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Show Wednesday, My 31, 1974 Page COALITION 12 FISHING FLY FOR by Dave Mueller LL TlftlElS three things : fish holding in smooth, medium-dee- p runs have tendency to look for surface feed ; fish living behind the rocks and in the pockets of a riffle feed on nymphal aquatic forms which live there; trout in the deep, slow and swirling waters of the pools at the bends of a stream have a great percentage of minnows in their diet. These are generalities, but they have helped me choose a fly when Im lacking familiarity with water. Ill try a dry pattern in the smooth glides, switch to a weighted nymph when working the riffles, and go with a streamer in the corners. Several other factors contribute to these selections. Fish can see floating food through the surface of the smooth water much more readily than when peering through broken water. And it is relatively easy to make a dry fly presentation in a uniform-currente- d glide. The deep pools have conflicting currents which make fishing them with a dry fly a tricky proposition. Streamer presentation does not suffer when the fly is pulled suddenly by the current. Some say the action induced by the drag contributes to the effectiveness of a streamer. Weighted nymphs work in the riffles because the trout do not like to make any extra effort chasing food in the swift water; the extra weight gets your offering down into the pockets of the riffle, behind the rocks where the trout wait for food to wash. When flyfishing, the choice of fly is important even when an obvious hatch is not occurring. In these dead periods, your choice is probably more important than when the fish are actively feeding on a singular food source. Fishermen have trouble in these periods because there are very few clues as to what the fish are taking. Dont get discouraged during these times because it is seldom that all the trout quit feeding. Remember to key your choice of a fly on the type of water you are fishing. Just as you wouldnt look for a burrito on a steak house menu, or spaghetti at a seafood restaurant, fish which live in different types of water look for different items to eat-ev- en in the same river. I have proven this to myself many times when Ive been too lazy to change flies as I fish up through varied waters. Often, it is too easy to keep the same fly on just because it produced a fish two or three bends ago. What happens is you find yourself catching fish in the pools or the riffles, but not both. The fly which works in the fast water doesnt work in the slow sections, and Im convinced it has to do with what the fish are looking for in each of these types. The answer, Many folks think, is to keep hopping up and down the stream to those places which appear similar. This is fine if the stretch of water is uncrowded, but if several other anglers are fishing above and below you, expect a few irate comments as you hurry by and cut in front of a man who is patiently working his way method always had one other major along the stream. A flaw to my way of thinking. You find yourself six miles away from your car at the end of a days fishing instead of one or two, and those waders get hot and heavy late in the day. Good-size- d trout can be found in all types of water. It is almost crippling to think that you can catch fish in just one kind. Put on the fly which matches the water where you are fishing. The best way to check this is to examine the stomach contents of the trout you take in each place. If youre fishing strange water, count on hop-skip-h- stomach analyses will show you the dramatic difference in the trout which live in contrary locations, sometimes only yards apart in the same stream. You will improve your chances when you change your fly pattern to fit the water youre fishing, instead of doggedly sticking to the same fly. Remember to fish at a slower pace-lea- ve the race to the horses. Anticipate what the trout might be taking in each type of water you fish. Dont get discouraged when the fish are not feeding in a frenzied way. Trout only feed actively six months or less each year. During that time, they seldom quit feeding altogether. A fewr diets of op IMMMMAim Summit Park BRKiWTON VILLAGE i STORE General Merchandise, Hardware Fishing & Backpacking Equip. Great Food Picnic Supplies uHome Sites of Distinction ft PARLEYS CANYON View Lots Available 278-527- GREGSOTER 5 649.929() PLANTS POTS & THINGS Y-- . 5 Planting Design Seivice Available 3SQQBQQS3SISBCBBE&? it'TUU; Lt & J&. -- THE BOWERY Available for Private Parties up to 125 people Dance Floor, Kitchen, Bar Overnight Accomodations (for 60 people) Contact ALAN SUMMERHAYS 649-915- 6 Brighton, Utah Remember the European & American Cuisine Specializing in Prime Rib Unique Dessert Bar T uesday - Sunday 6-- 1 1 PARK AVENUE SANDWICHES COLD BEER POOL Open 7 days a week til closed MAIN STREET pm 649-866- ADOLPHS0 SPECIALTY 0 MENUES A VAILABLE FOR PRIVATE PARTIES Of 10-6- 0 people |