Chester Creek, Del. Co., 6/8/2014

[Van_Cleaver]

Tried to sneak in a little fishing from about 11-12:30. No risers or real bug activity, water was clear and around 65 (hand thermometer) Two guys had just fished trough the run I wanted to hit but they moved on by the time I rigged so I gave it a go. Fished patiently to little effect and eventually over reacted to a vicious strike losing two flies and my tippet. Might have been a bad knot or large fish, maybe both. Retied and missed another, then landed a medium rainbow. Moved the truck and fished a big riffle with less than usual success; missed a couple and landed another rainbow. Got to the top of the run and noticed some orange in the water so I drifted the vicinity since I almost always find other trout near Golden bows. To my surprise the fish smashed my caddis pupa and ran about thirty feet of line off my reel against two clicks of drag. Got it close and it took more on the next run. Managed to get it in despite not having a net, a fat 17'' fish. Took it home for the smoker since it had zero chance of surviving where it was, and they attract attention like a neon sign. Was hoping to get in under the radar but hard to explain where a Golden Trout appeared from.....

 

[Van_Cleaver]

There's gold in them thar hills!

 

[RustyShackelford]

I think I might have spent a few hrs. Drifting nymphs past that same fish.

 

[Van_Cleaver]

You probably don't want to hear how long it took me then. The truth is, I wasn't really trying for him specifically, but I'd say about six decent drifts in his general area. Sz. 14 (scud hook) Tan caddis pupa.

 

[camdogrs]

Van,

Do you use shot there? Found it hard to nick the bottom in some of those riffles even with a good upstream mend off the initial cast.

 

[Van_Cleaver]

Yes, the water has been high all year, and I am generally fishing a bh fly with at least a no. 6 and sometimes two. I was fishing a no. 4 shot the last time out. You still usually need a good upstream cast and mend, coupled with rapid strip of the left or off rod hand. A bit more technical than a lot of people think.

 

[camdogrs]

Understood. I was always under the impression that unless you snagging or losing a nymph every once in a while you were doing it wrong.

Also do you rig with the shot of a piece of lighter tippet and have the nymphs come of of tags on the main leader/line?