FS Digest

I was just at a small lake where I've caught nice quebec red trout in the spring and I've heard of people catching up to 4 pounders in it, the trout were jumping like crazy at least 1 every minute for about an hour I was throwing everything I had lil cleos, meps, jig heads with white grubs and pink spinner tails, a spinning spoon with a white hair tail, even tried with some wacky worms and the whole time I was there I had a live minnow out on a bobber with not even a nibble.. would I need a fly rod for a situation like this? Could I put a fly on my spinning rod somehow? I was pretty surprised/frustrated that they werentnbiting cause they seemed to be feeding pretty intensely, any advice is appreciated.

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by resurgentshoe

FS Digest

I was fishing from shore, but they were jumping right in casting range I had casts land right where fish had been jumping

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by resurgentshoe

FS Digest

Were there bugs? My guess is they were eating on the surface and couldn't be bothered to chase anything.

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by musicofsound

FS Digest

Yeah there were tons of mosquitoes and some tiny bugs on the water.

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by resurgentshoe

FS Digest

There was a hatch, get a fly that mimics the hatch. My guess it is a fish fly hatch.

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by lubbz

FS Digest

Could I put a fly on my spinning rod with a little sinker or something or would I need a fly rod?

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by resurgentshoe

FS Digest

A sinker would defeat the purpose of a surface bait. You can tie a fly on anything, but it is more fun on the fly setup

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by OSRS_DabSlab

FS Digest

Very difficult to cast on a spinning rig too since it's so lightweight

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by OSRS_DabSlab

FS Digest

Look into bubble floats. They free slide on your line and should let you use a fly with a spinning set up.

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by Aurphan

FS Digest

Use a small float as the weight to cast out. Put a 3ft leader and mend the line so it’s straight. You will be fine.

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by lubbz

FS Digest

Use 2lb line.

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by Artifoo

Bdubya06 Loc: Salem OR

Use a clear bubble float that allows you to fill it half way up with water. Use about 4 ft of 2 lb leader below the float. Tie a small mosquito fly to the end of the leader. Cast out past the jumping fish. Reel in slowly. Hang on!

babylonman Loc: Gaines Pa. Upper Pine Creek

If the trout were jumping out of the water they were chasing nymphs that were hatching from the bottom of the lake. trout just sipping insects off the surface that were drying there wings or dying after they mated. there is a big difference in the behavior of the trout.

DonaldRotter80 Loc: St, Cloud, Minnesota

Use a good spinning outfit, lightweight. Use a good quality line, I exclusively have used Green Trilene in XT (Extra Tough) ( DO NOT USE XL) (Extra Limp) or you will have birds nests!) I Use a torpedo float (torpedo shaped with an eye on each end.) It is not adjustable but those that are can damage the line. These do not need water added, and can be cast a ridiculous distance. For trout you can use 4 or 6 pound line, tied to the small end of the Rainbow Torpedo Float and a leader from 3' - 6' tied to the large end of the float. You can use 2 - 4 lb. leader material. Try to match the hatch and a mosquito would be a good start. I would start with a 6' leader and not shorten it unless necessary. THE BIG SECRET is NOT to LOB the presentation out which results in tangles at the float and leader but SHOOT the presentation out and STOP the bubble with your finger on the line JUST before the bubble will enter the water. This causes the leader and fly to extend the length of the leader PAST the bubble and all enter the water lightly at the same time. Bubbles are available in clear and many colors and sizes. I found clear are hard to see and bright red just as effective. MANY times the strike will occur instantly as the fly contacts the surface. If not, move the bubble towards you and immediately take up the slack without moving it and be ready to set the hook as you prepare to move it towards you repeatedly. The object is to cause the fly to cause a slight commotion on the surface. The strikes can be violent OR very subtle like a slight dimpling. You must be prepared to set the hook immediately as the fish will detect the fake presentation and spit it out. Be ready for a number of fish to strike the bubble, sometimes knocking it into the air. Do not pull as in setting the hook but immediately move the bubble towards you the length of the leader, stopping the fly right where the fish just attacked the bubble. Many time the strike will be instantaneous, if not continue the retrieve and stop sequence. The number of fish I observe striking at the float did not seem to vary with the colored or clear float. I exclusively use the red float as it is so visible. If you are color blind try the green color bubble. Again these are sold as the Rainbow Torpedo Bubble. (www.raibowplastics.com/torpedofloatsTP.php) At the time I checked they sold for $12.39 per 12 pack. I use the 1/4 oz. 3/4" x 2 1/2" in Florescent Red. I fish many pan fish with a Timber Wolf sinking fly but in the past have targeted Rainbow Trout in the local Quarry holes with a 1 lb. line and a Pink Lady fly (very tiny). These were fairly small planted trout. Actually you would be hard pressed to deliver a fly with a fly rod the distance and speed you can achieve with this setup. Because you are targeting bigger trout I would use the 6 lb. line to the bubble. To gain distance you have to put some effort into your cast and if you do not have a quality setup and have a line snarl or problem the float, leader and fly can sail into the distance when your line snaps! You won't have to worry about objects like trees behind you like when using a fly rod and making repeated false casts while gaining distance. A quick flip of the wrist will do and you can even cast in tight quarters by holding the fly (carefully) in one hand and flipping the spinning outfit. To gain distance you will be better off using your whole arm and wrist to shoot the presentation out. IF YOU ARE NOT considered a purist, which you will not be IF you do not use a fly rod, you can even add maggots to the hook of the fly and the fish will usually not spit the presentation out, or at least not immediately. A small trout fly like a mosquito would only accept one maggot fed on the hook. We fish pan fish with maggots on the hook because my fishing partner of 91 years old is not only color blind but cannot detect the strikes as the fly is heading directly towards him. First I gave him a green bubble which allowed him to see it much better, than I put maggots on the hook and the fish swam away with the presentation which allowed him to observe the bite and catch fish. For the last few years we both use maggots on the Timber Wolf fly with amazing results. I am more interested in catching fish and releasing many unharmed than being a purist at my age of 80. I spent many years fly fishing the conventional way but will never go back. Good Luck!

oldsalt Loc: Holland Pa

There's an old school piece of tackle called "casting egg". It's a wooden bobber, they come in various sizes - 2oz, 3oz, etc. It has a "post" on it to hang your hook when casting to avoid the whirly bird effect. When it hits the water, the hook falls off the post. You can then retrieve as you see fit. Casting eggs are ideal for casting light weight tackle. Also good for pulling a weighted bait or lure over a hazardous bottom - just set your leader to appropriate length to avoid getting hung up.