Streamer Skills Part One.

Lately streamer thoughts have been on the radar. With the acquisition of seven new patterns for this coming fall season we couldn't wait any longer. The alarm went off at 3:45 a.m. Dark roast fueled the headlamp assisted walk in. We arrived riverside with barely enough light to rig up. Our first grab came within fifteen minutes. Nice way to build confidence. Patterns and rigs were changed throughout the morning depending on water type, structure and depth. When fishing streamers it's not a numbers game. No body counts. It's a hunt. We are searching for the alpha. We caught two and moved three. Happy with the field test we finished at 9:30 after things warmed up.

It's taken more than a few seasons to become proficient with streamers and the techniques associated with them. The best lesson I was ever taught was to bring only one style of fly to the water and learn how to use it. Streamer fishing poorly is easy, streamer fishing well is one of the most demanding disciplines in fly fishing. Taking the time to learn those skills now will pay out in the fall. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Get a dedicated rod for streamer work. We prefer a 6 or 7 weight at 9 to 9 1/2 feet. The rod you choose should be able to handle a variety of lines, fly sizes and techniques. Accuracy is an overlooked aspect in streamer rods, keep that in mind when test casting a rod. It doesn't mean squat if you can cast a rod seventy feet if your fly is three feet from your intended target.

Invest in at least two lines. If we were limited to only two they would be a density compensated sink tip and an intermediate sink tip. While we may have six to ten different lines on the bench, these are the two we always grab. Our preference in lines are Rio. Performance, durability, selection and consistency are why we throw Rio.

Tie or buy a variety of streamer flies. Sizes from 2-10. Muddler type, bugger style, fur strip and featherwings. Throw in some articulated patterns also. Make certain you have streamers in black, brown, white, olive and yellow.

Get into the habit of having great line management skills. Here is the scenario we see all the time guiding. The bow angler finally hooks a large streamer fed brown. While trying to keep tension on the line and fight the fish, he notices about twenty feet of loose line that he didn't cast at his feet. By now the brown is pissed and decides to make a run for it. The panicked angler allows the fish to run. When the loose running line finally clears the angler's feet, the empty water bottle, the client's big bag  of crap that hasn't been opened since the start of the day, it reaches the first stripping guide. That's when it gets bad. The booger knot that has developed is the size of a Slinky. Pop. End of fight. Creative profanity is uttered.

If you are throwing thirty foot casts, don't have fifteen feet of loose running line at the start on the drift boat floor or at your feet while wading.You will have enough loose line there when you start stripping line back. Why add more. Unless you want to entertain your guide with your humorous cats cradle fish fighting skills.

Put the fish on the reel. We use high quality, dependable reels for a reason. They enhance the system when it comes to having a hot fish make a run for it. They also enable better line retrieval when a large arbor style is employed. We've seen enough backing to realize we don't buy into the "It's just a line holder" b.s.

Wade and fish as stealthy as if you were fishing for a rising fish. Just because a run has a ton of structure in it doesn't mean you can't spook fish. Think like a predator.

The next installment will be coming soon. Until then grab an early morning session and get on it.

Changes.

Shorter days, recent rain and cooler nighttime temperatures have improved fishing conditions in comparison to the previous week. This is only the beginning of the seasonal change. Mornings are still the best for cool temps and productivity. Leaders are on the long side and fine on the end. Like 12'-14' x 5X for the large waters. Short and fine for the small stream gig. Like 7'-8'x4-5X. Both types of water skinny and clear. Both types hold spooky trout and salmon. Cast accordingly. Like once without screwing it up accordingly.

Hot patterns for large to medium waters: Rusty Spinner 12-20, Clear Spinner 16-18, Adams Parachute 18-20, CDC Yellow Sally 16, Quigley's Cluster Midge 16, CDC Caddis 16-18, Lawson's Beetle 14-16, Foam Cricket 12 (This is the big dog size) and Silvey's Dead Caddis 16-18.

Small stream wackage is as follows: Yellow Chubby Chernobyl 12, Red Royal Humpy 14, Lime Rubberleg Kaufmann's Stimulator 12, Dominick's Reneball 14, Foam Cricket 12, Tan X Caddis 16, Hi Vis Ant 16 and Story's Crackleback 14.

Notice there is no mention of nymphs, wets or streamers. Plenty of time in the near future for those techniques. Working on the perfect drag free drift, watching the take, setting ninja quick and just plain enjoying the dry fly game. We sure aren't going to playing it in January.

Enjoy this fleeting summer season.

Keep It Fun.

We've had a few early morning trips that were frustrating and humbling for our clients. Sentences like "What the hell was wrong with that drift?" and "Just eat it!!" There are times when the angler does not bring an A game. An A game is the only game to bring right now. I've seen more fish swimming under flies this week than eats. You change the fly, tippet, mend or cast and get the same result. Get creative with fly choices, seek the eater, first cast the best cast and have fun with the process. Getting wound up about a fish's eating decision is not going to help. Hang back and observe the game. Really observe it. Much of this game is visual. Truly seeing what's unfolding is what separates really great anglers from the rest of the herd. The other skill is intuition. Gaining intuition is never easy. It comes from a very long time on water.

Kick back, relax and listen to that river tell you everything you need to know.

Fall Thoughts.

Those nine empty tippet spools pictured above are a clue that summer is on the wane. The days are getting a bit shorter. The nights a little cooler. We have dedicated some time this week to the fall season prep. Three streamer boxes filled to maximum. If you've fished with us before then you know we have a pretty serious streamer addiction. Seven different patterns along with two new lines to test this upcoming season. Tippet restocked. Small Baetis patterns at the ready. Slate Drake nymphs, wets and dries taking up space. Nymph supplies full. Attractor fall soft hackles ready for the big swing. New anchor rope for the drift boat. Overnight lodging options reserved (everything from really nice cabins to a friends dorm room special futon). All the fingerless gloves, beanies, puffy jackets, soft shells and hand warmers located.

As much as we like summer we love fall more. We can't explain or describe autumn here. It's something to experience firsthand. Find out this season what it's all about.

Summer Doldrum.

It's arrived. The doldrums. Happens every season. Short sessions. Mornings only for now, providing we've had a cool evening. Rising fish only. Dry fly rules. Water temps from 64 to 68. If it rises above that by late morning we quit. Hatches are short lived with caddis, BWOs, midges, stones and Yellow Sallies. Terrestrials ruling the small water game.

Folks are booking for the fall season at this point. Smart move getting a date now as apposed to later. Floats and wade trips filling September, October and November ensuring another busy autumn. Spey casting introductions now until mid September. Drift boat clinics also available during that time frame.

We just finished prepping for the fall season. Patterns, tippet, hand warmers, beanies, thermoses and new a streamer box. Racked and ready. It is our favorite time of year hands down.

Enjoy the rest of summer before it's gone.

Sweet Water.

We toured a few small streams this week and came to some solid conclusions about the micro game.

First off, this type of fishing can just as demanding as any spring creek as far as presentation and stealth. Fish in these small environs don't need a ton of water to make a prime lie. What they do have is a bolt hole once you spook them. They may not be large but they are acutely aware of their surroundings. Taking the time to really look at the water can often yield better results than hitting the prime spot of the pool/run. Slow down and observe.

Make casts that catch fish. One or two good casts into good water will usually produce a rise or take. Sometimes three casts. If nothing happens, move on to a newer piece of the run/pool. False casts spook these fish easily. Develop a few more casts than the roll or overhead.

Canopy covered small streams provide shaded and cool cover. We use yellow polarized lenses for these tight streams. It opens up the dark spots much more than the standard grey or amber lenses.

Stiff leader butt and mid section material will help turn over your fly in tight casting targets. We prefer Maxima Chameleon for this application. Save the fluorocarbon for super picky tail water fish.
We use Rio PowerFlex for most days or SuppleFlex for smooth tricky currents.

Experiment with rubber, foam, color and size in your fly patterns. Royal Wulffs, Ausable Bombers and Humpys will always have their place in small streams. Keep it fresh and new with experimental patterns. Our new favorite this season is a bright purple and black Chernobyl type pattern. Go figure.

Terrestrials should be a solid core group of patterns in the line up. Ants, beetles, inch worms and crickets all get the grab. Especially at this time of season. Hatches are few and weak. Terrestrials though are an everyday event. If you can time it right, try fishing a small stream after a short intense rain shower. This is considered prime time by some small stream aficionados.

Use a Ketchum Release tool as apposed to a net. Easier and faster on the fish. By not carrying a net you eliminate weight and increase mobility in tight quarters.

Exploring these small waters brings one back to the true simplicity of this sport. Don't over think it, strip away the excess junk and experience the experience.

Small Water List.

The small stream scene is taking over this month. Cold small water is available to those who make the effort to find it. It's not an easy affair at times and one can come up empty at occasionaly. The rewards are wild salmonids and char, crystal clear water, beautiful forest environs and a secluded experience.

These are small stream essentials at this time of season.

Topo maps, Gazetteers or a secret handwritten map by someone who trusts you. Ponder,wonder, scheme and dream about those thin blue lines. Seek out contour lines, gradient and feeder tributaries. Overhanging brush filled small water deters many. Go there.

Thermometer. Use it. Often. At every trib and seep. That reading will explain almost everything.

Seek healthy watersheds. Small streams that have been compromised by poor logging practices will be warmer, siltier and uglier until the healing begins.

Hydrate. Stay hydrated during these back country excursions. Drinking(water) before during and after your trip is essential. Especially if you're doing multiple days.

Get comfy. Soft shell shorts, lightweight long sleeve camo shirt, hat and appropriate footwear. I've been using Keen Hydros for short half day sessions. For full day hike, grovel and fish I use a Smartwool midweight sock in combination with a Simms neoprene sock/gravel guard and a pair of Patagonia Riverwalkers felt sole boot. These were the lightest boots for backcountry travel at the time. Once these die(this season) I'll grab the lightest pair available. Add a insectshield Buff to finish the kit out.

Small tackle selection. Not much. Only the essentials. If you are carrying more than one fly box you have packed poorly. Rely on good presentations and stealth. For a full day I'll add light day pack for food, shell, small whoops kit and water.

Mornings are the coolest part of the day. Midday can be productive if you are fishing good water temps and plenty of shade, cover and structure. Save the late evening game for larger waters.

Fly selection is minimal. Here is what's been working the last two weeks. Steeves Beetle, Floating Inch Worm, X Caddis, Red Chubby Chernobyl, Hi Vis Hares Ear, Fuzzy High Site Ant and Ausable Bomber. 10-16. Pretty simple, easy to see and productive.

Enjoy these micro waters this summer.