Dilemma

[KB]

There is a particular 'bow in a mountain stream that I have been after for a while.
I've tossed every dry fly known to man with no success with the exception of one. It was a #22 quill body mayfly pattern I flequently use on the stream. He took it but needless to I failed to land him.
I've tried many non-dries as well, but nothing will take.
I have a soft hackle pattern that I think will work, but I want to be sure I present it properly.
A downstream approach is impossible. He holds in a pocket just downstream of some white water from a small fall. The pocket is about 4' deep. There is plenty of upstream for a back cast so I can easily stay out of his view.
Any suggestions on how to present and work a soft hackle?
TIA

KB

[Frequent Flyer]

Kerry

I'm a little lost as to how you can approach this water, but, I'll share with you the most effective way I've found to present soft hackles and emergers. The fly should float downstream regardless to how it is presented, sinking as it goes. It should then be brought up to the surface it some manner, hopefully hanging in the current.

[NiteOwl]

http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/wink.gif

Getting a little anxious, about " charlie"( hey, he deserves a name ! ) are we ? http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif

I've been thinking , KB-dude....and wondering if you care HOW you catch him ?
I mean, after one of those showers, a San Juan or a NOS might do the trick...but somehow, I think ( if it was me, which it won't be - i don't go near there...I gladly relagate him to "your fish" status)I would want to take him with a dry. Maybe one day this fall, he'll be looking for a Royal Wulff Streamer......better make it a barbed one. http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/wink.gif haha !


Owl

get 'em KB ! Let's see a pic, too !



PS.....when you wanna hike in to the A.R.F. feeders ? I'm dying to make the trek ! Looks like a couple of miles in......maybe in the winter ? ( No Yellowjackets ! )

[Frequent Flyer]

KB

Rod can give great feedback on fishing soft hackles. Try an email.

[John Pool]

I usually fish a soft hackle as a dropper behind a dry fly on the dead drift but in situations like you're talking about I've had luck like this: Let the tandem rig float down to where you think a fish might be holding. Twitch it back up stream a little, let it float back down, twitch it back up, etc. keeping it up maybe for a minute, way longer than you think it would take to draw the strike. The first time, I did this by accident, letting the flys dangle downstream while I was moving and had a strike so hard it broke the line. Maybe this is somewhat like Mark Cathy's (late and great Smoky Mtn. flyfisher from Bryson City) technique of "dance of the dry fly" where he worked the fly in figure-8 pattern, dancing on the surface. If you've tried everything else, trying this couldn't hurt -- at worst, you'll eliminate another possibility. -- Hope you get her -- JPOOL

[Rod]

Figure 8s, hmmm. I wonder what a triple summersalt would do?

Good technique. I also perform the same with the sh as a dropper to another wet.

SH without beads are also deadly, fished in the film. DANS kills em. He uses thin bodied sh in the mountains with great success. He fishes them up stream mostly. I've caught most of mine in the mtns with a downsteam presentation. The twitch is the deal, even in fast water.

Rod

[KB]

Thaks ya'll.
That is some good info. I'll keep you posted.

KB

[BeeDub]

Somersaults often produce results in the summertime, but as the weather cools try an occasional triple lutz followed by a death spiral. Works especially well in icy conditions... phew!

[spinner]

Throw a size 9 panther martin....silver blade blue body...You can file off barbs if worrying about hurting it....spinner....

[NiteOwl]

BEE DUB ! HOW DARE you throw in Humor ! KB is obvisiously( did I spell that right ?) in dire straights( that a phrase?)about "Charlie Tuna" and you shouldn't taunt him like that. After all, I've witnessed his somersaults and they stink....no wait, that was meeeee doing the somersaults. ...my bad. http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/wink.gif

[KB]

SummerSalts? Aint that the stuff you freeze icecream (ice cream is one word here) with?

[Frequent Flyer]

I love it

[BeeDub]

Sorry, NiteOwl. I just couldn't resist. Besides, I thought I would draw fire while you made a run for the foxhole. http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/wink.gif

[rollcast]

Present the soft hackle as you would a dry, that is the way that Stewart intended the fly to be fished. By design, soft hackles are best fished upstream anyway, since the hackles will mat to the shank in a fast current on a downstream presentation.

So, how does one detect a take when fishing a wet-fly upstream? Actually, it is surprisingly easy. If the soft hackle is tied correctly (no weight), it will ride ride quite close to the surface on a standard drift. Often, the angler will see the take or see the trout's white mouth open and close. Either means: it's time to strike.

Good luck.

Regards, DA

[NiteOwl]

Did anyone notice how DA continued with the explination of how to fish the soft hackle, even though there were several goofy posts preceding it. See, it can be done. http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gifThanks all, I've been "learnt" too.



Owl
resting my case....hehehe

[rollcast]

eh????

[NiteOwl]

sorry rollcast..........refrencing a very old debate....better left dead. http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/wink.gif


It's no big deal, but if you really wanna know email me. http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/ubbngto/smile.gif


Learning,learning,learning....keep them Owl's learning....

------------------
:) Here fishy, fishy, fishy.......

Owl