Equipment:
- 4-6 Wt 9 Foot Rod
- Floating Fly Line
- 3x-5x Non-Tapered leader (4-8 lb test) Fluorocarbon
- Indicator that is easily adjustable
- For deep water over 12 feet, a slip indicator is recommended
Flies to Use:
The flies used will imitate the 3 stages of the chironomid life-cycle:
- Midge Larvae
- Midge Pupae
- Midge Emerger
Fly patterns:
- Beadhead Zebra Midge
- Copper Tiger Midge
- Grey Pupae patterns
Fly tips:
- It is usually best to fish two flies to cover more of the water column and test different patterns
- The top fly should be imitating the pupae or emerger stage
- The bottom fly should imitate the larvae stage
The Setup:
Setting Depth:
Extra Tips:
- Attach the appropriate amount of leader material to fly line based on the depth being fished. If the depth is 20ft, then attach roughly 22ft of leader material. Flourocarbon is recommended but taper is not required. 4lb-8lb is recommended.
- If using a slip indicator, slide this onto the leader.
- Tie the top fly to the leader.
- Take another 2ft plus of leader material and tie also to the eye of the top fly.
- Tie the second bottom fly to the end of this new leader section. Be sure to use a perfection loop or other loop knot to give the fly proper range of motion.
Setting Depth:
- Attach a weight or forceps or hemostats to the bottom fly. Lower them into the water until they hit the bottom. Grab the leader at this point.
- Secure the indicator rough 6-12inches below this mark.
- To be sure, you can now re-drop the weighting device into the water and the indicator should be roughly 6-12" under water when the weighting device reaches the bottom.
- Remove the weighting device
Fishing:
- Anchor the boat or float tube. Let the boat swing with the current / wind to get in position.
- Cast out the rig. It doesn't have to be the longest cast. Typically cast down wind if there is any wind.
- Let the flies sink
- Watch the indicator. It may not always plunge down, but rather wiggle slightly.
- Keep the running fly line tight to the indicator for a solid hookset.
- Pop the rod tip to pop the indicator in calm conditions to give the flies some action.
- Mend the running fly line as necessary. Re-cast if necessary.
- It doesn't hurt to check the flies every once in awhile to be sure there is no debris like moss or algae on them.
- Set the hook immediately once the indicator goes down. Fish on!
Why Am I Not Getting Bit?:
- Is anyone nearby catching any fish? If not, perhaps it is just a slow day
- Check the depth of the flies under the indicator. Verify they are 6-12 inches above the bottom. Sometimes they need to be higher.
- Area of the lake: Try a different area. Fish move around. See if any fish are being found on the sonar.
- Depth of Water: Sometimes the fish hang out in 10ft of water, sometimes they are in 20ft of water. This varies by the time of year. Usually the spring and summer they can be deeper such as 20ft and in late fall they will be in 10ft.
- If the lake is glassy with no wind, 'twitch' the indicator to give the flies some action. Every 30-60 seconds. Typically bites will happen right after the 'twitch'
- If the lake has some slight chop on it, then let the waves do the work
- If the water is on the colder side, sometimes the fish do not want much, if any, action imparted on the fly
- MUST ANCHOR: Do not try to stillwater fish with an indicator while drifting. The flies will sweep upwards and not be in the correct zone.
- Tie the bottom fly with a perfection loop to give the fly better range of movement
