bikehikefish

Looking at the river level graph, the JF looks like it is in pretty good shape to float, so I'm going going to do 17 to Bay Creek this weekend. Does anyone have a report on the fishing?

When fishing the trout parks or rivers like the Current and Meramec, it is rare that I have a fish "on the reel". The excess line usually lies loose in the water as I play the fish and strip the line in with my left hand. Taneycomo is a little different, with its possibility of hooking large trout. When I have a large one on, I let it run until all the slack is gone and I play it on the reel. But even then, the drag is set very light and I "palm" the spool to control the tension. I still don't wind the line in, I like to strip it in and let the excess lie at my feet. So, in short, for me the drag does very little, so I don't invest in reels that have the better drag systems. To each his own, decide for yourself if a drag is important for your style of fishing.

what's going on?...that fish hasn't moved since yesterday!

Sam, Thanks for the response. You were right, it turned cold Friday and there was a pretty good hatch of #20 olives from about 10:00 AM on. The fish were rising to them regularly and it was a lot fun trying to catch them on a dry.

I'll be at Tan Vat on Friday and wondering how the hatches have been. Hope to see some Caddis and some Blue Wing Olives. Also hope it's warmer than predicted.