Troy Musser Catching A Nice Brown Trout 5-6-2013

What's working...

     There are so many caddis! Trout have been hitting a soft hackle emerger dropper off the hook of a dry. There are March Browns and many trout have been caught on both the dry and emerger. We are seeing more and more Gray Foxes (Pine Creek Specials), so it looks like it might be Browns and Foxes for a while. There are still Quill Gordons, Hendricksons and red quills, and blue quills although caddis and the much larger flies are taking their place on Pine, but not on Slate and Cedar. 

     Anglers are having good numbers of hookups with beadhead emergers and nymphs. And, some are doing well with muddlers and buggers in the higher water. 

Miranda Leigh's "Wolf Run Area of Pine" taken 4-24-2013

Notice the moon on the right top as well as the sun on the left - it is harder to see, but there are thousands of flies above the water, like pepper.

Just a few more casts...

     

     Each month along the water has its special pleasures. But, the middle of May holds many attributes that are difficult for other months to compete with. One attribute is the typical water level on Slate and Cedar. Just low enough, but not too low - the runs are well defined with structure and flow and provide the trout with perfect feeding stations. And, they are stations that are also just right for the wary fly fisherman. These stations are pockets of water that are perfect for trout to hold in, give a sense of safety to the trout because of greater depth with a broken, non-glassy surface, and the pockets filter food around the stream structure to the waiting trout. The key is, becoming proficient at picking those pockets.

     Stealth and presentation are paramount in picking pockets. A rock in the flow of the stream that has caused a pocket to form just below its position is a safe bet to contain a trout. Approach slowly and quietly no closely than necessary to make the cast. The imitation should be presented above and slightly to the side of the structure using a leader long enough to keep the line well away from the pocket. Present the fly carefully and allow the current to filter the offering naturally in the current to the waiting fish, and, be ready! Remember, the water is moving at a good pace so the trout won't have a lot of time to decide on the take - this is to the angler's advantage. When the fish makes its move, it is usually in a flash. Don't forget, setting the hook needs to be on the take, not the flash. 

     This is a perfect time of the year for picking pockets. Do it with stealth and method, and you can spend a great day slowly working you way up your favorite stream. And when you put the trout back, you will know, for the future, which pockets hold the treasures!

     

Huge Caddis Hatch on Pine 5-6-2013