Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Lessons on Using Strike Indicators

TIME: 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM

WEATHER:  Clear, mid 60s

WATER CONDITIONS:  0 Units

LOCATIONS FISHED:  Norfork River, Mill Dam Eddy to Otter Creek

ROD USED:  7’ 9” 2 wt Winston LT

FLIES USED:   #20 Kay’s Gray, #14 Norfork River Gray Scud, #20 Black/Silver Zebra Midge, Olive Wayne’s Fly

HATCHES: Midges, Caddis

OTHER:  Fished solo.  Water was still dropping as I entered the water, but a few small fish were rising below the island.  A #20 Kay’s Gray fooled a few, but needing the exercise, I waded upstream.  The chute along the island only produced 3 fish, but the tailout above the island fished well, with over a dozen fish being caught with deliberate casting and drifting.  There were few fish above the riffle, no fish at Ace In The Hole, and the walnut tree only produced a couple of fish.  Concentrations of fish were found both below and above the island. All told, I caught perhaps a couple dozen fish, with several being 12 to 14 inches long, and a couple maybe 15 inches.  I had to manage the size of the strike indicator very carefully as the takes were almost imperceptible.  With good drag-free drifts, right sizing of the strike indicators, and a ton of patience, fishing was great and catching was good.  However, with the 2 weight and a slight wind, I was grossly under gunned.  Also of note, I saw a large number of cutthroats, including the largest I ever saw in the Norfork River, estimated at over 24 inches.

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