Crane Problems

[ness]

Ness, you honestly think that 4# is too heavy? Funny you should mention that, as I have caught fish on Crane on 4# Vicious Lo Vis Green. I guess that is just me though. Before you downsize anything, try a better presentation. I caught trout on the fly down there on 4x tippet. Funny, that is what the diameter of that 4# line I use is.

Given that he was getting refusals, and that he could see the fish, yes I think a reduction in tippet is a good idea.

I agree on the better presentation. That's why I mentioned it

[drew03cmc]

Given that he was getting refusals, and that he could see the fish, yes I think a reduction in tippet is a good idea.

I agree on the better presentation. That's why I mentioned it

I assume you have read John Gierach's Fly Fishing Small Streams. In that book, he says multiple times that if he is getting refusals, the first thing he does is correct presentation, and never carries anything smaller than 5x. He fishes streams that are more clear than Crane being that there is little to no mud in the systems whatsoever. I would venture a guess that when I fished Crane in March it was relatively normal on flow, but yet I caught fish on 4# copolymer line.

[ness]

I guess we can only wonder how much more successful you would have been had you done it MY way

[drew03cmc]

Well...who knows.

[Buzz]

Theres no use in arguing guys. Both methods will work. I personally use only 2 lb. for my lighter/smaller flies because I think the smaller diameter allows the fly to get down deeper faster. If I'm throwing buggers or any other streamer I will move up to 4 lb. line simply for the reason that I believe the fish will have less time to notice the line size as the bigger fly zips by, plus it tends to have a better knot strength when you set the hook with the bigger fly. Just my experience and practice. Carry on.

[BackCastingGolfer]

I think people make Crane harder than what it really is. MY usual trip there is downstream from the park I hike about a mile down stream and work my way back to the far end of the park. I always wade, unless of course I see redds. I usually catch at least one fish in every riffle/hole. Cast up stream with an indicator and that is all there is too it. San Juan Worms are always my go to fly at crane, followed by buggers, and the occasional match the hatch, but the majority f the fish I catch at Crane are on nymphs. As far as tippet, they aren't pick, just match your flies. I usually use 6x for my nymphs, but I have caught plenty of fish on 5x, I only use 7x if I m throwing dries, which really isn't that often. I fish Crane every regularly and don't have problems catching fish, and I am not that great of a fly fisherman.

[Chief Grey Bear]

I think if you are hiking a mile down stream from the park, you are fishing private property??????

[BackCastingGolfer]

About a mile, I hike until you see the posted signs.

[RSBreth]

That's a nice Caddis pattern - I use a modified Elk Hair Caddis a lot fishing Crane, and use the skittering presentation like you said if a dead drift upstream dosn't work.

I think the key to fishing Crane was already mentioned several times, but to restate the point it comes down to one thing - stealth.

Taney, the bigger river like North Fork or the Current, the Parks - all of them don't require the stealth that a small creek with wild trout does.

I don't use smaller than 5X - but I rarely wade IN the creek except to cross it, and I probably have worn out my hip waders knees fishing Crane. It also helps if you can cast with both arms - it seems like the best pools require a left handed cast.

[drew03cmc]

Randy, you are correct that the best spots need a left handed cast. For those of us who can't cast left handed very well, an across the body presentation with your dominant hand will suffice in most places.

Ron, that first caddis you posted is a gorgeous fly and will undoubtedly catch trout, not to mention bluegill and sunfish species in creeks.