Fly Selection (11 of 12)
Video Transcript:
Many times when you're fly-fishing lakes, you might see another angler
doing well. The first question this brings to mind is often, I wonder what
fly they're using?
Before thinking about that, why not think about DRP, depth/retrieve/pattern? Think about it. Are you using your fly at the right depth? Are you retrieving it at the right pace? Then think about changing the pattern. If you're doing the fly at the right depth, retrieving it at the right pace, then change the fly. Remember, most of the water fly- fishers don't let their flies sink long enough and don't retrieve them slow enough.
When it comes to choosing flies for still waters, you've got three basic categories: suggested flies that might represent the number of different food sources, having different features common to all. Realistic flies that are good in really selective conditions, clear waters. These are flies that look very close to the actual food source. Then attractive flies, when fish aren't perhaps in a feeding frame of mind, but they'll chase something. They're naturally aggressive predators and we use bright, garish, wobbly, mobile flies to take advantage of that trait.
Many popular river and stream patterns also work on lakes. A San Juan Worm or brassie suggest [inaudible 01:32] larva. Prince Nymphs make a Mayfly nymph for back swimmer imitation. Hare's Ear nymphs make both good scud and Mayfly imitations. The Pheasant tail nymph can suggests Chironomids pupa, Damsel nymphs, Mayfly nymphs, along with small bait fish. A stone fly nymph such as the Montana stone can pass for a dragonfly nymph. Wooly buggers suggest leaches, dragon and damsel nymphs as well as Forage fish. Marabou muddlers and Zonkers can also be used to imitate Forage fish.
Here we go. Fish on. Nice fat little rainbow, and the rewards speak for themselves. A nice plump, plump rainbow; and then off he goes. So there you go, it's that simple. Find the right location. Be observant. See what food sources are available. Match that food source with your fly and your presentation choice, and you catch fish in lakes. It can be that simple.
Before thinking about that, why not think about DRP, depth/retrieve/pattern? Think about it. Are you using your fly at the right depth? Are you retrieving it at the right pace? Then think about changing the pattern. If you're doing the fly at the right depth, retrieving it at the right pace, then change the fly. Remember, most of the water fly- fishers don't let their flies sink long enough and don't retrieve them slow enough.
When it comes to choosing flies for still waters, you've got three basic categories: suggested flies that might represent the number of different food sources, having different features common to all. Realistic flies that are good in really selective conditions, clear waters. These are flies that look very close to the actual food source. Then attractive flies, when fish aren't perhaps in a feeding frame of mind, but they'll chase something. They're naturally aggressive predators and we use bright, garish, wobbly, mobile flies to take advantage of that trait.
Many popular river and stream patterns also work on lakes. A San Juan Worm or brassie suggest [inaudible 01:32] larva. Prince Nymphs make a Mayfly nymph for back swimmer imitation. Hare's Ear nymphs make both good scud and Mayfly imitations. The Pheasant tail nymph can suggests Chironomids pupa, Damsel nymphs, Mayfly nymphs, along with small bait fish. A stone fly nymph such as the Montana stone can pass for a dragonfly nymph. Wooly buggers suggest leaches, dragon and damsel nymphs as well as Forage fish. Marabou muddlers and Zonkers can also be used to imitate Forage fish.
Here we go. Fish on. Nice fat little rainbow, and the rewards speak for themselves. A nice plump, plump rainbow; and then off he goes. So there you go, it's that simple. Find the right location. Be observant. See what food sources are available. Match that food source with your fly and your presentation choice, and you catch fish in lakes. It can be that simple.
Equipment For This Chapter