Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - may2008 - Index

28
Area 1 — The first thing I look for are
runs that are ankle to thigh deep, moving
up into and over gravel substrate.
Tailwaters, by definition, experience
frequent changes in flows, which in turn
move fish onto and off of gravel bars in
search of food. During periods of both
rising and falling water levels, consistent
numbers of fish can be found moving
into, out of and/or through these transitional
areas on their way up or down
river to feed. During steady flows, fish
will be found in this type of water as
well, albeit in usually lower numbers.
The most obvious indications that fish
are holding in Area 1 are visible dorsal
fins sticking out of the water.
On most tailwaters, midge and Baetis imitations are solid
bets, as well as scuds (fresh water shrimp) and aquatic
worms. Aquatic worms are commonly imitated by a pattern
made famous in New Mexico called the San Juan worm.
Approach this scenario with an
across-stream reach cast by standing at
the tail of the run, casting close in first,
and then increasing your cast length
in 2- to 3-foot increments until you’ve
covered the fishable area. Once you’ve
caught all the fish—or are at least confident
that you’ve put your flies in front
of them—move upstream 20 to 30 feet
and repeat the process. The combination
of swift current and shallow water
that make up this zone requires a lightly
weighted rig to keep your flies bouncing
along the bottom.
Area 2 — If I don’t find fish in Area
1-type runs, I then go looking for boulder
fields in and around fast current. Kneehigh
and deeper pockets, combined with
a negative hydraulic, are high probability
spots that hold fish nine times out of
ten. Fish consistently stage and hold between
or at the tail end of these boulder
fields, or behind other current breaking
structure, during raising or lowering
flows. This 2-type water requires more
weight to get your flies down into the
faster and deeper current—roughly
twice the weight required in Area 1 runs.
I’ve sampled the bugs in tailwater
rock gardens like this, and as you
might suspect, they tend to be mostly
clingers and crawlers. The size of the
bugs found living in these conditions