Chum fishing--

[Jennie@ifish]

I can't cast my big rod very far. Are there tricks I should know?
I have not the first clue what I'm doing fishing for chum with a fly, but I'd sure like to try.

Any hints for a beginner?

I think I may have gotten bumped tonight, just holding it in the current. But, that's not fly fishing, is it?

Do you sight fish them? Cuz, if so, I'm outa luck. Can't see them until they are right up on me!

Jen

[Orange Heron]

Hey Jen,
The most important thing you need to do is get the fly down to the fish. Depending on the water level most of the time you need a fast sink tip line, six foot leader and a weighted fly. You will need to be able to cast at least thirty feet of line to make your that the tip has a good chance to sink. Cast downstream at a 45 degree angle make one mend upstream and let the fly swing through to where it is straight down from you and cast again and repeat the above. I've found sometimes at the end of the swing that they will take the fly on a strip retrieve. We had that happen a couple of days ago in some of the deeper holes. This is the same tactic I use fly fishing for Chinook.

Rich Youngers

[Mark Vickers]

Orange Heron has it right.

I use a sink tip line with sinking fly (usually just a heavy gauge hook). In some of the smaller coastal streams, you don't have the room to cast, nor do you need to. In some of my favorite holes, I am doing more of a nymphing technique where I put the fly in above the head of the hole and just kind of bounce or ride it down through the hole (fish that are often less then 10' from me).

I probably did a poor job of explaining. I could probably show you much easier, although the chum fishing over in your area ends in a couple of days (I think).

[melonhead]

Jennie,
I second what Orange heron and Mark Vickers have to say for sinking lines and swing presentation. You really need to get the fly down.
I also use a weighted fly with my sinktip, but I use barbell eyes on my flies. I tie them on the top of the hook shank so when they swing, they swing with the hook point up. I think this eliminates alot of the foul hookups.
Good luck.

[SilverFly]

And if you really want to reduce foul-hooking, try flies tied on circle-hooks. No worry about hook setting either!

The only circle fly-hook I've found available locally is the Mustad C71. Fisherman's and another non-sponsor flyshop I know carries them. I'd send you a few flies, but doubt you would get them before the 15th :depressed: .

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[Jennie@ifish]

Wow. I thought it was a specific technique with lots of fancy stuff for gear. :depressed:

No wonder I can't catch one!!

I would love to. I'm going to try a little weight to see if it will get me down in the zone. Thanks!

Jen

[Jennie@ifish]

You know what? There is something about my hip boots that attract them!

Talk about "pet the fish!"

Every time I wade about two feet deep the gather around my feet!

I freaked out, thinking they were spawning and I was standing in their spawning grounds, but no! I moved, and they followed me!!!

I wonder if they'd bite at my feet! (LOL!)

It's nice talking to them, anyhow. :smile:

Jen

[LurkerDave]

Jennie, if you have any flies with dumbel eyes for weight that helps get it down and keeps the hook point up so you don't snag as easily. I like cerise colored flies but chartreuse is supposed to be great.