Picky fish?

[tangledup]

I'll apologize ahead of time for the length of this post. It's more of a story really, but I'll try to add a concise question at the end for those who have shorter attention spans.

Last night I went to a local spring fed creek to wet a line. I only started fishing this creek in February so I'm still learning what kind of little critters inhabit the stream, but I can typically take 4-8 rainbows using a size 16 brassie with red wire. Last night was the first time I've made it to the creek in almost three weeks and the weather has warmed considerably since then. I'm not sure about the water temp as I don't carry a thermometer but we've had cool nights and lots of rain so I wouldn't think it has warmed significantly. 

Last night I decided to go directly to two pools where I had seen feeding fish on previous outings but I have not actually fished these pools. On the walk to these pools I was determined to practice my entomology skills. I know less than nothing about identifying aquatic insects, but I've been reading and researching and was also armed with a new iPhone app designed to help intellectually challenged people like me identify these bugs. I examined spiderwebs, stopped along the creek and watched the water, and even flipped a few rocks. In the air all I saw were some almost microscopic flying insects with a wingspan of less than 1/4". Try as I might I could not catch one of these. I didn't observe anything flying over the water and the rocks revealed a couple stonefly nymphs and caddis larvae. At least I think that's what they were. Failing miserably at attempting to act like a real trout angler and match the hatch I finally arrived at my destination and decided to go with the tried and true brassie. 

There were at least one or two trout rising, with small subtle splashes, but only once every minute or two. Encouraged by knowing there were at least still SOME fish in the pool I started poking my fly around the pool. No strikes. I walked up to the next pool I had on my list and watched. The fish seemed to be following the same feeding pattern, just small rises every minute or two. I was watching the air above the water as well and still only saw the same tiny flies (almost as tiny as gnats). I methodically fished this pool with the same nymph and was rewarded with exactly zero strikes. Frustrated, I began walking the creek and ended up at a couple pools from which I had caught fish before. I fished these pools as well and had no luck. I continued walking the creek until came to another pool I could see a couple small fish in. I switched to a BH flashback pheasant tail and caught a small 8" rainbow on the first cast! I continued fishing the pool and caught two more small trout. Confident that I was now the greatest angler in the world, I began walking the creek again. I came to another pool that has consistently produced fish and tossed my new found "super fly" into the pool. As I began fishing the nymph I noticed the trout began to rise and feed aggressively. There were consistent rises every 30 seconds or so in three specific spots in the pool. On my next cast I forgot to watch what I was doing and got myself hung in an overhead branch. Even the greatest anglers in the world have difficulties sometimes. As I was untangling my line I happened to notice a flying insect with sailboat style wings. Low and behold, the air was full of them! I'm not great at estimating sizes, but they were maybe around a size 14. I swiftly improvised a makeshift bug net (read: I took off my hat) and captured one of the elusive creatures. I believe it was a mayfly, at least that's what it looked like to me and the app agreed. I only had nymphs with me but found a lone elk hair caddis in a corner of my fly box. I tried a few casts with it over the rising fish with no success. By this time it was almost dark so I gave up and walked back to the truck.

My main question is this:

I've read about selectively feeding fish. Is this what I encountered last night? And to follow-up with that, was the reduced success of old faithful (the red brassie) due to an increase in insect hatches?

[snagged in outlet 3]

If you only tried a few flies I wouldn’t call that picky fish.  Especially if they are clearly taking dries.  Sounds like a midge hatch except the on you caught.  It’s not unusual for me to rotate through a dozen or more different flies if I think I’m around fish and not getting bit.  

[fishinwrench]

#14 is a big mayfly for a spring creek.  I'm guessing it was a creamy olive colored (more cream than olive)?   

When fish are rising it's usually more important to time the rises than it is to perfectly match the bug.   Most times if you see a fish rise, it will rise again in about 15-20 seconds.  Don't present the fly until it's time.   

[dpitt]

Here's my 2 cents,  elk hair caddis represents the profile of an adult caddis, you where probably correct in the hatch you experienced where mayflies, so maybe an adams or other mayfly pattern size right may have done better. When there's a big hatch like that, it's even more important to get style and size right since fish are keyed in on lot's of available food. As opposed to when they are in reaction strike mode, like when they try to eat your indicator    

[tangledup]

2 minutes ago, dpitt said:

Here's my 2 cents,  elk hair caddis represents the profile of an adult caddis, you where probably correct in the hatch you experienced where mayflies, so maybe an adams or other mayfly pattern size right may have done better. When there's a big hatch like that, it's even more important to get style and size right since fish are keyed in on lot's of available food. As opposed to when they are in reaction strike mode, like when they try to eat your indicator    

 

I have no doubt the correct dry fly would have "done better" lol. It was more of a Hail Mary, "let's just see what happens" cast than anything since I was done fishing at that point. It was the only dry fly I had with me.

[tangledup]

7 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

#14 is a big mayfly for a spring creek.  I'm guessing it was a creamy olive colored (more cream than olive)?   

When fish are rising it's usually more important to time the rises than it is to perfectly match the bug.   Most times if you see a fish rise, it will rise again in about 15-20 seconds.  Don't present the fly until it's time.   

You’re right. It probably wasn’t a 14. Prob closer to 16, but like I said, I’m horrible at this stuff. 

[ness]

I’m hurt. 

The last time you posted I suggested a small, light colored fly...😁

[fishinwrench]

3 minutes ago, ness said:

I’m hurt. 

The last time you posted I suggested a small, light colored fly...😁

Nobody ever takes your fishing advise unless your out with them, and spanking them 6 to 1.   😊

[fishinwrench]

27 minutes ago, tangledup said:

You’re right. It probably wasn’t a 14. Prob closer to 16, but like I said, I’m horrible at this stuff. 

That is a big spinner for a Missouri Spring Creek. 

That one hatched the day before.

Here's what you need...

That's what he looked like when he first hatched 😊

 

[tangledup]

18 minutes ago, ness said:

I’m hurt. 

The last time you posted I suggested a small, light colored fly...😁

You’re right, you absolutely did. I accept your advice and relinquish my crown as the world’s greatest angler.