Fly Fishing - The View From Harry’s Window

From the time fish were fingerlings they learned to flee predators coming at them from above. I’ve seen both snakes and birds capture both trout and bass coming down on them from above. So, even as adults they instinctively flee anything strange overhead. You can see that wearing a bright hunting cap on a small mountain trout stream when the water level is low can easily scare the trout. Likewise, standing in the front of the bass boat to cast poppers against the bank while wearing a white T-Shirt may spook bass and they won’t take your bug. It is hard to tell how many fish we scare of which we are unaware.

Harrys Fly Fishing Podcasts

 

A discussion on Fly Fishing for Trout on small to medium size streams throughout North America.

I use 3 different fly lines for my smallmouth bass fishing. The weight forward floating bass bug taper line covers 80% of my needs. I go to the SA Mastery Sink Tip III to punch my nymphs and streamers deeply in the fast runs and deep pools which covers 15% of my needs. The other 5% of my needs are covered with a Teeny 200 Line which is in the springtime high water.

In the fall when the smallmouth rivers get cool many of the largest fish head for the deepest water they can find within 1/2 mile. In order to catch these bass fish your flies as close to the stream bottom as possible. The best retrieve is one which moves the fly just fast enough to keep it from hanging on the stream bottom.

Stream Report 11/11/08nov-11-2008-report

Harrys Fly Fishing Podcasts

 

In almost every case you can land your fish quicker and stress them less if you use a good small mesh soft landing net. The exception is when you are landing small trout that may get their heads through the net mesh and damage their gills.

We have had a lot of requests for the dates of our 2009 On The Stream Fly Fishing Schools so, here are the links to each respective schools dates.
Click this link for the Smallmouth Bass On The Stream School dates.
Click this link for the Mountain Trout On The Stream School dates.
Also, we have several Fly Tying Classes and topic specific Winter Classroom talks scheduled through the winter. These are a fun way to fend off cabin fever on these short days.
As many of you experienced last year, these schools fill quickly. Space is limited to ensure optimum instructor/ student ratios.
Give us a call (540-984-4212) or drop us an email us with questions or to sign up.

Harrys Fly Fishing Podcasts

 

ff-report-11-1-08

Harrys Fly Fishing Podcasts

 

Evaluate the currents, the protected holding areas in the stream and the natural foods. The largest trout select feeding stations which will enable them to consume the greatest amount of food while expending the least amount of energy.