one trout - one sucker and a sports bra

[wwelz]

I fished the Farmington River all day yesterday in the rain from ten am to four pm. The results were sadly pathetic. I caught one trout - one big sucker and I got snagged on a sports bra stuck on the bottom under the bridge at church pool. I am learning euro nymphing – casting right and left handed and winter fishing simultaneously but I feel I should be doing better. I used green caddis larvae size 16 and 18, vladi worm. Yellow stone flies size 6 and 10, Prince Nymphs, yellow egg patterns and a couple Czech nymphs I am attempting to learn a number on new things simultaneously which could be a good excuse but I feel I should be doing better . I took some local advice and fished ovation pool and around the bridge at Church pool. I used both short line and long line euro methods. I think I should be covering more water during the day and fishing in more diverse situations. I fish at least two days a week. I am also fishing the Wood River in Rhode Island.

[alanb_ct]

It is great you took advantage of the warm weather! The fishing has been slow there. It may not be the best time of year to focus solely on Euro nymphing, as the trout have pretty much moved to the slower margins and not a lot of hatching is going on. When I fished Sunday, I used an indicator all day. Please keep in mind what we always say about having a big bag of nymphing tricks, indicator and Euro-style. Many times the water conditions or fishing situations dictate the use of one method over another. Another strategy this time of year might be to use the indicator during the colder mornings and switch to the other rig in the warmer afternoon when hatches are more likely. You perserverance will pay off.

Do you know anything about the Hexagenia hatch on the Wood River? If so, please start up a new thread with a discussion of that place. Thanks.

[Magnet]

weltz, Hows the Wood river fishing?

[wwelz]

The Wood River is the best stream fishing for trout in Rhode Island hands down. The state stocks it several times a year including a late fall stocking. There is also some wild trout reproduction in the upper sections ( brook trout). There are holdover fish.I fish the river about ten or fifteen times a year so I am no expert. The State puts big breeders in here . The regulars complain that they had to use 3x leaders dry fly fishing this year because the fish would break off anything smaller. The gradient of this river is slight so there is deep pool after deep pool where I fish it in the Acadia State Forest (Exeter ,Rhode Island) .The river is about 20 to 30 feet wide with lots of fallen trees and overhanging branches and trees on the bottom. The bottom is mostly sand . I have not fished above or below the Forest. The hatches are sporadic with the exception of the Hex hatch . I have not fished this hatch but the regulars go on about it.The best Hex fishing is alleged to be above a damed up portion of the River called "Frying pan pond ". People launch kayaks and fish from boats above the pond. The Narragansett chapter of TU is very active here. They maintain some excellent areas for fishermen . Including wooden steps into the river allowing easy access to this deep slow moving stream. TU stocks the entire stream by live car .The pressure from opening day ( second Saturday in April) through June is significant . One reason I don,t fish it more . This is a small steam and it does not take a lot of people to crowd it. Kayakers and Canoeist drift this stream so that can be a pain. The TU guys are friendly and informative. They are always present. My comments here are based on my limited experience. There are some very good fly fishermen who fish this steam on a regular basis that may disagree on some of my comments.

[wwelz]

I would like to understand why euro nymphing does not work well in slow water conditions. Why can't you use long line techniques with micro nymphs and guide your flies through these slower currents ? I apologize for being a pain about this but I am trying to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the various methods of presenting nymphs

[AaronJasper]

Bill,

If I were fishing ultra slow water in the winter and wanted to fish weighted flies I would use dry/dropper presentations. You could use lighter flies on a long leader. However, depending on how slow the drift is one might not be able to hold focus, on let's say a drift that might last 30 seconds to a minute. Also, some of the slower winter holding lies might no be within range of casting. I find that many times they require a long line presentation. On smaller streams there is never a need to go with the indicator in the winter. Although, during periods of ultra low water in the summer I might be inclined to fish dry/dropper. However, that's a decision based upon conditions.

So you can use the long leader set up in slower water provided you are in close enough proximity to the fish. Just match the flies to suit the current speed and depth. You might find yourself really having to adjust your leader and tippets accordingly. Also, remember the slower the water the closer to the bottom the flies will be. This is not beneficial in slower water since the trout usually suspend themselve quite.a bit in slow water. Hence the reason why I would go with dry/dropper to keep my offerings in the trouts view. Remember, their eyes are on the top of their heads. They eat mainly looking straight ahead or up. Depending on the food items, they will adjust their behaviors and root around to find food.
With the exception of the big cased caddis which are found in slower margins where the trout root around for food, most trout feed by looking ahead or slightly up in these wayer types.

[wwelz]

Thank you Aaron for your patience . Your post was very helpful

[alanb_ct]

Bill, the area on the Farmington where I fished the indicator meets the criteria Aaron specified. It is a long deep run on the far side of the river with a slow flow. It requires a 30ft plus cast and mend, but provides a 30 second drift if done right. It would be hard to maintain contact with your flies at that depth, distance and flow. It pays to adapt.