On The Hunt - Float and Fly

Confidence: the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust.

It's easy to be lured in by techniques such as big streamers or big topwater and yet so often success can be minimal at best. It's not that these aren't proven techniques but often times they are not implemented at optimal seasons or in optimal spots. Combine wrong technique for the season and/or unproductive water and you have a setup for failure.

A way to overcome this failure is to build on a technique that one can quickly gain confidence in.

In my warmwater predator hunting adventures I've come to rely on a technique that not only do I gain confidence quickly but many days just can't get enough of the fun with this technique.

On days when nothing else wants to work I can depend on Float and Fly. More often than not it will show me where the fish are and provide me with important clues to their current feeding mood.

I mention "feeding mood" to emphasize the fact that predator fish are not always willing to chase down a streamer or break surface for a topwater but that doesn't mean they won't eat. They might just need a presentation that doesn't necessarily force a reaction but instead it works by teasing and temptation.

Think of it like this: Pick your favorite candy bar. Let's say it's a snickers. If I hold a snickers in front of you long enough I bet you will take and eat it. How long of period that is will be greatly be determined by your desire to give into temptation. This could vary day to day or even hour to hour.

Origins

Float and Fly has it's origins as a gear technique. Crappie anglers rely on this system to get their early season catch. These old school guys will tell you that they often run into bass, particularly smallmouth bass while attempting to catch some silver slabs.

Recently some fly guys, including myself, started to look at this idea as a fly rod technique. After all if you look at indicator fishing for trout, outside of the fly there is not a whole lot of difference. Or is there!?

Personally I've worked with this technique now for about twelve years. There are some distinct differences compared to trout nymphing. Starting with...

12 years perfecting this fly. Blurry on purpose!

The Fly

Starting with the fly, while many flies hung from an indicator will catch fish, a float and fly system, fly is designed to represent baitfish and should be delivered in a horizontal presentation. Notice the Solitude Drop Dead Minnow is tied on a jig head. This gives the fly its horizontal presentation.

Solitude Drop Dead Minnow

Leader

A good leader for float and fly is the RIO Bass Leader. It has a strong butt section for great turnover of fly and float while the 9 foot length is perfect for majority of this fishing.

Indicator

Hard to beat the easy usability of an Air-Lock indicator. If you need to adjust depth just loosen the screw, adjust and re-tighten. Thing-a-ma-bobbers work just fine too.

Fly Line

While no special line is needed I do prefer longer headed lines for mending ease. Lines like Scientific Anglers Amplitude Infinity or RIO's InTouch Trout Steelhead Indicator line work very well.

Fly Rod

Without getting into a books worth of rod choices let's just say a 6-7 weight in at least a 9' length. Adjust as necessary. Your fishery might be just fine with a 5 wt. One of my favorite rods for this technique is a Sage X 597-4. It's 9'6" with full wells grip and fight butt.

Technique

Start with your fly about 5-6 foot below your float. Adjust as necessary. Seek out your ideal smallmouth holding water. Now I realize that last statement could prompt an entire article about what smallmouth holding water looks like but that will have to be for another time. In general search rocky shoreline areas.
Cast in tight to these areas. Move often, even if only a few feet. When a smallmouth bass takes it he will steadily pull it under and most cases even out of sight. No reason to get in a hurry to hook set just so long as indicator is well under you should come to a solid set most of the time.

A cool feature of this technique is the fly is almost always hook up in upper jaw. It's makes for a super clean catch and release and comes with a solid landing ratio.

Clues and Insights

This isn't sit on a bucket while drinking PBR type of fishing. Keep moving! Most take downs are within 10 seconds of cast. If I really have confidence in a spot I might soak it for maybe a minute, max.

I tell anglers to fish it like a popper. Cast, let settle, give it a twitch or two, maybe a pull, move!
On those days when a bass won't break surface for a topwater or move for a streamer, they'll eat float and fly. So have confidence and keep searching. They will show themselves.

River or Stillwater

Bass in general are stillwater creatures. Even if you are fishing a river such as John Day, most bass will set up on drop offs, current breaks and eddies. Much of this fishing is done in those stillwater spots directly adjacent to currents. You might call them frog water. Don't hesitate to work float and fly down a current seam just as if you are drifting a nymph for a trout. But also don't overlook the "frog water" behind the current seam.

Where

Local to Gorge Fly Shop is an incredible smallmouth fishery in the Columbia River. While access is limited especially without a boat there is in fact many places that feature quick dropping, rocky shorelines. The next couple months will be prime for smallies in close to shore.

What are you waiting for!

I'll see you on the water...But you won't see me!

Greg Darling 

Gorge Fly Shop
Read more Greg's Post...

"Passion For Fishing Is A Lifelong Pursuit Of Discovery"

On The Hunt - Zero Bass Thirty - Froggin`

Operation Froggin`

If I have learned only one thing over decades of bass angling is that the only assumption one should make is to never assume! In order to avoid the aforementioned condition, I've come up with some guidelines for froggin` on a summer day @ zero bass thirty.

When is Zero Bass Thirty

Summer Bassin` is for morning people. Just arrive at any boat ramp before dawn and you'll witness a real bass angler. He is likely launching his boat before daylight. His rods are rigged and ready. He's already had his coffee and he has a plan. His day of fishing is done before most ever arrive at the water.

So what is his plan

In Summer conditions I generally kick off a day with topwater. Anytime before sun is on the water is a good time to call up bass to the surface. Bass really don't like sun all that much and will avoid it during mid summer days. On cloudy overcast days the topwater action may continue through noon and maybe even the entire day. Never assume that topwater is only effective in mornings and evenings.

Gear

My gear for topwater is simple. Eight weight frog rod. A large deer hair frog can catch fish coast to coast but it's not a lot of fun to cast. My froggin` brothers agree, if you want to fish the frog effectively, bring out the eight weights.

Reasons for an eight weight

1. The deer hair frog has a lot of wind resistance to overcome. Don't wear yourself out with a six weight. 
2. Throw caution to the wind and throw deep into heavy shoreline cover. Popular saying is "if your not getting snagged then you are not getting close enough". 
3. Once hooked up you will need power to pull a bucketmouth from heavy cover. This is no time to be thinking about line on reel or trout sets. You've got to strip set bury the hook and immediately get pressure on that fish before he takes you to the rock garden or bush pile you just coaxed him from.

My Rod Choice

I have two sticks I use for varying situations. If casting short distances, like river drift boat floats I reach for my Sage Bass II Largemouth Rod. The 7'11" stick provides a lot of control and this fly rod has the backbone to pull fish from heavy cover. When longer cast are key and fishing bigger lake type water I reach for my Sage Method 890-4. It casts shooting head lines and big frogs with authority and provides ample power for lifting and pulling fly for one shot backcast and re-cast. The ability to place your frog back on location in a one shot cast is very important for getting a second or third opportunity of a jacked up bass.

Topwater presentation is most fickle

What does that mean you ask? My point is not all bass respond to one presentation...some like fast...some like gentle radiating rings of water movement while others need to hear the kaplump noise made by a short hard strip and yet other fish won't strike it until it has sat motionless for a minute. Refer back to first paragraph regarding assumptions.

Until the fish tell me different, my approach loosely involves this pattern. Once landed allow the water rings to fully dissipate before moving your fly. Once dissipated follow up with a single small twitch and wait as long as you can stand before making another move. If no reaction has taken place at this point you can now experiment any way you like. Try a hard diving strip. Try a hard short kaplump strip. try several small twitchy strips. Make a cast to a new location and repeat.

While we anticipate an extreme surface ruckus on the strike don't assume that will always be the case. I've seen big bass slurp bugs under like a trout sipping a caddis. Always remain vigilant for any and all signs. Watch for a swirl or push of water. These are signs that a bass has come to investigate. Be very aware if a shadow appears under your fly.

Fly rod Froggin` is some of the best warm water action one can experience with a fly!

This is part of the hunt! Don't miss it! Be the Frog!

More "On The Hunt" Series Articles
> Never Sit Down
> Stand Ready
> Strip Like You Mean It!

Watch for my next article "Detect The Strike"

Greg Darling 

Gorge Fly Shop
Read more Greg's Post...

"My Passion For Fishing Is A Lifelong Pursuit Of Discovery"

News Release - Waterworks Lamson Center Axis Rod Reel System

Center Axis

Lamson is getting into the rod business but not in the usual way. I've come to appreciate all my Lamson reels for the bare bones lightweight feeling they provide. They match up great to all my modern ligthweight fly rods. If you have a rod that feels like a chore to cast look close at your reel weight. Often times a rod that feels club like or heavy swing can be cured by reducing the weight of the reel.
The new Center Axis takes this approach to the fullest level by fitting the fly reel as part of the rod. I'll be seeing and casting these next week at I-CAST and I'm sure we'll be hearing more about them.

Watch the vid...

Waterworks Lamson - Center Axis from Waterworks-Lamson on Vimeo.

I'll see you on the water...But you probably won't see me!

Greg Darling 

Gorge Fly Shop
Read more Greg's Post...

"My Passion For Fishing Is A Lifelong Pursuit Of Discovery"

On The Hunt - Strip Like You Mean it

He's on it...Strip! Strip! Strip!

Continuing the "On The Hunt" Series, in this article I wish to address your fly stripping.

I recently read a friends blog post that really hit home on the subject of fly stripping. Basically he indicates the difference between an average angler and a streamer guru is how they strip their fly. He gives a example of how a fly should be stripped similar to the beat of the opening of a old popular rap song that we've all heard. Check out the first 20-30 seconds of Tone Loc's "Wild Thing". Is this how you strip your fly?

Stuck in RRBD

Are you stuck in Repetitive Rhythmic Boredom Disorder, (RRBD)?
If you wish to maximize the effectiveness of your streamers you'll going to have to break out of your repetitive strip. I see this type of retrieve everywhere I go. I wonder if this issue isn't part reason why so many fly anglers have no confidence in streamers.

If you want a streamers to work for you with any measure of success beyond the random catch you're going to have to carefully scrutinize your retrieve. I know those are pretty harsh words to hear but take note, I am looking at myself in the mirror while I preach it to you. I need to hear it too.

Don't feel like you have to subject your memory to this song in order to become a better streamer angler. Just take it in for a few minutes and compare the beat of this song to how you are stripping your streamers. Are you coming up with anything even close!?

While we would all probably benefit with adopting the "Wild Thing" retrieve. personally I think proper strips has more to do with avoiding rhythms and paying close attention to what the fish tell you on the current day, or even current hour as fish attitude can change during the cycle of the day.

When the fly hits the water

At this point we need to decide if a response will come from a pause or instant action. Sometimes a pause is in order to allow the fly to dive subsurface, others flies dive so fast that one must get on the retrieve quickly. Either way pay attention to what the fish tell you.

Get the rod tip to the water

When stripping streamers you rod tip should be right at water level and in some cases for extra depth even plant your rod tip under the surface. Holding a rod tip far above water surface will put a bow in the line and your strips become drags. Avoid the drags!

Observe your fly's action

Watch the movements of your fly and compare with your strips. Some of today's big streamers can swim really well with side to side movements. Some need a stop and go retrieve while others perform darting action with slight rod tip jerks. More often then not I'm matching my fly to the action the fish want. Such as for slow pulsing action the fly Bad Hair Day works great, Feather Game Changers have a awesome swimming action which favors clearer water, and Swinging D's throw a lot of side to side action with aggressive strips. All these flies have their time and place for the streamer angler.

Protect Stripping Finger

If your not burning you finger stripping line through it then you aren't stripping aggressive enough. You've got to have a stripping glove or protective finger guards unless you have leather for skin. Simms Sun Gloves have a built in patch on the stripper finger...they work great for me. Get some RIO Line Cleaning Clothes. When you experience friction while casting or stripping, pull one out and run you line through it. You can also wrap it around your finger while fishing and really get your line operating smoothly. I have some other tricks regarding line slickness but they wouldn't be fly industry approved. If you wish to know more I suggest you reach out to me privately.

Be perceptive to every strike you identify and take note of what you and your fly was doing at time of strike. Was it paused, jerking, sinking, swimming, darting. All these conditions are pieces of the puzzle. Total success comes when all the pieces fit together. You don't have to get every piece right in order to catch fish but when you do fit all the pieces correctly it becomes next to impossible to not catch fish.
That should be your goal!

Reference: Ozark Fly Fisher Journal "Do It Tone Loc Style"

More "On The Hunt" Series Articles
> Never Sit Down
> Stand Ready

Watch for my next article "Detect The Strike"

I'll see you on the water...But you probably won't see me!

Greg Darling 

Gorge Fly Shop
Read more Greg's Post...

"My Passion For Fishing Is A Lifelong Pursuit Of Discovery"

On the Hunt - Stand Ready

Cast, Strip, Sight, Set, Fight

In continuation of the "On the Hunt" Series, this chapter addresses the stand or stance.

One day, while swinging flies on the river I watched a guide boat drift down with a single angler in front casting a streamer. He stood there like he was in line at the dmv and held his rod with a matching amount of ambition. He made lazy cast after cast and stripped his fly back with rhythmic boredom.

I couldn't help to think that even if a fish struck his fly in no way was he prepared to react. He held his rod with a lazy grip, high out over the boat, creating a bow in his line. No focus...Not prepared...No enthusiasm!

There are those who hunt and there are hunters just the same there are those that fish and there are anglers. This guy is clearly neither. On that day, his wrong opened my eyes to what would be right. I slipped into deep thought about how often we decide our own fate without even knowing.

My vision for writing this article mostly has to do with predator style streamer fishing whether it be for bass, pike, musky, brown trout or whatever you find yourself pursuing in what I refer to as predator fishing mode. These tactics also apply to predator top water fishing and may also apply to many other styles of fly fishing.

Stand Ready

The lazy guy I described above wasn't sitting down but he wasn't hunting.  The Phrase from the kick off article, "Never Sit Down", has a much deeper meaning than just a physical state. Your stand, or stance needs to put you in a state of preparedness. Prepared to cast, strip, sight, set and fight.

Stance

I like to put one foot in front of the other. Unlock your knees. Focus your vision on where you're casting and your fly where it lands. If your fly, for whatever reason is not in sight, still create a mental image about where it is and track it as you strip in.

Grip your rod

After your cast put the rod tip to the water pointing in the direction of your fly. Eliminate any slack from your line immediately . Grip your rod firm but try to avoid a death grip.

Strip like you mean it

You will need a gloved finger or stripper finger in order to achieve proper strips. DON"T wait until you have line burned your finger. Equip yourself before you start fishing and you will strip better all day. Streamer strips should be aggressive with demanding intent. DO NOT DRAG your fly. The topic of stripping deserves much more attention than I can give in this paragraph. Watch for a future article on this subject.

Watch you fly

Most predator fishing I do allows me to see my fly in action. Topwater and shallow sub surface streamer flies allow us to see what's going on. Keep sight on your fly at all times. Watch for shadows, swipes and be particularly aware if suddenly it disappears out of sight. Also, watch the water for movement such as swirls or pushes. Pay attention to your flies action. Many flies require specific strips and/or even rod tip jerks to get the desired action the fish want.

Strike Back

I like to use the term "Strike Back" rather then "set hook". Key point is...DO NOT trout set. I'm sure this subject has difference of opinions but this is how I like to approach the strike back hook set. Strip with a lift. A strip set alone is great but there are times when these fish are swimming toward you making it nearly impossible to get a set with a strip alone. If you strip set and lift rod at the same time you increase the amount of line taken up. But here is the key, you must lift your rod in a horizontal plane while you strip set. Combination strip and lift will draw power from the butt of the rod and take up the slack quickly for a solid hook set.

Fight

Predator fish often try to go down and under a rock or brush pile and when they get there you very likely won't be able to bring them out. They can wrap your line around objects and either get free or break you off. Be aware of your structure and take action immediately to pull it away from possible escape.

Watch for my next article about stripping your fly

I'll see you on the water...But you probably won't see me!

Greg Darling 

Gorge Fly Shop
Read more Greg's Post...

"My Passion For Fishing Is A Lifelong Pursuit Of Discovery"

On The Hunt - Never Sit Down

As a fly angler do you consider yourself a hunter?

I've never been an angler who sits and waits for fish to come to me. I don't see the point. Sure it's fun to hang with friends and drink lagers while waiting for the catfish to bite but that is not my definition of fishing or hunting.

Too often when reading fly fishing material the picture is painted of cool mountain streams, cascading clear water and matching the hatch. That's all good but is that always reality. It's like the sports car commercial were the drive is through scenic mountains and another car is nowhere in sight. Fly fishing like sports car commercials are often portrayed to give us feelings of peace, solitude and serenity.

That's great if you have time to find it. Sure I take trips and get off the grid but I can't wait all year for that special week of fly fishing. To satisfy my passions I must get on the water as often as possible. Most of the time the places I can go fish are shared with others.

Recently while hunting bass on a local reservoir I watched two guys in a boat sitting on pedestal seats, casting and waiting for something to happen. They came past me and said "Hi! Are you catching any?" At this distance there was no way they didn't notice I was wielding a fly rod. I yelled back my standard reply, "yeah, catching a few." Little did they know I've just landed an 18" smallmouth, a 17" white bass, two respectable largemouth's and more sunfish then I care to claim.
Take note that this all took place while this other boat was in my view and I never once saw these guys get out of there seats. I'm sure they caught fish but are they hunting fish!?

On my local lakes I watch an endless stream of guys who drag lures or whatever around all day but they don't really hunt. I never see another fly angler on lakes. Such a wide open field of opportunity. Imagine this...The fish in most lakes have never seen your flies!!! Yes, that sentence deserves three exclamation points. That is what I call opportunity.

I'm a hunter!  Are you a hunter?

I spend much time warmwater fishing from my boat. It takes me places I could otherwise never get to. It is my platform of which I operate from. At one time it was equipped with pedestal mounts for front and rear seats just like the ones those guys were sitting in. I say at one time because I just recently re-carpeted the boat and in that process I removed the pedestal mounts. I don't need them and was tired of stepping over them. I don't need them because I stand and hunt.

What is a fish hunter? To be a hunter from a boat you must...

Stand Ready! 

The entire day. Get into a stance that keeps you focused and ready to strip set in a nano second. Get serious about your footwear and comfort. Consider possible wind chop, swells and waves. Fly fishing is a sport, treat it like one!

Believe! 

Make every cast count and believe every spot you cast to has a fish to catch.

Attention! 

Remain fully vigilant for any and all clues. After the cast watch for swirls or pushes. Watch for shadows appearing under your fly. Watch your line. Fish will tell you what they want if pay attention and spot their reactions.

Embrace Wind! 

Most lake fishing involves wind. Let it be your friend. Winds helps to provide cover for both us and fish. It also helps to add oxygen to water and fish will naturally be more active. My experience is windy days are usually better fishing than dead calm days.

Make it Real! 

Make that fly real! You don't wait for strikes...you create strikes. DO NOT JUST DRAG THE FLY BACK TO YOU! Mix it up. Avoid rhythms. Vary your strips and pauses and mentally record the action you were giving your fly when a strike occurs.

Zone! 

Get you mind and body in the zone. Your thoughts, your posture and your attitude can affect your day. Believe that!

Summer is Here!

I've switched to hunter / predator mode. In the next couple months I wish to break down individually some of the bullet points listed above into much greater detail and share with you why I get so excited for this type of fly fishing.

I'll see you on the water...But you probably won't see me

Greg Darling 

Gorge Fly Shop
Read more Greg's Post...

"My Passion For Fishing Is A Lifelong Pursuit Of Discovery"