Czech Nymphs for Steelhead?

[OhioOutdoorsman]

Was goofing around in some high muddy water this past weekend with some "czech" nymphs I tied with some brightly colored angora yarn around the lead. I was using them mostly as weight for my dropper rig, but I ended up catching three fish on them in some really crummy conditions.

Anyone ever try this?

 

[salvelinusfontinalis]

interesting no i havent but i might now. I have often thought of using some bright red buggers during such conditions.

 

[Fishinmagician]

I hate high muddy water,and will usually not go because of this,tried it too many times to know that better days are coming.But sounds like you did pretty good considering the conditions,maybe i'll give it a shot.I have caught fish in those conditions just don't prefere to.
tight lines,
Don

 

[Squaretail]

I've never caught steelhead in "high muddy" conditions, even with bait.
I just cant help but wonder if you weren't lining them as czech nymphing would be the ideal tactic to do so. I am NOT accusing you, and I didnt even realize what I was doing when I lined my first few steelhead.

 

[jayL]

I've always understood that you are supposed to use dark flies in muddy conditions, as they create a better silhouette.

 

[David]

jayL wrote:
I've always understood that you are supposed to use dark flies in muddy conditions, as they create a better silhouette.

That is what I have always heard, except when Steelhead fishin' in erie. Up there, I have always heard go with white in muddy waters...I've had some success trying white when darker colors weren't working.

 

[JackM]

Adding to this, I have recently within the past year heard that the color red is more visible at greater depths, particularly when water is stained because of the depth that the red portions of the light spectrum can penetrate-- FWIW.

I just tried to search up some support for this, but I found just the opposite-- the violet end of the spectrum penetrates deeper. So much for my learning.

 

[afishinado]

Jack,

I believe that the red end of the color spectrum is actually least visible. The red color turns to black or gray first in the water as it sinks and the light decreases. The blue end of the color spectrum actually is most visible with the least amount of light.

With that being said, since we most often fish in shallow well-lit water. I don't believe that the visibity of colors plays a big factor. In fact, I've found that a red or orange fly or hotspot on a fly often makes it more effective.

Jack, I just found this:

http://www.educatedangler.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=921

 

[JackM]

Yeah, I edited above find the same thing you just said. You are right though that visibility of red drops off at like 20 feet or so, so it probably doesn't matter, but it does shoot my learning in the foot in any case.

 

[ryguyfi]

JackM wrote:
Adding to this, I have recently within the past year heard that the color red is more visible at greater depths, particularly when water is stained because of the depth that the red portions of the light spectrum can penetrate-- FWIW.

I just tried to search up some support for this, but I found just the opposite-- the violet end of the spectrum penetrates deeper. So much for my learning.

then why are red hooks the new craze?? (especially in bass fishing)

I've wondered this since they started to become more popular.

 

[jayL]

ryguyfi wrote:

JackM wrote:
Adding to this, I have recently within the past year heard that the color red is more visible at greater depths, particularly when water is stained because of the depth that the red portions of the light spectrum can penetrate-- FWIW.

I just tried to search up some support for this, but I found just the opposite-- the violet end of the spectrum penetrates deeper. So much for my learning.

then why are red hooks the new craze?? (especially in bass fishing)

I've wondered this since they started to become more popular.

Because little bits of red is believed to be a trigger for predatory fish.

Red = injury.

Keep in mind, this comes completely out of my rear end. It's just my theory on the subject, and I've never researched whether it has merit.

 

[Acristickid]

No question. I have seen it done.

I think the hardest thing about czech nymphing is finding the right kinda of water to fish. Seems you need a nice run anywhere from 3-5 feet deep to work it real good- more or less water seems less effective with that method.

I have caught 90% of my steelhead on a pink egg pattern- and not a very good tie either. I have lots of confidence with this fly. Maybe cream sucker spawn for the rest.

 

[Fishinmagician]

In reference to the red hook debate,I did my own little experiment.Me and a friend were fishing for stripers using live eels on a back bay rip at night.I was using red hooks,which he made fun of me saying there a gimmick.He was using standard hooks,that night and a few after that i outfished him 4 to1 on the second night 3 to 1,he now uses them,i would say they have there advantages IMHO in certain situations,hey why not they can't hurt.
tight lines,
Don

 

[OhioOutdoorsman]

Squaretail wrote:
I've never caught steelhead in "high muddy" conditions, even with bait. I just cant help but wonder if you weren't lining them as czech nymphing would be the ideal tactic to do so. I am NOT accusing you, and I didnt even realize what I was doing when I lined my first few steelhead.

Could be. Never caught steelhead in 3-4ft of muddy water like I did saturday. Visibility was about 6"-8". The nymphs were orange and hot pink. Regardless, none were foul hooked, and one was hooked deep in the interior of the mouth, which would argue against lining. I still think its sporting if it was "lining" in under non-sight fishing conditions. Definitely wan't intentional. Lord knows I've had enough fishless days in cold, high, muddy conditions.

I think most steelhead fishing is to some degree lining. I've had a few agressive takes on the swing, but by and large its a matter of getting the fly near the fishes snout. These andomonous fish just aren't that interested in feeding.

I fished today again with a simular technique in worse conditions and caught nothing in an area in sure held fish. Probably just got lucky. Have to try some blue/violet ones.