I was up on the middle provo earlier this week i mid-morning, fishing nymphs and about 1/2 dozen fish started rising, actually more like leaping. Almost no visible flies on the water but some big browns were making huge splashy rises right out of the water.
I read that this is an indication they were taking Caddis Emergers, but the book didn't say what fly(s) to use in that situation.
I was able to take a 13" brown on a small Adams but they were totally ignoring my Elk hair caddis.
Anyone got a few hints.
I'll be away from the net for a few days but will check when I get back.
BTW great board.
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Try a hares ear with a bead head and trail a beadless hares ear, pheasant tail, or caddis emerger (x caddis, caddis pupa (green or brown)). I have also fished a caddis pupa up top with a smaller weight and a hares ear or x caddis down 18-24 inches below the top fly. When you notice those fish hitting the surface and no flies that can be seen, try one of these combinations and also try sweeping (casting across river towards the bank and tighten and strip line slowly, pausing) the fly or stripping after the float. I have caught quite a few in the past week while floating it through the hole and then just letting the line sweep back until it is below me. Good luck.
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Thanks, I'll be going back up in the next couple of days. If they're jumping again I will give that a try.
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I've been on the MP too much lately to know that what you are witnessing is not emerging Caddis but female diving caddis. The fish will not take the adults on the surface, but take the adults just below the surface, middle or dead drifted on the bottom. Because it's difficult to make your fly "dive" it's hard to fool the big brusiers, but I've taken my fair share of nice fish dead drifting adult diving caddis patterns right on the bottom. Good luck as this is maybe the most frustrating event to fish. These female caddis are usually in the trees and bushes, and when the temperatures warm enough, usually by mid morning they start diving to the bottom to lay their eggs. It literally drives the trout crazy and you'll see many large spalshes as you described.
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If the fish are holding in the riffles when this occurs, swinging soft hackles can also be very effective.
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