Recent comments

Reaction to Skip's Dad can be varied.

I've felt smallmouth nibble at it gently as they suck it up off the riverbottom. When I get gentle takes, I start fishing with a slow, long strip.

When I find that the fish are slamming the Dad hard, I start using quick 5-inch strips, just enough of a pop so that I see the end of my line jerk.

Sometimes I've cast and had large smallmouth take the fly on the very first strip. It's happened enough that I get the slack out of the line as fast as I can.

Don't forget to let the Dad hang below you in the current. Yuou'll catch bass when you let the fly hang and then give it a couple quick strips.


Photos by Melanie Smith

One of my local waters is the Potomac River, it's about a 20-minute drive. I go to a little park area known as "Turkey Run".

View it in google maps:
Linkie

If you go, be careful because they will lock you in after dark.

Photos by Rybolov

Chris,

Just had to let you know that I tried your pattern for the first time today and did get one wicked hit on it. Only fished it for maybe 5 minuets and then a thunderstorm moved in and we decided to get the heck off the lake. I will be trying it next time out and hopefully will have a few fishy pictures to share.

...cannot remember when I last saw a seatrout... are they back yet?

Corbs,

I have tried it twice. The meat is soft and not tasty. I have seen recipes showing how to salt and steam the meat to make it more fish meat-like.
I will not recommend it, but invite a perch, pike or trout for dinner, instead.

Kasper

Submitted by Bud Miller 173… on

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This is top notch book and I agree with your observations. One thing however, that soon began to annoy me was the "Cathy-text" (like here is Cathy fighting... Here Cathy releases... Cathy makes the last cast... Cathy makes a long casts...) It was simply too much, but again, this is a photo journey, so skip the acompaning text and enjoy :-)

I've seen this many times where people will just charge right into the water. Making casts to just inside the water is a good technique for most waters I've seen, from pike lakes to steelhead streams. I've hooked enough big fish to give it a try each time I go out.

If it's early in the morning and you are the first person in the water, it's an even more productive technique. Fish go shallower at night because they don't have to push the current as much and they are safe from predators who can't see them when it's dark.

Cheers
--Mike

Submitted by Bob Koch on

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Totally agree. Its what you want to do. Fishing or Casting. While fishing 45 to 50 feet casts do the trick 95% of the time. Precision and presentation of the fly is the answer. Always cast to a target, even when nymphing or fishing wet flies.
Bob Koch CCI, Atlanta Ga. USA

Superb Photograph!
The graetest example I've ever seen of color theory, texture and composition, all in one picture.

Submitted by Jason 1737246426 on

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Nice pics and great article. Looks like a blast with a fly rod. Looks chilly too.....it's about 95 here in the states. :-)

Flyaddict,

I have been fishing smaller rivers a couple of times, and dearly prefer a light rod for the purpose. My favorite is a 12'6" for an 8-9 weight line. That is easy to cast all day and usually sufficient for the flies you need (often small doubles and low water flies) and will usually be adequate for figthing the fish you may typically catch in these smaller waters.

You may want to check out the article about Mandal, which is also in the southern Norway

Martin

Carlisleny,

We would love to know about bugs on the site. I have recently change some of the programs that runs the site, and I know that I have introduced some errors. Any help in finding them is greatly appreciated.

Martin

Carlisleny,

It has always been a good rule to follow: fish before you wade.

I have spooked many a fish by trotting into the water in a stream or even in the ocean. I have also made a habit of casting along the bank once in a while, and more than once that has give the fish of the day.

Martin

Submitted by Evan Rortvedt on

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This picture should be framed. I think it's a lot better than an average (3.8).

Thanks so much for getting it up and going again, Where should we report bugs such as this in the future? This site is really a blessing to me as I am able to get on the rivers again and develop a few new techniques.

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