NorCal Kayak Anglers
Kayak Fishing Zone => Kayak Fly Fishing => Topic started by: wizz on October 23, 2013, 04:53:35 PM
-
Indicator fishing for trout.
On my way back to the coast, I had originally planned on floating the Trinity but figured if I was by myself I would try something new. Needing to learn how to indicator nymph with a fly rod (only done bug and bubble with spinning gear) I figured rainbows on the Sac would be as good a place as any. Redding was on the way so hooked up with a guide and hit the river.
And the fishing was excellent.
Caught fish on rubber legs, trout beads, and pheasant tails. Double digit landed, some didn't get to the boat and some I was late. All in all I felt pretty good getting the "set on every movement" of the indicator, the dead drift, and now know wher the trout are hangin during the salmon spawn. Now I can feel confident adding it to the repertoire. I know its good for the trinity and inland rivers, do any of yall use this on the coast with egg patterns and such for steelhead?
80 degrees and here is the biggest. :smt003
edit: sorry for the sideways photos, posting with phone and not sure how to set them straight.
-
Sounds like a great trip. Who did you use, couple of the guides up there are my buddies.
-
nice wizz, been awhile since ive done that, but always a good day, thanks for sharing, cameron
-
Right on, Matt! :smt001
-
Sounds like a great trip. Who did you use, couple of the guides up there are my buddies.
Older fella named Mark. Definately helped me get a grasp on the technique.
-
Any tips on the set up? I'm looking at floating from possey grounds to Anderson river park next weekend. We're taking kayaks if anyone is interested in joining us.
-
Thanks for the report and pictures Matt.
-
Any tips on the set up? I'm looking at floating from possey grounds to Anderson river park next weekend. We're taking kayaks if anyone is interested in joining us.
More than likely indicator with a pegged egg and a little weight to get it down.
-
Sounds like a great trip Wizz, what was the name of the guide service and how much $, I may be hiring a guide soon so I can learn the river faster.
T.L. Tim
-
Any tips on the set up? I'm looking at floating from possey grounds to Anderson river park next weekend. We're taking kayaks if anyone is interested in joining us.
Fly line to a 30lb 1 1/2'butt section, indicator attached to this section to adjust depth, 5-6' nontapered leader attached to butt, split shot, then rubberlegs, then 1' to an egg pegged 2" above hook, then either a small nymph or another bead 1' below that. Any little twitch is a hook set, cant be afraid to snag.
I was trying to picture how to fish it from a yak, its a big river so stop and wade might be tough. I Would definately want to try and rig an anchor, dont know how you could stay on the salmon reds without one.
Sounds like a great trip Wizz, what was the name of the guide service and how much $, I may be hiring a guide soon so I can learn the river faster.
T.L. Tim
Guides are a valuable learning tool IMO on rivers. On the ocean you have eloctronics, charts, radios etc that you dont have on rivers. Growing up in Alabama teachs zilch about the kind of water fish hold in in these western rivers, so a guide can speed up the learning process for me.
I booked through The Fly shop, and Mark was a really nice, patient fella that made for a low pressure experience. Can definately recommend him.
-
Any tips on the set up? I'm looking at floating from possey grounds to Anderson river park next weekend. We're taking kayaks if anyone is interested in joining us.
Fly line to a 30lb 1 1/2'butt section, indicator attached to this section to adjust depth, 5-6' nontapered leader attached to butt, split shot, then rubberlegs, then 1' to an egg pegged 2" above hook, then either a small nymph or another bead 1' below that. Any little twitch is a hook set, cant be afraid to snag.
I was trying to picture how to fish it from a yak, its a big river so stop and wade might be tough. I Would definately want to try and rig an anchor, dont know how you could stay on the salmon reds without one.
Sounds like a great trip Wizz, what was the name of the guide service and how much $, I may be hiring a guide soon so I can learn the river faster.
T.L. Tim
Guides are a valuable learning tool IMO on rivers. On the ocean you have eloctronics, charts, radios etc that you dont have on rivers. Growing up in Alabama teachs zilch about the kind of water fish hold in in these western rivers, so a guide can speed up the learning process for me.
I booked through The Fly shop, and Mark was a really nice, patient fella that made for a low pressure experience. Can definately recommend him.
Thanks Matt, I'm a newbie at flyfishing so the learning process starts :smt002, I will try and decipher the info. posted and go for it. I agree that a good guide will help a lot. This great tailwater is in my backyard and is tough to fish from shore, and not too easy from a yak but given the right tools could be outstanding.
T.L. Tim
-
Agreed that the lower Sac is tough to wade fish - but it works! Over the years I've hit quite a few of the spots you can legally wade - and some you can't - and caught some really nice fish.
One thing that you can do wading is swing, or do some deep drifting while keeping a tight line. I know everyone talks about indicator fishing this water, but a Teeny line & a caddis fly or 2 fished as deep as you can get them can get some really nice fish.
I'm really interested in floating it in a kayak. I think there are numerous spots where you can pull over in the shallows, drop anchor & wade fish without ever getting out of the water. And a lot of those areas don't get as much pressure, as folks just float thru them.
For anchoring, one thing I use is a drag chain. I mostly use a 5' piece of 3/8" chain (that's the diameter of the metal making up each link) - so it's pretty hefty. 50' of rope, and it will mostly hold my kayak in fair current if I'm pointed straight upstream. Because it's chain it's less likely to hook up on something, but that means it will slip on you, so I tend to look for water with a bit less current to anchor in.
Bill
-
There's a lot of spots through town where you can pull in to an eddy and fish. Proper paddling skills and river knowledge are key but its totally doable. Beaching the kayak is another option or my personal favorite, Back on the kayak on the shore in a slow spot and fish from the kayak, if you hook up you can shimmy the kayak free and fight the fish. Either way yea we need to put some time on the river.
-
Nice trip! Lower Sac has been pretty stellar all year. If you can put up with the crowds now is a great time, eggs and legs under the indibobber will kill. If it was closer I'd fish it all the time but it's a loooooooong day trip and I save my overnighters for steelhead. My day trips are Yuba and Stani this time of year.
The Flyshop will give you a free map of some easy to access lower sac spots from shore. Keswick is pumping 6700cfs which is a slightly high for wade fishing but you could probably find some spots.
I like to swing flies for trout like Bill mentions too, can cover lots of water. When fish start getting active on the surface I like to swing softhackles in the film rather than going full dry fly, much success doing this.
I know its good for the trinity and inland rivers, do any of yall use this on the coast with egg patterns and such for steelhead?
Nymphing with a bobber kills everywhere, I used to do it exclusively but now I like to swing if possible or tightline. I took the 33" steelie in my avatar tightline nymphing a rubber legs in a coastal at 250CFS. Fished the same way I would fish trout but with heavier gear and different flies. Master the bobber and you can always come back to it when nothing else is working.
-
Thanks for the info. I tried nymphing with a bober, Rubberlegs with an egg pattern under them, birds nests, tan poopas, and a few others for nada on sunday. Didn't even get a single bite. I'll figure it out one day
-
Thanks for the info golfish. I actually hooked my largest steelhead on the smith with a bug and bubble rubberlegs/egg dropper setup from shady cove/rogue, which is basicaly high sticking an indicator (is that what you mean by tight lining?) Ive been told dince then you have to swing big flashy patterns on sinking lines for coast winter steel. Glad to know this will work as well, seems especialy suited to seam water and target water and swing thtough the riffles. Let me know if Im off base.
Thanks for the info. I tried nymphing with a bober, Rubberlegs with an egg pattern under them, birds nests, tan poopas, and a few others for nada on sunday. Didn't even get a single bite. I'll figure it out one day
On the Sac? I know until I started setting the hook on every twitch I though I wasnt getting bites. If youre indicator isnt twitching at all, add more weight another split shot to get it to the bottom. You should snag every now and then if youre doing it right.
-
Love the Fishin' Hole in Shady Cove, I used to buy a steelhead sized rubber legs from them before I tied my own. I call it tightlining when I take the bobber off and keep the line tight directly to the flies, a little trickier but very stealthy.
You don't have to fish big flashy flies for steelhead, nymphing works fine or better depending on the water. I fish big flashy flies in winter to elicit the chase and grab. Nymphing all they have to do is open their mouths and most of the takes in winter will be soft. There is nothing like having a big pissed off steelhead smash your fly on the swing...the tug is the drug as the saying goes...
Love small coastals, you can usually do a little swinging and nymphing...Soon, very soon.... Salmon Fly Syndicate Fly-Fishing Oregon Coast Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bTOVy2aTZA#)
-
I like steelhead :smt007
-
I just got back last night from Redding and fishing the Trinity. Lots of steelhead on the move after the recent rain. Much as I was tempted to swing for that grab I used the indicator to maximize my odds.
I want to fish the Lower Sac more.
-
I just got back last night from Redding and fishing the Trinity. Lots of steelhead on the move after the recent rain. Much as I was tempted to swing for that grab I used the indicator to maximize my odds.
I want to fish the Lower Sac more.
Thanks for the report, I want to fish the Lower Sac. more also, there are a couple of us up here with flyrods that need to learn how to use them properly :smt003'
PM beenfishin, jbaker or fisheducator, or post a hookup.
-
I just got back last night from Redding and fishing the Trinity. Lots of steelhead on the move after the recent rain. Much as I was tempted to swing for that grab I used the indicator to maximize my odds.
I want to fish the Lower Sac more.
Damn, I posted a hookup for the trinity, but recieved 0 responses. So I hit the smith today. I tell you what you have to hit that river right. Tues/wed everyone was hookin up. 2 days low and clear with only a few fish caught, none for me. Still trying to figure out the technique for catching salmon on the fly. Which part of the trinity did you fish? I might head out there tomorrow if anyones interested.