Fly Fishing: Right Angle Nymphing & the ‘Turnover Point’

Solano FF

“Recognizing the turning point is vital to successful right angle indicator fishing. Unfortunately, a vast majority of fly anglers who uses poly yarn indicators overlook this critical component. To assist you in understanding the significance of the turning point envision the following two drift examples. Case one: This case begins with the indicator downstream of the fly, and is the most commonly encountered presentation. Because currents are faster on the surface, the indicator drags the fly and the fly very rarely finds the bottom where fish rest and forage. Case two: Here the fly lands downstream of the indicator and indicator must catch up with the fly, so a majority of grabs will go undetected. Hickson and Shubert, who pioneered and coined this technique of nymph fishing, recognized this, and were quick to note that their brightly colored poly yarn indicators would “pivot” and shift colors at the point in the drift when their fly was directly under their indicators. They referred to this pivot as the “turn over” point. Successful indicator fishing stems from achieving the turning point as fast as possible and maintaining this position during the drift through creative and multiple line mends. The result is unsurpassed strike detection even in high, fast water.”    (Capital City Weekly by Rich Culver)

The diagram does not really go with the piece by Mr. Culver, but it shows the right angle and poly indicator. Using more than one nymph or having the shot at the very bottom is a different consideration. Query R angle nymphing in Google Images and you can find some more examples.

Fly Tying: International Realistic Fishing Flies Contest

“All flies entered in International Realistic Fishing Flies Contest will be auctioned at the end of the competition, and all money obtained will be donated to AEMS- Ríos con Vida.”(more)

http://www.andrestouceda.com

 

Realistic Beetle Pattern by Andres Touceda

 

Ajka, Hungary: Aluminum Sludge Reservoir Dam Breaks

Much to study here re production sludge from metal’s production; storage reservoirs; dam construction and why it burst; and of course, the long term results if the toxic waste makes its way toward and into the Danube River. This is often the fear of many that protest sludge reservoirs proposed above Bristol Bay (Pebble Mine) and elsewhere in the U.S. and Canada.

Ajka, Hungary Toxic Flood & Soldier

“Environmental Affairs State Secretary Zoltan Illes called the spill an “ecological catastrophe,” and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban acknowledged that authorities were caught off guard by the disaster. Orban said the alumina plant and reservoir had been inspected only two weeks earlier and no irregularities had been found. Red sludge is a byproduct of the refining of bauxite into alumina, the basic material for manufacturing aluminum. It is common to store treated sludge in ponds where the water eventually evaporates, leaving behind a dried red clay-like soil…”  (more)

Fly Fishing the Classic Wets

There is an elegance to the Classic Wet Fly that speaks of old traditions and dependability. They appear a bit flamboyant, yet obviously, by their longevity worthy. For many in Ireland and near, I read, that the flies are fished in a brace/team of three flies. I have never warmed to tossing or pulling more than 2 flies. Perhaps the fear of tangles and the subsequent re-rigging. Does such a practice remain from tradition and/or successes? Probably a very nice way of increasing one’s odds of identifying the best producer in short order. Retrieving multiple patterns through the surface of a lake/loch/lough would be productive. Throwing a nice open loop would also help keep the flies in line. Notice the traditional, classic wet had a wing, where often today, the flymph/no wing wet is popular. The classics seem quite functional to me. Experiment.

 

Galway Trout Selection (Dragon Flies) @ Freeney's Sports (SwittersB)

 

Mark Libertone on Wets and Rigging the leader

Fly Fishing: Motors on the Henry’s Fork?

Henry's Fork (Idaho F & G)

“The draft proposes to close most of the Henry’s Fork to motorized watercraft, but in testimony before the waterways committee this summer, the fly fishing community urged the county to keep motorboats off the entire river. They were concerned about habitat and spawning bed destruction and disturbances to wading anglers and non-motorized boaters. Many the fly fishing industry brings millions of dollars to the economy and the county should set policies that support that industry.”

15hp Yamaha

“As the draft stands now, the river between Mack’s Inn Bridge and the trestle bridge below Big Springs would remain open to motors less than 15 hp. The Henry’s Fork between McCrea Bridge and Mack’s Inn Bridge would remain closed to all motorboats, possibly because the fly fishing community raised the biggest ruckus about allowing motorboats there. The river from Island Park Dam downstream to the Hwy. 20 Bridge above Ashton Reservoir would be closed to motors. The river from Ashton Dam downstream to the Fun Farm Diversion backwater would also be closed to motors.” Island Park News (Italics my emphasis re economic/political impact)

Hearing: The Fremont County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) will hold a hearing on the draft “Fremont County Waterways Ordinance” at 6 p. m. Wednesday, October 6 at the Fremont County Annex, 125 North Bridge Street, St. Anthony, Idaho. The written comment deadline is over.

“The Fremont County Board of Commissioners proposes to adopt an ordinance entitled “Fremont County Waterways Ordinance,” regulating the use of motors on the waterways of Fremont County, as allowed by Idaho Code 67-7031, also known as the Idaho Safe Boating Act. The proposed ordinance applies to the entire county.” Fremont Co. Agenda

Fly Fishing, Your Kids & FF Clubs

TMuncy @ Hosmer L. '98 (SwittersB)

From an early age, I attempted to teach my sons the in and outs of fly fishing. I have admitted here before that I erred over and over. Patience was critically short and hard come by, by someone use to focusing upon self. In time, I realized the critical balance necessary to teach and have a child that comes to love the sport years later. One of the best things I did, eventually, was to expose one of my sons to a fly fishing club. He was the only youth, surrounded by men and women that embraced his youth. He kept his place, watched, listened and absorbed. If you have a nearby fly fishing club that is youth tolerant and your child is not too shy…take them to club meetings, club outings (fishing, cleanups, picnics, fundraisers, classes). Your kid will blossom before your eyes. The experiences help your child learn the sport, but also to engage adults (club members, if interested will challenge your child to conversations and basic social graces). Give it some thought…take your son or daughter, but let them actually participate and grow. When you can actually photograph your kid playing a fish and not fret over the outcome, you and your child are in the right place in time. I now have three sons that are pretty darn good fishers….despite me and because of me. Patience.

TMuncy '99 Central Oregon (SwittersB)

TMuncy (SwittersB '08)

Fly Tying Tip: Clean Dubbing Pic/Needle

“The point of the dubbing needle can quickly become covered with a build-up of varnish, epoxy and head cement.  This can be scraped away with a blade, but I keep my needles clean with another method. I have a 35 mm film canister that I have filled with wire wool. All you need to do is push your built-up dubbing needle through the canister top down into the wire wool a few times and your needle is as new!” (Mustad Fly Tying Helpful Hints)

Go Beav’s

Ok, headin’ down the big road to hopefully watch some snuffing out of some Sun Devils.To an even higher calling, I will be wearing my OSU Rugby cap!

Fly Tying: Casual Dress(es)

Casual Dress Patterns by Anthony Naples

Not sure how I missed this piece of work by Anthony Naples. But, more important than the nice pattern options are a few sentences that summarize so well the fly tying experience:

“Well, as many of you can probably attest, fly tyers have trouble sticking to the recipe.  We feel the urge to add a little bit of this, a little dash of that – it’s part of the fun….The possible variations are endless.  Are they necessary?  Probably not.  The original will catch lots of fish for you.  But flytying is a  lot like the blues, and rock-and-roll.  It’s the same three chords, endlessly tinkered with.  And every once in a while a classic is born.  So get the fingers loosened, practice some scales, learn a couple of chords and create your own classic.”  Very nicely phrased!!!!

Fly Fishing & New Blood (A Commitment for Sure)

SwittersB

I realize there are many organizations & clubs that endeavor to draw in new blood to the sport via short term clinics and club events. The use of a school system and several committed volunteers for three sessions a month is an impressive commitment. Such a system would best be situated near suitable waters to hold interest and offer possible successes. The Pertshire effort seems quite admirable. I am sure there are other similar programs.

“It’s very community-spirited,” explained Fiona yesterday. “There’s seven or eight coaches who all give up their time and expertise for free, we couldn’t do it without them….AFYD courses are springing-up all over the country now, they’re proving to be really popular….I think parents like it because it gets their kids outside in the fresh air and keeps them occupied….If they want, they can take the skills they learn here and use them to gain other qualifications which will help them in later life.”  Pertshire & Kids Angling