how do you rig for the big rainbow ?

[riverliver]

I was on the Soque for a couple of hours Sunday, and caught a nice Rainbow. Shortly after that something hit Y2K and without any pretense of me having a chance to catch whatever it was , the line snapped. I replaced the dropper with a SJ worm red and it was hit again, this time the Rainbow popped out of the water and literally skated on its tail toward me, went deep and then repeated the jump, ran and broke my line again. It was a very large fish, probably a "fed Rainbow", washed down from a club up stream. I put on a brown SJ worm, same thing , took extra care to allow for runs without tension it still broke my line, 5x (4.5 lb.). Here's the question, if you are on a river like this with the atypical fed fish in it , how do you rig? I quess I will have to use some sort of special tippet or flyline that is small diameter but strong. I don't want to lose another like that one if i am fortunate to hook one again. I have flyfished for 20 years and have never seen a fish do the stuff that Rainbow did. Below is a picture of the small one I did catch. jm

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee242/jmchugh111/soquefish.jpg,
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee242/jmchugh111/souquerainbowtwo.jpg

[fishmonger]

In my opinion, you have 2 choices: 1) You can rig heavy, like with a 2x or 3x tippet, and stand a good chance of not even getting hooked up, or 2) You can rig up with normal size tippet like you did, be pretty sure that you will get bit, then play him real easy and pray alot. I am not aware of any "special" high strength, small diameter tippet.

I once rigged up with 0x tippet to fish just below the Mill at Unicoi, put on a monstrous dry stonefly, got hammered by a submarine that was masquarading as a Rainbow, and he broke me off with a twitch of his head like I had elf's hair tippet. Sometimes you just can't win.

What you encountered is the reason that big fish are so special, they aren't easy to catch. The one you got looks pretty nice to me.

'Tis better to have hooked and lost, then to have never... :cheers:

[aa4ga]

Make sure you use fresh tippet. Make sure you use strong knots. Retie often. Let the tip of the rod be a shock absorber.

[TroutTackler]

Yeah, and keep your drag on your reel set fairly loose at the beginning of the fight. Remember that your fly line ripping through the water adds drag in addition to your reel's drag, too. So, start loose and adjust your drag a bit tighter as you wear the beast down.

[Steve D]

Make sure you use fresh tippet. Make sure you use strong knots. Retie often. Let the tip of the rod be a shock absorber.

Lee is right on the money about fresh tippett. I fish for warmwater fish much much more than trout these days and use 1X to 3X like its going out of style (oh, who am I kidding - I use 120 yard spools of Triline 8 lb fluoro for my warmwater tippett). A small spool of 4X or 5X might last me several years and I've had a few go bad - makes for a very frustrating day.

Fortunately I also replace my tippett fairly often during a day's fishing (changing flies, replacing worn sections and retying) so I typically run through a 120 yard spool within a couple of years - generally within the expected shelf life.

[seanFLA]

Yes and if they do snap off and your out of luck on some additonal tippet, at least cut about two inches off the current tippet you have above the break. The area it broke will be very weak in deed.

I've been fishing the last few years for some 4 lb monsters on Mountaintown Creek (well fed strong trout) and haven't loss any that I can think of to a broken tippet ( I always use 5X with the stoneflies and buggers I use). The fish may work the fly loose from the tippet from time to time (curly ends because of a badly tied knot on my part), but not snapped off. Personally to me it sounds like your probably horsing the fish too much, but it could be the reel your using. What kind of reel set up are you using? You need a real good drag system to fish brusiers that big on such light tippets. I use an Orvis Battenkill Large Arbor set up and it is silky smooth on fish that big. I highly recommend this reel and also use if for bass fishing in Florida. Plus you can get it to net a lot quicker with the increased line pick-up. Or possibly your getting a little excited and horsing the fish and not realizing it in the heat of passion? :rotfl:

[fishmonger]

Or possibly your getting a little excited and horsing the fish and not realizing it in the heat of passion? :rotfl:

Excited yes, horsing no. The fish I was describing was over 10 lbs, way over. :yikes: I never had time to horse it, and he never ran. Just a ginormous head out of the water to engulf my fly, the big toilet bowl flush, dive dive dive by the submarine, and a definte sensation of a head turn by the fish, and boink, gone. I'm still crushed when I think about it.

I agree about the Orvis LA reels, I have 3, and they never let me down.

FM

[riverliver]

i never have hooked a trout that needed to use the reel and the drag, i have always used my hand and fingers for the appropriate drag.. i now know that if i am to catch something as big as i hooked, the reel and letting the reel and the tip of the rod do the work, will be the only way to land the fish i hooked. i went to a link on unicoi outfitters and there is a picture of a very large trout, that looked like what i hooked. so thanks to all, i need a better reel and i need to learn how to make the reel work for me. jm

[Rocketroy]

My take on this delicate art we practice is to tick off the wrong techniques, as we encounter them,and as experience builds, and by not repeating them, up our success ratio! As to your disappointing hook ups,I have found that the first run of a large fish,usually takes a large percentage of their zip{ against the drag},then, by side loading the rod, you will apply more resistance to the fish,without overloading the tippet! If possible,give line as well as follow a large fish,in the direction of his wishes,on that first frantic run! Fish of that size are rarely landed on our *small waters, and to hook up with several,on consecutive casts is a magical event,that you will enjoy reliving,around the bar!.........congratulations! Regards,Rocketroy *P.S. This time of year has big-uns migrating up/down the public Soque waters to your obvious benefit,as the recent rain, has raised the river level..........we had over 3 in.,in the last 10 days,around Clarkesville!.........WHOOPEE!

[Trailblazer]

You can't always blame yourself for breaking off a big fish--A strong fish will often head for the bottom and rub his snout in the bottom gravel. If he gets your leader around a rock, it can(and usually will) cut it clean. And if your leader looks a little rough on the last few inches, you can be fairly sure he dragged it around a rock.
PS: It still hurts!!
Trailblazer.

[Darth Wader]

I'm fortunate to be able to take a client to the private sections of the Soque tomorrow. Reading the website of the outfitter we are going through, you can't fish with less than a 6 weight and they recommend 2x knotless leaders. "Fed Trout", yes; but it should prove to be pretty fun regardless.

[fishmonger]

Take your camera!

FM

[seanFLA]

Excited yes, horsing no. The fish I was describing was over 10 lbs, way over. :yikes: I never had time to horse it, and he never ran. Just a ginormous head out of the water to engulf my fly, the big toilet bowl flush, dive dive dive by the submarine, and a definte sensation of a head turn by the fish, and boink, gone. I'm still crushed when I think about it.

I agree about the Orvis LA reels, I have 3, and they never let me down.

FM

Yeah 10lbs is a pretty big fish! I don't think anyone can blame you for losing something like that on a 5X tippet. In fact, I would be expecting it to snap off. I wouldn't even kick myself over it. Just know you did something right to fool it to begin with! They don't get that big by being dumb.

Tippets of that size just aren't made to handle most fish in that category. I use 3x and sometimes 2X for bass in Florida on a 7 wt rod and have little trouble attracting the big ones to strike. Bass fishing with a fly rod will really help you with your landing skills on big trout. Bass are great practice since it's still water and they fight a lot harder. Many times I'll bring the 6 wt that I use on big trout to practice on these bass. It helps get me aware of utilizing the drag more than relying just on just my finger.

I think too many people over analyze what these fish will go for in faster currents for instance. The fish only has about two seconds to make up it's mind in a fast current or loose an opportunity to feed. I don't think a larger tippet in that particular situation matters that much to a hungry fish. They're concentrating on making a grab while conserving energy, not so much analyzing your tippet in that time frame. When I fish faster currents for big trout I usually go up at least one in tippet size to play it safe. I definately move up if it's been snapped off once already.

[fishmonger]

Yeah 10lbs is a pretty big fish! I don't think anyone can blame you for losing something like that on a 5X tippet.

You missed my earlier post, 0x tippet! I was ready, but on some fish it just doesn't matter.

FM

[watkins]

Will make a run to buy 2X and 3X soon. Lost 3 good fish and 3 - 2 $ fiies fishing 5X @ paces today. Heck of a fight while it lasted w/ 4wgt. TRW

[T-ribes]

came out with some new tippet for 08.. its called "Rio Extreme".. It's extremely strong and has an ultra thin diameter. This may be what you're looking for..

[sparsehackle]

My experience with big fish is that this is this is one of the few times where a good drag on your reel can make a big difference, given that you've already taken care of the little things like fresh tippets and knots.

I used to think that the reel on a fly rod did little more than hold the line. Absolutely true with the the little guys. However, when I finally got into some big fish I learned otherwise! Most of my breakoffs have come within seconds of hookup, either on an agressive strike or during that first powerful run. A good, smooth drag, with little "startup" resistance can keep the fish on through the first couple of runs, which will markedly increase your chances of landing the critter! Play the fish from the reel. Don't try to manage line tension with your fingers or palm. For most of us mortals, a good drag does a better job than our reflexes. Unfortunately, reels with good drags cost a little more than those without.

Other tips: 1) Don't set the drag too tight. As a test, hold the fly line, and let the reel dangle, the reel should descend slowly to the floor. If the reel just swings in the air, the drag is set too tight. 2) If the fish jumps, drop your rod tip and put slack in the line to take pressure off the hook. In tarpon fishing, they call this "bowing to the king" 3) Hold the rod low and put side pressure on the fish. Much less chance of pulling the hook out then a rod held high in the air.

You CAN land big fish on small flies and thin tippet, as long as the fish don't have log jams to run into. Check out the hogs caught on #26 flies and 6X tippet in the San Juan river, and go there if you ever have the opportunity.

Just my 2 cents.

[digger]

I use 5x Fluorocarbon tippet and check the line frequently. It's usually my fault when a fish breaks off.

[Reel'em In]

Do a little homework with your leader/tippet company. Many sell a certain size leader/tippet (ie 3x, 4x, etc) with different lb strength. None are the same. You might be surprised by a stronger one with only an additional .4 or .8 lb in strength to help land a bigger fish.

And sometimes it is not meant to be to get the big one in!

[Bigfishbryan]

Here's a question that may have not been asked- How hard are you setting the hook?You can't set the hook like Bill Dance on fish like this. All you need to do is a little flick of the wrist and just a small pull on the fly line. As soon as you strip strike with the fly line open your fingers up in an o shape and just let the fish rip line off of the reel. Don't attempt to start recovering line until the fish stops with his run. As soon as he stops running then start reeling keeping your rod tip high. As soon as you start gaining line turn your flyrod to the side and lower to the water and apply steady pressure. If the fish starts running again let him run. You can't get in a hurry on a fish like this. You just have to take your time and don't freak out. Praying alot helps also.

[Murray trout bum]

I was also having a hard time landing some big fish from trophy waters too. A friend loaned me a book, Fly Fish Better by Art Scheck. All of my problems were soon solved.

[riverliver]

it is hard to believe this... went back to the spot where i lost the fish and had (based on advice received) used 12.5 lb tippet and an 8wt bass rod. deep run on the soque , used a y2k yellow and pink with a bead, below a sj worm and one of those moldable wieght globs. the rainbow that i believe frustrated me a week earlier took it again but not with the 5x. below are the results, i added the video because this is the biggest fish i have ever caught and i have never had the reel/drag zip and squeel like that , like in the "river runs through it", the thing ran 40 yards down stream, it was indeed a sight to see and hear and took 45 mins to calm it down to pick up because i did not have a net and of course catch and release thanks to all for the advice did help me get this one jm ps note my dog getting excited also when the fish gets hooks, you may have to look twice pss my brother who had never been flyfishing took the pictures after twenty minutes of working the trout, he got bored and went up stream to fish, he did not realize the magnitude of the event " call me when you catch it john" was his response http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee242/jmchugh111/bigfishsoque.jpg
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee242/jmchugh111/P3150050.jpg
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee242/jmchugh111/P3150044.jpg[/
[IMG]http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee242/jmchugh111/P3150044.jpg
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee242/jmchugh111/th_P3150039.jpg (http://s233.photobucket.com/albums/ee242/jmchugh111/?action=view&current=P3150039.flv)

[speechless]

Lol I know how you feel, I've been skunked at the Soque tons of times. Actually jumped to 10 lb fluro and have done pretty well. Wow nice fish

[Reel'em In]

Nice little fishie!

[fishmonger]

Don't ya love it when a plan comes together? Nice job!! :cheers:

FM

[Kent]

Nice job, river.

And doode, what's that nasty rubber-legged thang on your drying patch?:yikes:

[riverliver]

that has generated some interest... it was my fall back , there is a guy that is known for smallmouths- dan gapen - its a hellgrammite imitation that is weighted- i was going to try that on a fly rod and not use a weight- that fish was making me desperate .. you ought to check out the guy's website. i think he wrote several books in the 60's on smallmouth- i like catching the sholies in the hooche which prompted my interest in him and his lures ..... jm

[rainbowlover]

nice fish! looks like one heck of a fight