Went fly fishing yesterday

[Monty Mikho]

and didnt catch shit!!! I need classes!! any recommendations?

[bbcfast1]

maby its the location....not the technique.

[quickwrench]

10 - 2 - 10 - 2 - 10 - 2 - 10 - 2 - 10 - 2 - 10 - 2 - 10 - 2...

Thus endeth the lesson!!!

[Monty Mikho]

10 - 2 - 10 - 2 - 10 - 2 - 10 - 2 - 10 - 2 - 10 - 2 - 10 - 2...

Thus endeth the lesson!!!

Hmmmm really? No rolling, pitching or shooting? How about spotting? selecting? approach? etc etc?? Just 10-2? :confused:

[Monty Mikho]

maby its the location....not the technique.

You are probably right. But you can take 10 people fishing all in the same spot at the same time. 1 will catch fish endlessly while the others get nothing. Reason I wanted a class... :p

[quickwrench]

Only went fly fishing twice...two smallmouth and perch the first time out, then zilch the next. Go figure.

I think they can just smell you, is all. Try showering before you strap on the waders next time.

[Monty Mikho]

Thanks for the help but I was looking for opinions from people who actually know what the phuck they're talking about.

[Driven2xs]

A Class? Monty, thats a LIFETIME of knowledge you want. Most is personal experience. You just cant jump into a T/F car adn win rounds. Fishing is the same.


What type of water are you fishing? Stream, I would guess?

The BIGGEST part of effective fly fishing is learning how to read water , then what they are eating. The rest is learning how to cook them.

You need to learn to read the seams, and identify pockets of water. Thats HUGE. Casting blindly into the center of a big pool is as productive as fishing on a football field.

The seam is where 2 water speeds combine. The fish will be in the slow side of the seam, expending as little energy as possible. Before threading your line, take 20 minutes or more, to see what the water is doing. Watch how the eddys work around rocks, and the stuff the eddys carry to the SIDE and BEHIND the rocks. Even in pools!!

Fish need cover. Rocks, overhanging banks, etc. They even feel safe in the shade of trees.
They can hear, and are put on alert when someone is banging rocks trampling down a stream, or when thudding along the edge of a bank. You need a bit of stealth. As stupid as it sounds, they can also recognize human forms, as predators, so you need to break up your image. Bland colors. Think if YOU were in the water, looking up. You need to somewhat sneak up on holes. I've proven it time and time again to people I fish with. We will go to the same hole or riflet, and let them fish it first. We both sit for 20 minutes, and I will come out with the fish. They rush and start the Cast & Blast. I stalk the same hole, and stand for a few minutes to decide WHERE to cast, so the fly hits the anticipated seam.

What they eat.... Again, I assume you are on the stream. Take 2 1" sharpened wood dowels and wrap some insect screen around them. About 20" wide. When unrolled , think of the Torah, or Dead Sea Scrolls. Jam them into the stream bed. Go above the screen, and stumble /shuffle, and disturb some rocks, and streambed gravel. The water will carry the chaff righ to your screen. Pull the screen up and identify what nymphs, larvae, etc. thats in the water, and what stage of development they are in. That will clue you in to what you need to be throwing. Also, look in "dead eddys" where the water swirls at the edge , and you see chaff on top of the water. Screen that up, and look to see if there are spent wing spinners, etc. Gives you an idea if you missed a hatch, or what. If you are throwing a completely different insect than what is hatching, its likely you are better off watching porn. You'll catch just as much. Sometimes attractor patterns will be useful, like a Royal Coachman. BIG fish like wet flys like a Dace, tossed in front of them. Those work good on undercut banks, and the leading and trailing edge of a pool. Very few fish in the center of the pool. They are at the head, where the food comes first, or the tail of the pool, where everything funnels. LOOK for cover for the fish to hide behind to decide which end.

The key is to approach flyfishing a stream like an 80 year old man. Slow, deliberate and calculated.

If you are still buggywhipping, stay off the water, and learn to cast. You SHOULD be able to hit a paper plate at 20 yards, and have the fly GENTLEY land on it.

[Rosie7]

I don't think fish like flies. You should try chocolate!:p

[Driven2xs]

Another thing:

Clear water is the toughest to fish.
Long light leader/tippet. Ultra soft landings.

Warm water like 70 degrees puts trout down. You have to bump their noses. They are bordering exhaustion. Warm water doesnt carry the oxygen cold water does.

There is also something else you might be encountering.

I forget the name, but the hatch consists of minute flys all clustered, in a whitish color. Trichrominids or something is the name. Good luck. Sometimes a SMALL piece of cottonball tied to a #24 or smaller hook will help. Long fine leader and 6' of 8x tippet. (Yeah, its a phucker to cast. About .003 diameter) Use the cotton like a rabbit hair dubbing. A few winds around the hook. Gnarly looking is the key. Pull some strands of cotton out , so its fluffy looking. Your only chance when that shit is hatching.

Check a local outfitter for patterns they are using. Be prepared to spend more on a fly. What good is $1.00 muddler minnows, when the local fish never hit them? Get the recommended size, and go UP 2 sizes and DOWN 2 sizes. They make a difference.

[Dr. Detroit]

A Class? Monty, thats a LIFETIME of knowledge you want. Most is personal experience. You just cant jump into a T/F car adn win rounds. Fishing is the same.


What type of water are you fishing? Stream, I would guess?

The BIGGEST part of effective fly fishing is learning how to read water , then what they are eating. The rest is learning how to cook them.

You need to learn to read the seams, and identify pockets of water. Thats HUGE. Casting blindly into the center of a big pool is as productive as fishing on a football field.

The seam is where 2 water speeds combine. The fish will be in the slow side of the seam, expending as little energy as possible. Before threading your line, take 20 minutes or more, to see what the water is doing. Watch how the eddys work around rocks, and the stuff the eddys carry to the SIDE and BEHIND the rocks. Even in pools!!

Fish need cover. Rocks, overhanging banks, etc. They even feel safe in the shade of trees.
They can hear, and are put on alert when someone is banging rocks trampling down a stream, or when thudding along the edge of a bank. You need a bit of stealth. As stupid as it sounds, they can also recognize human forms, as predators, so you need to break up your image. Bland colors. Think if YOU were in the water, looking up. You need to somewhat sneak up on holes. I've proven it time and time again to people I fish with. We will go to the same hole or riflet, and let them fish it first. We both sit for 20 minutes, and I will come out with the fish. They rush and start the Cast & Blast. I stalk the same hole, and stand for a few minutes to decide WHERE to cast, so the fly hits the anticipated seam.

What they eat.... Again, I assume you are on the stream. Take 2 1" sharpened wood dowels and wrap some insect screen around them. About 20" wide. When unrolled , think of the Torah, or Dead Sea Scrolls. Jam them into the stream bed. Go above the screen, and stumble /shuffle, and disturb some rocks, and streambed gravel. The water will carry the chaff righ to your screen. Pull the screen up and identify what nymphs, larvae, etc. thats in the water, and what stage of development they are in. That will clue you in to what you need to be throwing. Also, look in "dead eddys" where the water swirls at the edge , and you see chaff on top of the water. Screen that up, and look to see if there are spent wing spinners, etc. Gives you an idea if you missed a hatch, or what. If you are throwing a completely different insect than what is hatching, its likely you are better off watching porn. You'll catch just as much. Sometimes attractor patterns will be useful, like a Royal Coachman. BIG fish like wet flys like a Dace, tossed in front of them. Those work good on undercut banks, and the leading and trailing edge of a pool. Very few fish in the center of the pool. They are at the head, where the food comes first, or the tail of the pool, where everything funnels. LOOK for cover for the fish to hide behind to decide which end.

The key is to approach flyfishing a stream like an 80 year old man. Slow, deliberate and calculated.

If you are still buggywhipping, stay off the water, and learn to cast. You SHOULD be able to hit a paper plate at 20 yards, and have the fly GENTLEY land on it.
Driven..Very Nice Post!!! :smt023

Monty, I think we discussed every single part of this above.....
Time on the Water is the Key!!!

If thats not enough and you are up to a nice vacation next spring..

http://www.streamsideorvis.com/index.php (http://www.streamsideorvis.com/index.php)

http://www.orvis.com/store/shop.aspx?pageType=GROUP&dir_id=758&Group_ID=7524&shop_id=14175&bhcp=1 (http://www.orvis.com/store/shop.aspx?pageType=GROUP&dir_id=758&Group_ID=7524&shop_id=14175&bhcp=1)

or

Here>>>http://www.gateslodge.com/ (http://www.gateslodge.com/)
with him.... Rusty Gates.
http://www.gateslodge.com/images/20061026%200458.JPG

I don't know if he is still teaching classes or not.
But with out a doubt his is the best as they come.


Now..other then that...Stay on the water..
Keep pitching...floaters(Dry) if nothing is hitting, pitch sinkers(nymps)!!!

ALL the Best to ya!!! ;)

[Driven2xs]

Thanks Steve....I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night...LOL




Monty, when you try fishing in clear SLOW water, its even important how you tie the fly, the size of the tag end, etc.. Can be a real bastard. Always carry M-80's or 1/4 sticks of dynomite. Guaranteed producers! LOL

[Dr. Detroit]

....I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night...
Hey thats my line!!!

hahahaha :smt023

[2091]

Great stuff, Driven2xs!

Monty - I'm struggling just as badly as you are. What I'm thinking about doing is hiring a professional guide that's specific to the water I like to fish. I already have a guy picked out for the Muskegon River. For the Pere Marquette, it'll most likely be one of the guys out of Baldwin Bait & Tackle. I figure I'll learn two very important things; how to look for the ideal spot and how to catch fish from that spot.

If you're intersted, lets hook up and split the fees for a day with a guide/instructor when you get back. Salmon, Steelhead, Trout... Whatever & wherever...

[Driven2xs]

Interview your guides before blindly hiring them. Be sure the guy you talk to,is the actual guide, and not some kid he taught.

Ask him if he'll teach you what to look for, not just drop you in a spot.

Some days, ONE fish , is more gratifying than 50. Late summer fishing can be a real bitch. Right after a rain is always good.


Monty-
Another thing that I forgot to mention.....

Trout will sip, and make small ripples. (Time for Wet flys and emergers)

Trout will make larger ripples/pronounced rings (Emergers and drys)

Trout will jump out of the water (Drys, especially Caddis imitations)

If nothing is happening on top, then nymphing or wets are the way to start.

[Greg2]

Next time try fly paper.

[Monty Mikho]

A Class? Monty, thats a LIFETIME of knowledge you want. Most is personal experience. You just cant jump into a T/F car adn win rounds. Fishing is the same.


What type of water are you fishing? Stream, I would guess?

The BIGGEST part of effective fly fishing is learning how to read water , then what they are eating. The rest is learning how to cook them.

You need to learn to read the seams, and identify pockets of water. Thats HUGE. Casting blindly into the center of a big pool is as productive as fishing on a football field.

The seam is where 2 water speeds combine. The fish will be in the slow side of the seam, expending as little energy as possible. Before threading your line, take 20 minutes or more, to see what the water is doing. Watch how the eddys work around rocks, and the stuff the eddys carry to the SIDE and BEHIND the rocks. Even in pools!!

Fish need cover. Rocks, overhanging banks, etc. They even feel safe in the shade of trees.
They can hear, and are put on alert when someone is banging rocks trampling down a stream, or when thudding along the edge of a bank. You need a bit of stealth. As stupid as it sounds, they can also recognize human forms, as predators, so you need to break up your image. Bland colors. Think if YOU were in the water, looking up. You need to somewhat sneak up on holes. I've proven it time and time again to people I fish with. We will go to the same hole or riflet, and let them fish it first. We both sit for 20 minutes, and I will come out with the fish. They rush and start the Cast & Blast. I stalk the same hole, and stand for a few minutes to decide WHERE to cast, so the fly hits the anticipated seam.

What they eat.... Again, I assume you are on the stream. Take 2 1" sharpened wood dowels and wrap some insect screen around them. About 20" wide. When unrolled , think of the Torah, or Dead Sea Scrolls. Jam them into the stream bed. Go above the screen, and stumble /shuffle, and disturb some rocks, and streambed gravel. The water will carry the chaff righ to your screen. Pull the screen up and identify what nymphs, larvae, etc. thats in the water, and what stage of development they are in. That will clue you in to what you need to be throwing. Also, look in "dead eddys" where the water swirls at the edge , and you see chaff on top of the water. Screen that up, and look to see if there are spent wing spinners, etc. Gives you an idea if you missed a hatch, or what. If you are throwing a completely different insect than what is hatching, its likely you are better off watching porn. You'll catch just as much. Sometimes attractor patterns will be useful, like a Royal Coachman. BIG fish like wet flys like a Dace, tossed in front of them. Those work good on undercut banks, and the leading and trailing edge of a pool. Very few fish in the center of the pool. They are at the head, where the food comes first, or the tail of the pool, where everything funnels. LOOK for cover for the fish to hide behind to decide which end.

The key is to approach flyfishing a stream like an 80 year old man. Slow, deliberate and calculated.

If you are still buggywhipping, stay off the water, and learn to cast. You SHOULD be able to hit a paper plate at 20 yards, and have the fly GENTLEY land on it.


Good post, Driven. I have watched a few DVD's and read a few books about everything you posted. I have also spoken to many people here about the above. But having someone teach you how to drive a car without ever being with you to point out your mistakes will take a person a long time to figure it out himself. What I'm trying to avoid before it's too late is what I may be doing wrong. Kinda like the guy who has been golfing for 40 years but just isn't there yet. When someone tries to teach him the correct way its next to impossible to break that bad habit.

Spotting seems to be easy whe reading itin a book or talking to people. What I have noticed is casting behind that rock or near the calm water is when you finally give up and walk up stream. You look at the spot and think to yourself.. How that was a waste of time. The streams here run from around 3 inch to 3 feet deep. Without knowing the river its hard to figure out where the 3 foot is compared to the 3 inch stuff is at without walking closer. Right now I cast from roughtly 30 feet away.

I find it easier in the rivers in Michigan and Ohio. For one there is plenty of room to cast without worrying about getting hung up. I usually roll the line and work the river from side to side. The current is pretty constent in both states. Here the current flow goes from dead still to pretty rough withing 20-30 feet. So it makes it pretty tought to work nymphs side to side. Right now I cast up river and cast back up river when the line is parallel to me. That only covers around 25 feet over water as it takes around 5 fee for the nymph to sink.

So basically Im looking for any bad habits I may have be broken. This cannot be done by reading books or getting suggestions. Something you feel as you are doing everything y the text book. But until someone watches its impossible to say so

The second thing is spotting. Right now I hunt for heavy to slow current flows, around rocks, shallows/calms and two feeding streams.

This does not mean I will give up till I find someone to teach me a few things or just simply watch. I will still be out there trying my hardest to get better at this. But I still wanted someone who can show me a few tricks..

[Monty Mikho]

Thanks Steve....I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night...LOL




Monty, when you try fishing in clear SLOW water, its even important how you tie the fly, the size of the tag end, etc.. Can be a real bastard. Always carry M-80's or 1/4 sticks of dynomite. Guaranteed producers! LOL


Right now I use a little pocket guide and also a tying tool with guide to help. The water is much clearer here than it is back home and probably the reason its tougher.. But I like the challenge.. :p

[Monty Mikho]

Got skunked again today. There was a full moon last night so I didn't leave here till 5:00 PM and fished till around 7:00 PM. The river was running a little lower than usual. Im heading out on Wednesday on a boat and hopefully I can pull something up..

[Dr. Detroit]

Are you still out west or home in Mich???

[Monty Mikho]

Are you still out west or home in Mich???


Out west.... I went spotting this morning before I went out. I did not spot anything.. LOL but I marked the spots I would hit. It made it a lot easier when wading in the water and walking up stream.

[Dr. Detroit]

Well I never fished out there Monty so I really cant help.
What are you flipping any way for gear and bugs?

[Monty Mikho]

Well I never fished out there Monty so I really cant help.
What are you flipping any way for gear and bugs?

I used a hare's ear all day today. Everyone here agrees that about the best producer for trout. I hit the Weber river again which has browns, rainbow and cut throats. Last year I caught some white fish but they were around 8-10" big. Pretty boring... :p

[Dr. Detroit]

what is the weather like, what size are the fish out there and what line and fly size you using?

Are you seeing any bugs landing or hatching?

[Monty Mikho]

what is the weather like, what size are the fish out there and what line and fly size you using?

Are you seeing any bugs landing or hatching?


Im using a 5 wt rod on floating line. Im using a 5# tapered leader with whatever amount of weight (depending on current in that area) 1.5 times the depth. Strike indicator above the weight around 5 or so feet. The weather today in the area was around 83* when I went. Its sunny and shade depending on the area. The Drakes hatched it seemed last week. The hoppers have been all over the place. I tried a hopper last week with no luck. The hare's ear had one hit last week but nothing today. I believe the full moon last night filled the fish up. Talked to another fly fishermen on the river and he said he had no luck either.

[Dr. Detroit]

Well 5x with 5wt is cool..Gold bead hare's is one of the best I would make damn sure on size and that it is rolling on the rocks on the bottom.. maybe even try a dry on top of the nymph instead of a strike indicater fishing both dry and wet same time. It is late summer also hoppers would be the one to try too. But sounds like the weather is.."Too Perfect"! I bet on that. Trout like a over cast. Hmmm...

[Monty Mikho]

Well 5x with 5wt is cool..Gold bead hare's is one of the best I would make damn sure on size and that it is rolling on the rocks on the bottom.. maybe even try a dry on top of the nymph instead of a strike indicater fishing both dry and wet same time. It is late summer also hoppers would be the one to try too. But sounds like the weather is.."Too Perfect"! I bet on that. Trout like a over cast. Hmmm...


See that's what I need to hear. Im not a trout fisherman and really dont know what they like or hate. These are cold water streams with hot spots. In the Midwest its pretty easy for me for walleye, bass, pike and panfish. I pretty much know by temp, depth and cover what I will most likely come up with. Here Im completely lost in their rivers. :(

[Dr. Detroit]

Damn don't stop trying though!!! You might want to try different size bugs 3 or 4 numbers apart. small too big. I don't know how big fish are but I do know if a small bug comes across a big fish he will not budge or waste energy to grab it. If you see some swirls in the top water that means there is a hole, drop or something laying there a fish will sit in or next too because it collects junk in it. Rapids feisty fish will swim in the rapids if its hot keep them self cool. Also the first over cast or rainy day you get after the good weather yer ass better be out there sounds like its going to be a killer. Also if your catching Whites your still catching fish so your doing something right!!!
I'd say the most important thing is keep perfecting your cast. Flip casts, 'S" casts, Roll casts and Shooting casts do them all. Retrieves are a part too man. Might want to try some sinking line. 2 or 3 nymps between tippits 5x to 6x. Man can never have enough ..hahahaha

Just remember If your not catching fish, don't waste the time on the river!!! Practice perfecting the casts and retrieves!!! Any of it beats work!!:smt082

(sh);)

[reamo04]

normally when I have went, i have gone in a narrower stream and walked VERY slowly. Once you find an area you want to fish, sometimes it is easier to cast from a bank on the edge instead of in the middle of the stream. I have had a few times where the fish will not bite when you are in the stream, as soon as you are on the bank - no problem.

Most the time though, find a respectable local bait shop, most of the guys can give you a good clue as to what to try.

[Monty Mikho]

Guys thanks for all the advice. I'm back home in Michigan now and will try a few lakes and rivers hopefully this week. I'm looking to get an inflatable pontoon boat to test my luck on a lake. I went to the Bass Pro Shop and seen a standup type they have that looks pretty nice. I talked to the guy there and he said they are a nice deal to have.

[Driven2xs]

Monty-
I havent done any Western fishing either, so I can only relay info from friends that have. Western IS tougher, due to the low/slow water. You MAY need to go to a lighter rig, like a 3 weight. Especially this time of year. Long tippet, long leaders.

This time of year in general is tough. Water temps play a huge part in how lethargic a fish is, and how fast they turn off feeding. Over 65 degrees or so, they barely move. They will feed at night when the water temps drop.

Honestly, if its warm, and nothing is going on by 10am, I take the opportunity to wade the stream. ( I normally hit it at daybreak) I take a small pocket sized notebook with me. I sketch the stream, and make notes of holes, undercuts, etc. . Just be aware that Spring runoff will change the flow of fast moving waters. SO you have to "update" occasionally.

I see your point about a guide. Just be aware that some can really fuck you up too. They want cash to eat. Some really could care less if you catch fish. Fly fishermen, in general are "one timers" per area. Very little repeat business, unless they have proprietary water to fish.

Those wide open streams that are great for tossing flies, generally suck for fishing. They warm faster. There is less cover. Actually, my best trout fishing is always where I lose the most flies.

And NEVER discount little spring creeks 2-3' wide. Those little "drizzles" through an open meadow. I have caught some Hooknosed BREEDERS 26-28" long in those. Check the water temp, and then carefully stalk it. You'd be amazed.

If you are not in a catch/release area, zip one fish open to see what they are feeding on. That goes on your notepad with time/date/weather.

[Boweevil]

Having had some success at fishing competitively, I have found that one of the key factors in catching fish as opposed to just fishing is that there actually have to be some fish present. In other words, being around fish is more important than what kind if fly, bait, rod, vest, etc.

[Bubstr]

I have done some fly fishing out west. In the AZ high country. I think the trick is to find fish in low pressure areas. I carried one of my sons horsey back up a waterfall on a mountain stream to turn a yuck day of fishing into 35 trout. I'm not sure anyone has ever been there it was a bear wading threw the freezing water, but my son and I and my nieces hubby caught more fish than all of the others fishing around there. It was so overgrown you could only roll your line to get out there. My nieces hubby says he has been there again and had good days but nothing like the day we had. You could catch them on anything that day. My son liked live bugs on his spinning outfit. He was picking them up in the timber. Not sure he didn't have more fun hunting for bait. Most of them fish are still there. We only took enough to eat that evening at camp.

My brother in law wanted to fish a lake with a boat the next day. Well into summer the top water was way too warm. The two fish we caught was 12 to 15 foot deep.

[Monty Mikho]

Thanks for the replies again guys.

Driven, most everyone I talked to in the Ogden, Utah area recommended a 5 wt or a 5/6 wt rod. That seems to be their standard there in that area.

I got a little inflatable pontoon boat today to test my luck on a lake tomorrow using only dry flies. Im back in Michigan so spotting will be much easier. Im going to try and work backwards by only fly fishing here for a couple of weeks. That way Im a little more confident in my cast and presentation when I head back to the west. I used nymphs last year here in Michigan and Ohio with good success so hopefully I can get a little more confident with the dries. There is a guy at work who is supposed to be a really good fly fisherman. He said he would take me when I get back so hopefully that helps a lot as well.

Again guys thanks for the tip and ideas. I will report back in tomorrow.

[Dr. Detroit]

Thanks for the replies again guys.

Driven, most everyone I talked to in the Ogden, Utah area recommended a 5 wt or a 5/6 wt rod. That seems to be their standard there in that area.

I got a little inflatable pontoon boat today to test my luck on a lake tomorrow using only dry flies. Im back in Michigan so spotting will be much easier. Im going to try and work backwards by only fly fishing here for a couple of weeks. That way Im a little more confident in my cast and presentation when I head back to the west. I used nymphs last year here in Michigan and Ohio with good success so hopefully I can get a little more confident with the dries. There is a guy at work who is supposed to be a really good fly fisherman. He said he would take me when I get back so hopefully that helps a lot as well.

Again guys thanks for the tip and ideas. I will report back in tomorrow.
You coming home???

[Monty Mikho]

You coming home???


I came in Saturday. I headed to the Bass Pro Shop Saturday to look at some pontoons. I seen some nicer ones at Cabela's online and picked that one up today. Its a stand-up/sit down type so hopefully that works out OK. I am loaded up and ready to head out tomorrow morning. :rock:

[Boweevil]

Good luck. I remember when I was just really getting back into fishing sleep was hard to come by the night before a trip. I was like a kid on Christmas eve.

[Dr. Detroit]

I came in Saturday. I headed to the Bass Pro Shop Saturday to look at some pontoons. I seen some nicer ones at Cabela's online and picked that one up today. Its a stand-up/sit down type so hopefully that works out OK. I am loaded up and ready to head out tomorrow morning. :rock:Cool..glad ya got home safe..Have fun tomorrow!!

[Monty Mikho]

WoooHooo... did good today on our lake. I know the lake very well so I guess I cheated. The local fly shop (Hanks) set me up with a few things to catch small and large mouth bass along with some pan fish. They said try going for the pan fish to get the hang of things a little before going for the bigger bass. I did just that... They said the dry fly stuff was not going to happen today and they were right. It was pretty windy all day but that helped me work with the casts a little better. They gave me (excuse the technical terms.. LOL) what looked like a streamer with a gold bead for a head. I used black, brown and green. The greed and getting them really good. They gave me some red and white fish patten with weighted heads for eyes (dont know what they are called either). The bass nailed them hard and tore them things up. What I did learn is the fish pattern ones are pretty easy to use. The fish actually attack it, swallow the bait and pull. The streamer ones I needed to keep an eye on the line. Ones it was pulling a little slack out I would have to hook them. Anyway, it was an awesome day. Nothing big just bass around 10-14"s which is about the norm for that lake. I did keep out of pike territory all day.. I had to row the damn lake so Im gonna be a sore phucker tomorrow. But the good park is Im going trout fishing wading in the river. Im happy as hell!!!

[Driven2xs]

Pike need a fine wire tippet. (teeth) Then hang on!


Wait till you hook a good steelhead. Just like tieing into a Greyhound bus! It will be hard to go back to 10" trout.

King Salmon are completely insane. Egg sacs bounced in front of their noses, triggers a protective response. They are NOT feeding, but protecting their roe. 40"+ fish @ 20+ pounds. The hardon doesnt receed for 2 weeks.