Winter Fishing

WINTER FISHING

 

 

Well, it wasn't quite as icy as the picture on the left, but it was cold enough to freeze the fly line in the eyelets - Challenging to cast.  I found it easier to dip the rod tip into the water to melt the ice, pull it out and shake it hard, and then I could cast.  It took a while to figure this process out and master the timing to actually cast.  Setting the hook was never really figured out.  It just froze in the eyelet, so I didn't even need a trigger finger - Kind of nice!

 

I went with our Executive Pastor from church, and I was a little intimidated since he has fished many, many years in many, many states. Anyway, I had a fantastic time until I dropped one of my fishing gloves in the water. Man, my hand was frozen for a while.  It never dried out on the river, and it was COLD!  He started with the Squirmy Worm which he actually has in his fly box, and I chose the Frenchie from mine.  We both had a few light bites, but never caught anything.  We were fishing in the holes right in front of the pier at JFK park.  Why?  Because the SWPA peeps didn't shut the two generators off until around noon.  I know they have the flexibility to change the schedule, but it always wrecks trips when they don't shut them down per the schedule.  Cow Shoals was going down, but still too fast to fish for me.  We rolexed to JFK park.  I really don't like nymph fishing here in the holes because it's like watching paint dry, snow melt, chickens lay eggs, and any other analogy you can come up with.  Plus, this is normally the place where everyone comes to fish...A little annoying with people getting into your casting space.  I have actually hooked a guys shirt there.  I asked him if he learned anything...Nothing.  However, none of this today.  JFK was  a GHOST TOWN @ 30 degree Fahrenheit.  After about an hour, Chris wanted to move to the pipe where I think the "min flow" (20 CFS) comes from.  Anyway, I let him fish for about 10 minutes before I came over.  He had a SOLID strike as soon as I stepped up.  It's ON!
 

I will say this much, the fish are MUCH more camouflaged at JFK than any other place on the river.  I can normally spot a fish and see them take the flies.  Not at JFK; It's blind fishing to some degree in that crystal clear water.  I continued fishing with a dry fly since they were rising...First I've seen this Winter.  After fishing with a Mayfly Spinner Dry Fly, the fish just weren't taking it.  I decided to switch to the Red Copper John.  We finally found something they would bite on. The first fish I caught had some battle damage on his mid-section. It looks like he was in the chompers of a big trout and ...escaped. Lucky man! He is much smaller than the release length - Must be a natural. I caught another beautiful color rainbow, but it didn't take or save the shot. I caught this other guy right at the buzzer. Lucky, and he has some mild colors for a rainbow.  Chris caught one just before we left too, and he dropped his glove in the river too.  That made our day!

Anyway, 2 hours on the Red River with 30 degrees and forecast 5 degrees with wind chill. Water was much warmer than being on top with wet hands!!!

 

RobF

FROZEN Arkansas Fly Fishing

 

 

 

 

My Favorite Dry Fly

Man, it seems like forever since I have seen the fish rising.  I know they rise in the Winter, but it seems that since it's gotten so cold that I never see them rising.  However, the fishing has been fantastic...You just have to go deeper than a dry fly.  For you DRY OR DIE kind of people, I know you didn't want to hear the last sentence.  I LOVE DRY FLY FISHING!  Period!  However, if it means catching 1-2-or nothing, I'll take the emerger and nymph route to catch more fish.

 

To help facilitate the smile when they are rising in Arkansas, there is nothing more important than my favorite Dry Fly...The Blue Wing Olive.  Don't let it fool you...Oh, there is nothing BLUE about this fly - It's generally spun olive...Neither are you blue from not catching fish when trout are rising and the hatch is on.  If you see many of these in the picture above, you need to put on one of these dry flies, emergers, or nymph.  I have attached the Orvis Eastern and Mid-Western pictures - Notice the SMALL sizes (18-20).  Remember they are hatching, so they are small young bugs.  The Spinner can be a little bigger depending on the temperature and the hunger of the trout.  I like my BWOs to have small wings and the hackle in front of and behind the wings versus the parachute.  Think of it as an in between the Dun and Spinner phase - See video below.

Anyway, I'm not a guy that likes the Tri-Color (Trico), or rainbow color, flies.  I prefer a more buggy looking fly, and these don't look like them.  So, I would rely on the Antron Yard (cream or white; shiny with possibly glittery reflections) or the Poly Yarn (white; no reflective properties) to make the parachute like the one in the picture.  I also find that the chartreuse to olive colors seem to have more action with the trout than the other colors.  The darker colors work a bit better when it's overcast or murky water.  Don't ask me why...I 'm not a trout. 

When to use each (Dry, emerger, and nymph)?  Well, if the fish are making a popping noise when surfacing or flat out clearing the water (sometimes this is escaping a larger fish), then you should tie on a dry fly without a strike indicator - Just look for the fish mouth pop on the fly.  If they are surfacing like a shark and only showing a little fin (OK guys...Lets not let our minds wander), then tie on an emerger.  If you can see the fish looking and leaving, put a little motion on the fly.  How much?  If you pull it  and the fish leaves...That was too much.  It's subtle.  SO, see where the hatch is in the day before you just tie on a dry.  Sometimes an emerger or nymph can be more effective.

When they are hatching, the smaller the better on the Dry Fly.  When they are dying, the spinners are a bit larger.  The Mayfly video I have, the fly looks really white - It's before I knew what they liked in this state.  Here are some videos to help you tie a few.



 

If you really want a lifelike fly, the Spinner replacement of a spent adult with a Wally Wing is a very beautiful thing, and it is really simple to tie.  Just use patience when splitting them in two like the video below.

 

Also, don't forget the Nymph (Pheasant Tail, The Pearl, Greg's Emerger, Small Mayfly, and Frenchie),  and SPINNER (Angel Wing Spinner).  All can be found on my YouTube Channel:

 

Arkansas Fly Fishing

 

RobF

Arkansas Fly Fishing

The Challenge of Wader and Boot Selection

This is not a competitive shootout, and I'm sorry if it's misleading.  I just want to state the obvious about Waders and Boots.  Waders keep the water off your body.  Boots fit over neoprene booties and keep you from slipping and falling into the river...I know, I've done it 3 times...Soaking WET!

My experience through waders has been equal a learning curve as my vest, front pack and sling pack purchasing.  I was under the gun in Colorado when I went on my first fly fishing  trip with my father-in-law.  We had a SUPERB guide on Day 1 of fishing from "Flies and Lies" guide service out of South Platte Outfitters in Decker, Colorado.  My father-in-law (Mr. Bill) got the guide I think more for me, but he spent a bit more time with Mr. Bill - I don't know what that means.  Anyway, they provided the waders and boots at a minimal cost if not free with a guide.  Again, great stuff.

The little crossroad "town" of Deckers is a beautiful place, and there is some AWESOME fishing on the South Platte River in their Gold Medal Waters.  One word of advice...Colorado has water rights, so you just can't go plodding along a river...You will be trespassing if you aren't careful.  Almost all owners have cables across the river with signs or sign on the banks.  It doesn't discourage though...There is plenty of national park areas so you can get you fill of fishing very easy.  Was I posting about waders?

Oh yeah!  After the trip, we decided to hit some areas of the Platte around their house in Western Denver.  Since I didn't have waders, I hit Bass Pro Shop, and had no idea what I was doing.  The elderly man working in the White River Fly Shop had great direction.  He showed me all the differences of wader:  Neoprene, Traditional, and Pants.  I had no idea that you can go from $100 to $800 in one swift motion.  All I can say is this, Simms can send me some waders to compare to the three pairs I own, and I will test the poop out of them.  Simms?  You listening?

Anyway, I'm a guy that isn't afraid of paying for something if I feel I can get a great product.  The salesman just gave me this advise - You can buy a pair of low cost waders that may last a year or two, or you can buy a pair of high dollar that may last 4-5 years.  If you spend $200 to get to 4 years or $600-800 to get to 4 years.  What is you ROI?  Look man, I'm a simple country boy from South Carolina, but I can do that kind of math ALL DAY LONG!  That day, I settled for a "cheap" pair of the White River Fly Shop (Bass Pro) Classic Chest High waders, and I am still using them today - almost 3 years later.  Still dry, still functional, and still as good as the day I bought them.  I will give them a B+, with minor deductions for limited articulation in the knee areas.   They happen to be on sale for about $70 right now - I feel jipped!  However, read what waders do above, It keeps the water off the body.  Now, To the boots...

The boots were a bit more challenging.  They were out of Cheap size 13 boots (I wear an 11 shoe).  The 12s were way to small on dry boots, so I couldn't imagine trying to put them on when damp or wet.  So, I had to go with a more high end boot.  There were these good looking shoes called Korkers.  About a 5 minutes speech from the salesman, and I was headed to the counter to pay.  Korkers are the best thing in the world.  You get two bottoms that snap on and off - Super!  I got little rubber bottom soles and felt bottoms.  Yes, I have done my research in reading.  I understand not only the slipping factor of each (from actual field work too), but I understand the ECO challenges with each too.  I'm a Fisherman, and I am a conservationist.  I want my kids to fish these same rivers I fish too.  By the way, I still have these boots today.  I give these boots 4-stars and an A++.

Since then, I bought a "guest" pair of waders and boots.  I bought a pair of Patagonia leather shoes with rubber soles.  Great product too!  Patagonia has warranties that are like no other, so I had no issues buying these when they went on sale - Probably obsolete now too.  Additionally, I have bought two pairs of waders.  I got a $150 pair of Redington Palix River waders for "guest."  I have actually used these a couple of times.  Great articulation in the knee and crotch area, double laminated in the high wear spots, and thick neoprene booties.  Overall, I give them an A.

I enjoyed wearing the Redingtons the few times I have used them, and I decided to buy a pair of Redington Sonic Pants (discontinued).  You know what these look like - Joe Cool!  In the Summer in Arkansas, I had to have something a little less...Body covering!  So, the pants were just flat the ticket I needed.  I LOVE these pants, and right now, I'd put them up against a pair of SIMMS, and I have never worn a pair of SIMMS.  Anyway, these pants ROCK!  Same articulation, same double lamination in the area that need it, fit like a glove, and quite frankly...I think I look like that long-haired Favio in these things.  OK, maybe not, but they are fantastic.  I give these wader pants two thumbs up, 4-stars, and an A+.

Now, if someone would send me some SIMMS, I will gladly give my input, but I will not pay those prices for SIMMS products.  I am not a guide, and I have no one to impress.  I know SIMMS are SUPER quality, and I am in no means slamming their product, so please don't send me hate mail.

That's about it for now!  Tight lines!

RobF

Arkansas Fly Fishing

My Favorite Emerger/Nymph Fly...

I haven't had too many favorite flies.  I have never really found a GO TO to fly that always produces.  It seems that the pea sized brain in these trout make them a little smarter than we think.  However, I have found some pretty good flies, and I will post them from time to time.

This fly, the Squirmy Worm, has to be my favorite emerger/nymph.  I say emerger and nymph, because it depends on how you tie (make) it and/or how you put it on your line.  Most of the store bought come with a short piece of Squirmy San Juan rubbery material on the hook...Sometimes tied twice, sometimes tied three times, and some people wrap them with wire from head to toe.  Don't criticize until you have tied one - They are the slipperiest little dudes EVER.  I may make it look easy (NOT), but I get probably the most frustrated tying this fly.

Back to the tying this fly, you can tie this directly to the hook, or you can also put on some lead weight on the hook before tying on the squirmy material when tying.  This will allow you to have a nymph without putting as much weight on your line.  I learned to put on some small wire from a local fly shop - It does help keep the material under a little more control, but it also squishes the worm a bit too much for my taste.  Just put on your patience cap when dealing with this fly. 

Back to rigging this fly, I have fished this in pools without any weight at all, and the fish will bolt up from the bottom and just take it with a hard strike.  In swifter moving water, I will put a weight or two 12-18" above the fly to get it in the strike zone.  Add them slowly and see if the strikes pick up.  When you add weight start with small weights, you will also get some false strikes from the fly grabbing the bottom.  This lets you know you are on the bottom - generally a good thing, and do not add more weight at that time.  The swift water requires you get the fly down.  The BIG fish, unless really hungry, just don't move for food much.  I have bonked this fly off a 25" Rainbow for about 99 casts.  On the 100th, he took it - That is sight fishing though, and I can post about 20 stories on tactics of catching fish even with my limited knowledge. 

Also, I fish the ledges to the pools where the water goes from knee deep to over my waist, and I will put the strike indicator from water level deep to 1.5X.  I will cast almost 1/2 in the knee deep, and let it drift down and into the pool.  This fly will produce like no other I have in the bag when the fish are feeding to the before and after times when hardly anyone is getting a bite.  I love this fly.

I will then move my strike indicator (if I use one) to 3'.  I will fish the fast moving sections going to my fishing hole and to the truck when done.  Most days I will catch at least two fish just tossing the line in and walking the edge of the rock river edge.  Now, all flies have their disclaimer...I have been skunked on the river with this fly, but it's a FUN fly.  The fish will eventually get wise, and you have to flex to something else.  That's when the day seems to slow down.

If you get a chance, stop by the local fly shops to Arkansas (or your area)  and buy at least two.  If they have this fly, then they are worth a salt.  If they are out of stock...That is normal.  If they have no idea what you are talking about...Don't walk out...RUN!

Hope this helps!

RobF

Arkansas Fly Fishing

The Evolution of the Pack

I started fly fishing as humbly as almost everyone.  I got my orders to head to Little Rock, Arkansas - Home of Fly Fishing.  However, I had no guidance when I first started buying equipment.  I'll post the whole E-Bay ritual I went through when I lived in Pensacola, FL, in another post of how to get into this "sport" cheaply.  So, when I started, I needed a vest - I started the E-Bay search, and I came along a very inexpensive Berkley Fly Fishing Vest...See below.

 

Berkley Fly Fishing Vest

 



I got this thing, and I started practicing in my yard with a St. Croix Triumph 5 weight rod I got on...E-Bay...Again another story.  Anyway, it didn't take long to figure my father-in-law or my dad would come out to see me, so I wanted some gear for them so they wouldn't have to bring or buy it.  My father-in-law is a fly fisherman, but my dad is a fish from a boat kind of guy.  I was determined to get him fishing...Again, another story. 

Back to the story...after playing with this vest, I deemed it necessary to find one of a little better quality.  Mind you, I think I paid $13 as a winning bid for this one, and for the money...It's a pretty good item.  It wasn't long in searching, and I found my treasure - A Woodfield Fly Fishing Vest.  The winning bid on a slightly used vest was me, and I paid a handsome $15 for this vest.  When I go it, it smelt like...Earl.  After a few washings, it was like new.  It had a great weight to it, so I knew it would last a while.  You sense these things pretty quick with hunting and fishing gear.  Here is the Wood Field Vest below.

Woodfield Fly Fishing Vest

After arriving in Little Rock, I started fishing with some cheapo flies (a pack of 12 flies for Eastern US) I bought in Pensacola.  I couldn't catch a thing here, so when my wife's friend from college sent me an invite to go to a local fly shop opening, I was standing there on opening day.  I met the owner, and he seemed like a super stand up dude.  He was a good dude for about a year, then he took a turn for the worst.  I'd gladly love to talk about this, but I don't want to get sued for slander.  Find me on the river, and I'll talk all about it - Fully.  Well, this fly shop owner did his job.  He showed me all of his high dollar equipment - $600 Sage Rod, $500 Sage Reel, $80 fly line, $120 Sage chest pack, $500 Simms waders.  WOW, beautiful stuff, but I'm not made of moeny!  That was 4X more than my first car - 1968 Volkswagon Bug.  So, I tried to be like "Mike" without the cost of "Mike"!

When I bought a lot of the equipment like Mike, I realized the vest wasn't going to handle all of this stuff.  I certainly wasn't going to the truck ever 2-3 hours to get more items needed.  Therefore, I started searching all companies, and I picked something I liked.  I found an Orvis Micro Safe Passage - I found one on a Forum that had a Classified section.  I chatted with the guy a while and told him why I wanted it.  I offered the guy $50, and he sent it to me shipping included from Connecticut.  Surprise, it came with a ton of stuff - pliers, clippers, tippet, 10 leaders or so, and 2 Orvis flat packs of small, tiny flies.  I almost feel I would have sent him some extra money.  God bless these kind older gentlemen. 

Orvis Micro Safe Passage

 



After using this for a while, I started tying my own flies...Yes, not a cheap sport.  Anyway, I had so much poop that this front pack was causing issues with my crushed back - Read: USAF C-130 Navigator with 20 years of bouncing off runways, the cockpit, and being flung down stairs with threat reactions.  So, I started looking for something to sling on my back.  I found two.  The Patagonia Atom Sling Pack and the Orvis Guide Pack came out just as the Patagonia arrived. 

I flat love these packs.  I constantly got the vest and the front pack in the water...Drowned a few phones and a camera.  The packs were perfect.  The Patagonia was a little smaller, and I use that for guests.  The Orvis pack is phenomenal.  I can pack a all my flies - about 4 large cases and 8 small cases, leaders, lead, tools, water bottle, camera, rain jacket, stocking cap, fishing gloves...Heck, I can probably put in the kitchen sink.  It flips to the backside of my back and improves my posture - Perfect.  I love these sling packs.  Both have been extremely durable, but I don't think I have to tell you about Patagonia's warranty - Lifetime is usually a good thing.  I have fished two solid years on the Orvis Guide Pack, and it doesn't show wear at all - Superb pack.  The Orvis Pack was paid for by the wife for my birthday.  So, that was the only thing paid for at retail.  I'm a CHEAP guy...You have to be with the hobbies I have.  Save your money - Go straight to the Sling Pack!  I will say that I have found 3-4 people that flat can't stand them.  I don't get it, but everyone is entitled to their opinion.  Anyway, that is the Evolution of the Fishing Packs.  Hope that helps some people select something in the future

RobF

Arkansas Fly Fishing

Fly Selection

I constantly get asked what flies to use in Arkansas.  I found a chart from Orvis with Eastern and Mid-Western Fly Hatches.  I also borrowed their photos of each and made a PowerPoint slideshow that shows the Name, Picture, Sizes, Time of Year with, most of the time, the 4 stages of life...Nymph, Emerger, Dun (Adult), and Spinner (Spent Adult).  I made it into a video, and this should be a great starting point for people visiting Arkansas. 

I also have my YouTube site of Arkansas Fly Fishing, and this should help you find or tie some other patterns mostly developed for the Rivers of Arkansas.  These patterns are PROVEN in Arkansas with it's Gold Medal (read: Record Breaking) Trout Waters.  The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission puts over 2 million trout in these waters (20 million fish total).  Most of the tailwaters at the dams have hatcheries there.  I love taking my kids into them, and the employees have always given them a VIP tour showing them the steps from eggs, fry (sacfrys), parr (fingerlings), to the adults (8-9" releasable fish).  Awesome people, and they never have a clue who I am - They are conservationists.  Anyway, most of the fish are Rainbows and a smaller amount are Brooks.  The Browns are Naturally reproducing, and I think the Rainbows are getting there too.  We have caught a few fingerlings this summer and fall. 

If you get a chance, visit Arkansas and enjoy some great trout fishing on the Red, White, and Norfork Rivers.  There are many others, and I am slowing getting to them as people inform me of the spots.

RobF
Arkansas Fly Fishing

Arkansas Fly Fishing

 

My New Favorite Nymph Fly...

OK, I won't get carried away here.  I still have my favorite fly as the Squirmy Worm.  The Squirmy fly has proven to be one of the best flies I have ever used.  However, the Frenchie has proven on the first trial run to be an honorable mention at this point.  On the trial run, I caught 15 fish in the first 30 minutes on the Frenchie at a nice hole at Cow Shoals, Arkansas.   I seriously can't believe that thing.

Time will definitely tell the truth on the Frenchie.  At first, I just thought this thing was another version of a Pheasant Tail with a pretty PINK scarf.  I don't know what it is, but the trout were ACTIVE on this dude.  I think that scarf might be a HUGE hotspot for trout to hit.  Either way, I will always have one of these on me when on the river.  I can't wait to take one my father-in-law in Colorado and see how it performs out there.  He and I will have to hit the Platte in Denver or the Roaring Fork, Crystal, or Frying Pan in Glenwood Springs again.

If you haven't checked out my site, please do.  I'm on Google+, Facebook, YouTube (primary link to tying videos) including this blog.  If you like it, subscribe.  If you don't, hit the X in the corner.  So, stay in touch...I'm not going anywhere.

RobF
Arkansas Fly Fishing

 

My First BLOG

Hello All,

This is my first attempt to push out a blog.  I can be found on Google, YouTube, and Facebook as Arkansas Fly Fishing.  Someone (marc, guide, and hasn't posted since 2007) has the "Arkansas Fly Fishing" name, so I will have to settle for "THE Arkansas Fly Fishing" with title of Arkansas Fly Fishing.  We'll see how this blog thing goes.

Thanks for viewing!

RobF
Arkansas Fly Fishing

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/bmwflyfisher

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