Fished Middle Yough near Ramcat from about 4 pm to dark. Lots of fish rising no fish taking anything I threw. I tried pretty much everything I had from BWO's, Adams, Caddis, Stone Fly, beatle, cahill's, San Juans, wolly buggers, glo bugs, nymphs and minnow streamers. Very frustrating watching fish rise all around me and not even get a look. I am fairly new to fly fishing but have never been shut out before when I find fish that rise. Water was very clear and 58 degrees. I was using maxim chameleon 2lb tippet. First time I have fished the yough, I enjoyed the area and the river just wish the fish would have cooperated.
Middle Yough, Somerset/Fayette co PA 07/30/11
- Thread starter ric6180
- Start date
albatross
Well-known member
That is a familiar story. Same thing happened to me the last time I was there. Don't get discouraged, those fish are well educated.
A couple possibilities that I didn't hear you mention are midges and spent spinner patterns. The fish there get very selective and key in on a particular food source.
Welcome to the forum!
Up closer to the dam you may find more freshly stocked fish that aren't so well educated, alternately you can walk, bike, or float the section from Ramcatt to Ohiopyle to find less educated fish.
A couple possibilities that I didn't hear you mention are midges and spent spinner patterns. The fish there get very selective and key in on a particular food source.
Welcome to the forum!
Up closer to the dam you may find more freshly stocked fish that aren't so well educated, alternately you can walk, bike, or float the section from Ramcatt to Ohiopyle to find less educated fish.
greenghost
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2008
- Messages
- 1,510
Indeed, welcome to the board and to the Yough. Like alba has said those fish in that stretch are an enigma. They rise but won't take a thing. Being the only game in the area, they do get hammered this time of year.
If it makes you feel any better, this has been a bad year for me too on the Yough for trout, I'm just 1 for 4. And I've been fishing it for over 25 years!
I do remember reading a post somewhere online -- I'll try to find it and repost it here -- about a guy who stomach pumped several trout he caught in this section. He found a hodgepodge of things in their stomach which leads one to believe that it may be presentation more than fly.
If it makes you feel any better, this has been a bad year for me too on the Yough for trout, I'm just 1 for 4. And I've been fishing it for over 25 years!
I do remember reading a post somewhere online -- I'll try to find it and repost it here -- about a guy who stomach pumped several trout he caught in this section. He found a hodgepodge of things in their stomach which leads one to believe that it may be presentation more than fly.
dryflyguy
Well-known member
Those fish are about as tough as it gets. And they're all stockies too.
However, if you go downstream - and away from the easy access area - they get a lot easier
However, if you go downstream - and away from the easy access area - they get a lot easier
Thanks all for the replies. After stopping at the fly shop to purchase some smaller midges and sulfurs as Albatross suggested, I hit the exact same spot today. Excited about the thought that my tiny midges would be gobbled up like stuffing with gravy at thanksgiving. Well guess what.... it's not thanksgiving!! Fish rising all around me and again not even a look. Oh well that is what makes it fun. Greenghost if you are correct, and I have a feeling you are, about presentation rather than fly I am probably screwed. March was my first time ever throwing a fly, I am getting better but have a ways to go. I bought a 9' 6 weight thinking it would be a good all around starter and since my ultimate goal is to catch steelhead in another month and a half!!! I am now thinking though that I may buy a second rod maybe a 7'6 3-4 weight. What do you all think? Is it better throwing smaller flies with a lighter line weight?
Dryflyguy how far downstream do i need to go, I find the stream bottom hard to walk long distances and there is not much bank to speak of in most places.... I am considering purchasing a Nucanoe seems perfect for floating the yough and getting to less fished areas.
Sorry for my rambling but I think I have fallen for fly fishing and I love to learn about it. I also think I am falling for the yough. The challenge of it is addicting.
Dryflyguy how far downstream do i need to go, I find the stream bottom hard to walk long distances and there is not much bank to speak of in most places.... I am considering purchasing a Nucanoe seems perfect for floating the yough and getting to less fished areas.
Sorry for my rambling but I think I have fallen for fly fishing and I love to learn about it. I also think I am falling for the yough. The challenge of it is addicting.
I've been fly fishing for forty four years and while I have three #3 rods I would recommend you not get one. If you are fishing over difficult trout stay with a #4 weight 7 1/2' - 8' rod, if it is a big stream/river then it is wise to use a 9' rod. I fish the WB of the Delaware and main stem all summer long and use a #4 9' rod 90% of the time.
Work on your presentation. Learn to do slack line casts, reach casts, mend your line properly, Get as close to the fish as you can to minimize how much line you have on the water so you get less drag. Use line 5X - 7X leaders with small flies. Don't "line" the fish. Approach from above and present the fly so the trout sees the fly first. Good luck!
Work on your presentation. Learn to do slack line casts, reach casts, mend your line properly, Get as close to the fish as you can to minimize how much line you have on the water so you get less drag. Use line 5X - 7X leaders with small flies. Don't "line" the fish. Approach from above and present the fly so the trout sees the fly first. Good luck!
dryflyguy
Well-known member
I like to bike downstream for at least several miles below the trailhead. The pools in that first mile or two are very deep, and not good dryfly water.
As for those fish at the section where you've tried - the reason they are so tough IMO, is simply pressure. That spot has very easy access from both sides of the river. They've probably all been caught quite a few times, and have likely seen just about every fly in the book.
Like alby said, they've been well educated for sure.
I know countless spots like it on other streams. It happens
As for those fish at the section where you've tried - the reason they are so tough IMO, is simply pressure. That spot has very easy access from both sides of the river. They've probably all been caught quite a few times, and have likely seen just about every fly in the book.
Like alby said, they've been well educated for sure.
I know countless spots like it on other streams. It happens
My family and I were up rafting the Yough this weekend. What a blast and what beautiful looking water from Ramcatt and down a mile or so. I fished the upper end Sunday between Ramcatt & Confluence and took a skunking. I wish I had not been so lazy and hiked downstream a bit on the bike path.
Yup, we all get spanked by the fish from time to time and while I never fish the Yough, I know it has the reputation of being a tough river to catch fish many times.
I agree with FI, go back and read Wbranch's post. Good advice, he is a wise man and a great fisherman.
Equipment
flies
Presentation
I agree with FI, go back and read Wbranch's post. Good advice, he is a wise man and a great fisherman.
Equipment
flies
Presentation
JohnPowers
Member
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2007
- Messages
- 489
Did you see their faces and mouths as they sipped or did you see
Their dorsal fins and backs? I'd they're on something in or just below the film it's a real challenge. It's maddening. Below the ramp and down and across at buckingham on the Delaware main stem in the twilight we've been surrounded by big fish rolling to the secret something and gotten skunked. If it makes you fell better, I've been doing this for 35 years.
Their dorsal fins and backs? I'd they're on something in or just below the film it's a real challenge. It's maddening. Below the ramp and down and across at buckingham on the Delaware main stem in the twilight we've been surrounded by big fish rolling to the secret something and gotten skunked. If it makes you fell better, I've been doing this for 35 years.
I have been guiding on the Yough for the past seven years. It can be difficult at times but presentation is everything. If the fly is presented without any micro drag, you will be surprised what they would actually eat. It has been my favorite river because of it's diversity of fishing situations as well. The real question is when are they going to regulate the water better with a catch and release regs. The bug life is getting better each year.
http://brooksbrownsandbows.blogspot.com
http://brooksbrownsandbows.blogspot.com
