Fishing Report 09-15

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

I did not go on the horn, went about 10:30'ish on Saturday morning. It rained from about 8:30 throughout most of the day. I did not catch anything, and did not see many others catching also. I surely did not see stringers full all day. I fished mostly up close to the Montauk lake in the artificial zone. I guess that was at the dam. I did notice that the fish were chasing, but then darting away. The man in the lodge explained that if that happens your line is to large. I had 4lb line. I got some 3lb tippett, and used that as a leader about 6 feet. I caught 1 fish about 8 inches and released him to be caught again. It was caught on a black and red maribou jig very small with a split shot.

Water was ultra clear, sky was very cloudy, rain pretty steadily light to moderate.

My son caught what I believe was a catfish fingerling size. It had pectoral fins with spines and a dorsal fin with a spine. I do not recall if it had whiskers. I did see a bunch of tiny bottom fish, not sure what they were. I did not think to ask at the lodge what they were. If any one could tell me what it was/could have been (not sure that it could have been a cat), I would be gratefull.

[Jerry Rapp]

go to walmart and get some clear sewing thread. About 1/2 lb test the best I can tell.

[jdmidwest]

Your son caught a sculpin.

https://www.google.com/search?q=mottled+sculpin&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Uv7&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=78RXULiQGaXbyAHYlICgDA&ved=0CCsQsAQ&biw=1600&bih=809

[3wt]

The lake is not the water above the dam. Most people just call that area "the dam."

I agree on 4 lb line. I'd say always go with 2lb test regardless of water conditions. It's plenty strong when you learn how to use it.

Was this your first time trout fishing? It sounds like a familiar story for first timers without somebody helping them out. One of the keys is to not keep fishing one spot that is not producing. You have to keep moving and keep trying different lures. Next time try black/yellow, olive and white jigs. Also find the acesses in the "fly only" water (above the dam) that are further upstream and learn to wade and work throught the water.

Many bad days of trout fishing are caused by beating the same fish over the head with the same thing for way too long. It gets better. You learn to love the challenges.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

It was my 2nd time trout fishing, and I am ready to try again. I was kinda bummed, but I am over it now. I have read exactly what you are saying 3wt, just wish I would have practiced it. Maybe I would have a better report. It is definately new to me to use such light line, and have such clear water. I guess if I can get past the learning curve I will be OK. I guess it was like to blind leading the blind out there. I was the "senior fisherman" in our group. LOL

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

JD, thanks for the update on the sculpin. I have never seen one and really did not believe it to be a cat, just the best description.

[Jerry Rapp]

no learning curve DC. I was told about the sewing thread a long time ago by a friend of Al's, who died way to early. You will get bit using it. The sewing thread is the clearest and smallest line you will ever get. I got a 8lb bow on the wall from back in the mid 80's using it. But I will admit, is was on a cheese ball at Meremac Spring in the fast run below the bridge. The battle was pretty good, but the entre story might be told later. And I can go to Montauk in the winter and use the sewing thread with a 1/80th brown or green jig below a "cork" and catch and release all I want.

[3wt]

no learning curve DC. I was told about the sewing thread a long time ago by a friend of Al's, who died way to early. You will get bit using it. The sewing thread is the clearest and smallest line you will ever get. I got a 8lb bow on the wall from back in the mid 80's using it. But I will admit, is was on a cheese ball at Meremac Spring in the fast run below the bridge. The battle was pretty good, but the entre story might be told later. And I can go to Montauk in the winter and use the sewing thread with a 1/80th brown or green jig below a "cork" and catch and release all I want.

A guy I ran into at Cardiac Hill in about 2002 told me about the sewing thread. But what he showd me was not particularly thin and consistent in diameter, and had terrible memory. I kind of humored him and said "I'll have to try that" and never have. Maybe I'll give it another look.

[3wt]

Looked into the sewing thread thing. The threads with diameter and break strength listed online were nowhere near the quality of tippet. Couldn't find any that actually got down to 6x, and also it was far weaker than non-tippet mono.

There may be a thread that is thinnner and stronger than mono or tippet, but I didn't find it.'

Also not saying it doesn' t work. If it's clearer and more supple, and you can tolerate the lack of strength, then more power to ya.

[Jerry Rapp]

I normally put two or four lb test on my ultra light, tie on a strke indicator(cork), and then tie on 3 or 4 feet of thread. I have also used the thread as main line, but it is so thin you need to have a lot of backing. Maybe 1lb test flouro would be as good(but I thought all flouro was invisible, LOL!). I just know what Mr. Smith told me many, many years ago. And it still works for me.