Every September the leaves start to change, there is a nip in the air and Football season starts. I love the start of Football season. We have waited all summer to see what will be new this season. We have watched the internet, studied charts and looked at trends of years past. We have planned weekends to be in our favorite places at the most productive times. We even have made food and packed coolers for the long days abroad. Yes, I love Football season and everything that goes along with it. Oh wait a minute. Did you think I was talking about college or the NFL? Not at all. For me this time of year is when the Brown Trout start their yearly ritual to pack on as many pounds as possible before the long winter. During this time a healthy Brown can be two thirds as wide as it is long causing them to resemble the shape of the oblong pigskin that has been kicked around the "Frozen Tundra" for years. This time of year can only mean one thing...Streamers, Streamers, and Streamers! Some people may frown upon using Streamers for Trout opting to watch a dry disappear from the surface as a fish sucks it down or the subtle tick of an indicator moving as a Trout takes the dropper of a Nymph rig. These are all fun and exciting ways to fish. Few things however compare to the jolt of lightning you feel in the rod handle as a big ole nasty, aggressive Brown streaks across the river to attack the helpless little bait fish that is on the end of your tippet. This is a fun and exciting way to fish and we have a solid 2 months to take advantage of this before the fish go into winter patterns when we start to drift tiny #22 Midge patterns. Now is the time to give em the groceries!
I like a 5 or 6 weight rod for most of our local rivers. It is not uncommon for me to have a sink tip ranging from 2 to 6 feet and for this reason I usually prefer the 6 weight. Trust me if you will be throwing 2 to 4 inch bait fish patterns with a sink tip all day you will be glad you opted for the 6 weight. Sometimes a floating line with a lightly weighted fly is the ticket and a 7.5 foot 3 or 4X leader is perfect. If you are in deeper / faster water and a sink tip is necessary, 3 feet of straight 3 or 4x tippet is fine. A typical down and across presentation usually works well. Use your mending skills to swim and sink the fly into would-be fish holding spots. As I work my way through a run I will let the fly swing through the first time. If I get no action I will swing through the same spot and impart a little action to the fly using the rod tip or my line hand. If I still get no action I will swing through again and this time use a full on jerk strip trying to elicit the predatory response (you are trying to piss the fish off so much that they can't stand not to eat your fly). Take note of the first fish you catch each day. What were you doing when he ate? What type of strip did you use, was the fly deep in the water column or shallow, did he hit it aggressively or just tap it? Go to school on the first fish you catch and try to repeat that presentation as closely as possible. After a few outings and several fish you will get the hang of it.
As far as patterns go I personally am fond of Sculpin patterns. The "Headbanger" series from Rich Strolis has been getting a lot of attention from me recently. Kelly Galloup has some great streamer patterns on his new DVD "Streamers on Steroids" (in stock now) that were designed specifically for big Trout and his Zoo Cougar pattern is possibly my all time favorite streamer. Muddlers, Buck tails and Buggers all have their place within this type of fishing. The Shenks minnow in white has been getting a lot of play on our local river, the White Clay and don't forget about Crayfish patterns. Crayfish patterns swung around rocks right before dark can be just the ticket when that big ole Brownie decides to strap on the feed bag and fill his belly.
Regardless of your river, gear or pattern selection, give this streamer fishing a try these next two months. Once you feel the bolt of lightning you will be glad you did.
Tight lines...
I like a 5 or 6 weight rod for most of our local rivers. It is not uncommon for me to have a sink tip ranging from 2 to 6 feet and for this reason I usually prefer the 6 weight. Trust me if you will be throwing 2 to 4 inch bait fish patterns with a sink tip all day you will be glad you opted for the 6 weight. Sometimes a floating line with a lightly weighted fly is the ticket and a 7.5 foot 3 or 4X leader is perfect. If you are in deeper / faster water and a sink tip is necessary, 3 feet of straight 3 or 4x tippet is fine. A typical down and across presentation usually works well. Use your mending skills to swim and sink the fly into would-be fish holding spots. As I work my way through a run I will let the fly swing through the first time. If I get no action I will swing through the same spot and impart a little action to the fly using the rod tip or my line hand. If I still get no action I will swing through again and this time use a full on jerk strip trying to elicit the predatory response (you are trying to piss the fish off so much that they can't stand not to eat your fly). Take note of the first fish you catch each day. What were you doing when he ate? What type of strip did you use, was the fly deep in the water column or shallow, did he hit it aggressively or just tap it? Go to school on the first fish you catch and try to repeat that presentation as closely as possible. After a few outings and several fish you will get the hang of it.
As far as patterns go I personally am fond of Sculpin patterns. The "Headbanger" series from Rich Strolis has been getting a lot of attention from me recently. Kelly Galloup has some great streamer patterns on his new DVD "Streamers on Steroids" (in stock now) that were designed specifically for big Trout and his Zoo Cougar pattern is possibly my all time favorite streamer. Muddlers, Buck tails and Buggers all have their place within this type of fishing. The Shenks minnow in white has been getting a lot of play on our local river, the White Clay and don't forget about Crayfish patterns. Crayfish patterns swung around rocks right before dark can be just the ticket when that big ole Brownie decides to strap on the feed bag and fill his belly.
Regardless of your river, gear or pattern selection, give this streamer fishing a try these next two months. Once you feel the bolt of lightning you will be glad you did.
Tight lines...
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