Fishing report!!! Finally!!!

After a long break of fishing...I am soon about to wet a line. To fill you all in, weve recieved quite alot of percipitation in the area. Don't let this keep yall from coming down however. Pay attention to the generation schedules, and plan timely, and you should be fine. Fishing midges early, and nymphing the rest of the day should work when everything else is failing. Spin fisherman...these big fish are still aggresive. The water is higher now then a few weeks ago. But the fish are aggresive none the less. Autumn has been great to us. We saw many fish over 20", including one Trophy Brown taken By Weston Popplewell on one of our old "Secrets". Everyone, have a blessed holiday season. We love and care about you all, and pray that god continues to bless each and everyone of you all!!! Tight lines!!! Happy holidays!

Fishing Report: October 24th-30th

 

Sunday Had the chance to get out this week once with Ex Montanan, Alaska Fishing Guide, Charter Captain Troy Humphery, of Jamestown, Ky. To say the least, I never realized how little I knew until I fished with this guy, and how terrible I am at rowing another mans boat. Sure I know how to put people on fish, But man, this guy has forgotten more in his entire life, than I will ever know. Period. Hes the best. We caught and landed 2 rainbows over slot. 1 very nice brown in slot. and had one breakoff of a nice 20'' rainbow. Overall, we caught alot of fish...erm...Troy Caught alot of fish.

Weston Popplewell, of Jamestown, KY, with his Largest Brown

The rest of the week has been the same. Exceptionally well to everyone. We managed to capture and land the largest brown trout I have ever seen. I can't clasify what it was taken on, or where. Soooo.... lets just let the photos do the talking. Another myth has been solved. The Cumberland river, Is in fact, the Best kept secret of the South east.

Fishing Report!!!

Hello Folks! My deepest and most sincere apologies for spacing out the time so long, since my last post! I shall start by saying that the river in the last week has been PERFECT! Things have been amazing! I mean in my honest opinion, the best they have been ALL YEAR LONG!!! Lets see...The first and second weeks of October, I got out MANY Times! Including 3 consecutive days in the second week of October. We fished hard. Midges were popping off everywhere! But we could just not land any trophies those 3 days of fishing. We done it all...The guys I were fishing with...rapalas, spoons, spinners, BAIT, etc. Sure each day we caught well over our limits of fish...but nothing really of great size. Then, I get out Last Sunday with Capt. Troy Humphery of www.cumberlandtroutguide.com/, and magic happened. I can't really explain it...but we caught some really nice fish. Including 3 rainbows over the slot. Midgies and small nymphs is where its happening. The water is very low and clear! Get out there, before its over with!!!

Fishing Report:: First Week Of October

The Reservoir is currently at the magical level of 680.00 Ft.
The water will continue to drop.
Flows are holding at a LOW of 1,400 CFS!
GET OUT AND FISH!!!
The wate is very murky, holding around 1' of visiability. On a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being the clearest, the river is about a 2!

Fished various Times in the past week. 2 Days of wade fishing around Rockhouse arch. ABSOLUTELY Spanked em. In a few hours, Landed tons of fish each time. All on Eggs, or attractor patterns.

Fished yesterday (Friday) from Helms, to Winfreys:
Fish are holding up in eddies found behind rocks, and submerged timber. We caught at least 3 fish at every eddie we fished, until about noon, then it slowed down. Later in the day, we fished Long Barr, with little results. I really expected to get in on some prespawners, with little avail. Overall landed around 30 Fish.

FLYING ANTS!!! Little boogers are everywhere. Nows the time to fish a dry fly.

Fly Fish:
Eggs in Pink or Orange
P.T. Nymphs
Hares Ears
Midges
Princes
Or Hard bodie ants

Spin Fish:
Bait such as eggs or worms
Spoons, spinners
and Plugs

Im thinking that if the water clears up, we will start turning some trophy fish.

Fishing report: Last week of Septemeber

Well, Summer has finally drawn to an end. Another chapter in my life has started, As I recollect over my first Summer guiding. I can look at the mistakes, many new friends, and fish that I have met/made along the way. Has it been rough? Thus far, Im not going to lie. Yes. But, we've had many wonderful days, in between the few bad. Weve seen days with 60+ fish, and weve seen them where we really had to work for them. We only had an average of less than a month of good flows, and less than 2 weeks of exceptionaly clear and navigable water. In my honest opinion Summe is always hardest on our river.
Things I have learned my first Summer guiding:
1.) I was a little overambitious at the start. I really anticipated more. Days on the water, quality fish...etc. I simply picked the wrong season to start. As we know, fall provides the best action of Quality fish. Reasoning? Brown trout, aka, Salmo Trutta.
2.) There are alot of people out there waiting for me to fall flat on my back.
3.)But there are more, assuring me that I will reach success.
4.) Ive relearned many important lessons over the summer. Such as having faith, and not worrying over things hat do not really matter.
5.) Sometimes, you can never be to prepared. Our river can be very moody.You can wear them out one day on a size 14 Prince, with a 20 dropper midge, and the next...FISH CARMA!!!

Anyways...very cool nights, and warm days. 2 weeks, and the whole valley will be very beautiful as the foliage starts to turn.

BIG BROWN TROUT ARE STARTING TO MOVE IN ON THE SHOALS!!

IF YOU WANT TO CATCH A BIG FISH ON THE CUMBERLAND, BETWEEN NOW, and LATE NOVEMBER IS THE TIME TO DO IT. THESE FISH WILL BE VERY AGGRESIVE. Fish the shoals. Look for chutes. Big fish will be hanging in on these for the next few months. Put up your midge rods, and get out the 8wts with sinking lines. Nows the time to catch pigs.

Fly Fishing
Double Bunnies
Woolly Buggers
Any Leech Pattern
Any Baitfish Pattern
Any Sculpin Pattern
Eggs will also be hot the next few months in Oranges, Pinks, and Similiar Colors
Also think stoneflies...
 Your streamers should be in sizes #2-#8
If you get board, or your arm gets tired swinging big flies, you can still use nymphing tactics similiar to those that have been effective in the summer. Midges hatch yearround. The bugs will be in the water, and fish...still eat em.
I started fly fishing at age 12, and didn't learn to nymph until I was 16 years old. Thats right...I streamer fished. Thats why I am so found on them.


Spin Fishing
Rapala Husky Jerk
Rapala Countdown
Rapala Shadrap
Rapala Floating
Little Cleo Spoons
Kastmaster spoons
Nightcrawlers, Fished 1' off the bottom
Berkley Powerbait
MARABOU JIGS
Super Dupers
Inline Spinners(Rooster tails, and Blue Fox Spinners)


Walleye, Sauger
If you want to catch either of these two belonging to the perch family, In my honest opinion, the closer you get to the dam this time of the year, the better. The first 15 miles of river will be hot!
My favorite method of catching Walleye/sauger
is a bright neon Jig head, tipped with a whole night crawler. Very effective.
Marabou jigs, in black.
Any of your rapalas, greater than 2"...focus on the bright colors...i.e. Clown, Firetigers...

Fall Striper
Striper will start being caught at mile 10 and beyond, using planer boards and bait in the 3-9" range!
Plastic swimbaits...
Bucktails tipped with grubs(whites and chartreuses)
Rapalas
Fly fisherman...#2-3/0 hooks...Clousers, decievers, Sheepshad...Looking to try some of the E.P. Baitish Flies soon!!!

Hopefully we will  have a great Autumn with lots of big fish!!!

The last 2 years I have fished the Autumn/Winter, and caught many good Browns and Rainbows!

Once again, if you would like to plan a trip, 

Our Fall rates are 2 Fisherman, Full Day(8+ Hours)...shore lunches...$300.00

Half Day Trips, 1 fisherman...Please Call us, or send an email at Capt.joshuaroberts@trout-bumz.com

Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery Annual Catch A Smile Seniors Fishing Derby

 Oh, what a fun day today!!! A big turnout!!! Made so many cool new friends!

Now to figure out when to make time to start going to the senior center!!!

 

The stories they had to tell were amazing :)

Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery Annual Catch A Smile Fishing Derby

"Catch A Smile" Senior Fishing Derby:

This event is held for seniors ages 62 & older. Pre-registration isn't necessary, but is encouraged. Participants that attend this event will be provided lunch, as well as having their name in the drawing for several prizes.

3rd Annual "Catch A Smile"
Senior Fishing Derby
will be held on
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
from 9:00 a.m. til 12:00 noon.

 Try To stop On by if you get a chance. We would love to have you today!
If this is your first time to see the hatchery, you can see the amazing hard work that goes into this great program!

Sept 2010:Friday 24th-Sunday 26th SPECIAL BULLETIN!

Flows Holding Around 3,500 CFS
Sluicing Around The Clocks
Water Clarity:2of5
Average Temperature:Around 60degrees

Special Bulletin.
Fished Friday spanked em. Midges, P.T. Nymphs, and Princes.
Saturday. Eggs.
Sunday...Eggs.
Not very much of a purist eh?
Water looked like chocolate milk sat. and sun.
Overall...lots of fish landed Friday.
Saw pictures of a 25" Brown taken below Rockhouse 2 weeks ago. Good friend hooked a very Large raibow at Kendall.
If the water wasn't so damned murky, the fishing would be perfect.
Be care out on the water. Shoals are only a few feet under. In some places, not even a foot!

Fishing Report: Cumberland River Week of 09-12-10 through 09-018-10

AVERAGE DAILY RELEASE: Approx. 6,380 CFS
AVERAGE # OF GENERATORS: Sluices around clock
AVERAGE WATER TEMPERATURE: 60°F


The rivers been holding around 60degrees all week. I do appologize to my followers for the lack of content on my blog. Do remember that I am learning everyday both on the business aspect and the fishing aspect. I have been out on the boat 1 time in the last week. Fishing was ok from the boat. We dropped anchor at Ray Mann Road, and several other of my "Secret" spots...That day we landed one nice Brown(I was unable to photograph due to butterfingers), and a slew of rainbows. The water was very fishy, its was just hard to make a proper presentation because of the fast water...Good news is the river will be back to low generations soons, with no forcasts of rain in the future...

Brown trout are starting to show up on the shoals! It won't be long, until they start to get very aggresive...I was on the river a total of 5 times in the last week, minus the one boat trip. Jeff Powers CEO of the AB&C program(Always believing in childern), member of the Russell County Chamber of Commerce, and Friends of Fish Hatchery Group, made a connection to me, with a now favorite fishing buddy. We got out alot this past week, and done alot of boat-less fishing. I could not count the number of fish that we landed, but lets just say, that we caught atleast one of everything! We saw a wide spectrum of game fish, Walleye, Both Species of Trout, and even a Lively little striper. We even got in on some of the "Trash" fish of the Cumberland. I preformed a study on the specimens we kept. Of these, the two were Freshwater Drum, and Sucker. Studies concluded the Drum, may provide little if any competition to trout. The like to hug bottom, and eat the crap out of Crawfish. Sucker on the other hand, do not have stomach cavaties, which means Im sure they eat their weight in food each day. They are filter feeders, and apparently do not possess imminent competition to trout.

On the other hand, I got out today and fished below Rock house, at the first big riffle...yep...you know the one...I landed more fish today, than I could keep track of. I was fishing a 3 nymph rig...Composing of a size 14 Pheasant tail, a size 16 Prince, and a size 20 zebra midge. Equal numbers of fish were taken on each fly...

Water will be back low in the next 2 days. Get out there. Its hot right now...

METHODS:

Nightcrawlers On Bottom

Rapala Shad Raps, and Husky Jerks

Rebel Crawdad Cranks

Marabou Jigs

Spoons

Inline Spinners

Flies:

If you want to catch alot of fish Nymph....

Princes

Pheasant Tails

Zebra Midges and WD40s Early And Late

If youd rather not piss with the smaller fish...try a streamer...

Woolly Buggers

Zonkers

Zoo Cougars

If you should need anything, or have any questions concerning the river, lodging, hospitality, or attractions...please contact me...

270-585-0888

God Bless

Fishing Report: Cumberland River Week of 09-05-10 through 09-011-10

AVERAGE RIVER TEMPERATURE: Been jumping up and down. The highest Ive saw it was 61. Been averaging 58.
Average Generation for last week: 10,000 Cubes. 4 sluices 1 generator all week. Slowed down at end of week to 2,000 cubes.

Got out twice last week. Early in the week guide trip. Fishing was ok. Landed close to 20 stocker rainbows, and a small brown. Water was up that day, shoals a couple of feet under water during 10,000 CFS. Got out again at the end of the week when they lowered the generation. Did some bank fishing at Kendall park. Caught everything from Brown Trout to Drum. Fishing was great. A few nice walleye. Kept a mess of Walleye and Drum. Never had eaten drum before, but they make excellent tablefare. I could not tell the walleye from the drum :) It is Saturday morning and we had a system to move in yesterday. Lots of rain yesterday, and lasnight. Hoping it will cuttoff today. Looks like the TVA's Generating around 2,000 as we speak. Have a striper trip this week. Going to fish From about mile 8-Winfreys ferry. Been a productive stretch this year for striper. Especially from rockhouse to rainbow run. Baitfishing buddies catching nice striper consistently around structure early in the morning and late in the evening. Your shad imitations should be 4-6" long. Anything bigger is really not neccesary unless you are fishing mid day in deep water. Then we are fishing 6" angelhair streamers with doll eyes and lots of flash. Catching LOTS of walleye/sauger right now. Thinking it has something to do with all the rain??? Trout fishing is fair. Seeing alot of fish up to 15", just not much of anything bigger. Can't wait til fall!
If you need anything or have concerns if your planning on fishing this week contact me. Be sure to check generation schedules as I don't know what kind of rain we will be getting the rest of weekend.

Fishing Soon!

The lake is dropping a little under a foot a day. The river should be up and fishing within another week or so! Until then we will be cleaning the boat/truck, getting rods ready, and tying flies.

Won't be long until the big brown trout start their aggressive feeding! Fall is here. Lets pray for a dryer season...

Generating Schedule

On September 3, 2010 the Lake Cumberland headwater elevation is 684.86 ft.  There will be 1 generator operating from midnight until midnight.   4 sluice gates will be open for 24 hours.  This schedule is subject to change without notice

Average Generation: 9,820 CFS

Water Clarity:Stained

Average Temperature: 58-62°F At Rowena

If you will be fishing the Cumberland in the next week or so try the following:

Think Flash. The water is up and murky.

Gear Guys, the waters perfect for you all.

Brownies :D

Hurry up and get here Autumn!!!

Trout-Bum of The Week August 29th-Sept 4th 2010: Joe McDonald

This weeks Trout-Bum, Is a very special newly accquainted friend of mine. He currently resides in Origone, but his roots are deeply planted in the foothills of Misery(Misourri). Joe is  fishing the Grande Ronde River in Oregon right now, But he can be found most any where there are gamefish species capable of being caught on the fly. He is passionate about traditional fly casting, however he has a sweet tooth for a finely tuned spey outfit. His favorite specimens are Oncorhynchus, Salmo, Salvelinus, and Thymallus. and his favorite rod manufacturer is G-Loomis. Joe has been kind to me in the short time that I have known him. Thanks for your friendship, and hopefully we'll one day share the same waters!!!

Fishing Report: Cumberland River Week of 08-22-10 through 09-04-10

(This space was purpousely left empty)

Why?

R.A.I.N.

umm...wasn't that like...three weeks ago?

Yes. Indeed. It was...

Back to our other profession.

Mail Escorting...

Fishing Report: Cumberland River Week of 08-15-10 through 08-21-10

Rain, Rain, and More Rain!

 Lots of rain to the Cumberland River Area this past week. Fish were starting to float belly up past Burkesville, so were quite grateful to the rain. Except for the point that the TVA is now generating around 6,500 Cubes! During the day!! Why not during night? We may never know...In life Ive found that the only constant, is well...change(and taxes of course). Yet perhaps we all know, things simply can not stay perfect forever. After 3 months of low generations fall has finally started to creap up on us. The leaves are starting to turn crisp, and the days are growing shorter and shorter. Daily temperatures, are slowly starting to drop, and soon fish will begin feeding at times other than early in the morning and late of the evening. Autumn is coming fast to the Cumberland valley, and it won't be long until it is here. If it wasn't for the unpredictability of the TVA, Fall would be our favorite season of the year. Fall means big territorial brown trout. But, We are talking about the Cumberland River, and we all know how that is...As long as we do not recieve any sudden, heavy rainfalls, things will be great this season. We are praying for possibly weekly light, to moderate showers. None of that noahs ark, B.S. that weve been getting all year.
So my advice!
Get the fast action 6 weights, and super stiff 8's. Grease up the sinking tip, and full sinking lines. Dig out the 4-7.5 0x-2x leaders, and lets do this!
Streamer season is about on us! 

Trout-Bum of The Week August 8-August 14th 2010

 Ross Slayton
This weeks Trout-Bum, is a cool guy who is a glass rod fisherman from Idaho Falls, ID. Thanks for your Friendship, and Tightlines out there!

Guide/Outfitter Of The Week: Cumberland Drifters

Visit Cumberland Drifters on The Web By Clicking Here

Cumberland Drifters-Cumberland River, Kentucky

Chances are if you've ever fished, or even heard of the Cumberland River then the name Cumberland Drifters or perhaps, Brandon Wade, rings a bell. Lets start this weeks post, by giving a little information about Brandon. 

Brandon, a Russell County native, graduated Russell County High School in the class of 94, and Later the University of Kentucky in 2002 with a major in Mathematics. He currently resides in Lexington, Kentucky with Wife Julie also of Russell Springs, and their two beautiful daughters. It is however simple math, or none at all, the passion Brandon has for fishing. He learned the river, the old fashioned way, by simply getting out there, and has had the opportunity to be featured in many outdoor publications, and even on national television. It is fact, that Brandon did indeed, grow up on the banks of the river, and has fished every season, and circumstance imaginable since. If your pursuing experience, or simply information, In my honest opinion, Brandon is the guy to get with. He knows when and when not to fish the river, also the where, and the what to use. And honestly, they catch a lot of fish. And some big ones too!!!

 

Brandon takes pride in rowing a wooden drift boat, constructed by himself.

 

Besides offering years of experience, and knowledge, Brandon also offers one of the finest shore lunches, East of the Mississippi. Actually, it is not opinion, it is fact that no one else, offers a Better lunch. We can't however give all of the credit to Brandon. Wife Julie, plays the larger part in preparing those shore lunches, just don't let him know we told you ;)

I honestly, do not know what more to say, other than Brandon has treated me more than gracious. He has extended out many helping hands, and has done his best to welcome me. Hes a class act guy who knows the river. He will treat you with respect, give you a safe, and awesome time. Not to mention those awesome shore lunches!

 

Favorite Rod Brand: G-Loomis

Favorite Fly/Hatch: Not sure on this one. But I know he loves to fish nymphs, midges, and streamers. He has a box for every food source that the trout of the Cumberland eat. 

Hobbies: Spending time with his family, and fishing.

Interests: Family. Fishing. Tying flies. Teaching fly fishing, fly casting, and conservation.

So why does Brandon deserve our spot as guide of the week? Ill let this picture answer that question.

  Hes a family man, and in our opinion, A class act. 

A good citizen.

A loving husband.

A good father.

A great fisherman.

Down to earth Guy.

Be sure to check out Brandons Website. Give him a call, shoot him an email, or look them up on facebook. Hes a class act guy, that has room aboard his vessell, and the time of day for everybody.

http://www.cumberlanddrifters.com/

Fishing Report: Cumberland River Week of 08-08-10 through 08-14-10

AVERAGE DAILY RELEASE: Approx. 2,010 CFS
AVERAGE # OF GENERATORS: Sluices around clock
AVERAGE WATER TEMPERATURE: 56°F

Im going to start by saying, that if your on Our River, remember to take care of yourself. PLEASE forget the sodas, and soft drinks at home. DRINK LOTS OF WATER. Sodas contain sodiums that can actually dehdyrate you faster. DRINK LOTS OF WATER! If your reading our blog, and fishing on our river we care about you.REMEMBER IT IS ILLEGIAL IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY TO BOAT WHILE INTOXICATED. !!! DON'T BE A DUMMY!!!
OK AND HERES YOUR REPORT!
The river is currently at the what one would imagine to be perfect conditions for both fly and spin fishing, however in the real world of fishing, that perfect condition, is as far fetched as chasing Rainbows. We fish for more of a reason, than the catching. If one waited for perfect conditions(especially on our river), one would never fish! Remember its not televesion! The truth is, if your going to be on the Cumberland River, now is the time to be. Sure, I am a guide who is hungry for business...but that is not the intent of this blog. The intent is to inform, not to advertise :) Water clarity on a scale of 1-10 is a 6 in most places, however murkier tainted water seems to develop in spells. Common knowledge, fast water=clearer water. THE WATER IS NOT THE CLEAREST. So Your best bet is to fish pocket water, eddies, swirls, mouths of creeks/spring(If you can find em), and at the heads/tails of runs/riffles. Woolly Buggers seem to be doing the trick. HAVE HAD ALOT OF AGGRESSIVE CHASERS, CHASING STREAMERS RIGHT TO BOAT! Fish them shallow until about 10:00am then keep adding split shot as the day progresses. Dont be afraid to try other patterns.  Most shoals are slightly unexposed, however they will not interfere with safe travel down the river. The water is shallow right now, with shoals not being more than a couple feet under water. Remember be careful during low water periods. Slow down, during periods of low generation. The Cumberland River can be a very treacherous river to navigate if you are unfamiliar with the waters. If you are uncomfortable wear a PFD. Always abide by Ky safe boating laws.
DONT ONLY PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE, BE GOOD AT IT!

NOTICE: PLEASE REMEMBER THE PROTECTIVE 15"-20" on Rainbow Trout. Also Remember if the Brown Trout is under 20" it MUST BE IMMEDIATELY RELEASED!

Thanks, and Safe Waters!

Suggested Methods of Fishing:
Fish Eddies, pools, and at the heads/tails of runs/riffles.
TRY TO GET IN ON THE "Chutes" on the shoals...i.e. deeper water usually at the outside bend. Fishing these "Chutes" has been an almost 100% success, at every one.


Spinning Tackle:
Shad Raps
Yo Zuri Minnows
Assorted Spoons
Super Dupers
Rapala Husky Jerks and/or Rapalas floating/suspended( TRY A CRAYFISH COLOR;p)
Trout-Magnets
Live Bait
Fly Fishing:
Early In the Morning(Before 9:00 A.M.) and Late in The Evening(after 6:00ish)
Prince Nymphs #14-18
Copper Johns #16-20(Any Color. Copper, Black, and Red seem to do the trick. Copper/Black=Small Mayfly or Tiny Stone Nymphs Red seems to match the Midge Larvae possibly.
GRHE #14-18 (Any Variation/Color)
Pheasant Tails #14-18 (Again, Any Variation. Focus on Presentation)
Zebra Midges#16-22(Fished as A Trailer Behind Prince, GRHE, Or PT.)
Wd-40 Midges#16-22(With or W/o Beadhead)

AFTER 9/10:00ish,
Tie on the 1x 7' Leaders, and start Chuckin meat.
Ugly Bug #6 (Basic Stonefly Imitation. Dead Drift it, in a "Wet Fly Swing Presentation"
Kaufmanss Stone #6-10 (Try Beadhead with Rubberlegs.)
Wooly Buggers #6-10 (Match Color to Water Clarity. Try flashy variations.)
Barrs Slumpbuster #6-10 (When things get really slow, Ill tie one of these on, and then you add in walleye/sauger. Try black or olive)
Double Bunny #2-6 (Believe it or not, In deeper water...Striper. Fish it on structure. Angry brown trout=Territorial fish. Look for hard hits. Be ready.)

Cumberland River Flies: Midge Edition

Cumberland River Flies
On Midges

From The coldest days of winter, to the low generations of summer, you should never leave home without a selection of midges to cover all 3 stages of the midge or chironomid's life cycle. Actually there are 4 stages, if you count the eggs...but they have no importance to the trouts life cycle.

MIDGE GEAR TIPS:  

We like to fish 9' 4wt rods, with a double taper floating line. Fluorocarbon leaders and tippet are a must during clear, low water conditions. We like a good 9' leader, with a 3-6' tippet section depending on water clarity.

Check out Redingtons Classic Trout Rod, and The Drift Series of Reels by Redington. It is our favorite midge/nymph rod. Lots of umph, yet subtle enough for delicate presentations. Easy to get out Over 50 Feet of line.

http://www.redington.com/

 FOR ALL OF YOUR LINE, LEADER, and TIPPET NEEDS CHECK OUT RIOS FULL LINE. SERIOUS GUYS. MORE IGFA WORLD RECORDS CAUGHT ON RIO PRODUCTS THAN ANY OTHER BRAND OUT THERE. DONT WORRY ABOUT FAULTY TIPPETS OR LEADERS. USE THE BEST.

http://www.rioproducts.com/

The Life Cycle Of a Midge, Egg, Larva, Pupa, Adult

Chironomidae Larvae

 The Larvae of the Midge, or bloodworm is a wormlike form that is actually not a true worm all, due to it's exoskeleton and small clawed legs. The chironomid larva will spend its time living at the bottom of the river in the mud or sediment feeding on decaying matter. Bloodworms often get overlooked by many anglers but quite the opposite when it comes to feeding trout. Trout will often key in on the abundance of larva available and due to its familiarity, will readily feed upon larva even when other aquatic life is plentiful. Because you can find Bloodworms on or near the bottom of the lake, anglers will do well to keep their bloodworm patterns one or two feet off any bottom structure they may be fishing. The size of fly you choose to represent a midge larva should be up to three sizes larger then the adult midges seen hatching on the surface as the midge's body length decrease in size from larva, to pupa, then to adult. To imatate the Larva stage of this important food source try the following flies. Please remember, that to properly imitate this stage of the inscects life, you must fish DEEP. I like to fish a dropper rig, when imitating the bloodworm. I will fish a larger searching pattern such as a Prince Nymph in size 14 as the dropper, with a midge larvae pattern(Or two) as the point fly.

Remember, depth, and light tippets is key. In clear water, I will fish down to a 7x. Don't be afraid to add plenty of split shot, and be patient when fishing tandem rig flies. Knots are 

inevitable.

Sparse Is The Key. The most effective flies Ive used, have been nothing more than thread, wrapped on a hook shank!

Brassie In Sizes 14-20 Red, Copper, Green

Zebra midge Sizes 16-22 Red, Black

Or something Simple. Red thread on 16-20 

Or Try a Deep Brassie in #14-20

Midge Pupae

Emerging Midge Pupae

Detailed Image of Midge Pupae

When midge larvae reach maturity they seclude themselves in the bottom debris and begin pupation.  Pupas develop in as little as a week.  The pupal midges then rise to the surface and hatch in the surface film.  The rise to the surface can take quite a while.  In calm water this assent to the surface is a fairly straight line with the pupa hanging vertically, sometimes suspended for hours.  In moving water the pupa is swept along, often for a long distance before it finally reaches  the surface to hatch.  Hatching can occur any time of day or night, but is most prevalent during low light hours.  Midges are so prolific and divers that there are almost always midge pupa available to trout in any body of water at any time.  This makes the midge pupa one of the most important fly types. To effectively imitate the pupa choose the following flies:

Try A Zebra Midge in Olive, Black, Tan, Or Red #16-22

Wd-40 an old favorite #16-22

Zebra Flash Midge #16-20

Disco Midge #16-20

CDC Midge Pupa #16-20

And when you see fish feeding on Emerging Pupa, I like to use a RS2 in Olive, or Black #16-22

Surface Emergers

Surface emergers are designed to imitate the adult midge just as it pulls free of the pupal shuck. Although it might sound obvious, the most important part of a surface emerger's design is the correct amount of flotation to hold it in the surface film. As with the “vertical pupa” patterns described above, various materials can be used (foam, CDC feathers, hackle, etc.). It is important for anglers and fly tiers to note that very small variations in tying technique can affect how the fly floats and how it appears to the fish. 

In laymans terms:

When you see rising fish, and no inscects, there is a good chance fish are keying in on emerging pupa/surface emergers.

Keep an assortment of the following flies:

Foam Emerger #18-20

Crystal Midge(with CDC puff) #18-20

Adult Patterns

Although adult midges are much less important (to both fish and anglers) than surface emergers, they can be effective at times. Patterns to imitate an individual adult midge are similar in appearance to a surface emerger, except that the trailing shuck is left off, and it should be tied to ride higher on the surface film. When the fish key in on clusters of mating midges, an oversized Griffith’s Gnat (as large as a #14 or 16) is an excellent pattern to imitate these groups of bugs.

Griffiths Gnat in Size 16-20

Try a Adams or Adams Parachute in #18-24

Wrapping Things Up!

I have shared with you a good working knowledge of some of the life cycle and general imitations for the Midge.

There are a million other patterns out there that are effective for pursuing midge feeding trout. That is your job, to get out on the water, and see what does and doesnt work.

In my opinion though, this is about all you REALLY need, and anything else, well...is honestly not necessary.

To finish things up, Im going to thank you for taking the time to check out my blog, and wish you the very best out there on the water.

If youd like to book a trip with us, or perhaps you are interested in finding out more about our water,

feel free to contact me.

Capt.joshuaroberts@trout-bumz.com

270.585.0888

or Check our website out at

www.trout-bumz.com 

We do Always have auctions on ebay, with our Handtied flies.

Feel free to check us out.