Posted on September 20 2024
Got half the lawn mowed and tied some flies. It occurred to me while at the bench, that I'll never be a fly tyer, rather I'm a fisherman who uses a lot of flies and they need to be replaced. Have taken my tying stuff down to Florida but somehow just never sit down and tie a bunch of flies. Guess I need the possibility of immediate gratification to get me tying.
Left the fishing camp with no clear plan, waivered before turning left up Lordville Road rather than going over the bridge and up the PA side, hesitated again when I got to 97, then turned left foregoing downriver options. Ended up driving up the EB and fishing one of the places I first hit the fall isos back in late August. I had only fished about half of the water that time and decided to give it another go.
The fishing - Was not at all what I expected. Saw some slashing iso nymph eating rises and several quick but delicate sips. There was no question there were fish, and they were feeding, but on what? My ios dun, emerger, and floating nymph were ignored. So was a medium sized olive. Finally got a refusal on a small dark winged olive. Looked around and saw a few little light winged pseudos on the water and in the air. Put one on and presto the fish ate. I was standing knee deep in a fast moving riff with no way to get to slower water. Hooked six fish and managed to land three, lost the biggest one when he ran upstream and the line caught on a rock, he's wearing a pseudo. The other two came unstuck in the heavy current.
When I moved out of the riff I saw enough rises to let me know there were plenty of fish, but nothing came to my flies as I fished my way down through about a third of a mile of river. Tried a multitude of flies with nary a take or even a refusal. Put on a pink lady, (haven't seen on on the water since June), and in about forty five minutes hooked and landed six fish, one nice one and the rest between 10 and 12. Don't have a clue what they were eating except for iso nymphs and pseudos. There was little to no hatching late and they certainly were not eating pink lady's, except for mine.
Apologies to Jim D., didn't see your second post and I, like Ed never heard of Chris Kenner, thought it was a DC5 original.
Angler 119 – I would be looking out for the Pseduos and Hebes. Big challenge is updating the leader to accommodate a size 20ish hook or size 16 imitation. Love the updates. HLR
Angler119-I’m. equally impressed with your knowledge of music. Your the person coming up with the blog tittles to begin with. I applaud both You and Jim D. Great fun. Ed
Good morning. I have the same condition with tying. I swear I’m going to tie a bunch in the winter but just don’t get there like I want to. I think I need a problem to solve when those Sulphurs come along with the daily floatilla. Then I’m franticallly making subtle changes for the day. Sometimes it even works. Thanks for your writing, makes my day
Angler119’- Congrats on a successful and interesting day on the EB. My guess is that the fish may have been seeing the mysterious “peach fly” (aka e. Vitera/pink lady) I’ve caught several fish on it on the Willow this month. Who knows? Jim D.without a doubt You are the master. Fantastic. Ed
Angler 119 ..you are diverse in your listening pleasure..although covered by Peter,Paul and Mary this song written by Nobel Prize winner Bob Dylan is a gem! Have a great weekend everyone!