Line/leader ?'s...

[msubobcats]

What is the preferred line and leader and tippet combination? I will be taking my "maiden voyage" to Montauk at the end of this month, and would like to be prepared to catch a few fish.

Also, I'm thinking about tying up some cased caddis' for this trip. What is the size of the caddis flies at Montauk?

Thanks for the info...

Go Cats

[Danoinark]

I would think a 3, 4 or 5 wt would be preferred at any of the parks, along with a 9 ft leader including 6x tippet would work. Can't answer your caddis question though. Dano

[NoLuck]

Most of the caddis hatches I've seen are 14,16,18 sized.

[3wt]

What they said.

I vote for a WF4 w/6x Rio tapered leader, snip the last couple of feet back and tie on some 6x tippet.

I'd stick no bigger than 16 in caddis, larvae, pupa or adult. Elk hair for adult, I like olive and tanish bodies.

The end of this month should have a raging Trico hatch in the morning tapering off unitl 9ish. I usually have more luck with less than or equal to size 20 white/cream duns (I know, not much like a trico spinner, but hatchery fish aint too bright.)

Other than that, have some olive mohair leeches, and some soft hackles and some San Juan worms and you'll catch some fish.

Focus on the Fly Only area...very cool stream, lots of variety, and more technical fly fishing than most other trout parks. Try to fish at least one weekday, it's a different ballgame than the weekends (for long weekends, I'd opt for a Sat-Mon rather than Fri-Sun). Oh and if you're camping make reservations now if you haven't already, you might already be out of luck.

[msubobcats]

OK. Great news! Sounds like I don't need too many new purchases. Have the 4wt, and the leader, tippet, and SJ worms are already in the vest.

Got the 14 and 16 hooks, and think I will tie a few of these to try out for the heck of it...http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/011705fotw.html

Have noticed the mohair and trico comments in previous fishing reports, so I will need to tie some of those (or buy 'em if the grass doesn't stop growing).

Also, have already got the camping spot reserved (found out the hard way at Bennett, if you don't plan about 2 months in advance, the SP will be full) and we will be there through Monday (for some quietier fishing the last day).

So, it seems if I don't catch fish, I'M THE PROBLEM!

Go Cats

[Gavin]

Tippet size usually doesnt matter much at the buzzer. A 4-5wt with a 9' 4-5x should be fine off the bat...lengthen your leader to 12' or so, and go to smaller tippet (6-7x) after they get pounded on a bit.

Not much caddis activity this time of year, if you get any they will be small 16-18.. Be prepared for some mid-morning BWO & Trico activity small stuff like 22-28's and 7-8x....Afternoons,,think terrestrials, hopper, beatle, ant, crackleback type flies. Fish them under overhanging branches, bang them off the bluff faces. Subsurface mohair leaches in olive, brown, and cream. Cheers.