Saturday, August 28, 2010

Big Time

Articulated Rattlesnake

Many anglers would agree that a common denominator in the big fish game is the size of your bait. There are of course exceptions to this rule, as plenty of large fish are caught every season on small nymphs and even dry flies. But it you want to tip the odds in your favor, it pays to go big.

I read once that there is an evolution in fly fisherman. We start simply wanting to catch a fish. To just experience the small pleasure of success by actually putting everything together and hooking and landing a fish on a fly. As our skills increase and we become more proficient, our goal becomes to catch a lot of fish. This is the middle section of the "bell curve" and where the vast majority of anglers find themselves. Some anglers never (and quite happily) progress beyond this point and are content with catching lots of small to medium fish.

Then there are the hunters. The anglers who have become almost mechanically efficient at fooling fish with a fly. Like the big predatory fish that they hunt, these anglers doggedly seek the largest fish they can find, and willingly forgo many fish in the process in pursuit of a trophy.

SDungeon- Crayfish Edition

Fall fishing is a great time to focus your efforts on catching a "trophy" trout. Most salmonids, with the exception of rainbows- which are spring spawners, are getting ready to procreate. Bruiser male browns, brookies, and salmon move into the shallows and take on their handsome fall colors while getting mean and aggressive as they start feeling randy with thoughts of fresh eggs to fertilize.

Streamer fishing is synonymous with autumn angling. Traditionally many famous fall patterns involve bright, almost gaudy colors, that likely imitate the bright colors of another spawning male, which is often enough to draw a strike- usually out of pure aggression.

SDungeon- Sculpin Edition

These days, with a myriad of new materials and tying techniques, the game is changing as patterns continue to evolve. One of the coolest evolutions in fly design are "articulated streamers"- these are big patterns, that range from 3 to 6 inches in length. The movement is multi-directional, up, down, and side to side. In other words, lots of trigger points, and realistic movements. These are sort of the fly fishing version of the venerable Jointed Rapalas or soft plastic swim baits. These are not simply "tandem" hooked flies. Traditional tandem streamers are designed to ride straight (for trolling). These pattern's are designed to wiggle and move. If you are a traditionalist, you may turn your nose up at this sort of thing- and it will definately get you kicked out of the "dry fly only" club (gee... bummer). This is definitely new school stuff here.


SDungeon- Fall Fish (Chub) Edition

These patterns are best handled on a stout 6 weight or 7 weight. Personally, I prefer a 7. Rigged with either a full-sink line or 24' Streamer-tip in the 200 to 250 grain range and you are in the game. I like a short leader which consists of the following:
  • 12" 25 lb Maxima
  • 12" 15 lb Maxima connected by a blood knot
  • 35 lb SPRO Micro Swivel
  • 18" 2x Flourocarbon
  • Attach the fly with "no slip" loop knot
The SPRO swivels prevent twisting in the tippet when casting these large, air resistant patterns.



"Galloup's Peeler"- Tied on a Gamakatsu Offset Worm Hook
(not articulated- but a cool fly)

Swimmy Jimmy- Yellow Perch Edition 

A few years ago I read Kelly Galloup and Bob Linsenmen's book Modern Streamers for Trophy Trout: New Techniques, Tactics, and Patterns  and it literally revolutionized the way I approached and thought about streamer angling. To sum it up in a nutshell: throw big flies, use sinking lines on beefy tippets, and retrieve the fly down and across the current (no swing here).

If you want to take your streamer game to a new level in pursuit if big fish, it is definitely worth checking out.

To load up on some new articulated streamers check out Kelly's fly shop at:

http://www.slideinn.com/store/index.php

Have fun out there!

Tyler

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Equal Opportunity


At Wild River Angler we pride ourselves in providing fish of all shapes, sizes, and colors the opportunity to be caught and released.

From stealth-midging micro-bass off the banks...




To going loud and large for Leviathan...


To everything in between...


We've got it covered.

Paul, I'm glad you have a good sense of humor.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Upper Andro Anglers Alliance Two Fly



It's on! 
Team Patagonia/Wild River Angler will defend its title. This great event serves to raise funds for the Upper Andro Anglers Alliance, a group dedicated to the restoration, preservation, and promotion of the Upper Androscoggin River fishery. No, the point is not really about the competition, but there are some really nice prizes for the "winners."  Last year there were rods and reels from LL Bean and Orvis, gift cards for Kittery Trading Post, and of course some sweet schwag from Patagonia, including a Guide Water wading jacket and waders.  Despite whether you go home loaded up on booty or empty handed, the river and the fish will be better off for it.


Read all about last years event.


From the UAAA-
"The contest is scheduled from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm (sunrise 6:34) on Saturday, September 18, 2009. Rain or shine. Each team consists of two anglers and an oarsman. Fishing from drift boats only. No wade fishing. Anglers will be fishing for three species of trout-brown, brook and rainbow. Small mouth, fall fish (chub) or any other species will not be accepted. Teams are responsible for their Maine and/or NH State Fishing Licenses, cameras and digital images. UAAA will supply a retractable measuring tape, fish cards, and bag lunch. Awards will be presented to the angler with the biggest fish, greatest number of fish caught and for the team catching the greatest number of fish. The oarsman may fish for pleasure only. Oarsman’s name and team will be engraved on The Rocky Freda Turtle Water Perpetual trophy for team with the greatest catch."


See you there, we'll be the guys posing for photos with the Turtle Trophy!


Tyler

Sunday, August 8, 2010

The Second Season




The geese are grouped up and this morning it was 47 degrees- sure signs of things to come. I know we are still in for some hot weather, but at this point we are on the downhill side of another summer looking forward the "second" trout season. And with mornings like that past few, you can almost believe it.

Water temps checked in at 62 degrees this morning on the Swift River near Roxbury.  Small freestones are low, and clear right now.  The fish, especially rising ones, are super-spooky. One bad cast will put them down.  With that said, remember that false casting spooks trout, probably more than any other factor. Keep it to a minimum and direct the false casts out of target zone until you are ready make your shot. The drill right now is about as technical as it gets in this neck of the woods. Long tippets, perfect drifts, and delicate casts are the magic bullet.