Wet lines

This is the time of year I prize as a trout fisherman. Of course part of my enthusiasm is generated by the overwhelming need to put line on water. This winter has been especially long in my part of the country and I have had to quell that need to the absolute depths of my patience. The other reason for my enthusiasm is that now is the time when some of the best trout fishing is to be had.

The ice is slowly coming off the lakes and as it recedes, the cycle of life underwater begins anew. As the water warms insect life of all shapes and sizes begins to emerge. Between the Chironomid pupa and the Mayflies the shoal water of my area lakes teem with hungry trout ready for the taking.

As a fly fisherman if you are not taking advantage of what is going on underneath the surface you are actually only giving yourself access to about 10% of a trout’s diet. I used to fish only top water as a kid. Even though there are those times when fish actively feed the surface, learning to use nymph patterns effectively will increase your catch rate significantly.

If you ever have watched a fly fisherman catching fish when you can’t and you thought you had everything else covered, chances are that fisherman is nymphing.

Open a new world of trout fishing for yourself and add some basic nymph patterns to your fly box. My favorite nymph patterns are the Hare’s Ear, Pheasant Tail, and a pattern I learned from Al Campbell called the EZ nymph.  Another good fly that can be fished as a nymph or a dry is the Renegade.  I also like to tie variations of the previous mentioned using a variety of colors.

Good luck and as for Kelly and I it is time to head to the lake!

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