[Gone away]

Took a trip to check out the tiger action. The lake was definitely full and water a little cloudy. I guesstimated about 3 - 4 feet of visibility. Seemed like a good idea to try one of my new articulated files. The fly looked great in the water. I was wondering of white would be the right color under a bright sun and cloudy water.

I found out about 10 minutes later. A light olive brown shadow appeared from the depths behind the fly. After a short follow, the beast flanked the fly, turned back, flared the gills and opened the jaws. The fly disappeared and jerk at the end of the rod pulled the hook out of the tiger's mouth. Early season excitement. Ugh!.

That was the only fish of the day. I guess that is why they call it fishing and not catching. I'll take it. The season is just beginning.

 

[Jim F.]

Still exciting though!

 

[mtskibum16]

Awesome! Any pics of the fly? I assume the standard hook set is a strip set? So what do you think you did wrong? Thanks for the report!

 

[Gone away]

Awesome! Any pics of the fly? I assume the standard hook set is a strip set? So what do you think you did wrong? Thanks for the report!

I have not taken any pics of the fly. The fly was an experimental pattern made of buck tail (reverse tie) and yak for the tail. The fly is articulated and has a fish mask on it. The retrieve will take some some more experimenting. Very erratic in the water.

A strip set is the best. I know what went wrong. I just tried to set the hook way too early. The fish had just started to turn away and close its' mouth when I yanked the fly free. Early season excitement. The addiction grows.

 

[mtskibum16]

I have not taken any pics of the fly. The fly was an experimental pattern made of buck tail (reverse tie) and yak for the tail. The fly is articulated and has a fish mask on it. The retrieve will take some some more experimenting. Very erratic in the water.

A strip set is the best. I know what went wrong. I just tried to set the hook way too early. The fish had just started to turn away and close its' mouth when I yanked the fly free. Early season excitement. The addiction grows.

So should you wait until you feel the fish to set, or is it just a timing thing where you need to wait after seeing them eat? Just trying to get an idea of what to expect. I'm getting more excited by the day. My gear started showing up last night and I have a couple big ugly flies waiting for eyes.

Gunnar Bammer talks about "jerk bait" fly retrieves at the end of one of his videos. I can't remember which but maybe the impostor, or super/mega jerk videos.

 

[clarkman]

nice...a buddy and I were out yesterday but didn't get any eats...between the two of us, we had a total of 6 follows that we just couldn't convert (I always have a tough time doing any sort of figure-8 out of my Commander...the one negative I have about fishing from that boat). Popped some Advil for the shoulder and I'm ready for more.

 

[mtskibum16]

Is a "figure 8" exactly what it sounds like?

Edit: Learned me some stuff today. It's amazing that they'll eat that close to the boat with a guy standing there waving his arm around!

 

[Gone away]

So should you wait until you feel the fish to set, or is it just a timing thing where you need to wait after seeing them eat?

I have been fortunate enough to time things pretty well when I see the take. I have had some takes where the line moves off to the side and have not felt the take. Then there are those takes you definitely know they are there.

A figure 8 is exactly what it says. I have not really done them because my leader would not go through the guides very well. That problem has been solved.

Tight lines.

 

[clarkman]

yes, a figure 8 is just that...

I've been tying my flies to have this weird off-set darting motion when stripped hard, knowing that I have trouble performing a figure-8 at my boat (still trying to figure out the best way of doing this)...I absolutely love fishing out of that boat, but this part of it, probably hurts me...then again, the fine control I have when using fins is a definite advantage when fishing certain areas.