Toughing out the WB

[trout5]

Aaron and I took a cruise up to the Deposit area yesterday in a driving rain and despite the adverse conditions, we hit 'em pretty good. There were a surprising amount of fishermen out, but no one was catching anything. No one, that is, except for those representing TPO! We even had a fellow from Tennessee aproach us and ask us for stream advice because we were nailing them. We caught many nice trout in the 14 to 17 inch range. All were caught on nymphs and we were laughing because they were eating a fly called "trout crack" which is a southern tailwater fly. I guess a tailwater is a tailwater. We got absolutely drenched to the bone. It rained hard the whole time and after a while it even penetrated our jackets. We finally had to throw in the towel and missed out on the night fishing but there is only so much discomfort we could take. We toughed it out and put the wood to them all day though! TPO represent!

[AaronJasper]

yeah we had some good fishing. it was funny how the guy walked all the way up the stream to ask us how we were getting them. tpo was well represented yesterday. the only bad thing about yesterday happened this morning when i got into my car and that nastly wet fishing smell was present ;D

[martinlf]

Well I was the guy. See the "thanks" post I made. You guys were doing very well, I must say, though I hadn't seen you catch any fish when I spotted you. I was just curious to see what a couple of knowledgeable-looking guys would make of the stream conditons. Now, how about a recipe for that trout crack fly? I got a look at it, but didn't quite get exactly how it was tied. Also, downstream in Deposit the surface was covered in dortheas later, with very few fish eating them. I dropped a nymph off a cripple and got two fish to take, but most folks had left the river by then. It was a cold wet day; I too finally called it quits, soaked to the bone. Glad to watch you two fish, though. You taught me a thing or two. Tight lines, Louis

By the way, I live near Harrisburg PA now, and fish mostly in that general area.

[AaronJasper]

harrisburg is close to the little j. check out the pa pictures of the fish from there. if you need any help getting to the spots there i can give you directions.

[trout5]

Welcome to the site! Trout crack is ridiculously easy to tie. It is simply tan antron yarn tied in at the tail and twisted, then wrapped forward; a peice of dark V-rib on the spine and your ready to get 'em. Tie it on a scud hook in size 18 and 20. i'm such an clod, I should have offered you one. I'm sorry I didn't. The water must have gone to my head. That fly will work anywear there is a good sowbug population we reckoned. I'm going to try it in green on the Pequest to imitate those tiny worms. Good to hear you caught a few. Oh, and thanks for calling us knowledgable looking. My wife got a good laugh from that one!

[AaronJasper]

oscar... i have been slacking off while getting ready for my trip to tennessee. i have to get the fly of the month done. i will make trout crack fly of the month. i will do it tomorrow. also... fishing almost everyday instead of tying flies is not a good way to prepare for my trip ;D i did get one dozen of those articulated trout streamers done today.... thank god

[martinlf]

Aaron, I fish the J fairly often and have some favorite spots especially on the lower river near Baree. Where do you recommend for nymphing? Did well with the sulphurs this year and last, landing some pretty browns on nymphs in the morning and dries in the evening. Fishing and Spring Creek are others I like to fish, and I fished Penns for the first time this year. Tough, but I managed to avoid a skunking at least. More locally I fish the Letort some, along with Falling Spring and the Yellow Breeches.

Stocked Rainbow, glad your wife got a laugh. I'm always happy to entertain a lady. My wife finds the whole flyfishing thing pretty ludicrous, getting up at 4:00 am to go torment innocent little fish with a bit of fur and feathers etc. By the way, does the Trout Crack fly have a wire rib to hold the v-rib back in place or do you just stretch it up and let tension hold it where it belongs?

Best to both of you, and you'd have to be pretty savvy to catch those WB fish on any day, especially one where so many others were just looking at the water.

[trout5]

No wire; the rib spine is flexible and stays put on its own, though I don't think a rib would hurt. But why over-complicate it, right?

[martinlf]

Yes, if it ain't broke . . .

[trout5]

Or use the very tying thread to create a subtle rib. That actually looks better, now that I recall.