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I’ve been keeping a species list for Manitoba fly caught fish and have started concentrating on minnows this year. Got to say, I’m really enjoying the challenge.
I use 2 rods, a FoxFIRE tenkara rod and an Orvis 1 wt.
I’ve been using 3 techniques, a large wet fly followed by a #24 dropper, a dry dropper combo with a #30 nymph and a #30 nymph with split shot.
All 3 work quite well in getting hits but I land very few fish, somewhere between 1 in 5 to 1 in 10.
Is this catch rate with flies typical or am I missing the boat somehow?
Thanks, Harry
Why do you use a large wet fly in front of the #24 dropper?
Your results are normal from my experience. Even though a #30 fly is tiny, the hook is really designed to catch large fish. I recently tied some flys on tanago hooks. Not easy but they are better for tiny fish.
You can also tip your hook with a tiny bit of soft plastic. The fish seem to bite down better on that. I use a tiny piece from a white soft plastic bait.
I fish a lot of very turbid water and use the larger, somewhat garish, fly to attract the attention of fish. Then when they get close, they see the small fly. That's the theory anyway, perhaps I should try a small fly only.
I've been tempted to tie flies on tenago hooks but haven't done so. Can you provide any tips on a pattern I can try?
Thanks, I'll also try the soft plastic addition.
A couple of days ago I seemed to have better luck on a dry/dropper rig. Emerald shiners on the dropper and juvenile goldeye on the dry. I wonder if the more stationary dropper was the reason?
http://ichthyolatry.blogspot.ca/
There's not a lot to the pattern. Just some thread or dubbing. Call it a tenago midge. Also tied a zebra midge with extra thin wire over thread and some head cement or uv to hold it together. Very tough to whip finish a pre snelled hook so I used the glue.
You also will increase the hook up rate in clearer water where you can see the takes.
Thanks for the tips, gives me a few more things to try. Also good to hear my hookup rate is not that unusual. I think it's actually gotten a bit better with experience. Bring 'em in fast!
Harry
http://ichthyolatry.blogspot.ca/
I'm sititng here thinking about what it take a small fish to move a split shot and then for your dry to move and it seems like setting the hook earlier will really help you. I don't have any experiance micro fishing with flies but all you can really do is set the hook sooner. If that dry moves at all against the current (or whatever forces are moving it) then set the hook. Also, I'm assuming you don't have flies with beads on them but if you do, then get some without beads. That bead provides the fish with leverage. I'd also expieriment with your split shot placement.
Wes Ketchum
Looking to up your fishing game? Consider switching up your fly selection. While a #30 fly may seem like the obvious choice for small fish, the truth is that its hook is designed for larger catches. Instead, try a large wet fly in front of a #24 dropper for optimal results. And if you're really looking to get creative, experiment with tying your own flies on tanago hooks - it's not easy, but the payoff is worth it. For an extra edge, try tipping your hook with a bit of soft plastic - the fish seem to love it. Give it a try and see what kind of catches you can reel in.
Amelia Watson
I'm able to hook the fish, keeping them on is the problem. They are far more energetic than normal sized fish. My flies have bead heads otherwise they have trouble breaking through the water surface. Good idea, I'll try some without beads and use split shot to get them down.
http://ichthyolatry.blogspot.ca/
Thanks Amelia, good tips. I suspect one of my issues is that up here we must use barbless hooks. I have tied some flies on tanago hooks and am waiting for spring to try them out. Hurry up Spring!
http://ichthyolatry.blogspot.ca/
Not sure that Amelia is really Amelia. Read the previous answers then read "her" answer......
I wouldn't click that link either.