Fly Fishing
Tips for November
As fall coming into full swing, we sometimes forget about fishing in favor of hunting but fall can be a great time to fish. The summer crowds start to fade away and the fishing pressure decreases. The terrestrials start to prepare for winter and as they activity increases they are more likely to fall into the water where eager trout await to eat them. The fall colors on the trees and the spawning colors of brown trout, add big bugs and you have the potential for great fishing memories.
Fall is known for fishing terrestrials. For those of you not familiar with what we in the fly fishing world refer to as "terrestrials", they are the bugs that live their whole life on land. They live near water but never in the water like, mayflies, caddis flies or stone flies. They, on average, are larger and provide trout with their last big binge before the winter. This makes for great opportunities to catch more fish and larger ones.
This brings us to what terrestrials to fish? Well it is really pretty simple, we observe which ones are active near the water we are fishing. It could be ants gather their last food reserves to last them the winter. This will bring out the beetles that prey on ants. Still some beetles do not reach maturity until the fall and do not venture out in search of a mate until this time of year. Grasshoppers also reach maturity at this time and are most abundant at this time. Once we determine which type of terrestrial is near the water, we see if the trout are keying in on them. Usually if you watch the water and see an ant, beetle or grass hopper fall into the water or get blown in and the trout takes, that's the one you use. I like to have a few of these patterns in my fly box. A good variety of foam ants, beetles and hoppers is what I like to have in my fly box. (See fly of the month for my favorite foam beetle pattern.)
I like to fish these patterns in a couple different ways. I dead drift them, a steady drift with no movement. If that does not work, I will strip the line in quick short motions then stop, then repeat trying to represent a bug swimming to shore. I like to l fish them close to the bank because that is where they are more likely to fall in. I also like to purposely drown the fly just below to surface just like what would happen to the natural ones.
Remember that fall can be great for fishing and if you bag your tag or limit, take your rod and try some fall fishing. Also remember the weather can change rapidly this time of year so be prepared for anything. For reports and info please call the shop at 915-587-4867.
Here at the shop we are gearing up for the upcoming winter fishing season. The new line of Simms cold weather apparel has been arriving daily. These new products will help you stay warm on or off the water.
The Simms new Cold Weather Pant has been going fast. It looks just like Simms Guide Pant but it is lined with warm, soft fleece under pant. You can wear these under your waders and if you have to go to the store or go out to dinner, you don't have to worry about changing because they look like everyday pants.
You can also wear them to the local football games this winter and no one will ever know that you have a fleece long john underneath. They can make a great Christmas gift, so hurry in because these have been selling fast.
Simms also released a new Guide Fleece Top and Pant. Both are made from thick fleece and have wind blocking properties. The pant is redesigned with a new back pocket and a darker coal color. They have a new wider elastic band on the bottom of the legs to keep in place while putting your waders on and while you are fishing. The top has a new color design dill and coal and has articulated elbows for better range of motion while fishing. These are design to wear as a base layer under your waders and jacket. They look great together as paired outfit and will keep you warm hunting, fishing or lying around the cabin.
The most important place on your body to keep warm is your head and Simms has two new reversible beanies. They have a coal colored inner fleece layer to keep you warm and a weaved outer layer in moss or Simms orange color. If you choose you can flip it inside out and show the coal fleece on the outside. These beanies make great socking stuffers.
Simms also added some new items to the Windstopper series. The new Windstopper Softshell Guide Jacket has new color designs (black and coal/black) and more articulated areas to help gain more range of motion (less constrictive than older designs). It also comes with a removal hood and is made with an improved wind blocking material from Gore. The new Windstopper Gloves have a new gunmetal color and are made from the Wind Pro material from Polartec/Gore. They come in a half-finger design, half-finger with pull over mitten and a full, flex design. These also make great stocking stuffers.
If you gearing up for the winter season or need a Christmas gift stop on by or call us at 915-587-4867. If we don't have the Simms gear you are looking for we can special order it. Be safe and stay warm this winter.
November Fly of the Month
Blue Dun Emerger
Recipe
Hook: TMC 2487, or Mustad C49S #16 to #22 Thread: UNI 0/8 Grey Tail: Antron yarn grey or light grey Body: muskrat grey or Adams grey dubbing Post: 1/16 white (or color of choice) foam cylinder Hackle: Whiting Farms medium dun saddle hackle
Fly Tying Classes
Tim Mack, Sportsman's Elite's Master Fly Tyer, Has over 20 years of fly tying experience. He will help you experience the art of fly tying by showing you what works and teaching you the aquatic entomology of the areas around us. From basic casting lessons to advanced fly tying classes he can cover it all.
- Private fly tying $45/hour (to be scheduled with instructor)
- 6 Week Beginner Sessions $240 (1 hour per week)
- 7 Week Advanced Session $280 (1 hour per week)
- Basic Casting Classses $40/hour (to be scheduled with instructor)
Project Healing Waters
Sportsman's Elite is proud to announce our partnership with project healing waters. Our Pro Staffer Tim Mack has spent many hours working with Mesilla Valley Fly Fishers in an effort to help heal our soldiers through the sport of fly fishing. Click picture above for more information.
Project Healing Waters
Experienced Fly Fishermen volunteers need to help Wounded Warriors learn to fly fish.
The program has been growing and we need more skilled, patience volunteers to help. This is a great program and it is a great way to show these soldiers that we appreciate what they
do for us.
Casting session 8:00AM, Ascarate Lake, October 13, 2011.
Trip to Penasco 9:00AM, MVFF Lease Rio Penasco ( Runyon Ranch Hope, NM) October 20, 2011
For more info contact Tim at the shop.
