[T. Wiles]

Flatlander,
I grew up fishing the S. Holston, and I know just what you mean.  BIG fish in flat slow moving water are finicky and hard to fool.  Long perfect drifts and 16+foot leaders are a must with those spooky devils.  My brother and I downsize a white, tan, or peach tuft of treated McFly Foam yarn…and have found the tiniest floatable indicator is the only way not to spook those BIG nymphing trout.  If you’re not careful in stalking them, you might as well just plan on catching the stockers.
Swift water makes no difference in my experience—Large and brite is fine,but I still prefer white.

Line color: if your casting is stealthy, and you don’t disturb the lanes by dragging lines over your target fish…I haven’t noticed much difference….but I use moss green.

Travis

[T. Wiles]

Zach,

I tied(melted) my first batch of hot glue eggs prior to my last 2 trips to the Little Red—(just returned from another weekend trip).  They look great, sink fast, and are very durable.  My buddies and I haven’t had much luck on them as of yet.  Most of the early spawners have been preferring soft hackles.  Later in past seasons…December or so…I have had tremendous success on an orange bead egg that looks just like the hot glue, but is more fragile—I’m expecting more success then.
Haven’t tried gummies yet.

To Tie:
I wrap red thread on a scud hook & whip finish.  Place the hook in hemostats and add a dab of hot glue.  Rotate the hook until the glue slumps in the shape you prefer–then cool and set by dunking in a cup of water.

Yarn eggs were working well, and always have.  Best colors were pale orange and light pink.  McFly Foam is my favorite material for these.  This stuff makes the BEST strike indicator I’ve ever seen(just spray a little camp/waterproofing aerosol on it and dry)—far superior to any yarn indicator in the flyshop—a shop in Nashville sells it as an indicator.

Met a steelhead guide today from Ohio who keyed me in on using a baby blue color yarn egg.  He said eggs turn a bluish color after being fertilized.  His rod stayed bent on several big browns…so I’m going to try them out.

Travis

[T. Wiles]

Thanks Cameron,
Yes, the C&F Hook pallets have magnetic floors, and they are great when used for smaller flies.

[T. Wiles]

Will do Zach…she’d like that.

[T. Wiles]

Yes! She’s working on her casting still…. got her 1st brown about a month ago, now she’s hooked.

[T. Wiles]

Hey Zach,
I’m good friends with Chris Butts, manager and part owner of Lobo Landing…so I’m staying at his place.

[T. Wiles]

John, I didn’t recognize you without FLYJAM as your screen name.

[Author]

Posts