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Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - Fly Fish America - September 2007 Issue - Index

GROSSENBACHERPHOTO.COM
A hatch that often produces such
frustration is the renowned eastern Green
Drake (E. guttulata) prompting Alvin Grove
in The Lure and the Lore of Trout Fishing to
observe, ". . . it is possible to fish during a
hatch of this fly, with them so thick in the
air that line and leader take their toll each
time a cast is made, and yet not be able to
rise a trout to the artificial!?
Grove's observation came to mind on a
trip to Pennsylvania's Little Juniata River a
few years ago. Bright, yellow sulphur duns
floated along by the dozens, so many that
I had little confidence that my fake would
succeed amidst all that natural plenty. I was
right, and a history of such incidents has persuaded
me that we do better during a sparse
hatch than when duns are overly plentiful.
If I can stand in one place where I never
lack for a rising target, I don't do as well as
when I'm forced to move about to find a fish
taking the occasional fly that comes his way.
This observation suggested the possibility
that the most productive times to fish a
hatch are two: in the early stages before
the trout become ultra selective as they do
when the hatch reaches peak intensity; and
in the waning stages when some of the fish
are still looking up for a meal. After testing
this theory many times I'm satisfied that I do
better fishing the margins of a heavy hatch
than I do fishing its midsection.
As always, a little preparation can be a
big help. First, know the calendar timing
of the hatches on the stream you're going
to fish. This may vary a few days either way
because weather can cause the emergence
period to begin early or be delayed. Be sure
to allow yourself a reasonable window of opportunity-three
days if possible. Nothing is
more disheartening than to be on a stream
when the hatch is supposed to appear, but it
doesn't, then have to leave and not be able to
get back for a week when it may be all over.
If there is a fly shop in the area that tracks
hatching conditions, call before you go.
Know where on the stream flies will
emerge. They don't come off everywhere.
Get into position early. Nymphs should be
active at that time, and you may be able to
spot your quarry flashing after them.
Come to the fray with a good arsenal of
flies-duns that match the hatch as closely
as possible; corresponding nymph and
emerger patterns; and finally, a selection of
attractor patterns. We'll explain how these
are used as we go along.
At the onset of the hatch the trout concentrate
on picking off nymphs beneath the
surface, but before long increasing numbers
of emergers will make it to the top where
they become obvious targets. Soon a dun or
two will disappear in a sudden swirl. Zero
in on one of these feeders. After he gulps a
few naturals, take up a position from which
you'll be able to deliver a perfect drift. If the
fish fails to respond to several perfect drifts,
drop down a tippet size and try a different
target. If this fails it may be that the trout
are feeding on the nymph just at or before
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