Flies for late Fall and Winter

[Dave]

Aaron, and the gang,
Although it's only the beginning of August, I'm trying to get a head start on tying for the fall and winter months ahead.

Could I hear some opinions on productive winter flies and tackle?

[alanb_ct]

Here's a few simple dry/nymph suggestions and size; patterns:

Sept-Nov: midges (24; black beauty see TPO recipe), blue-winged olives (20-24; WD-40, RS2, pheasant tails) and isonychia (12-14, 2XL; gray Wulff, comparaduns)
Dec-Mar: golden stones (8-12; see TPO recipe), sucker spawn (see TPO), egg patterns (lots of variety here), scuds (14-18; trout crack)

I think these represent a typical cross-section of useful patterns, although the list is not meant to be exhaustive. Streamers are always worthwhile, at certain times.

[Night Angler]

Id have to agree with with Alan...

day fishing in the ozarks:
Midges 18-22/ dry midges when the sun hits the water 16-20 like a griffen gnat, eggs, scuds and sow bugs, dont forget about the sj worm (heres alittle trick.. put a wrap or 2 of gold tinsel in the middle of the worm)....


at night:
Streamers... about Dec, we start to drop size again..
Sept-Nov we are using anything from a size 6 up to a 2/0... Dec.. is when we drop to the 6-12... a little bit of a change...

My home waters (Lake Taneycomo) is a tailwater... therefore every now and then... a little something special happens during a icy or very cold winter...

its called a shad kill
http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5346

heres another:
http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5292

Always carry white woolies weighted and unweighted if you live near a good tailwater... it will pay off

[Dave]

Alain, Leonard, thanks a lot, this is very helpful.

A question: does water temperature ever reflect a preference of color, or does just the amount of sunlight usually determine that? (particularly in terms of streamers)

[alanb_ct]

Conventional wisdom is water temperature affects a fish's metabolism, which produces the desire to feed (pursue forage) or be inactive. I don't think water temperature affects a fish's vision, and that's presumably what governs selectivity towards colors. When talking about color selectivity, it is common to think about water clarity, black/olive in low light or murky water, white/yellow in bright sun or clear water. There is a correlation between water clarity (which correlates to color preference) and temperature; in the winter and static summer the water is likely to be low and clear. In winter it is cold, in summer it is warm. In the turbulent spring rains, water temperature and clarity is affected. Depending on nominal water temperatures, rain can warm or cool a river and can increase turbidity or not. I didn't explain this as clearly as I would like, but I hope this is helpful.

[Night Angler]

If I fish streamer during the day... it is useally deep... below 3feet.. or I fish sculpins...

at night.. Ive noticed lighter colors seems to be the best.. grays, whites, blondes (calm down guys..its just a color!!)

at night in the winter.. I see alot more active on the top of the water..
so I do carry alot of unweighted streamer...

as for you question...
I believe the sunlight/water condition/ wind/and air temp all plays a role in the fishing..
sunlight+ wind+ choppy water= big crackleback (12-14) or white flies...
sunlight with no wind+ calm water= big sculpins on the bottom/sight fishing
air temps..
hot and sunny, fish are deep and close to the bottom.. again sculpins
sunny but chilly.. we are looking at a midge hatch..

no sun.. cloudy day.. keep it small!!

[Dave]

Very helpful, to say the least.
I wasn't sure if water temperature would have affected a trout's vision, so I'm glad you confirmed that it doesn't. Clarity of water, obviously the most determining factor of color selection, and size as well.

I usually follow Kelly G's routine of starting with the standards and the moving out of the spectrum to more remote and exotic colors. I particularly like how he matches pairs by doing polar opposite colors. For instance, he doesn't go dark to light (and all constituent shades in between). . .but rather: dark, light, dark (lesser), light (darker side). And such. That seems to make a lot of sense.

Thanks Alain!

[AaronJasper]

Wow awesome answers guys... I don't even have to say anymore ;D If you have all of those patterns Dave you should be ready for anything.

[Dave]

Hey Leonard, I tried to send mine while you were posting, so I didn't get a chance to repond. Thanks a lot of the information, between you and Alain, I got exactly what I was looking for.

This season, up East, I've had more luck with flesh toned streamers for some reason. Lighter whites and creams have also had there luck. I find it really interesting that you've had more luck with lighter colors in the dark. It's great to hear that a lot of different styles and approaches are taking such great fish. Thanks again.

Aaron, I'm ready buddy!

[Night Angler]

[quote author=AaronJasper link=topic=811.msg4704#msg4704 date=1186588619]
If you have all of those patterns Dave you should be ready for anything.
[/quote]


LOL...

Ive alway said I needed 2 vest... 1 for day fish and 1 for night...

then I wouldnt have to change out the boxes every couple hours... :