Increased flows - The Po

[TheBlackSheep]

Hey guys, the advice here has been great. Hit the Po for 2 days now, flows have been up from rain.

Skunked. Nothing. Not even a hit.

For a stream like the Po below the dam - what are your go to flies and strategies? I threw a dry dropper, fished nymphs under a strike indicator, drifted a Wolly Bugger - nothing.

I'm not looking to take anyone's secret spots or break any records with a huge fish - I just wanna get outdoors, would be nice to land one every now and then is all.

Please, any advice, fire away.

 

[wildtrout2]

Can't explain the lack of action, but I've noticed stream temps have been a good bit warmer (upper 50's to mid 60's per USGS) than they usually are, but that wouldn't account for your lack of willing trout.

 

[TheBlackSheep]

I'm a new guy, there's no doubt. But I have to say - I've been putting in my time trying to learn. Checked temps, she was holding between 52-55. I imagine with the increased flows fish are holding bottom to avoid currents. Unsure how it affects feeding. I can see the avoiding a rise secondary to the flows, hatch or not - too much energy expended.

Anyone out there at all who can help direct me toward an appropriate set of flies or tactics for this stream, it would be very greatly appreciated.

I refuse to quit and will stay at it until I land one.

Thanks everyone

 

[tjsingle]

I'll preface this by saying I do not fish the Po often, I've only fished the stretch below the dam to where it hits private land shortly down stream. When I do, I am usually focusing on dry fly, or dry dropper fishing.

I would look for seams in the riffles and bubbles lines as well. That will give you clues where the fish may be lying.

However, one of the strategies I like to use whenever flows are elevated and there isn't an apparent hatch is using a smaller wooly bugger style streamer in fast water to try to get a strike. You can tell a lot about where the fish may be holding based on the strikes you get. I like streamers you can visually see as well. I know that's probably not popular on a stream that lots like to dry fly fish, but it works.

I would not limit yourself to the Po, there's plenty of worthwhile waters nearby that you could get a couple confidence fish on earlier in the day and maybe revisit the Po when the sun isn't as high in the sky or maybe a hatch is coming off.

 

[TheBlackSheep]

THANK U!!!!!!!

 

[mszoke1802]

I haven't fished the Po this year yet, but did a few times last spring/summer. I didn't focus on any still water, I was throwing dry flies in the ripples in the shade days I was there. I want to say they were small caddis I was using. I had a few fantastic days there, I need to return. good luck

 

[td566]

Maybe try some bead head nymphs under your indicator or big dry fly. A little bit deeper and a little extra flash. I love the gold ribbed hares ear nymph. And I agree, don’t focus on the still water. Good luck!

 

[Tigereye]

I never fished the PO. But from my experiences, "cold" tail water fisheries are usually best fished with small flies 18s or smaller.

When fishing nymphs in these sizes, I am beginning to believe pattern is less and less important. Drifting in the same current seam is much more imperative.

My opinion and worth everything you paid for it.

 

[Millsertime]

Don't fish slow water and I'd stay away from directly below the dam where you can see the trout. Lots like to fish for those trout. There are bridges further downstream where you can access better sections of the river. Find water that is fast but not too fast. In these sections, the fish won't have a ton of time to committ.

Fish on overcast day if possible or fish early or late but mid day + sun sucks. A dry dropper is a great way to explore the PO. Lots of smallish wild browns.

Oh, also...there are youtube videos out there with ppl fishing the PO. They also provide more insight.