Summer-time Tactics for the NFoW

[Brian Wise]

With warm weather soon upon us (or upon us now) tactics are going to have to change a little. The biggest change is fishing times, with high floating traffic during the weekends it is best to fish during the week. There may be a few boats on the river but not the numbers we see during the weekends. If fishing during the week is not possible get on the river EARLY, daylight or a little before is usually great and plan on getting off the river around 2:00, (depending on where you float or wade) and then heading back to the river around 4-5:00 p.m.

Second tactic, although it's not really a change from the "regular" fishing tactics on the North Fork is fish deep! If you are nymphing and don't lose any flies during the day you just didn't fish deep enough. A 9' leader usually 5x will work just fine but all in all if I am nymphing I will have a dropper on making my whole set-up around 13' long....the water gets crystal clear during the summer and 13' is a minimum.

Another good thing about Summer time is night fishing. Night fishing is honestly usually a "hero or zero" kind of fishing. 3X leaders with big nasty sculpin patters, Woolies, or anything that will push a little water, combined with a sink tip can be a deadly combo. Fish that are measured in pounds instead of inches are what you are looking for during night fishing. Fish the pools and tailouts below a riffle for the big boys.

Finally during the hot summer days the bigger fish tend to hold in the shadows of over hanging trees which a lot of the time means less than 3 feet of water, perfect to do some great sight casting to those fish. Don't get me wrong, there is a reason they are holding there....it's cool. They may not be in the mood to take every fly thrown at them (are you usually in the mood to eat something when it's 100 degrees out ) but if you can pester them enough sometimes you can get a reaction out of them. I usually thrown crawfish patterns at the fish that hold in these spots. This is the time of year when the bigger fish are seen day after day holding in the same spot so they are fairly predictable.

Have a good summer!

Brian

[BrianK]

Brian,

Hey, new to the forum. Some great stuff!

I know summertime means deep on both the NFork and Eleven Point.

What is the best way you find to get to the bottom?

Sinking line or just lots of lead? Do you use an indicator or just try to watch the line and keep in good contact with that 13' setup during the drift?

i usually just find myself just pinching on enough splitshot (which is alot) to get deep which works pretty well but wonder how much that interferes with the presentations .

I've only been using the flyrod for a few yrs now and it's time i get some professional counsel. I'll have to book a trip with you soon so I can learn a thing or two. Do you book your schedule thru Myron or can i just call you or email?

Thanks for all the great info.

Brian Knopf

[Brian Wise]

Brian,

My usual set-up for the whole Nymphing rig is:

Lead fly and dropper

above the lead fly is either 1 or 2 split shot (depending on the water)

Above that is the indicator (YARN, luckily I have been given some super cool yarn that will float with a bowling ball at the end of the line )

All on floating line.

Most of the time Summer time brings lower water that is crystal clear that is the only reason for the length of the leader, so we don't happen to spook quite as many fish. We aren't trying to sink the whole 13'......just enough of that 13' to get the flies to the bottom.

As far as messing with the drift, hopefully the only thing that is messing with the drift is the flies "ticking" bottom.....that's a good problem to have.

Make sense?

Brian

[BrianK]

I've tried 2 different kinds of yarn indicators but even with floatant they don't hold up very long.

Do you have a brand name for the GodzillaYarn??

[Brian Wise]

Brian,

The yarn is actually a certain kind of Polypro braided rope. I'm not sure the brand and I'll have to do some checking on that.

I'll get back with you....

Brian

[Gavin]

http://www.theflyshop.com/54.htm

I usually use a big ball, but the fly shop indi is a good one too. Both will float several AA, split shot and a few big stone nymphs. Cheers.