North Coast Bugs???

[Jeff Fisher]

Fishing the SF Eel last weekend, I was suprised find a few decent sized (#10) golden stones crawliing up my waders and boots. I was suprised because of all the silt that flows down the rivers up here, I didn't think there was much buglife, if any. (I have yet to see a single bug on the Mad though.)

So, since there are some juicy morsels crawling around in the SF Eel, one would think that the fish do see them and might sometimes snack on them.

Therefore, I was thinking of changing spools and trying an indicator setup with a big rubberleg Kauffman's stone and maybe an egg, for a change of pace from swinging pink and orange flashy stuff. That river has some really superb indicator water, that's for sure!

Anyone had any success fishing bugs on the SF?

Thanks

~J

[FlyReelFisher]

Skate a foam beetle. I'd love to see that. : )

Try reading this...

http://dougroseflyfishing.com/blog/?p=225

[EricO]

Try nymphing with a size 28 bwo. lol. ;)

I'd try the golden stone and an egg dropper. If you've seen stones I'm sure
the steelies will eat 'em....being opportunistic and all.

EO

[Jeff Fisher]

Flyreelfisher.....You don't really want to start a whole new bobbicator thread do you? C'mon.

Actually, I find many of the things said in that article absolutely absurd. I go fishing to catch fish (as do most people), not to facilitate some "tradition" or further some cause.

Of course I'd rather catch fish on the swing, but if their eating bugs, why not fish a bug??? Sure, I may not have any idea who the "forefathers" of west coast steelheading and I may not fish only traditional patterns and methods. But I think I'm a damn good flyfisher, and frankly......I DO NOT CARE about that other stuff.

Trout fishing smaller rivers like the Pit, I would never even think of tying on an indicator. But on bigger rivers, I don't think it can hurt to try.

I just asked if anyone fished bugs on the SF Eel.............I wasn't asking for approval or permission to do so.

[luckydog]

You could try some impressionistic flies that fish well dead drifted and on the swing. Examples include weighted woolly worms, assassins, brindlebugs. Instead of using split shot, use two flies (check the regs first!) Cast up and across, mend/high stick for the dead drift then drop the rod tip/mend and swing the fly at the end of the drift. Just like trout fishing, but with heavier gear and bigger flies. Switch rod would work great for this, till your arm gets tired from high sticking.

[FlyReelFisher]

...I just thought it was a good read. And it suggested a nymph to use. That was for you to find. Oh well...

Can anyone show a photo of this "pewan nymph" mentioned as a good one for NW rivers? Or a description? I cant find it. I was curious about it, and Fishers post reminded me of that article.

I dont care about indicators vs. swinging Jeff...I do both enthusiastically. Relax

[ycflyfisher]

...I just thought it was a good read. And it suggested a nymph to use. That was for you to find. Oh well...

Can anyone show a photo of this "pewan nymph" mentioned as a good one for NW rivers? Or a description? I cant find it. I was curious about it, and Fishers post reminded me of that article.

I dont care about indicators vs. swinging Jeff...I do both enthusiastically. Relax

The Pewan Nymph (also called the Pecwan nymph) is a very old Klamath river pattern from the 1930-40 era that is hardly in use anymore. If Doug Rose actually thinks the Pewan looks like a plecoptera pattern he must have been a classmate of Stevie Wonder's at the Braile Institute. The Pewan is pictured on the back of The Klamath River Angling Guide by George Burdick (a poor book for anything but Klamath River History) and it's origin is detailed in Trey Combs second book (a Great Read). It's basically a hairdubbed body (dark brown or black), no tail, no wing, and a sparse set of hackle legs (not palmered or collared) or picked out hair legs. I've also seen it tied with an ostrich herl body. It was originally tied to be used on the hang with heavy duty kerplunk lines, but most people that are familiar with it and fish it, do so with traditional methods despite the name. It's basically a non "Box-beauty" Iso pattern IMO.

[pvsprme]

You could try some impressionistic flies that fish well dead drifted and on the swing. Examples include weighted woolly worms, assassins, brindlebugs. Instead of using split shot, use two flies (check the regs first!) Cast up and across, mend/high stick for the dead drift then drop the rod tip/mend and swing the fly at the end of the drift. Just like trout fishing, but with heavier gear and bigger flies. Switch rod would work great for this, till your arm gets tired from high sticking.

This worked well on the T last week; not a lot of fish but they were definitly eating and wanting # 12-18's (that's right, #18). Usually bunnies, leeches not productive. Little yellow, golden or light brown nymphs were the ticket. Presented just as LD says; though I did see one gent indicator fishing the frog water just below me takin 4 in 5 casts with an indicator. He said he was using an 18 GS. I did my work with a #14 and saw a nice 28" Brown (very silver) taken on a #10-3x copper john.

[FlyReelFisher]

Thank you ycflyfisher

[Bearded Warrior]

Jeff....I will answer your question. I have fished stones on the SF. They have worked later in the season on downers grabbing a bite on the way back to the big pond i suppose...

[mr. 3 wt.]

Try reading this...

http://dougroseflyfishing.com/blog/?p=225


I just finished reading this and will have to say it was a pretty good read. I also will have to agree with most of what he has to say too.

I, myself, being one that fishes most methods for steelhead cause I like to actually catch steelhead on a regular basis. I consider myself a steelhead angler, not a steelhead fly angler.

When I do grab a fly rod I do not use an indicator. If you wanna indicator fish the most effective way, grab a float rod. Your results will be much better.

When I swing, I swing a spoon and pretty much get the same grab as I would swinging flies. Just more often.

But to each his own. I am NOT one of those guys who goes steelhead fishing and fish for weeks on end without a bite and am satisfied cause I am swinging a fly. Honestly, that absurd IMHO.

Last weekend at the ISE show, I was talking to a local fly guy who was talkin big about all he does is swing flies for steelhead. He was on his pedestal looking down on all who don't swing exclusively for steelhead. I, myself, deep inside, was laughing at him and his pathetic attitude.

With all that said, people will do what people do. It's all good cause in the end 10% of the fishermen catch 90% of the fish. It all depends on what side of this old saying you want to be on.

[Olaf]

Jeff talk to Jon send pm