Saturday, April 15, 2023

Claret & Ginger....And Brown.


With an hour left of an 85 degree day, I was less optimistic than normal.  Expecting less activity due to the abnormal heat we were experiencing. I began the night with a dual nymph rig. Tying on a Squirrels Nest Drake as my bottom fly and a C2C on a dropper 12" up.



The Fish were there, but slowly to the take.  They were taking both flies equally with the largest bow choosing the SND. 



I worked the run pretty hard and pulled a few fish for my efforts.  Fairly slow as I had expected, but still a great night to be on the water.  As I worked my way down to the main pool, I began to notice a number of fish working.  The shadows were getting long with only about 30 minutes of prime light remaining.  I drifted the nymphs through the slot where the fish were feeding with no luck.  Not able to see what they were feeding on I decided to try a wet fly that I figured just may split the difference.  



Claret and Ginger
Hook:  #12 Standard Nymph
Thread:  Claret Danville 
Tail:  Dark Barred Ginger fibers (Hen Neck)
Abdomen:  Claret tying thread
Palmer:  Dark Barred Ginger (Gape Length)
Rib: Small Copper Wire
Hackle: Dark Barred Ginger (Gape Length x2)


Removing the indicator and clipping off the nymphs, I tied on a Claret and Ginger Wet.  It is a staple in my box wherever there is a steady March Brown hatch. I fish it as a classic wet, swinging it just below the surface. My first cast produced a roll, but I was too anxious and pulled it away.  My mind raced...I knew it!  Taking another step downstream I cast again and was rewarded with a large roll and take. Setting the hook to 3-4 heavy head shakes and an immediate run downstream, I was along for the ride. It took the remaining light to land it, putting the finishing touch on a great night. 

 


It was a joy setting the hook on a brown of this size on a classic wet fly swing.  A refreshing change of pace in the current world of Euro-Nymphs and lobbing heavy rigs.

See you on the water!

4 comments:

  1. Ralph
    Those are some nice trout, especially the one that topped off the night. What was the indicator you were using? Swinging a wet fly differs from the traditional pattern of using nymphs and dries to get a trout to hit.
    I don't know if you told me you had used the Euro Nymphing technique---would you have used the method on this outing?
    Thanks for sharing

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  2. Bill, Thanks much. I use a small original thingamabobber most often. I was referring to the use of multi-nymph rigs, with heavy beaded nymphs and no split-shot. Depending on the water I will tight-line them or drift with an indicator. Or, at times use a dry-dropper. I had an indicator on that night. I'm not set up with a classic euro rod. If I want to fish that style I just go to a long leader and multi-nymph rig. Fishes the same, just not the extra reach.

    I do enjoy swinging a wet fly pattern though. They are very effective for me.

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  3. A refreshing change of pace, indeed. Nice job!

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  4. RTR, hello and thanks for the visit!

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