.  I had the river all to myself.

The trout weren't looking up, so I went down to them.  Not very far down, as the water levels are fairly low and very clear.  Caught a bunch of holdover rainbows, the largest being about 14 inches, and they all fought well and seemed healthy even after a few hot weeks with little rain.  The pumpkin head  midge, size 18, took all but one; fished it without any weight on a long leader with a fine, 6X tippet.  I also took one on a brown serendipity, size 16.  I also drifted this on the same long leader without any weight.  The takes were subtle, and the lack of split shot on the leader provided a direct connection to the fly, and little resistance to the trout.  My leader would jump a mere inch or two, I'd lift my rod quickly but gently, and a short battle ensued.

There's nothing like spending an hour and a half on the water to work out the rust and invigorate the soul.  With any luck, we'll get out a couple of more times before heading to Montana in a couple of weeks.  Maybe next time, I'll tie on a beetle or ant pattern and fish that exclusively.  The trout have to start looking up for their food, don't they?   If not, we'll still have fun.

Sharpen those hooks!

I have been tying lots of flies lately getting ready for my upcoming trip to Montana.  One of the flies I'm tying is the x-caddis, so we thought we'd share how we tie it with you.  The pattern was invented by Craig Mathews, the owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, located in West Yellowstone, Montana.  I've been catching trout on it ever since the first time I fished it on the Madison River some 20+ years ago.  It can be tied in any size and color; and best of all it only takes three materials and basic tying skills to turn out what has become a very effective caddis imitation all over the world.

       

It's been so long since I posted here I almost forgot my log in info.  Not that much has changed, the rivers are still quite low around these parts and too warm to fish.  The herons are having a field day from the looks of the marks on the trout holding tight in the clear waters.

We spent a while at the shore, swimming and beach bumming, and in the evenings caught a bunch of small bluefish.  The stripers either didn't want to cooperate, or they were further north.  It was a hell of a good time with family and friends.

After the shore, I came home and caught up at work for a few days before flying to Maine for a spell.  That was a blast.  Hot days on the water sailing around the islands off Acadia, cool nights with friends, good food and tasty adult beverages.   The lobster was as good as it gets. Then after tacking on an extra couple of days from work, we flew home and went back to the ho-hum of the office.  The good news is, I'm heading to Montana in a month with Mr. Q., who has never been there, so that should be a good kick in the arse!  I think he's going to have tied enough flies by then that his baggage will be over the weight limit! 

The good news is we're back in tying mode.  Last night we made a new tying video with Tightline Productions, which should be ready for human consumption in a week or so.  We'll be back to our regular schedule with the videos, so stay tuned.

Here's a few photos of the Maine trip for your viewing pleasure.  Not much, but what good is a post without pictures?  Hopefully, we'll be posting about our fishing adventures before too long!

Approaching Acadia ........

See you soon, and do a rain dance before you go to bed each night.