Little Lehigh 2/8/17 Lehigh County

[bobequus]

(Be kind, it's my first time)
Water temp at 9:30 was 43°. Air temp was around 50° when I started and forecast was for a high around 58° to 60°. Partly sunny. Flow was around 50cfs (according to the charts). Water was a bit dirty (rain the day before), but the bottom was visible in 80% of the creek. Started with streamers and by around 10:30 could see midges emerging. No risers for them however. Moved around a lot and changed over to woolly buggers having had some luck with them in the previous weeks. By noon I was getting somewhat frustrated. Water temp had climbed to around 45°, but still no action, even in spots that I had done well in before. Switched to nymphs after seeing a fair amount on some rocks I turned over. Still no action. At around 1:30 I was getting ready to leave and put an olive green/black woolly bugger on below my nymph and cast to a spot I had a hit at a few weeks ago. Second cast I saw my indicator move slightly and a flash in the water. About 18 inches. Did not put up much of a fight. Also he took a while to get going when I put him back in. Hung out in the shallows for a minute or two "catching his breath". I know about shock when it is hot, but can you do it to a trout when it's cold? Water temp after the catch was 50°.
This is my fourth trip this winter to the LL. Also the first time that I saw other anglers. Having a pretty good time so far, although I wish the creek was running a bit higher. I'd like to test the Lehigh River as well, but get intimidated by big water like that. Something 'cozy' about a stream.
Bobby

 

[Dave_W]

Nice report - well done.

Welcome to our online community.

 

[Maurice]

Yes welcome Bob, Good report. Thanks for sharing. As for the trout catching his breath. Sometimes we play them too long or keep them out of the water too long and stress them a bit. And sometimes they are just kinda lazy to return.

To increase the water running over the gills and oxygen content, the fish needs to be farther into the current and not the shallows. This will speed up the process. Though it doesn't sound like you needed to revive the trout. It does sound like a bit of a nudge for it to return to better water was due. I woulda nudged it with my net or rod tip or moved a foot closer to startle it. But it sounds like it all worked out.

As for the take. I think you learned something on that fish that probably many others didn't display. In the winter takes can be VERY subtle. Strike indicator fishing can be difficult because fish are putting the fly down before the indy moves. If you can tight line or get a tigher line on the drift with the indy you will see more takes. The other day I was fishing a long flat pool over some stockies and I couldn't get close enough to high stick them so I was indy fishing and it was difficult to see takes. the slightest tick or slow down can be a fish. Just strip a little line ans twitch the rod tip to pull the indy out of the water an inch to see if it is and if not, let it keep drifting. Works for me.

 

[ryansheehan]

Putting shot below your fly helps with strike detection a ton. The further up your leader the weight is the less contact you have the flies regardless of indicator fishing or tight lining. Also look for slack tippet between your fly and indicator, if there is your indicator won't indicate anything. Nice report and welcome.