Match the Hatch ?

[Abalone]

Is that Old Fly fishing a True Axiom Or ? is it not ?

Was at the Fly shop last night and I was explaining a Fly pattern to someone, the Fly Fishing Pro behind the counter looked at me as if I was telling a fib.

So I enquired.. Why ! what do you mean the type of fly does
not matter.

He grinned as if he was revealing a Secret.

He then explained to me that 90% of what goes on at the fly bench is for the Tyer. Meaning that in any given situation it doesn't matter what fly you use, it will be the presentation that matters.

Then I explained how my Success rate had gone way up using this pattern. He then explained " That's because you got your mojo working "

Meaning the Fly gives me confidence therefore I should use it. But he promised that If I switched flies I would continue to have the same success "IF ? " I did everything else the same.

Jim Teeny only uses Teeny Nymph's. There are other fisherman that do the same with their own patterns and they all catch lots of fish.

But I have also had times when I was fishing with out any action, Changed the pattern and presto. I mean isn't that what fly fishing is all about ?

So what's with all those Volumes of books about the types of flies to use, when where and how ?????

Now I really am confused ! :whazzup: :whazzup: :whazzup:

[tbird]

90% of a trouts diet is 3/8 of an inch long and brown, I still beleive in matching the hatch, even with egg patterns. :shrug:

[Slow and Low]

90% of a trouts diet is 3/8 of an inch long and brown, I still beleive in matching the hatch, even with egg patterns. :shrug:



That being said. Matching what is going on is critical. Take the Deschutes River. Go there today an pitch a Stonefly Nymph all day long. Write down how you did. Go back next spring and do the same. Write down how you did. This is not mojo.

This example can be used week to week and month to month. When you start talking about dry fly fishing it get's worse.

Oh yeah, river to river makes a huge difference.

[mandinga]

What?????





During a salmonfly hatch you throw salmonflies...not midges...and vice versa...Of course it doesnt have to match exactly, but the closer you get the more fish you catch...in my humble opinion.

[Abalone]

One thing I left out was..

We were talking about Stillwaters for Trout.

I can see most of you are reacting exactly the way I felt.

But this guy is an ace fisherman. He is in the 10 percentile that catches all the fish. So why would he say such a thing ?

Also he applies that same logic to fishing for Winter Steelead. "Use what gives you confidence. "

It's funny how you used Midges and W.buggers as an example.

Recently a fly fishing friend related the exact story about fishing Mann lake. My friend don't use Strike indicators.

He was fishing Mann lake around a group of fisherman hanging midges with an indicator.
He told me he couldn't stand doing that. He worked his W. Bugger and hooked several fish. Pretty soon every one was casting his direction so he moved to another spot and continued to catch fish..

I donno, That's why I asked.

[PTS]

Here are my opinions for whatever they are worth (most people on this board don't know me but I have fished at least 5000 days during my life and catch a few):

Nothing is true all the time. Different kinds of fish, different rivers, different times of year often require different tactics. However, no matter what fly you are using, presentation is the single most important factor.

I totally agree with the steelhead comment, "use what gives you confidence". Steelhead will take anything if it is presented in their strike zone.

There are many things available for fish to eat at any time and some fish are willing to eat buffet style. However, there are times when the majority are focused on one insect and it may be in the nymph, emerger, or adult stage. You have to match the hatch with the proper presentation. On stillwaters, it is most often midges, callibaetis, caddis or damsels. What the fish are focused on can change throughout the day, and you have to change with them, both your fly and your presentation. Sometimes nothing works because you can't match it. Have you ever been at Hosmer when the Atlantics only want blue damsels while they are in the air? Fish are jumping all over and no one can catch anything because you can't do the presentation. Have you ever been on East Lake when the surface looks like it is raining and you can't find the right fly and is it an emerger or dun? Once you dial in, it's a take every cast. There are so many examples but it's always a combination of matching both the hatch and the presentation.

Regarding the stonefly comment on the Deschutes. Stoneflies can work anytime but are best in the Spring during migration. However, pheasant tails are superior to stoneflies anytime of the year. So, you don't have to match the hatch, but you had better make a drag free presentation at the correct depth.

You can always catch some fish anytime, anyway, but for great days you have to properly combine the hatch with the presentation.

[mandinga]

You can always catch some fish anytime, anyway, but for great days you have to properly combine the hatch with the presentation.



:cheers:

[Slow and Low]

What?????





During a salmonfly hatch you throw salmonflies...not midges...and vice versa...Of course it doesnt have to match exactly, but the closer you get the more fish you catch...in my humble opinion.





Not sure if you were refering to my post? I don't think I mentioned pitching midges.

[mandinga]

no...just saying that if a salmonfly is coming off you should throw salmonfly imitations...not midges.

[salmonbonker]

PTS has it dialed in. For Steelhead, its all presentation. For trout, its presentation followed by pattern (size, shape, then color)- the pattern really only matters when the fish are keyed in to a hatch. In stillwaters (as well as moving waters) the key seems to be matching the size and shape of what's hatching with the proper stage in the life cycle. When discussing dry flies, color has never really been a major factor in my experience. So ultimately the pattern really doesn't matter as long as it fits the criteria of the situation. Fish what you have confidence in first, but be flexible. :wink:

[Blue Tip Spinner]

That being said. Matching what is going on is critical. Take the Deschutes River. Go there today an pitch a Stonefly Nymph all day long. Write down how you did. Go back next spring and do the same. Write down how you did. This is not mojo.

This example can be used week to week and month to month. When you start talking about dry fly fishing it get's worse.

Oh yeah, river to river makes a huge difference.



i would beg to differ with you on that comment of the deschutes. i catch alot of fish on the deschutes year round on the stonefly nymph. i tie a variation of which that catches alot of fish this time of year. my best days with those have been when there are NO stoneflys hanging from the branches, the water is too cold for the hatch to start and the months have an "r" in them. the stones are always in the water there. just my .02. i am stepping off my soap box now...

on another note- i believe in matching the hatch as close as possible. the deschutes taught me that a long time ago...

[Abalone]

I am glad I posted this as I am getting a lot of good info out of this.

I ran into my cousin today at Fishermans in Oregon City.
He's been fly fishing longer then anyone I know.
( Dudley Nelson). I posed that same question to him.

His reply was: That's absurd ! There are some situations where you have to be very specific on the fly and the presentation.

[scoutfish]

I think that guy was just trying to get across a point that one just starting out should put as must effort into his presention as possible. My 2cts :wave:

[frankenfish]

My 2 cents.

Someone above mentioned Teeny nymphs. These are for steelhead and when fishing steelhead there is no need to match the hatch. However, fishing for trout is different. Both presentation and throwing a bug that looks a lot like what they are eating are important. If there's no "hatch", checking rocks or straining what floats by helps. Knowing what lives in the river and using it in a non hatch situation is important. You must have some method that takes into account the feeding habits of the trout.

[SalmonJeff]

BIG BROWN wooly bugger baby!!
:laugh: :jester: :wave: