It has been a while since i last posted anything on here, but since then i have discovered something I love almost as much as my daughter ( I did say ALMOST!).
FLY FISHING! I live in Rexburg and I finally broke down and decided to get a fly rod and go out fishing a bit. I have only been out with the fly rod a few times and I got the whole casting thing down and understand how to work a fly. Of course i am no expert but i understand the basics of the cast and what to do with the fly on the water.
The help I need is what fly's to use and where to go. I understand that many of you might be breaking the unwritten code of silence when it comes to fishing but i appreciate any help i can get. I spend most my time fishing on the south fork from pali
es down to the buttes in menan and also from Henrys lake down to the buttes on the North.
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there are hatch charts on the websites for southfork outfitters and henrys fork lodge and you can always call jimmys all season angler or stop in and they will send you in the right direction.
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Thanks for the info! Hopefully i will be able to get a fish soon on the fly.
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First of all welcome to the endless world of flyfishing. I too am from Rexburg. Maybe we can get together sometime.
I would suggest practicing reading water on small streams. Birch creek is a perfect place to practice reading water and then when you are confident you know where the trout are hiding in different situations you can apply lessons learned to the larger rivers.
As for flies you can get as complicated as you want. A general selection should include parachute adams, royal wolff, renegades, elk hair caddis, chernobyle ants, grasshoppers.
For nymphs I would go with hares ears, pheasant tails, princes, copper johns, and rubber legs.
For still water I would go with copper crystal buggers, green crystal buggers, mity mouse, california leeches, some chrominids, and some damsel patterns.
These are very generic patterns but they will work on most occasions.
Windriver
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Another suggestion...I'm not sure about your area, but look for a club to join. They are usually fairly inexpensive and members are usually most helpful. We have a few in my area and they are a great way to go.
Welcome & Good Luck!
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Do not forget the nymph and streamer fishing. That is where most of your fish are caught. One basic thing is to pick up some rocks in the stream you are fishing. You will see all kinds of crawly things. Match the size and color with a nymph and go to town.
Never forget to try under the surface.
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WOW! Thanks for all the good advice! I guess i can blame all of you guys if the fly patterns dont work out! But with all the ones you have suggested so far I think it would be more of a failure on my part than anything else.
I am always open to finding places to fish and new people to fish with so i just might take you up on meeting and fishing. I use to spin/ bait fish a lot with some buddies but they have all since gone to new "fishing holes" so i am flying solo.
Any advice on places to go where i can get my first fish on the fly?
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Is there a pet shop near you with a LARGE aquarium??
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Sorry, couldn't resist. I'm in Boise and I'm sure you'll get some good recommendations from the guys and gals over your way!!
We will be at Henry's Lake Sat thru Tues. You are welcome to share the boat for a day, or part of, if you'd like.
I hear they got a pretty well stocked aquarium !! [:p]
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I will actually be at Henry's this weekend also! If you see a couple guys in a jon boat sinking from the waves that will be us! If the weather is nice i hope to get into some good fish!
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One fly I rarely hear mentioned but I catch a bunch of fish nymphing w/ is a san juan worm in red. I'll use it as a dropper about a foot below my rubber leg or whatever else I'm nymphing. I catch a ton of fish on those! As for location I would recommend Henry's Fork. The Vernon to Chester dam area is good, especially if you have a boat. Below there is pretty muddy until runoff is done though. I also love the warm river to Ashton stretch . Ton of wadeable fishing in there and even better if you have a drift boat. If that's bit big still at this point d/t no boat there is always the warm river through the campground. It's completely wadeable and they stock it frequently. Don't forget the Teton River either! If you're looking for someone to fish w/ mid week or occasional weekends don't hesitate to send me a PM either!
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I am going to be busy for a week or so, but I would be glad to take you somewhere fishy when I get back.
Like Belasko said, the warm river campground area is especially kind to new flyfishermen.
Windriver
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Hey Rookie,
Welcome to fly fishing! I have recently took on this hobby as well...Last year I started with a walmart combo fly fishing setup at Henry's lake in late june...lots of fish on the state boat dock marina....only one taker and lost him to a bad knot on my fly...That fly rod now belongs to my son, it caught many fish but the casting was not great...my skills included
I am also still learning and have not shook the skunk off when it come to river fishing...
I have been successful on still water, the key was discovering full sinking line and I also now use intermediate sinking line. They work great with wooly buggers/streamers in the fall when you are in still waters..
This spring I attempting to figure out the floating line too..
Good Luck
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Thanks for even more info guys!
Looks to me like we have a couple guys on here from Rexburg. I would love to get together and learn from some of you wise veteran fly fisherman. I know i need lots of practice but i think with all the advice i have recieved i will have a nice report up here in no time.
I am hoping the weather holds out this weekend and I will be heading north to ashton and island park and then on to Henrys. REPORT COMING SOON!
(Cross your fingers I get something on the fly!)
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If you could only have ONE fly at Henry's...let it be a Renegade!!!! Seriously. Also a #12 Haresear.
Like Windriver mentioned....so many cool flies, but I have indeed gone back to the old school classics. There is a reason they are so popular.
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Thanks for the tip!
I am planning on getting some flies tonight and then on my way up to Henry's tomorrow. Any good places to buy flies along the way?
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Not sure what all is open, but BS flies at Ponds Lodge, or take the Redrock road (right by the Cliffs) and stop in the Lodge there. They really do carry the HOT Bill Schiess flies, trust me. Tell Glenn Joni sent ya and check out the big fish on their flier...he, he, he.
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I stopped in Wally World and took my list of flies i got from you guys and also off the outfitters hatch charts and found just about all of them.
I got a new question now...How do you know which fly is which? I kind of have an idea but i guess with time and practice i will start to recognize them more. All i know is I have a little fly box full of flies and could maybe name 4 of them.
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Wow, without seeing them, can't help. If it has brown hackle in the back and white hackle in the front, then peacock in the middle, that is the traditional Renegade. There are variations, but all real close.
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I know i got the ones that were suggested, i just think i will have a hard time when i get out on the water and open my little fly box and look at all the flies and try to decide which one is the one i should be using.
I guess i could always make up some chart until I start to recognize what is what.
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Oh just take me with you, I will tell you what they are....[sly][laugh][laugh][cool]
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