This article on small nymph fishing has many applications to our Grand River Tailwater. It was originally published online at Hatch Magazine. Have a read.
I’d rather fish larger nymphs, but there’s a corner of my fly box dedicated to flies that imitate tiny critters too. And trout seem to ask for them often enough. Fishing extra-small nymphs is a little different than fishing the standard fare, and for many anglers it’s hard to have confidence in them. But a few refinements in tackle, rigging and onstream approach can help make the most of the itty-bittys.
— Read on www.hatchmag.com/articles/tips-nymping-tiny-flies/7714513
Another simple yet effective Tim Flagler Nymph Pattern
Here’s another in Tim Flaglers’s Orvis sponsored fly tying videos. It’s not the first time he’s used Wood Duck flank feathers to tie and the results are very realistic looking. I’m going to tie a few of these in various sizes for the Grand River.
Confused about Leaders and Tippets?
Simon Gawesworth of Rio Products explains everything you need to know about tippet, and compares Rio’s offerings and products for the fly fisherman in this video.
Hendrickson Mayfly Mating Biology
The last few evenings, depending on where you are along the Grand River Tailwater, a natural spectacle has occurred. It’s the mating ritual of the Hendrickson mayfly, whereby males and females flutter over a riffle in the river and mate at dusk. The females then lay their eggs and after all the reproductive work is done, the spent insects fall to the water as spinners, where they are frequently consumed by hungry trout. Here’s a video of this spectacular event from Wednesday evening, just downstream of Fergus.
5 flies that catch trout across the Rockies—and beyond | Hatch Magazine – Fly Fishing, etc.
“What did it eat?” I hollered. Across the lake, my fishing buddy Pat yelled back, “Red chironomid. Again.” I set my rod across my lap and unzipped a pouch on my float tube. It was a brilliant spring day, warmer than it had any right to be, and Pat and I were on my favorite high country lake a full month earlier than I’ve ever been before. Usually snow blocks the road until the first week of June. We were floating it before Mother’s Day.
— Read on www.hatchmag.com/articles/5-flies-catch-trout-across-rockies-and-beyond/7715053
From Patagonia- Il Pescatore Completo | The Complete Fisherman – a film with Yvon Chouinard
How to Make a Reach Cast via Rio Products
Rio Products not only produce a huge variety of lines, leaders and tippet, they also have a wonderful collection of very helpful instructional videos, with new ones every week.
Here’s a cast that will help dry fly fishers get to that upstream rising trout, The Reach Cast.
Federal Judge’s Order Protects California Trout
The Steelhead win against US Government!
Federal Judge’s Order Protects California Trout
— Read on http://www.courthousenews.com/federal-judges-order-protects-california-trout/
Hendrickson Time
I woke up to 8cm of fresh wet snow today so I didn’t go to the river as planned. Let me tell you.
Yesterday, on the lower Grand River, I hiked into a favourite place to pick fiddleheads but they’d been nipped by the unseasonably cold the night before. It was -5C last night, and keep in mind it’s the second week of May and average temperatures should be mid teens!
Of course, I took a fly rod with me, my switch rod and just a few giant streamers to throw into some deep pools there. It’s a 500m hike in and who goes to the river without a rod?
When I stepped into the river, I was amazed to see a full on Hendrickson Hatch occurring! But the temperature of +9 was preventing them from flying and so they struggled on the surface where they could have been attacked by hungry trout.
Today, after the 8cm of snow melts, I’m going to head back to The Grand River with a box full of freshly tied Hendrickson nymphs and emergers and see what happens.
“Be prepared!” my Boy Scout Leader, Dad and Fly Fishing mentor always reminded me!
UPDATE! Today I did go back to the river, upstream of Fergus, after most of the 8 cm of snow had melted! There were BWOs and midges covering the water, and again, they were unable to fly as the temperature was barely above freezing and there were snow flurries still in the air. The fish were taking them and even my #18 Baetis nymph. Success. But I lasted only an hour in the cold!
This episode of the New Fly Fisher always has a take away, no matter how many times I’ve seen it! Whether it’s flies, nymphing techniques or just the familiar faces of the Grand River Outfitting and Fly Shop staff, it’s thoroughly enjoyable!
Watch it one more time before you head out onto the river!
