laker67 Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 I had a break from work today, so I headed out to bssp. Water is high but starting to clear out. It was not clear enough for good sight fishing, so I snipped sowbugs along the bottom. Most areas took a #4 split shot to get down, but the bite was really good. Kingfisher flats and the Johnson County hole were the best areas. The water in those two areas, flattened out enough to get a good cross current retrieve. I was using a dark grey sowbug. They were hitting it so consistantly, that I did not try another color. I'm sure with the water conditions that other colors would have worked as well. I use the snipping technique mostly at Taney, but it works equally as well in high water anywhere. With the water falling, and clearing up, bennett will fish good for the next few days. Once it gets back to normal, the fish will be less aggressive. I remember from another topic that at least 2 forum members are headed there on Wed. You should find some excellent conditions to fish. Good luck, and give us a report.
FishinCricket Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 You are gonna have to explain this method a little better, I am not understanding.. You were spinfishing, with a (what is a) sowbug.. Drifting it along the bottom? And thanks for the luck wishing, I will be fishing that area for the next two days, cause I can't afford to get any farther from home.. LOL cricket.c21.com
fishinwrench Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 Cricket, A sowbug is a little crustacean that lives amongst the rocks and weeds in the streambed, looks like a miniature Rolly-polly (or what some call wood lice). You've probably seen them in the laces of your wading boots at the end of the day... Google it and you'll find pics of them. A sowbug pattern fly is usually dark grey or brown, weighted and flattened with a shellback, fuzzy bottom to suggest legs, and exaggerated antennaes. Trout love'em, and they supposably promote fast growth of fish if they can find plenty of them to eat. Here ya go: http://www.westfly.com/feature-article/0406/feature_783.php
laker67 Posted May 19, 2009 Author Posted May 19, 2009 You are gonna have to explain this method a little better, I am not understanding.. You were spinfishing, with a (what is a) sowbug.. Drifting it along the bottom? And thanks for the luck wishing, I will be fishing that area for the next two days, cause I can't afford to get any farther from home.. LOL I knew that you were fishing on Wed. but I could not recall the other person. Snipping is a technique like stripping but a lot slower and a lot shorter than a strip, and it's done with a flyrod. A sowbug is similar to a scud, but meatier and leggier. Taney and all the creeks are full of them. They probably outnumber scuds 10 to 1. FW didn't tell you about sowbugs? I think he's holding out on you. It does not drift along the bottom, it flutters. Leave the indicators at home, tie on a 15 foot leader, attach a #4 split shot 12 inches above an "unweighed" sowbug or scud. Cast cross current, and allow the split shot to sink and hold on the bottom. Hold a tight line and it will make a gentle arc downstream. Move the flyline in the same manner that you would strip a clouser or similar fly along the bottom, "but" if you move the flyline more than 2 inches at a time, you have moved it way too much. It is equivalent of snapping your fingers against the flyline. Hence the name snipping. You are actually moving the split shot along the bottom which makes the unweighted fly flutter and dance with every little snip. Watch the tip end of your flyline as you retrieve. If it does anything that is different from what it was just doing, set the hook. On most hookups it will skip forward ever so slightly. You will learn to recognize little tell tale signs. It is my #1 technique when sight fishing is not possible. The drawback to this is an occasional hang-up, plus keeping moss cleaned off the fly. If you are patient, and in the right water conditions, it will catch you a ton of fish. It is effective anytime, but more so in high water. Give it a try when you tire of your normal method.
FishinCricket Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 I knew that you were fishing on Wed. but I could not recall the other person. Snipping is a technique like stripping but a lot slower and a lot shorter than a strip, and it's done with a flyrod. A sowbug is similar to a scud, but meatier and leggier. Taney and all the creeks are full of them. They probably outnumber scuds 10 to 1. FW didn't tell you about sowbugs? I think he's holding out on you. It does not drift along the bottom, it flutters. Leave the indicators at home, tie on a 15 foot leader, attach a #4 split shot 12 inches above an "unweighed" sowbug or scud. Cast cross current, and allow the split shot to sink and hold on the bottom. Hold a tight line and it will make a gentle arc downstream. Move the flyline in the same manner that you would strip a clouser or similar fly along the bottom, "but" if you move the flyline more than 2 inches at a time, you have moved it way too much. It is equivalent of snapping your fingers against the flyline. Hence the name snipping. You are actually moving the split shot along the bottom which makes the unweighted fly flutter and dance with every little snip. Watch the tip end of your flyline as you retrieve. If it does anything that is different from what it was just doing, set the hook. On most hookups it will skip forward ever so slightly. You will learn to recognize little tell tale signs. It is my #1 technique when sight fishing is not possible. The drawback to this is an occasional hang-up, plus keeping moss cleaned off the fly. If you are patient, and in the right water conditions, it will catch you a ton of fish. It is effective anytime, but more so in high water. Give it a try when you tire of your normal method. hehe, this is the exact same thing I do with a my ultralight spincasting rod and reel and a little tiny ball of POWERBAIT, from the back of the boat.. LOL Sorry, that's just funny to me.. Oh, and FW ain't taught me nuttin', he's worthless.. LOL When are you and I gonna go fishin', that's what I wanna know... Sounds like I could learn all sorts of tricks from you guys if I could just get rich real quick and retire (so I have time to learn it all)... thanks for taking the time to type an answer to my questions, I realized after I asked that the reply might have to get lengthy and detailed (which can cause carpel tunnel), and I didn't mean to do that to you.. Shoulda just invited you fishing instead.... LOL So? cricket.c21.com
laker67 Posted May 19, 2009 Author Posted May 19, 2009 hehe, this is the exact same thing I do with a my ultralight spincasting rod and reel and a little tiny ball of POWERBAIT, from the back of the boat.. LOL Sorry, that's just funny to me.. Oh, and FW ain't taught me nuttin', he's worthless.. LOL When are you and I gonna go fishin', that's what I wanna know... Sounds like I could learn all sorts of tricks from you guys if I could just get rich real quick and retire (so I have time to learn it all)... thanks for taking the time to type an answer to my questions, I realized after I asked that the reply might have to get lengthy and detailed (which can cause carpel tunnel), and I didn't mean to do that to you.. Shoulda just invited you fishing instead.... LOL So? Thanks for the invite. I would like to fish with you and FW at some point. My work schedule should take me back to the Lebanon area in about 2 weeks. Until then I'm out on the road in Cameron and Marshall. Good luck the next 2 days.
FishinCricket Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 Thanks for the invite. I would like to fish with you and FW at some point. My work schedule should take me back to the Lebanon area in about 2 weeks. Until then I'm out on the road in Cameron and Marshall. Good luck the next 2 days. Well then we shall chat more about it at that point... cricket.c21.com
Bman Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 Laker67, Thank you very much for sharing your "snipping technique" That's quite a little jewel of insight you tossed out there. The only good line is a tight line
FishinCricket Posted May 19, 2009 Posted May 19, 2009 Laker67, Thank you very much for sharing your "snipping technique" That's quite a little jewel of insight you tossed out there. I do believe I echo these sentiments... Sorry I didn't say so before... cricket.c21.com
laker67 Posted May 19, 2009 Author Posted May 19, 2009 Laker67, Thank you very much for sharing your "snipping technique" That's quite a little jewel of insight you tossed out there. You're welcome, as well as CC. It's a very enjoyable, change of pace, fishing style. I hope it hooks you up with a big fish someday.
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