Report

[Brian Wise]

Hey all,

The rains that came through last weekend (April 1st) brought the river up another 100 cfs, it is now running 665 CFS. Still good water for fishing....

Golden stones in the lower Blue Ribbon have been doing really well along with Red Fox Squirrel Nymphs. Streamers are doing fairly well if they are deep enough, ideally having two rods one with a sink tip and the other with floating line is the best bet right now.

Caddis are still coming off in waves in the mornings and afternoons and soft hackles and Cracklebacks are catching fish fairly well. EHC along with small Stimulators are doing well during the hatch.

Brian

[catman70]

Brian,

I enjot reaading your reports on fly fishing the NFWR, but could you post a little information for us spining guys who don't want to fool with all those knots? Sometimes it seems the spin fishermen are overlooked in preference for the fly guys. Not just in your report, but in anything relating to trout. Prehaps I just need someone to show me how to properly fly fish. It just seems that I so rarely (2-3 times a month) get to visit a fine stream that I'd rather go with what knowledge I have than spend a bunch of time learning something new.

Thanks,

Tim

[Brian Wise]

I catch you, I just kind of forget to include any spin fishing in the reports because I really don't feel I have a great grasp on what the fish are doing as far as spin fishing goes.

Generally, crawfish crankbaits, spinners, and some spoons are going to do good for you. The "regulars" will catch fish...period.

Watch the regulations though, no soft plastics or bait from Rainbow Spring to Patrick bridge.

Brian

[Gavin]

Catman, all your basic spinning tackle should work on the NFoW. Rainbows tend to be bug eaters, so small jigs, in-line spinners, and smaller crankbaits work best for them. If you want to target large browns,,,I'd go with larger minnow type crankbaits (Rapala's, Yo-Zuri's, LC Pointers, Rogues, etc) above Patrick Bridge.

Anything goes below Patrick Bridge so your best bet will belive minnows or sculpins, followed by prepared baits, soft plastics, crankbaits, inlines, jigs, etc. Cheers.

[Brian Wise]

Thanks Gavin. By the way, have you done any night fishing with rogues or big rapala's? It is something I have always thought about doing but always throw flies when I'm on the river.

Brian

[Gavin]

Brian I tend to go with cranks at low light (sunrise and sunset), but I like the fly rod better when its really dark. Pitching & realing works well on open, flat, featureless, water like Taney or the White but I find that the fly rod works better where there are a lot of snags to contend with. Crankbaits arent cheap and I get fewer hang ups when I to roll cast a fixed length of fly line. Headed down to the NFoW later this month....might try to round up a couple toon boats for a night float.

[Brian Wise]

Are you coming the last weekend of the month? Let me guess staying at.....Sunburst. Let me know when you are going to be down and I'll try to stop by to chat a little.

Brian