Stillwater Strategy

[leahcim_dahc]

Since the middle of August, I have been trying and trying to catch me some trout on the fly. In particular, in some of the lakes and ponds I frequent most often. To date, my luck has been miserable to say the least. I have yet to get any trout.

I know the "put and take" lakes are most likely going to be fished out this time of year, but I am marking quite a few fish on those that I find highly unlikely of being fished out (American Lake and Clear Lake). I understand trout thrive in water temperatures that range from 55F to 65F and the higher surface temperatures on some of these lakes can kill the bite (at least up top).

I am finding the surface temperature to be averaging 68F (+/-3F across the lake) and would assume the temperatures at the depths I am marking fish would be slightly lower...by maybe five degrees or more. No...I haven't dropped a thermometer down the water column...I am going off of assumptions...by where they seem to be holding most often. Seems every lake I have been on that has depths greater than 30', the fish will be anywhere from 15'-25'. Any lakes with an overall depth less than that, I have pretty much written off until it starts getting colder.

That being said, I have been fishing a couple different methods. I have been shying away from using too many dry flies especially if I am not seeing what they might be feeding on. Typically, I will start off snooping around the water to see what I can with regards to critters swimming about (or shucks)...if nothing is present, I will usually tie on a nymph and cast out enough line to cover the water column down where the fish are found. If the majority are being found in the 10'-15' range, I'll use a floating line (sometimes with or without an indicator) and about a 15' leader. If the fish are deeper than that, I will switch to a intermediate line, use a BH nymph (i.e.- BH Flashback Pheasant Tail) and try different retrieves. Whether it is a lift and settle, hand-twist, countdown, whatever. Needless to say, I have not been very productive...that's putting it mildly. It's gotten so bad here lately, I had more fun practicing casting for six hours than I have been fishing.

I have read just about every stillwater article on West Fly, Brian Chan and Phil Rowley's websites, and whatever else I can dig up on google. I read, then put into practical exercise. What I would like to know is what are some of your most productive strategies? Right now I have a piss poor batting average and I am not sure whether it's just me, the weather, anti-social fish, karma, whatever. Thanks!

[big fish lite line]

i've been at this fly fishing stuff for about a year now so I'm by no means an expert...

it sounds like your method might be a tad selective because fish are not always feeding on the nymph you are using. I like to use a more general technique unless I see fish feeding on a particular food source. the one fly that never fails in stillwater is an olive woolly bugger. you can fish it as a baitfish streamer, like a nymph or the most effective method:trolling slowly with sinking line. now there is a few different beliefs on wither trolling with a flyrod is sporting or not but if that doesn't bother you try slowly trolling a olive woolly bugger on a full sink line. I think the woolly bugger does a better job impersonating a large number of insects rather that trying to pin point exactly which bug their eating. btw when I troll I almost always let out all of my flyline. tight lines!

[Rooscooter]

As someone that has been doing this for a number of years I can offer that this time of year is the hardest to catch fish. Over here on the East side the lakes I fish are beginning to cool down a bit. The fish are usually in pockets at or near the bottom below the thermocline layer. They don't do much moving around like they do in the early spring and late fall however they are still feeding. Chironomids, damsels, dragon fly nymphs and water boatmen are the patterns that seem to be the most productive.

If you don't have a fish finder or a thermometer to find the thermocline you can estimate that it is usually between 18 and 24 feet down. Fish your patterns at at least that depth.

One reminder.....if you are releasing the fish..... be sure that the surface temperature is below 72° or you run the risk of killing the fish.


Tight Lines!

[Marc Martyn]

Chad-

Rooscooter is right on the time of year. Tough for the next week or two.

I think I wrote this article while you were in the Middle East, so I don't know if you have seen it. It may be of some help.....

http://www.washingtonlakes.com/ReadArticle.aspx?id=300

[leahcim_dahc]

...

I have trolled in the past with various degrees of success and take no issue with that in terms of a tactic. I haven't done much trolling over the past month, so it may be a good idea just to troll around for an afternoon and enjoy the scenery. Typically I'll use a Woolly Bugger or Bunny Leech on different types of line, dependent upon where the fish are holding. Thanks for your input!

...

I have a depthfinder, but may not be reading it correctly or something. I have yet to see the thermocline (similar to the image in Marc's article). I am going to drag out the owner's manual and see if there was a step I missed during the setup. The 18'-25' numbers you gave would be just about right for where I am finding most of the fish ( 25' +/- ). There are some that are shallower and some deeper.

With regards to the chironomids and nymphs, I have fished these in various patterns/colors/sizes vertically near the bottom with various retrieves along the entire column up to about 10'-15', dependent upon where the fish are and what kind of nymph I am trying to imitate. I have seen some midges flittering about in the early morning and later in the evening, and what appears to be Mahongany duns, as well. I can't say for 100% certainty any of the fish that rise are taking these so I haven't been keen on chasing them around with drys.

I honestly believe I am in the ballpark...just wandering around the outfield is all. I think I just need to fine tune what I am doing, slow things down, and pay more attention to the details.

For what it's worth...the fish have nothing to worry about when it comes to me dragging them up to the warmer surface anytime soon, I am sure by the time I get straightened out...the surface temps will be a nice 55 degrees or so... :-P

Thanks for the input!

...

I did get to read your article, thank you for the reminder...I went back and read it again. I have some adjustments to make on my depthfinder and we'll see if it works any better. I did pattern a rig for my thermometer similar to yours...just not at high-speed...but it should work. I will make some adjustments to my strategy and tactics and report back. Thanks for your input!