A fishing message

Spent last three days camped beside a medium size N.C. mountain stream. Saw
a couple of deer, a few wild turkeys and very few fish. Classed a WILD
stream by the state it is not stocked and with 25 miles of Morganton I'm
sure it gets lots of people fishing on weekend but I saw no one. Usually
spent a couple of hours on stream in mornings, lunch and a continued reading
of "Best American Short Stories Century' edited by John Updike- then a good
fish hike for rest of day. Just at dust- when the owl hoots and a couple of
manhattans flow I enjoyed good camp meal and flopped in tent.
Now my question- all the fish I hooked (probably 10 six inch brookies and
two seven inch browns per day } hit my dry just as it hit water. Had no
success fishing pools even if I worked close in ,then cast to middle, then
up under water fall. Tried to hide behind trees, rocks etc but
need some suggestions here--fish just would not rise in pools. ( yes I saw
messages about double nymphs, but all I get trying that are double line
messes.} Thunder showers and lightening started early during dark dark
fourth morning so I threw wet tent, and bedding and stakes in van and came
down the hills .
Stopped at McDonalds for a 48 cent senior coffee and thought life is
good.--even for the elderly

"Joe McIntosh" wrote


up under water fall. Tried to hide behind trees, rocks etc but
need some suggestions here--fish just would not rise in pools. ( yes I saw
messages about double nymphs,



I have zero N.C. fishing experience but, assuming the small streams are
similar to ones I know, I strongly suggest fishing a soft hackle.

But, before you start casting, I also suggest fishing it unlike what you
might read about SHs. Fish upstream just like a dry but use a sparsely
dressed SH that sinks down 'some." Here in the west I'd start with a #14
yellow and partridge ( gray phase) on a wet fly hook ( for a tiny bit of
weight.) Most casts you'll be able to see it as it moves down the flow
and often see the fish coming to it. I can only guess why but I've had
many days 'saved" by this when dries were not very effective on small
streams .... and it still "feels" like dry fly fishing since it's so visible
.... when this works ( obviously not always ) the fish will come up to within
a foot of the surface when they won't even look at true floating offerings.
Good luck. Use same leader and other tackle as for dries.

On Fri, 9 May 2008 20:20:15 -0400, "Joe McIntosh"
wrote:

Spent last three days camped beside a medium size N.C. mountain stream. Saw
a couple of deer, a few wild turkeys and very few fish. Classed a WILD
stream by the state it is not stocked and with 25 miles of Morganton I'm
sure it gets lots of people fishing on weekend but I saw no one. Usually
spent a couple of hours on stream in mornings, lunch and a continued reading
of "Best American Short Stories Century' edited by John Updike- then a good
fish hike for rest of day. Just at dust- when the owl hoots and a couple of
manhattans flow I enjoyed good camp meal and flopped in tent.
Now my question- all the fish I hooked (probably 10 six inch brookies and
two seven inch browns per day } hit my dry just as it hit water. Had no
success fishing pools even if I worked close in ,then cast to middle, then
up under water fall. Tried to hide behind trees, rocks etc but
need some suggestions here--fish just would not rise in pools. ( yes I saw
messages about double nymphs, but all I get trying that are double line
messes.} Thunder showers and lightening started early during dark dark
fourth morning so I threw wet tent, and bedding and stakes in van and came
down the hills .


Stopped at McDonalds for a 48 cent senior coffee and thought life is
good.--even for the elderly

My punctuationally-interesting friend, if you can smile, life is REALLY
good...even for the elderly,
R
....just don't tuck the Mickey D joe twixt da testicles...that never
seems to go well...unless you're a lawyer...or otherwise feel no pain...

Sounds like a nice place Joe.......All except the Mickey-d's
coffee.........A place away from the hustle and bussle of the city,
kids and grandkids..........Sometimes a man needs
solitude..................

"Joe McIntosh" wrote

.. Had no
success fishing pools even if I worked close in ,then cast to middle, then
up under water fall. Tried to hide behind trees, rocks etc but
need some suggestions here--fish just would not rise in pools.

i know you have spent some time on slick rock creek--in my experience,
if you can catch fish from pools there, you can catch them anywhere. i have
seen bright days there when the only fish i caught were while literally
lying down, outside the water flow.
also, i have often had remarkably good results by casting a big (say
size 12) royal wulff on small streams. just did it, originally, for the
hell of it, after no success with tiny dries.
good on you, joe, for having the time and money to enjoy life.

yfitp
wayno

Wayne Harrison wrote:
"Joe McIntosh" wrote


good on you, joe, for having the time and money to enjoy life.

yfitp
wayno




not to mention the cred he deserves for having the life to enjoy his
time and money!!!

jeff