Rising waters in mountain lakes good news for trout fishing
19/12/2008 1:00:00 AM
Anglers have been watching with interest rising water levels in the mountain lakes following recent snowfalls and rain in the catchment.
Lake Jindabyne has come back up to 55 per cent of capacity and Eucumbene to 24 per cent and both are still rising as water flows in from the Thredbo and Eucumbene rivers.
Water rising over new ground floods food items such as beetles, worms, grubs, spiders and ants from the soil and this in turn attracts cruising trout into the shallows where they are more easily contacted by anglers.
Although much of the close-in feeding occurs at night some fish will venture into the shallows during the day, especially in overcast conditions, and they are fair game for lure, bait and fly fishers. As a consequence, some good sport can be expected over the next few weeks, especially for fly fishers, before levels start to fall again as water is drawn off for hydro-electric power production and downstream irrigation and domestic use.
The only downside to this is the large masses of weeds and algal growth that make it difficult to fish bait and lures in the shallows.
Fly fishers have an advantage because they can fish wet flies just below the surface or dries on the surface and thus avoid the constant snagging up that bait and lure fishers endure.
A good example of this occurred recently at Buckenderra on Lake Eucumbene where trout came into the shallows to feed on a hatch of white moths.
Lure and bait anglers were unable to fish effectively because of all the rubbish on the bottom but fly anglers were able to target the fish with great success.
This is a good reason to learn to fly fish if you haven't already done so.
Looking good off shore
Coastal fishing has picked up nicely and prospects for the coming Christmas holidays are looking good.
Pleasing numbers of flathead are returning to beaches following the cessation of professional trawling in the Bateman Bay Marine Park.
One young angler at Surfside Beach recently declared confidently that he would ''catch tea'' and returned 30 minutes later with two excellent flathead taken on pilchard.
Another angler fishing from the shore at Murramarang landed a big flathead, plus a snapper and an octopus, using striped tuna for bait.
Further north, off Durras, a boat angler landed a good bag of flathead, together with one big morwong and a nice double header of a snapper and a large trevally.
Most offshore boat anglers reported finding plenty of tiger flathead, with a few big sandies mixed in with them, in 45-50m of water.
Salmon are feeding
Mark Rose at the Ocean Hut at Bermagui also reports some large salmon feeding on the southern beaches. Many of the fish are in the 3-4kg range and are taking pilchards and other baits readily.
Kingfish slow to emerge
Kingfish are still slow in areas but are gradually showing some activity. The hot spot is still Mowarry Point at Eden, where fish in excess of 1m have been taken on jigs and live bait.
A few kings have already been taken at Montague Island and this area should be fishing well by Christmas. Small kings showing in Horseshoe Bay at Bermagui could provide sport when southerlies prevent boats from fishing out wide.
Tip of the week
The other good news for Christmas is that the warm water and fish up north are moving south. Off Jervis Bay recently the temperature was 19 degrees and angler catches included a 140kg marlin, yellowfin to 24kg, kingfish to 82cm, a lot of makos and plenty of tasty squid in close.
Dr Bryan Pratt is a Canberra-based ecologist
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Gator Trout!
Dispelling the myths about 'gator' trout
By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors Editor In print: Friday, December 19, 2008
Spotted seatrout are the most popular sportfish in Florida. This member of the drum family can be caught on a variety of live and artificial baits by anglers of all skill levels. But catching big, or "gator," trout isn't as easy as it seems. That is why outdoors writer and fishing guide Mike Holliday set out to write the definitive book on Cynoscion nebulosus. "For being such a popular species, there wasn't much information available," said Holliday, editor of Jupiter-based Florida Fishing Weekly. "But there are so many myths and misconceptions about spotted seatrout. I had to set the record straight."
Holliday's new book, Secrets for Catching Seatrout ($19.95, Frank Amato Publications Inc.), covers everything from tackle to tactics.
With spotted seatrout season set to reopen Jan. 1 in the south zone (south of Tarpon Springs' Fred Howard Park), here are a few tips from a pro to help you catch a big one:
Fish early and late: Seatrout have a layer of tissue behind the retina in their eyes called a tapetum lucidum, which allows them to see well in low-light conditions, much like a deer or cat. Most baitfish species don't have this type of vision, and are thus more susceptible to predation during those times. Seatrout grow up learning that they are more effective hunters in low light, and it becomes a habit to feed at those times.
Make the longest casts possible: Seatrout have good vision and hearing, and once you put a fish on guard, it's not likely to eat. By making the longest casts possible, you increase your chance of getting a strike from a fish that has no idea you are in the area. One of the best ways to increase your casting distance is to use a light, braided line that has a thinner diameter than monofilament.
Use artificial lures that resemble baitfish: As juveniles, 80 percent of a seatrout's diet is composed of shrimp, the other 20 percent is made up of fish. As a trout reaches maturity (around 15 inches in length) that equation flip flops. By using bait that trout feed on the majority of the time, you increase your chances of getting fish to bite.
Use shrimp or shrimp lures when the shrimp are running: When the shrimp are running (primarily March through May in Tampa Bay) a trout will focus on these crustaceans as the main source of its diet. That's when you have the best chance of getting them to eat.
Big baits catch big fish: Gator trout don't feed as frequently as the smaller fish because they eat larger food items. A large mullet or pinfish is a meal to a big fish. The same goes for lures. Use a topwater plug that represents a larger meal.
During cold weather, look for the largest fish to be in the shallows: It's commonly thought that trout move to deeper water during the height of winter. At night, larger trout move to the deeper water because it retains an average temperature longer. But during the day, when the sun is out, big trout move into shallow water, particularly over dark mud bottom to warm up and feed.
Look for grass flats with sandy potholes: Flats with dense grass and few potholes generally hold juvenile trout, which need the cover to hide from their greatest predator, adult seatrout. Gator trout have lighter colored backs, and tend to frequent the edges of sandy potholes where they can lunge out and grab any hapless baitfish that moves through the open area.
Use sound to your advantage: Most noise will scare trout and put them on guard, but the sound of fish feeding will actually attract trout from a distance. Use a popping cork — which mimics the sound of a predator eating a baitfish — to attract trout. Topwater lures that pop or splash like feeding fish work best.
When you catch a big trout, keep fishing: A common misconception about large trout is that they travel alone. That's usually not the case. When you catch a gator trout, it often makes enough noise to put the other fish on guard. But stick around and let the fish settle down. You will probably catch another big one. Whatever attracted that first trout (comfort, abundance of food or spawning behavior) will likely attract other large trout as well.
To order a copy of Secrets for Catching Seatrout, go to www.amatobooks.com. The book is also available at www.amazon.com and many local tackle shops.
By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors Editor In print: Friday, December 19, 2008
Spotted seatrout are the most popular sportfish in Florida. This member of the drum family can be caught on a variety of live and artificial baits by anglers of all skill levels. But catching big, or "gator," trout isn't as easy as it seems. That is why outdoors writer and fishing guide Mike Holliday set out to write the definitive book on Cynoscion nebulosus. "For being such a popular species, there wasn't much information available," said Holliday, editor of Jupiter-based Florida Fishing Weekly. "But there are so many myths and misconceptions about spotted seatrout. I had to set the record straight."
Holliday's new book, Secrets for Catching Seatrout ($19.95, Frank Amato Publications Inc.), covers everything from tackle to tactics.
With spotted seatrout season set to reopen Jan. 1 in the south zone (south of Tarpon Springs' Fred Howard Park), here are a few tips from a pro to help you catch a big one:
Fish early and late: Seatrout have a layer of tissue behind the retina in their eyes called a tapetum lucidum, which allows them to see well in low-light conditions, much like a deer or cat. Most baitfish species don't have this type of vision, and are thus more susceptible to predation during those times. Seatrout grow up learning that they are more effective hunters in low light, and it becomes a habit to feed at those times.
Make the longest casts possible: Seatrout have good vision and hearing, and once you put a fish on guard, it's not likely to eat. By making the longest casts possible, you increase your chance of getting a strike from a fish that has no idea you are in the area. One of the best ways to increase your casting distance is to use a light, braided line that has a thinner diameter than monofilament.
Use artificial lures that resemble baitfish: As juveniles, 80 percent of a seatrout's diet is composed of shrimp, the other 20 percent is made up of fish. As a trout reaches maturity (around 15 inches in length) that equation flip flops. By using bait that trout feed on the majority of the time, you increase your chances of getting fish to bite.
Use shrimp or shrimp lures when the shrimp are running: When the shrimp are running (primarily March through May in Tampa Bay) a trout will focus on these crustaceans as the main source of its diet. That's when you have the best chance of getting them to eat.
Big baits catch big fish: Gator trout don't feed as frequently as the smaller fish because they eat larger food items. A large mullet or pinfish is a meal to a big fish. The same goes for lures. Use a topwater plug that represents a larger meal.
During cold weather, look for the largest fish to be in the shallows: It's commonly thought that trout move to deeper water during the height of winter. At night, larger trout move to the deeper water because it retains an average temperature longer. But during the day, when the sun is out, big trout move into shallow water, particularly over dark mud bottom to warm up and feed.
Look for grass flats with sandy potholes: Flats with dense grass and few potholes generally hold juvenile trout, which need the cover to hide from their greatest predator, adult seatrout. Gator trout have lighter colored backs, and tend to frequent the edges of sandy potholes where they can lunge out and grab any hapless baitfish that moves through the open area.
Use sound to your advantage: Most noise will scare trout and put them on guard, but the sound of fish feeding will actually attract trout from a distance. Use a popping cork — which mimics the sound of a predator eating a baitfish — to attract trout. Topwater lures that pop or splash like feeding fish work best.
When you catch a big trout, keep fishing: A common misconception about large trout is that they travel alone. That's usually not the case. When you catch a gator trout, it often makes enough noise to put the other fish on guard. But stick around and let the fish settle down. You will probably catch another big one. Whatever attracted that first trout (comfort, abundance of food or spawning behavior) will likely attract other large trout as well.
To order a copy of Secrets for Catching Seatrout, go to www.amatobooks.com. The book is also available at www.amazon.com and many local tackle shops.
Start Slow For Fly-Fishing Success
Start slow for fly-fishing success
Susan Cocking - The Miami Herald
Published: Thu, Dec. 18, 2008 12:30AM
Modified Thu, Dec. 18, 2008 07:17AM
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. - His methods might be a little unorthodox, but his students love it. Jack Montague, founder of Wolfglen Fly Fishing School in Punta Gorda, is a full-service instructor. He supplies the rods and reels and demonstrates casting, then turns students loose on a small pond on his property to practice on fish.
Montague finds customers for Wolfglen by offering daylong fly-casting classes, fly-tying instruction, rod-building clinics and even wood-carving lessons. He can empty a reel in a single cast and make an accurate throw lying down. But that mostly is for show; he impresses upon his students to learn to walk before they run.
"When you are learning to cast, or practicing, don't keep trying to see how far you can throw the fly," Montague told five students during a recent Wolfglen session. "That's like teaching a person to drive by giving them a few quick lessons and then saying, 'OK, now let's see how fast you can make the car go!' "
The basics
Before going for distance, Montague gets down to basics: stance (stand square with the target) and grip (make a "V" between the thumb and forefinger on top of the rod grip so that it is an extension of your forearm).
"You can make a cast in any direction you want without shifting your weight," he said, adding that sudden weight shifts on a small boat send out a pressure wave that spooks game fish, such as snook and bonefish.
After circulating among the group and checking each person's grip and stance, Montague presented what he calls the "five basic axioms" of fly casting:
* The fly will not move until all the slack is out of the line.
* Wherever the rod tip goes when power is stored in the bend of the rod, the fly will surely follow.
* When line is cast, it goes out in an unrolling loop, and when it stops unrolling, the fly will hit the water.
* The efficiency of the cast depends on the size of the loop, and the size of the loop depends on where the rod tip stops.
* If you are getting tired when casting, then you are doing something wrong.
Montague directed each student to practice casting with 30 to 35 feet of fly line extending from the rod. First came the backcast -- making the rod move from the 10 o'clock position to 1 o'clock; then the "drift" -- allowing the rod tip to travel slightly backward to enable a full draw for the forward cast; next, the forward cast -- snapping the wrist forward when the forearm is at a 45-degree angle; then putting backcast and forward cast together; and, finally, shooting some line by releasing it through the fingers while lowering the rod tip.
The students practiced with varying degrees of success. Then Montague went inside to his fly-tying bench and quickly made some small tan-colored patterns out of deer hair that resemble the fish-feed pellets he tosses in the pond. Each student got one and began casting into the pond.
Success
"Woo! I've got one!" Sheryl May said, stripping in a feisty tilapia, one of several she caught.
Howard Hecht, a retired police officer from Palm Harbor, also caught several tilapia.
Hecht said he has taken several classes with Montague but likes to come back for refreshers.
"He's already contradicted 90 percent of what you hear at these fly-fishing clubs," Hecht said. "Nobody teaches it as well as him."
Susan Cocking - The Miami Herald
Published: Thu, Dec. 18, 2008 12:30AM
Modified Thu, Dec. 18, 2008 07:17AM
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. - His methods might be a little unorthodox, but his students love it. Jack Montague, founder of Wolfglen Fly Fishing School in Punta Gorda, is a full-service instructor. He supplies the rods and reels and demonstrates casting, then turns students loose on a small pond on his property to practice on fish.
Montague finds customers for Wolfglen by offering daylong fly-casting classes, fly-tying instruction, rod-building clinics and even wood-carving lessons. He can empty a reel in a single cast and make an accurate throw lying down. But that mostly is for show; he impresses upon his students to learn to walk before they run.
"When you are learning to cast, or practicing, don't keep trying to see how far you can throw the fly," Montague told five students during a recent Wolfglen session. "That's like teaching a person to drive by giving them a few quick lessons and then saying, 'OK, now let's see how fast you can make the car go!' "
The basics
Before going for distance, Montague gets down to basics: stance (stand square with the target) and grip (make a "V" between the thumb and forefinger on top of the rod grip so that it is an extension of your forearm).
"You can make a cast in any direction you want without shifting your weight," he said, adding that sudden weight shifts on a small boat send out a pressure wave that spooks game fish, such as snook and bonefish.
After circulating among the group and checking each person's grip and stance, Montague presented what he calls the "five basic axioms" of fly casting:
* The fly will not move until all the slack is out of the line.
* Wherever the rod tip goes when power is stored in the bend of the rod, the fly will surely follow.
* When line is cast, it goes out in an unrolling loop, and when it stops unrolling, the fly will hit the water.
* The efficiency of the cast depends on the size of the loop, and the size of the loop depends on where the rod tip stops.
* If you are getting tired when casting, then you are doing something wrong.
Montague directed each student to practice casting with 30 to 35 feet of fly line extending from the rod. First came the backcast -- making the rod move from the 10 o'clock position to 1 o'clock; then the "drift" -- allowing the rod tip to travel slightly backward to enable a full draw for the forward cast; next, the forward cast -- snapping the wrist forward when the forearm is at a 45-degree angle; then putting backcast and forward cast together; and, finally, shooting some line by releasing it through the fingers while lowering the rod tip.
The students practiced with varying degrees of success. Then Montague went inside to his fly-tying bench and quickly made some small tan-colored patterns out of deer hair that resemble the fish-feed pellets he tosses in the pond. Each student got one and began casting into the pond.
Success
"Woo! I've got one!" Sheryl May said, stripping in a feisty tilapia, one of several she caught.
Howard Hecht, a retired police officer from Palm Harbor, also caught several tilapia.
Hecht said he has taken several classes with Montague but likes to come back for refreshers.
"He's already contradicted 90 percent of what you hear at these fly-fishing clubs," Hecht said. "Nobody teaches it as well as him."
Trout Stocking Suffers
Trout stocking stuffers
Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008
By Marek Warszawski / The Fresno Bee
Fresno-area anglers are getting an early Christmas present this year, gift wrapped by the Department of Fish and Game.
Starting Friday, rainbow trout weighing between 4 and 8 pounds apiece will be stocked in the Kings River at several locations below Pine Flat Dam. The river will be stocked for a second time Dec. 26 and every other week through the end of March until 10,000 pounds are planted.
Each stocking will consist of between 200 and 250 trophy-sized trout. The Coleman-strain rainbows, which originate in Northern California, have spent 3 years at the hatchery fattening up on a high-protein diet designed for maximum growth.
"People ask us all year long when we're going to put the big fish in again," said Greg Paape, manager of the San Joaquin Hatchery in Friant. "They always draw a big crowd."
In addition to the jumbo trout plants, Fish and Game is increasing its catchable trout plants in the lower Kings to 500 pounds per week. These fish average a little more than one pound each.
Planting areas include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bridge, Choinumni Park, Winton Park, behind Avocado Lake and Alta Weir.
This is the fourth year of the trophy trout program, which began in 2005 in response to input from anglers regarding trout hatchery operations in California. One of the common themes at those meetings was the desire to catch larger fish at nearby rivers and lakes.
Although they are domesticated and raised in cement runways, the trophy trout manage to retain a few wild characteristics. After a short time in the water, their black spots return and their trademark purple stripe shines brightly.
"They're in the middle of their spawn right now, so they should be extra colorful and some [anglers] are going to be catching fish with eggs in them," Paape said.
Limits are five fish per day regardless of size from Pine Flat Dam downstream to Alta Weir, a distance of about 7 miles. The section between Alta Weir and Highway 180 is a designated catch-and-release zone -- that means no taking fish caught in this area -- and also requires barbless hooks.
In past years, anglers had success with a variety of lures, including Vibrax Blue Fox, Warden's Rooster Tail and Kastmaster Spoons. Fly fishermen also have hooked jumbo trout using a variety of dry flies and nymphs.
One obstacle both anglers and fish will have to contend with this year is low-water levels. Releases from Pine Flat Dam measured 103 cubic feet per second Tuesday, well below levels optimal for fishing.
Three ponds at Woodward Park will be planted for a second time today, providing an even closer-to-home fishing opportunity for families and beginners. These ponds will be stocked with 1-pound trout every other week through April or until it gets too hot for fish.
Fishing licences are required for all anglers ages 16 and older.
The reporter can be reached at marekw@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6218.
Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008
By Marek Warszawski / The Fresno Bee
Fresno-area anglers are getting an early Christmas present this year, gift wrapped by the Department of Fish and Game.
Starting Friday, rainbow trout weighing between 4 and 8 pounds apiece will be stocked in the Kings River at several locations below Pine Flat Dam. The river will be stocked for a second time Dec. 26 and every other week through the end of March until 10,000 pounds are planted.
Each stocking will consist of between 200 and 250 trophy-sized trout. The Coleman-strain rainbows, which originate in Northern California, have spent 3 years at the hatchery fattening up on a high-protein diet designed for maximum growth.
"People ask us all year long when we're going to put the big fish in again," said Greg Paape, manager of the San Joaquin Hatchery in Friant. "They always draw a big crowd."
In addition to the jumbo trout plants, Fish and Game is increasing its catchable trout plants in the lower Kings to 500 pounds per week. These fish average a little more than one pound each.
Planting areas include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bridge, Choinumni Park, Winton Park, behind Avocado Lake and Alta Weir.
This is the fourth year of the trophy trout program, which began in 2005 in response to input from anglers regarding trout hatchery operations in California. One of the common themes at those meetings was the desire to catch larger fish at nearby rivers and lakes.
Although they are domesticated and raised in cement runways, the trophy trout manage to retain a few wild characteristics. After a short time in the water, their black spots return and their trademark purple stripe shines brightly.
"They're in the middle of their spawn right now, so they should be extra colorful and some [anglers] are going to be catching fish with eggs in them," Paape said.
Limits are five fish per day regardless of size from Pine Flat Dam downstream to Alta Weir, a distance of about 7 miles. The section between Alta Weir and Highway 180 is a designated catch-and-release zone -- that means no taking fish caught in this area -- and also requires barbless hooks.
In past years, anglers had success with a variety of lures, including Vibrax Blue Fox, Warden's Rooster Tail and Kastmaster Spoons. Fly fishermen also have hooked jumbo trout using a variety of dry flies and nymphs.
One obstacle both anglers and fish will have to contend with this year is low-water levels. Releases from Pine Flat Dam measured 103 cubic feet per second Tuesday, well below levels optimal for fishing.
Three ponds at Woodward Park will be planted for a second time today, providing an even closer-to-home fishing opportunity for families and beginners. These ponds will be stocked with 1-pound trout every other week through April or until it gets too hot for fish.
Fishing licences are required for all anglers ages 16 and older.
The reporter can be reached at marekw@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6218.
Fly Fishing - Purists frown on Glo-Bugs
Fly-Fishing: Purists frown at using Glo-Bugs, but they sure work well in winter
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Morgan Lyle
There’s a certain kind of fisherman who spends a lot of time, especially in the off season, hanging around fly-fishing Web site forums, reading and sometimes participating in arguments about what is and isn’t “real” fly-fishing.
I know this kind of angler well, because I’m one of them. I realize what time-bandits these Internet yak-fests can be, but I just can’t resist. In some ways, these forums are the 21st century version of hanging around the counter of the local fly shop, except the shop is open 24 hours a day, the arguments often go on for weeks and you can participate from your office — to the great dismay of both your boss and real fly shops.
Anyway, the latest spat I stumbled upon was about whether fishing with flies that imitate fish eggs — notably the pattern known as the Glo-Bug — can be properly called fly-fishing.
This got my attention because Glo-Bugs are most often thought of as late fall and winter flies, and I have made sort of an early New Year’s resolution to go trout fishing this winter every chance I get. Glo-Bugs are used this time of year because many species of trout and salmon spawn in the fall, depositing thousands of eggs, some of which drift out of the spawning bed and down the current, where other hungry trout and salmon gladly eat them. This phenomenon is probably finished by Thanksgiving, certainly by Christmas, but the reasoning seems to be that trout remember how tasty the eggs are right through the winter.
The school of thought that Glo-Bugs are “cheating” seems to have its roots in the early 20th-century English tradition that casting a dry fly upstream to a rising trout was the only form of fishing that was cricket. Back then, the British attorney G.E.M. Slues took a lot of flack for fishing with a sunken nymph pattern.
Today, of course, most people consider nymphing a legitimate way to fish (although it’s strictly a method of last resort for some anglers). But some folks who are perfectly comfortable dead-drifting a Pheasant Tail nymph through a deep run consider it “practically bait fishing” (horrors!) to drift a Glo-Bug through the same spot.
“When I used to guide, if I got a real idiot behind the fly rod, I’d tie on an Oregon Cheese [a popular color for Glo-Bugs] and make his day,” wrote one Internet angler. “Sure, they catch fish after fish after fish. But where’s the challenge?”
I was a little stung by that comment, having fished Glo-Bugs many a cold miserable day on the Salmon River, and caught absolutely nothing. But I got over the sting, went downstairs and dug out my old box full of Glo-Bugs, and tonight, I’m going to root through the Tupperware and see if I’ve still got any Oregon Cheese Glo-Bug yarn, plus some red yarn for the dot that looks so cool on those flies, and tie up some fresh ones just for fun.
Yes, I consider Glo-Bugs flies and fishing with them fly-fishing. As long as it’s delivered by casting the line, rather than by throwing the lure itself or its sinkers, and as along as the fly is made with more or less traditional methods and materials, it’s cricket, as far as I’m concerned.
As another patron in the great electronic fly shop noted, “If stoneflies where caught, preserved and sold in little jars for bait fishermen, an imitation of them may become somewhat taboo or ‘less pure’ for fly fisherman to use, as well.”
Not to me, they wouldn’t. As an angler of average-at-best skill who can’t get out as often as he would like to, “fish after fish after fish” sounds pretty good, especially in January. I guess if Glo-Bugs ever do become so effective as to be boring, I’ll up the ante a little with a stonefly — an artificial one, of course.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Morgan Lyle
There’s a certain kind of fisherman who spends a lot of time, especially in the off season, hanging around fly-fishing Web site forums, reading and sometimes participating in arguments about what is and isn’t “real” fly-fishing.
I know this kind of angler well, because I’m one of them. I realize what time-bandits these Internet yak-fests can be, but I just can’t resist. In some ways, these forums are the 21st century version of hanging around the counter of the local fly shop, except the shop is open 24 hours a day, the arguments often go on for weeks and you can participate from your office — to the great dismay of both your boss and real fly shops.
Anyway, the latest spat I stumbled upon was about whether fishing with flies that imitate fish eggs — notably the pattern known as the Glo-Bug — can be properly called fly-fishing.
This got my attention because Glo-Bugs are most often thought of as late fall and winter flies, and I have made sort of an early New Year’s resolution to go trout fishing this winter every chance I get. Glo-Bugs are used this time of year because many species of trout and salmon spawn in the fall, depositing thousands of eggs, some of which drift out of the spawning bed and down the current, where other hungry trout and salmon gladly eat them. This phenomenon is probably finished by Thanksgiving, certainly by Christmas, but the reasoning seems to be that trout remember how tasty the eggs are right through the winter.
The school of thought that Glo-Bugs are “cheating” seems to have its roots in the early 20th-century English tradition that casting a dry fly upstream to a rising trout was the only form of fishing that was cricket. Back then, the British attorney G.E.M. Slues took a lot of flack for fishing with a sunken nymph pattern.
Today, of course, most people consider nymphing a legitimate way to fish (although it’s strictly a method of last resort for some anglers). But some folks who are perfectly comfortable dead-drifting a Pheasant Tail nymph through a deep run consider it “practically bait fishing” (horrors!) to drift a Glo-Bug through the same spot.
“When I used to guide, if I got a real idiot behind the fly rod, I’d tie on an Oregon Cheese [a popular color for Glo-Bugs] and make his day,” wrote one Internet angler. “Sure, they catch fish after fish after fish. But where’s the challenge?”
I was a little stung by that comment, having fished Glo-Bugs many a cold miserable day on the Salmon River, and caught absolutely nothing. But I got over the sting, went downstairs and dug out my old box full of Glo-Bugs, and tonight, I’m going to root through the Tupperware and see if I’ve still got any Oregon Cheese Glo-Bug yarn, plus some red yarn for the dot that looks so cool on those flies, and tie up some fresh ones just for fun.
Yes, I consider Glo-Bugs flies and fishing with them fly-fishing. As long as it’s delivered by casting the line, rather than by throwing the lure itself or its sinkers, and as along as the fly is made with more or less traditional methods and materials, it’s cricket, as far as I’m concerned.
As another patron in the great electronic fly shop noted, “If stoneflies where caught, preserved and sold in little jars for bait fishermen, an imitation of them may become somewhat taboo or ‘less pure’ for fly fisherman to use, as well.”
Not to me, they wouldn’t. As an angler of average-at-best skill who can’t get out as often as he would like to, “fish after fish after fish” sounds pretty good, especially in January. I guess if Glo-Bugs ever do become so effective as to be boring, I’ll up the ante a little with a stonefly — an artificial one, of course.
The North Fork River
The North Fork is truly a river of dreams. It may well be the best trout stream in the Midwest, and is in the running for being the best in the lower 48. The section I will describe in this article is the freestone section, from Rainbow Springs, down to Dawt Mill dam. This section, in total, is around twelve miles of some of the best trout water in America. Fishing the North Fork above Norfork Lake provides the classic freestone trout fishing experience, Western style.
Trout populations are truly prolific in the North Fork of the White. The Blue Ribbon section holds about 1000 rainbow trout per mile, as well as a fair, but much smaller number, of brown trout. This section, currently (December 2008) , is restricted to artificial lures and flies, and all trout must be eighteen inches. Flies include the whole array of nymphs, as well as glow bugs during spawning, and some dries during hatches. Spin anglers will do plenty well on size 0 Mepps spinners, and 1/24 ounce rooster tails for the 100% wild rainbows. Tiny Rapalas will work quite well, of course. This section in seven miles long.
The other trout fishing section in the North Fork is the Red Ribbon Area. As this was posted, a fifteen inch minimum is in place, and all flies, lures, and even bait are allowed. You'll find good access in this section, and about 2000 trout per mile. That is a huge number, even for the large size of the river, and rivals the most famous of western streams. It even gives the world famous White River, below Bull Shoals, a serious run for its money. Most of the trout here are browns. They grow huge in the oxygen and food rich waters, and it is possible, though unlikely, that it could be home to a world record. There are also several hundred rainbow trout per mile, and like the Blue Ribbon section, all are wild. Fly selection will be the same, although you may want to add some sculpin imitating streamers along, which is the brown trout's staple food in this section. Lures would be the same as the Blue Ribbon section. The ability to fish with live bait is unique, and provides a great opportunity. Don't bother with dough bait here, instead drift nightcrawlers, crayfish, and sculpin along the bottom. Make sure to set the hook quickly, so that trout you want to release, or are mandated to release, have a good chance to survive. Bait fishing is ethical, if you don't let the fish swallow the hook, in my humble opinion. But that is another topic for another day.
There are two ways to fish this part of the North Fork. You can wade from the several public access points, or you can float. Wading trips are usually started from the several access points. Starting upstream, and heading downstream, they include Kelly Ford, Blair Bridge, and Patrick Bridge. The stream is considered navigable, and you are okay as long as you stay below the high water mark. The more popular way to fish the North Fork is to float it in a canoe or drift boat. There are only a few obstacles, and they can often be run, or otherwise portaged. The current moves fast enough that most fishing will be done by stopping the boat and wading. Both the Blue and Red Ribbon portions usually carry enough water to float, even in high summer.
All in all, the North Fork of the White is a great destination river. It fishes well twelve months a year, and is particularly noted for fishing well in both the heat of summer and the dead of winter. There are several great trout streams nearby. The Norfork River, (really the same river, below Norfork Dam), also provides world class year-round trout fishing. In this tailwater section, you will find Rainbow, Brown, Cutthroat and Brookies. Other streams within an hour include the White River for trophy trout, and Bryant Creek, Bull Shoals Lake, and Norfork Lake for trophy largemouth and smallmouth bass. For these reasons, the North Fork River is a great place to visit.
Trout populations are truly prolific in the North Fork of the White. The Blue Ribbon section holds about 1000 rainbow trout per mile, as well as a fair, but much smaller number, of brown trout. This section, currently (December 2008) , is restricted to artificial lures and flies, and all trout must be eighteen inches. Flies include the whole array of nymphs, as well as glow bugs during spawning, and some dries during hatches. Spin anglers will do plenty well on size 0 Mepps spinners, and 1/24 ounce rooster tails for the 100% wild rainbows. Tiny Rapalas will work quite well, of course. This section in seven miles long.
The other trout fishing section in the North Fork is the Red Ribbon Area. As this was posted, a fifteen inch minimum is in place, and all flies, lures, and even bait are allowed. You'll find good access in this section, and about 2000 trout per mile. That is a huge number, even for the large size of the river, and rivals the most famous of western streams. It even gives the world famous White River, below Bull Shoals, a serious run for its money. Most of the trout here are browns. They grow huge in the oxygen and food rich waters, and it is possible, though unlikely, that it could be home to a world record. There are also several hundred rainbow trout per mile, and like the Blue Ribbon section, all are wild. Fly selection will be the same, although you may want to add some sculpin imitating streamers along, which is the brown trout's staple food in this section. Lures would be the same as the Blue Ribbon section. The ability to fish with live bait is unique, and provides a great opportunity. Don't bother with dough bait here, instead drift nightcrawlers, crayfish, and sculpin along the bottom. Make sure to set the hook quickly, so that trout you want to release, or are mandated to release, have a good chance to survive. Bait fishing is ethical, if you don't let the fish swallow the hook, in my humble opinion. But that is another topic for another day.
There are two ways to fish this part of the North Fork. You can wade from the several public access points, or you can float. Wading trips are usually started from the several access points. Starting upstream, and heading downstream, they include Kelly Ford, Blair Bridge, and Patrick Bridge. The stream is considered navigable, and you are okay as long as you stay below the high water mark. The more popular way to fish the North Fork is to float it in a canoe or drift boat. There are only a few obstacles, and they can often be run, or otherwise portaged. The current moves fast enough that most fishing will be done by stopping the boat and wading. Both the Blue and Red Ribbon portions usually carry enough water to float, even in high summer.
All in all, the North Fork of the White is a great destination river. It fishes well twelve months a year, and is particularly noted for fishing well in both the heat of summer and the dead of winter. There are several great trout streams nearby. The Norfork River, (really the same river, below Norfork Dam), also provides world class year-round trout fishing. In this tailwater section, you will find Rainbow, Brown, Cutthroat and Brookies. Other streams within an hour include the White River for trophy trout, and Bryant Creek, Bull Shoals Lake, and Norfork Lake for trophy largemouth and smallmouth bass. For these reasons, the North Fork River is a great place to visit.
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