3wt7X
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2008
- Messages
- 704
I had the day off on monday, so I decided to experience my first grannom caddis hatch on the Little J. I made the decision despite the weatherman's prediction of rain throughout the day and it turned out pretty good. I arrived in Spruce Cr. at about 09:30 am and I immediately noticed multiple fish rising at the bridge. I assumed that they were eating BWOs, but upon closer look I observed the grannoms.
Earlier in the day the water conditions were nice with good clarity, but just enough of a green tint to keep the trout comfortable. The weather conditions were less than favorable with mid to upper 40 degree temperatures and light rain. The wind was variable and got annoying at times.
I began by using a standard size 16 tan elk hair caddis and I managed a few in the morning. At that point, I was observing most of the rise forms on the opposite bank, so I waded down the middle of the stream and made 40 to 50 foot casts along the banks. This technique produced strikes, but I got a little frustrated with the number of fish rising compared to the number of fish that I was catching, so I sat down a did a little observing. The first thing that I noticed was that the grannoms seemed to be coming off in spurts. In other words, there would be a period of about 10 minutes when I did not see a caddis on the water, then they would come off strong and the trout would get on them. I also had the opportunity to examine a few grannoms on the stream bank and I noticed how dark their bodies were compared to their light tan wing.
The final thing that I noticed after sitting on the streambank for about half an hour was the fact that there was numerous trout rising in the water where I was formerly wading as well as along the stream bank where I was sitting. I did the logical thing and made my next cast from the seated position that I was in and immediately hooked up. I slowed my approach for the rest of the day and shortened my casts. This seemed to improve my presentation and catch rate. I also notced that if you throw a couple mends during a single cast it emulates the fluttering motion of the caddis and usually triggers a strike.
I apologize for the long report, but I enjoyed fishing the grannoms on the J. The fish were all very healthy and I took a couple in the 14 inch range along with a nice one at the end of the day, which I did not get a chance to see. The water had risen and become off color and the fish immediately took off downstream with my caddis leaving me running after him with no avail. It could have been a 16 incher in strong current, or a 24inch Donny Beaver special brownie. I'm going with the later. :-D
Earlier in the day the water conditions were nice with good clarity, but just enough of a green tint to keep the trout comfortable. The weather conditions were less than favorable with mid to upper 40 degree temperatures and light rain. The wind was variable and got annoying at times.
I began by using a standard size 16 tan elk hair caddis and I managed a few in the morning. At that point, I was observing most of the rise forms on the opposite bank, so I waded down the middle of the stream and made 40 to 50 foot casts along the banks. This technique produced strikes, but I got a little frustrated with the number of fish rising compared to the number of fish that I was catching, so I sat down a did a little observing. The first thing that I noticed was that the grannoms seemed to be coming off in spurts. In other words, there would be a period of about 10 minutes when I did not see a caddis on the water, then they would come off strong and the trout would get on them. I also had the opportunity to examine a few grannoms on the stream bank and I noticed how dark their bodies were compared to their light tan wing.
The final thing that I noticed after sitting on the streambank for about half an hour was the fact that there was numerous trout rising in the water where I was formerly wading as well as along the stream bank where I was sitting. I did the logical thing and made my next cast from the seated position that I was in and immediately hooked up. I slowed my approach for the rest of the day and shortened my casts. This seemed to improve my presentation and catch rate. I also notced that if you throw a couple mends during a single cast it emulates the fluttering motion of the caddis and usually triggers a strike.
I apologize for the long report, but I enjoyed fishing the grannoms on the J. The fish were all very healthy and I took a couple in the 14 inch range along with a nice one at the end of the day, which I did not get a chance to see. The water had risen and become off color and the fish immediately took off downstream with my caddis leaving me running after him with no avail. It could have been a 16 incher in strong current, or a 24inch Donny Beaver special brownie. I'm going with the later. :-D
