Spinners

[Mac's Orphan]

I've fished a lot of midge hatches on the Norfork tailwater but am new to the upper Current River fishing so am asking questions of all you guys who know this river well.

I've used midges in the 18 to 24 range on the Norfork. Simple tye of dubbed beaver and a light brown hackle - no tail. They are just killer in the slow water when a hatch is on below or above a shoals. Fished some spinners of various colors on 18 to 20's and they worked as well.

From reading several post, I know you all fish a variety of midges but does anyone fish spinners on the Current?

Thanks -

Gotta say that the Current River is just a gorgeous waterway. Glad it will never become commercialized like the Norfork tailwater.

EDIT: I know some people lump spinners into the trico "tribe" but I've always viewed them as a separate "animal" from other dry flies.

[jgentile]

Mac,

The only significant spinner falls I have fished on the Current are the Trico's. This said, i am also an early AM fisherman and haven't really experienced many other large mayfly hatches on the Current where fish are selectively sipping spinners.

[Ted Calcaterra]

If your looking for a dry fly bite, the best bet in my opinion this time of year is a caddis hatch on sunny winter days. Have some elk hair caddis in #14 and #16. It can be great at times. Good luck

[fishinwrench]

I got turned on to this pattern years ago that is supposed to be the "end all" to trico hatch frustration AND trico spinner falls. I believe it was called "train wreck" and is designed to imitate a CLUSTER of trico's. Best fished around foam lines and eddy breaks.

It is pretty self explanatory... Ultra chenille and some grizzly hackle on a #18-20 dry fly hook.

I tied up a batch and haven't encountered a trico hatch since, so "ending the frustration" it certainly DID !

Here'tis

[brittsnbirds]

Pardon my ignorance wrench but what is the white extensions? Having trouble figuring that one out.

Actually looks like a Griffiths on a 2x long hook.

[Lancer09]

Pardon my ignorance wrench but what is the white extensions? Having trouble figuring that one out.

Actually looks like a Griffiths on a 2x long hook.

That's the ultra chenille, with the tips burnt so they don't unravel.

[flyfishmaster]

The "train wreck" looks awesome, but I'm thinking a size 18/20 at most times might be a bit too large. I tend to stay in the size 22 area for Trico, and add an indicator post on the top to help identify the fly.

Later,

FFM

[fishinwrench]

The "train wreck" looks awesome, but I'm thinking a size 18/20 at most times might be a bit too large.

I've had thoughts like that too and have been wrong as I often as right. Try it.

[Gavin]

Teeny tiny can be the ticket up there sometimes it's happened at least twice in the last 20 years. Trico, tiny olives, midges or other tiny fluffy stuff, 22-28. A 16 caddis usually gets takes, but the big fish want sculpin, minnow, or craw. 2-3" for craw, 3-5" for sculpin or minnow. Good luck!

[stlfisher]

With the exception of a Caddis or a hopper of some kind my opinion on dry fly fishing on the Current is the smaller the better. 24 is the starting point for me and often I end up going smaller.