Fishing super clear streams.

CR,

Actually I mean with a float (bobber) , not a float tube, though you could
do both if it was necessary.
I float fish 90% of the time and it has paid off for me big time. I let the
conditions dictate exactly what methods I have to use. Ultra clear water
(gin) I will use 2lb fluoro leaders with a 1/32 ounce hair jig or 1" plastic
craw. As the water gets darker I move to darker or bright colors and bigger
baits (2", sometimes 3").
All my floats are custom made by a friend (I will be selling them). They
are designed specifically for fishing rivers.
I can tell you that this method works, and it works most of the time. Not
to say that another method wouldn't work better at the time, but this is the
method I enjoy the most.

Hope this helps.

Chris
"CR" wrote in message
om...
"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
...

Personally, I would stick with float fishing and run a Case Hellgie 2"
(natural colors) on a 16 ounce jighead.
Also I would spool with P-Line fluorocarbon (6lb) and use a 4lb fluoro
leader.
That is how I usually deal with that situation. Other baits I have had
good
success with (float fishing for smallies in clear streams) are hair
jigs, 1"
Berkley power tubes (natural colors), and 1" berkley craws (natural
colors).

By float fishing do you mean in a float tube? The reason I ask is that
I had a crazy idea to try the float'n'fly technique on streams.
Actually I already tried it. I tied a 1/16 float'n'fly jig on my line,
then put a bobber about 3 feet up. I got upstream from a pool and cast
it out and kept the bail open to let it just drift in the current. It
looked like it might work but the conditions were bad so it wasn't a
really good test (water temp 47, super bright blue skies).

Ken,

I couldn't agree with you more. Most rivers I fish do not have dangerous
rapids, and the worst that will happen is that I get run over by a pleasure
boater in one of Lake Michigan's harbors. I could definitely see the danger
in doing that elsewhere where there are Class 3+ rapids , etc. I don't even
like wading around fast moving water (I have almost been swept away a couple
times).

Chris
"Ken Fortenberry" wrote in message
.com...
CR wrote:

By float fishing do you mean in a float tube? The reason I ask is that
I had a crazy idea to try the float'n'fly technique on streams. ...

That's not only a crazy idea, it's downright dangerous. If there's
any current at all you do NOT want to be in a float tube. We're
talking life and death stuff here. Seriously.

--
Ken Fortenberry

Ken Fortenberry wrote in message y.com...
CR wrote:

By float fishing do you mean in a float tube? The reason I ask is that
I had a crazy idea to try the float'n'fly technique on streams. ...

That's not only a crazy idea, it's downright dangerous. If there's
any current at all you do NOT want to be in a float tube. We're
talking life and death stuff here. Seriously.

Sorry, I worded that wrong. I had no intention of using a float tube.
I figured most people mean fishing out of a float tube when they say
float fishing. I usually use hip waders, although that can be
dangerous as well.