Fly Fishing Resolutions - ‘09 and ‘10
Filed under: Observations, Reflections — admin @ 7:27 pm
2010….Almost hard to believe for some of us who have seen a few years come and go. As I reflected on 2009, I felt I had a great year fly fishing for both smallmouth and largemouth bass. This had little to do with the size or numbers of fish caught. It had a lot to do about two key factors, one of which I hope to continue to expand in 2010.
2009 Goal #1:
In 2009 I accomplished my long-standing goal of fly fishing for smallies ALOT. During the low water period from July through September I fished at least 3 - 5 times per week! How could this be? I happen to live across the road from the Upper Mississippi, somewhere between Brainerd and Aitkin, MN. I have several spots I fish alot and almost know some of the fish by name.
With this kind of frequency, I’m bound to catch some fish. Yes, there were days when I got blanked and others when I didn’t. I floated sections of the Mississippi and other rivers at least once a week between July and the end of September. As some of you may remember September was more like August than August was….The fishing held up wonderfully due to the hot days and warm nights. The fish didn’t start to move out of the shallows until October, when the real lousy weather took over.
2009 Goal #2
I vowed to try more patterns, especially sub-surface on ‘09 and did. I continued to experiment with sink tip lines and a lot of lead. Some of my favorite discoveries of ‘09 were the efficacy of Barr’s Meat Whistle, basically a strip leech pattern. I forced myself to fish subsurface and found, when it was all said and done, that Wholly Buggers, in different colors, were the best all around patterns in my fly box. They worked better than several of the life-like Crayfish patterns I tried, such as Clouser’s Crayfish (which was fair at best).
Overall I believe I’m a better smallie fisherman by spending more time beneath the surface. I fish with some excellent subsurface anglers and have observed their productivity and technique. Subsurface fly fishing seems to be able to produce many more fish from one spot than top water. I presume this accounts for more fish being neutral and unwilling to bomb a surface lure - while willing to snap at a big leech, minnow, or crayfish pattern.
2010 Goals
I plan to fish at least as much as in 2010 and try new waters. There are some great rivers north of me - I’m dying to try them. I am going to fish the St. Louis near Duluth, the Bigforks, and Ottertail rivers this next season. I also have a BWCA trip planned specifically routed through great smallie water (unbeknown to the rest of the group…).
In addition, I will continue to experiment with new patterns and pass along their relative effectiveness to you. Please let me know how you are doing on your waters and send along any tidbits for the greater good of us all.