Fishing Forum

So, I reported my camping trip to Willow Beach where I caught all the bluegill. I also mentioned a trout that I ate, and I have been thinking about something ever since.

I field dressed the fish, and after removing the innards, I inspected the stomach. To my surprise, there were no insects or minnows or hatchery food in its belly. This stuffed trout was loaded with tiny freshwater snails. I looked 'em up, and they are New Zealand Mud Snails. My trout must have had over 1000 in her belly easy. Apparently, they are an invasive species, but hey, I'm glad the fish are making food of 'em.

How do you match the hatch when they are this small?
[inline NZmudsnail.jpg]
[inline nzms.php]
[inline "Mud Snail.jpg"]
[inline ms.jpg]

I caught her on that all black Baby Weezel spinner.
[inline 351.jpg]
[signature]

A guy I know from a California website (tackle rep) has killed the stripers the last 2 days at Willow, multiple over 20lbs many more in the low to middle teen range all night fishing, I might get more info on lures and stuff they camp on the river and only fish the nights.
[signature]

The Kamloops "Booby Fly" is a unique fly pattern modeled after the traditional British pattern and can effectively pose as a snail fly pattern while fishing rainbows in still water.

[inline fly.PNG]

These snails usually live and feed along the bottom of the lake/river however, when they need an oxygen boost they create their own gases internally and float to the top. When they have had enough of being on the surface they release their gas and sink back to the bottom. They can do this quite quickly.
[signature]

Cool fly, although I am not sure about the Booby Name[laugh][laugh] Booby flies have foam dumbbells, thus the name "booby".

Looked up that fly and sure enough it is a booby. Picture doesn't show that, but it is a strip of foam tied in a figure 8. Very cool

I still might try that pattern, pretty interesting. Maybe a sinking line, strip and it dives stop and it floats up. Could be awesome. Thanks for the suggestion.....

As far as my suggestion, Renegades are suppose to represent snails, maybe a #18 or #20.
[signature]

Looks like a marshmallow. Now just add some corn and a Salmon egg and we're fishing.
[signature]

Heya Guys,

I may not be able to get quite that small.. but a size 22 hook comes close. I've also caught some of my biggest trout on flies of this size.

I know we discussed it on our last striper outting, but we really should get after some trout and/or panfish.

I have a decent snail pattern, but I'm not sure I can tie it that small.

Later,
[signature]