Fly Fishing Accessories

The Fly Fishermens Most Unique Accessory
(If You Like To Travel Light)

No matter where you love to fish for trout, Park City, Heber, Ogden, Layton, Bountiful, Salt Lake, Orem or Provo you always have to carry your fly fishing equipment nowwhere ever you go. Now there is a great way to simplify the packing and storage process. After all the trophy tiger trout and rainbow trout don't care how well dressed you are, and they are the ones you want to impress, with your presentation not how you dress or carry your gear.

Secret To Where The Big Trout Are In Utah

Be sure to check out our fly fishing website for trophy trout private fishing and fly fishing guide services close to Salt Lake, Heber, Orem, Park City, Layton, Bountiful, Provo and Bountiful.


http://trophytroutschool.com/



The Fishing Bucket or Priority Storage 101

Photo Fishing Bucket

Nearly empty, my really nice tackle box now sits in my garage.

I have lost track of my fly-fishing vest and have not missed it for years.

As I have gotten older (though not necessarily wiser) I have eschewed such accoutrements and storage devices for something much more simple and convenient: A bucket.

It isn’t a special bucket - it is one of those white 5 gallon types which contain paint, drywall mud and host of other concoctions. I have found that it is far less expensive and far more versatile than the alternatives listed above.

Contents Of Must Have Items

For fly fishing, I carry my fly box (the one I wrote about in the my last Photo Fishing Bucket & Contents blog), my box of miscellaneous hardware which contains hooks, sinkers, swivels, lures and a myriad of small other items which I might need. Tippet material, a bottle of Gink and Xink and perhaps one or two other items I might need. To complete my ensemble, I take my rod and reel - it is really embarrassing when you go with out the rod and reel but its been a while since I did that. All these can be carried and stuffed into my pockets and I am not encumbered too much. That leaves me free to fish. If I need anything else, unless my companion(s) carry it, it would be worthwhile to reconsider whether or not I really do.

On all other fishing occasions, including when I go fly-fishing, my trusty bucket is by my side - well, at least it is in the trunk.

Advantages To Packing This Way

There are several important and significant advantages to my bucket.

First, I am recycling something that otherwise would be at the garbage dump.

Second, because of its size and color, it does not get forgotten or left at home.

Third, in an emergency;

it makes a great water bucket for fire control,

aquarium for minnows or crawfish to keep my grandchildren entertained, while I am fishing,

fish creel (on those rare occasions when I want to take some fish home),

chair - when needed,

and it is an exceptional deterrent to water fights - when my fishing companions feel the need to splash or use water to induce jocularity during fishing. Believe me, only a fool gets into a water fight with a guy with a 5 gallon bucket, though some have tried and learned their soggy lesson quickly and completely.

There are thousands of non-emergency uses the bucket - I will only mention one here: the lid makes great ersatz Frisby for kids and dogs which might be lingering nearby.

Back To Basics

In addition, there is something down to earth about a bucket that I like. It does not represent the level of style and intensity that the vest of a really serious fly-fisherperson connotes. Some of these people look like they were standing in a fly shop when someone threw in a bomb; so festooned are they with hooks, pads of wool, things tied and otherwise affixed to them. They remind me of Christmas trees.

In addition, the bucket is the antithesis of the bass fisherman’s professional assortment of perhaps a dozen tackle boxes, numerous pre-rigged rod and reel combos, enough electronic gear to make an AWACS pilot jealous and a boat nearly as fast and expensive as a water born Ferrari. Tournament fishing is a wonderful pastime for its participants and fans, but it is professional - with all the good, and not so good that that entails.

Hidden Advantage

Finally, there is a hidden advantage to the fishing bucket: it creates its own priority storage system. Everything is thrown into the bucket, the things I need on a regular basis tend to stay at the top and things which I don’t need, migrate to the bottom. So, when someone asks where my “______” is, I can answer with a reasonable amount of accuracy: “Look in the bottom of the bucket.” And I can go back to concentrating on fishing.

Monster Utah Rainbow Trout & Tiger Trout Locations


Looking For Monster Trout Fly Fishing That Is Open To The Public With No Crowds ???


Come Out To The Ranch... Giant Tiger Trout & Rainbow Trout 45 minutes from Salt Lake. Guaranteed Trophies !!!


http:www.trophytroutschool.com


copyright © 2009 TrophyTroutSchool.com

My Fly Box or Catching Trout On A Limited Budget

Fenwick does it again with an article pointing out the obvious of just how simple fly fishing can be if you remember to cut down on the clutter and excess equipment and just have a really good time catching trophy trout.

Free Locations & Hatch Chart For Our Readers

Free Hatch Chart & Fishing Guides Locations In UtahAt the end of the article there will be some location information as well as a year round fly hatch chart for our readers to access. There will also be some information about our trophy trout fly fishing guides for Salt Lake, Park City, Heber, Ogden, Provo & Orem areas.

Photo Fall Rainbow Trout The Basic Flies

I usually don’t carry a large selection of flies with me. Rather than carry boxes of dries, emergers, nymphs, terrestrials, and what we used to call “wet flies“, I carry a few of each of the patterns which have served me well over the years.

Carry Only What Will Work

What I do not carry is numerous fly boxes of multitudinous selections of flies; i.e., six each of BWO’s in sizes 14 through 20 or similar collections. Why I do not carry such a menagerie of flies and sizes is that it is simply too complex for me. I cannot discern between a size 18 or size 20 Beaded Hares Ear, and; while some purists insist trout can and do tell the difference, I am not sure I am interested in those fish anyway. They are, do a degree, like some of the girls I knew in college - one had to put up with so much just to get to know these ladies, much less build a relationship with them, that after a while, it just wasn’t worth the effort. There were lots of beautiful, kind, loving and happy girls to be found that such machinations. In fact, I married just such a girl and have never rued my decision.

Photo Trophy Rainbow Trout Targeting The Trophy Trout

If the fish I am after are that finicky (pardon the pun) are they really worth the time and trouble to catch them? And, if one does finally catch such a selective target, what have you really proven? It takes a real leap of ego to go from catching a selective trout to validating that I am a superior and more intelligent angler than the fellow down the stream who cannot catch them.

Blasting Trout Out Of The Water

There are no guaranteed methods of catching fish unless you want to start throwing sticks of dynamite into your favorite lake or river. And, if fishing ever becomes so mechanical that taking steps one through five guarantees you catch a fish, I just don’t think very many people would be interested any more. Rather than fishing it would be like going to Wal-Mart: give them your money and they give you your goods.

Catching Exceptional Trout

The fish we catch, even the most selective, are the exception. The vast majority of fish do not succumb to our skills and techniques If this were not so, the rivers and lakes we ply would be emptied in no time. It takes a head full of hubris to assume otherwise.

That is not to say that we should not take pride in our skills and try to improve them. Rather, as we learn and improve, we should keep in mind that a good deal of luck factors into the fishing equation.

Still, there are those who insist that fishing is skill and luck has nothing to do with it. But, if that is true, do not those in the past who fished, netted and dynamited some species of fish into near extinction have a greater claim than to skill than we do today? Hey, they caught more fish, didn’t they?

How To Hook The Largest Trout

When I hook the most fish or the largest fish, I am justly proud; however, I never let go of the notion that part of what makes me such a good angler is that fortune and luck are on my side. I have confidence in my skills and luck and - for that reason, perhaps more than any other, I end up being both lucky and good.

Much of our skill at catching fish is designed to entice the fish to strike, but a good deal of the art of fishing is that we do not inhibit the process. The enlightened fly-fisher strives not to make the perfect presentation, but to make the least errors. It is not perfection he is striving for, he is reaching out to become a part of nature and finding harmony, realizes perfection is not needed. And, when luck, skill and some willingness on the part of our prey coincide, good things happen. I think that explains much more than just fly-fishing.

Fenwick Fleigenbinder

Post Script: Fenwick only carries the basics, on the other hand I pack everything I can carry in my fishing vest so I can be ready for any situation. Especially those times Fenwick needs a fly pattern that is catching fish that he doesn't have in his limited inventory. Ah, yes if you only take the basics, make sure they include a good fishing buddy who packs it all and is willing to share.

All-Tied-Up

Hatch Chart, Locations, Photo's & More !!!

Now For The Free Hatch Chart & Trophy LocationTrophy Rainbow Trout and Trophy Tiger Trout Location & My Free Fly Hatch Chart Where The Trophy Trout Are For Park City, Utah, Heber Utah, Provo Utah, Orem Utah, Ogden Utah, Salt Lake City Utah, complete with Updated Information And Photos.

http://trophytroutschool.com/utschool.com/

Check out the Tiger Trout photos, they are currently in full spawn colors and look just like salmon with their big orange bellies. They maintain these magnificent colors throughout the fall, winter and early spring months here in Utah.




For adding line to your reel be sure to check out this unique product!

http://%22spooler%20reel%20gadget%22/22spooler%20reel%20gadget%22/

Fly Fishing Secrets For Catching Trophy Trout

Secrets For Catching Those Big Fall Trophy Trout

Photo Big 4 Lb. Rainbow Trout Caught Fly
Fishing Near Salt Lake City, Utah

Go Where The Big Fish Live
Location, location, location

In order to catch the big rainbow and tiger trout you need to do a little home work and find out the best locations to fish. That is, the best locations where no one else will be fishing but you. Yeah, you may get a little cold or wet and lose some flies and tippets and maybe a foot or two from your tappered leader.

You may even need to find a local ranch that you can access or pay a guide to gain some good information and experience. Whatever you do you must go where the fish reside. But this is the price you pay to earn the reward of hooking into a big rainbow or tiger trout. I will share a truly incredible location near Salt Lake City that you can access for trophy rainbow trout and tiger trout that are ready to accept your fly at the end of this article. This location has wild trout and the access is controlled by reservation so there is never a crowd and the fish are never stressed.

Photo Fly Fishing In Rain With A Guide &
Catching A Huge Rainbow Trout Near Park
City, Utah.

What Fly Do I Use

Keep Good Records or Use Mine

Selecting the proper fly is critical to catching these big guys. After all they did not get this big by being dumb. So you must be armed with what they are eating the day you show up. For years I have maintained my own personal fly hatch chart that also details nymphs and streamers that have proven successful in the area's that I fish. I will share this year round fly hatch chart with you at the end of this article.


Photo Rainbow Trout Full Fall Colors
Caught Near Park City Utah

Go At The Right Time
When The Fish Are Active

Time of day in the fall is usually late morning to early afternoon, when the insects get warm enough to move around. Early evening is also a great time. These are the times when the insects are active and hatches are taking place when the warmth of the sun is felt on the colder water surface. The warmth acts as a trigger to the fish that the food buffet is about to begin so you need to be ready.

There Is No Hatch...What Do I Do?

Check the hatch chart I have linked for you and go to the nymph and streamers. Remember you are looking for active trophy trout and don't be afraid to move around the area you have selected to fish and use different flies and presentations. If you are with a guide they will take care of supplying the flies as well as all the local knowledge you will need to succeed.

Trophy Rainbow Trout and Tiger Trout Location & My Free Hatch Chart

Where The Trophy Trout Are For Park City, Utah, Heber Utah, Provo Utah, Orem Utah, Ogden Utah, Salt Lake City Utah, complete with updated information and photos.

http://trophytroutschool.com/

Check out the Tiger Trout photos, they are in full spawn colors and look just like salmon with their big orange bellies.


For adding line to your reel be sure to check out this unique product!
http://"Spooler Reel Gadget"

YEAR ROUND FLY FISHING IN UTAH

Trophy Trout Fly Fishing For Rainbow & Tiger Trout In Utah Close To Salt Lake, Park City, Heber, Ogden, Provo & Orem Can Be Enjoyed Year Round If You Know The Best Location For Big Agressive Trout. Expert Guides Are Available.


Photo Huge Rainbow Trout 5 lbs 14 Ounces
Fly Fish For 3-10 Lb. Rainbows & Tiger Trout.
I've seached the world over and found Utah fly fishing has some mighty fine locations for small stream trout. The mountain lakes provide a good stock of fish and afford new challenges for the still water fly fishing techniques, but even the trout are very small for unusually large bodies of water. Plus the mountain lakes completely freeze over each winter.

Photo Tiger Trout Fall Spawn Colors

Now I've found the best location for fly fishing for big aggressive catchable rainbow and tiger trout and I am sharing it with my fly fishing friend.

Fly Fishing All Year Long In Utah's Best Location, A Privately Owned & Operated Family Ranch Near Salt Lake City, Utah. Our expert fishing guides show you the biggest trout on private waters. Artestian wells provide year round crystal clear water at 59 Degrees temperature, so we never freeze and we don't have to replace trout every Spring due to winter die off.

Now Available!Visit Our Website For Photo's & Complete Details:


http://sites.google.com/site/trophytroutschool/


Utah Fly fishing Guide Service Takes You To Monster Rainbows & Wild Aggresive Tiger Trout On A 10,000 Acre Ranch Destination Just 45 Minutes From Salt Lake City & Utah County Park City, Heber Ogden Just A Little Bit Further to drive. Best Year- Round Dry Fly Fishing Location In Utah For Lunker Trout!

Private waters located on 10,000 acre ranch near Salt Lake City, Park City, Heber City, Utah County, & Ogden. The Utah Fly Fishing Destination.

Fly fishing at it's absolute finest. All trout over 3 lbs. and 20 " "+". Monster Rainbow & Tiger Trout Will Strip The Line Off Your Reel. See Our Website For Photo's & Complete Details About Fly Fishing With Guides On Our Private Waters Location Right Here In Utah.

More Fly Fishing Secrets, Leeches, Woolly Buggers And Then Some...

Fly Fishing Guide Service, Trophy Rainbow & Tiger Trout 45 Minutes From Salt Lake City, Provo, Orem & Utah County On Private Waters , Park City, Heber & Ogden Just A Little Bit Further For The Best World Class Fly Fishing Location In Utah.
.

Now Available!

Visit Our Website For Photo's & Complete Details:

http://sites.google.com/site/trophytroutschool/

Utah Fly fishing Guide Service Takes You To Monster Rainbows & Wild Aggresive Tiger Trout On A 10,000 Acre Ranch Destination Just 45 Minutes From Salt Lake City & Utah County Park City, Heber Ogden Just A Little Bit Further to drive. Best Year- Round Dry Fly Fishing Location In Utah For Lunker Trout!

Dry Fly Fishing All Year Long In Utah's Best Location, A Privately Owned & Operated Family Ranch Near Salt Lake City, Utah. Our expert fishing guides show you the biggest trout on private waters. Artestian wells provide year round crystal clear water at 59 Degrees temperature, so we never freeze and we don't have to replace trout every Spring due to winter die off.

Private waters located on 10,000 acre ranch near Salt Lake City, Park City, Heber City, Utah County, & Ogden. The Utah Fly Fishing Destination. Dry Fly fishing at it's absolute finest. All trout over 3 lbs. and 20 " "+". Monster Rainbow & Tiger Trout Will Strip The Line Off Your Reel. See Our Website For Photo's & Complete Details About Fly Fishing With Guides On Our Private Waters Location Right Here In Utah.

Leeches, Scuds, Woolly Buggers, Lawyer Flies, Glow Bugs, Wool Head Sculpins and Lunker Trout, Oh My

When The Fish Are Down In The Water Column

Dry Flies Won't Work

Photo Double Rainbow Trout On A Fly In Utah


Always rig two flies and you just may double the pleasure and double the fun with a pair of really nice Spring rainbow trout. Let's hope your leader and tippet are strong enough to endure the ordeal. Two large streamers or wet flies are just as good as any other attractor combination. Try out whatever appeals to you. Remember to change it out if the pair are not working. Something as simple as a larger or smaller hook size in the same fly will be the trigger to success. For still water fishing remember to move the flies slowly on the retrieve and be patient on the cast to let the flies completely sink to the bottom when using streamers or nymphs before starting the slow retrieve. The basic food of still water trout are Scuds, Leeches and Chironomids (covered in the previous article). 90% of a trouts diet comes from insects living below the surface of the water so it is a good idea to know what these insects are and how they live in and move around in the ponds and lakes they call home. Dry flies are a true adrenalin rush but they are not always available to the trout so the avid fly fisherman must be prepared if he also wants to be the year round fly fisherman.

Utah Guide Service Fly Fishing

45 Minutes From Salt Lake City & Utah County, Park City, Heber & Ogden Just A Little Bit Further

For Wild Still Water Trophy Rainbow & Lunker Tiger Trout
We now offer guide services for Utah fly fishing on private waters only 45 minutes from Salt Lake City & Utah county Park City, Heber & Ogden just a little bit further. Enjoy fishing for trophy rainbow and aggressive tiger trout on a 10,000 acre private ranch. We control the access so there is only one group per day! These wild trout are all over 3 years old, over 20" long with a football girth and appetite to match. Limited access means they are well rested and not over exposed to humans. They forage for their meals in the pond, designed like a long slow moving stream in a "dog leg" shape, complete with bays, inlets, drop offs, ledges and it is full of aquatic insects. Our waters are spring fed from artesian wells and never freeze in the winter so we don't suffer winter kill. The water is crystal clear and the fish are hungry. Visit our website for Fly Fishing Photo's and complete details on fly fishing and guide services right here in Utah.

http://sites.google.com/site/trophytroutschool/







My Original Chenille Halloween Leech
This is my take on a night crawler or a really long leech with some color contrast. Jigging this long body creates a really nice curling pattern and the
quick rod tip action allows the leech to really stretch out long and lean as it shoots through the water for 4-6 inches and then drops back to the bottom, and allowed to rest for a few seconds before starting all over again. On an open lake, right after "ice off" I like to drift fish this one from my one man pontoon boat just a couple of feet below the surface. It has the look of an easy meal to slow moving lake trout and I believe the presentation of floating in a fully stretched out position has the appeal of an easy meal that is just waiting to be picked off by a hungry Spring trout.


Photo Bead Head Woolly Bugger
Colorful Woolly Bugger with a gold bead head has contrasting black with orange body and white hackle. "Jigging" and slow retrieve is the ticket to successful Spring fly fishing using contrasting colors for attraction. This is another favorite for ice off on the lakes both big and small. Is anyone thinking Strawberry Reservoir, besides me ? Try stringing up a couple of these combinations and create a parade of color. What, two streamers at once ? Oh, Yeah. Give it a try and you just may be surprised at which contrasting colors pull in the big ones. With a short stubby tail I don't mind a bead head for extra weight and glitter on this fly but I do fish it a little differently than a non bead or cone head. Quick jigging with the rod tip while moving the rod side to side to create a back and forth swimming action when combined with a slow "finger over finger" line retrieve will give this fly all of it's action and it doesn't require a lot of movement to generate a hit. Remember to lower the rod tip so the fly makes a quick dive to the bottom at the end of the upward tip lift and before the line retrieve or after the rod tip lift and at the end of the side to side rod movement creating the swimming side to side action. Try both methods.

Photo Bead Head Chartreuse Leech
Broadcast Your Fly To All Trout In The Area. Change your patterns and your colors if the fishing is slow. You want to have as many presentations as possible while you move up or down the stream or pond bank or just drift along in your boat. You are looking for active feeding trout, so be sure to change color patterns, move (only a couple of steps every few casts, wind and waves will do all the work on lakes and ponds) and "dance" your presentation for the best success using bright colors. Remember to let the fly settle back down and rest on the bottom after each dance so it appears to be in trouble or hiding from any of the opportunistic fish in the area.
"Attorney Fly"

Photo Black Egg Sucking Leech
This fly creates a "two-fer" meal for the trout. The leech and a tasty fish egg (two for the price of one)! Contrasting the bright red glow bug with the jet black body these colors allow the fly to stand out in clear or stained water of Spring. There is no leaded wire on the fly or a bead head for extra weight. To properly weight this fly locate sinkers on your leader above the head so the fly can freely float in the currents and be unfettered from the rocks and debris on the bottom, the sinkers will take the abuse of these obstacles. The sinkers can also be bounced using the rod tip allowing the fly to dip and dive without the extra weight from lead wire or a bead head. The fly also flows more smoothly in the currents for a more realistic look without the extra weight of the bead right on the head, but it also moves more slowly so use patience to let the fly "flutter" all the way to the bottom on the first cast and at the end each short retrieve.
Bright Orange Says Here I Am


Photo Gold Bead Head Orange and Red Leech

Add some red and get a really brilliant pattern moving through the water that is hard for even the most nonchalant lunker to ignore, let alone miss. This type of bead head I usually fish one to two feet above the bottom and allow the head to dive and rise using my rod tip and short strips of my line, two to four inches at a time. On still water a strike indicator also assists in the rise and fall while letting me know when the fly hits the bottom. The strike indicator will move backwards toward the fly while the fly is floating down and the indicator will stop moving when the fly is on the bottom. I give a slow count to "10" when the strike indicator stops moving, lift the rod tip, drop the tip back down near the surface, and strip a 4-6 inches of line in and start the process over again. Strikes come as the fly is falling. Be ready for the strike indicator to move in one direction as cruising fish swim and suck in the fly as they continue to swim steadily in the direction they were heading when they encountered your fly. Set the hook solidly by pulling the rod backwards with the rod tip just above the surface of the water and parallel to the top of the water. Lifting the rod straight up will have you miss a lot of strikes since this movement lifts line off the water, before it places pressure on the fish this extra time allowing for a slow response allows the fish time to feel the pressure of the slowly tightening line in it's mouth and have time to "spit" the hook and swim away.



Don't let the big ones get away! I have seen professional fishermen on video's fail to use this technique and have the undesired results of missing the big one time and time again!



What Looks Like A Fish And Swims Like A Fish



Photo Wool Head Sculpin
With a wool head, feathers for fins and a rabbit zonker tail this critter imitates tadpoles, small fresh water catfish, salamanders and dozens more. Next to marabou, rabbit hair adds the most incredible shimmer and live look to an artificial lure when submerged in the water that can be imagined. The long tail sways effortlessly with the slightest tug of the line by an angler, sliding and slicing through the water like the natural tail of a fish. It is truly mesmerizing to watch as it moves gracefully in the water. This fly is large enough it could have a gold cone head for weight, but this one does not. I prefer to add two or even three snailed sinkers on the leader, the first on located about 6 inches from the eye, and another up the line about 14 inches and if the water is fast or deep a third sinker another 12-14 inches above the second sinker. Thus the line from the fly to the last sinker sits fairly level in the water as it sinks and the current can carry the free floating fly up and down to the bottom as the sinkers bounce and sometimes hold to the bottom. I like the fly to be as free as possible imitating a very natural swimming action. I can raise my rod tip to release the sinkers from the bottom and let them sink again while the fly takes on a life of it's own unencumbered from extra weight on it's head from a bead or a cone.


Gold and Olive Offers Flash And Subtle Natural Color



Photo Gold Bead Head
Olive Leech

Fly fishing is not a science, but a sport and a hobby. Use the techniques, tips and fly patterns you see I offer and try some of your own.

Remember it's called "fishing" not "catching" but with some good ideas, basic understanding and a willingness to try you too will catch some fine trout and earn some bragging rights.

Fly Fishing For Monster Carp Utah Style

FLY FISHING FOR MONSTER CARP UTAH STYLE

Catch Trophy Trout Near Salt Lake City Utah !
Our Website: http://sites.google.com/site/trophytroutschool/

Sight Fishing Brings Fast Action

From A Muscle Bound Quarry

Utah’s temperamental spring has finally given over to summer - no longer do we need to use heaters and air-conditioners on the same day. The waters have warmed considerably and that means it is time to go fly-fishing for carp! Let’s briefly review the benefits of going after Utah’s golden bone fish and if you haven’t fished for this excellent quarry, you are simply missing out on one of Utah's finest and most resourceful game fish. They are large, wary, and strong and will test your skill and equipment to the breaking point.

Look At What I Saw and Caught

Photo Utah Carp Caught On A Fly

Certainly, carp are available as a "by catch" in many waters however few anglers target carp exclusively. We believe the most enjoyable way to catch carp is to sight fish for them in shallow warm waters. Many authors have noted how close this activity is to fishing for bonefish in salt water flats and, while carp do not exhibit the raw speed of the bonefish, their size and stamina is unrivaled among freshwater fish.
So, how do we fish for them? Your first step is to find water where carp are visible in shallow, clear flats. In Utah, the warm, fresh water flats adjacent to the Great Salt Lake afford quite a few locations, as well as Utah Lake and other waters. Your next step is to make sure your equipment is ready. You may be able to land large carp on less than 6 lb. test tippet, but we do not suggest going any lighter. I fish with a 9’ 5 weight rod and consider this the minimum weight fly rod capable of reasonable landing of the carp. We want to land them, not tickle them into submission. Your choice of fly can be just about any available nymph pattern matching the natural food sources available to the carp.

Pick Your Flies Wisely and Cover Your Scent

Remember that carp are omnivores and eat plants as well as insects. Nymphs which match the color of the available plant life seem to be more successful than other colors. Also, do not hesitate to fish in the moss or algae where the carp often feed. One secret technique is to rub your nymph or even a sculpin with local mud and moss to cover your scent! Experience has taught us that carp have an unbelievable sense of smell and if you want to get a “quick” hit, get rid of the human odor. Otherwise you may end up letting your fly soak in the water and after some time goes by the scent will eventually be gone but so may be the carp. So use this tip wisely.

Cast Where Your Target Is Going

Photo monster common carp Utah









When you see the carp cruising or see them rolling on the surface, do not cast directly to them; rather, try to guess which direction they are moving and place your cast in their path. The clearer the water, the longer the lead; if the water is very clear lead by 6 to 10 or even 12 feet. In water less clear, your lead can be shortened to 3 feet. Sometimes, you will need to tease your nymph jerking it 6 to 12 inches to entice a strike. More often than not, however, simply letting the nymph drop and sit on the bottom induces a strike. An adjustable strike indicator is also a good idea and may help suspend the fly just off the bottom of the pond or lake in the proper water column the fish are feeding in.

Set Your Hook and Hang On !

Photo trophy carp caught at Lake Bountiful Utah


A solid hook set is then required, this hooks the carp in its rather rubbery mouth. Now, hang on for a reel burning first run! Keep your hands clear of the reel or you will get a really bad “knuckle buster” of a “whack” on your fingers. You need to fight Carp aggressively; do not “horse” them in, but keep pressure on them, work you line back onto your reel, and let your reel’s drag and your rod fight the fish. Carp typically “run” parallel to your position so gently swing the rod tip in the opposite direction of the run. Also maintain the reel position about navel high with the rod pointing at the fish. To slow the run slowly point the tip upward. This lets the rod work in conjunction with the drag of the reel so you don’t apply too much pressure and risk breaking the line. If you feel this tension is too great simply lower the tip and point at the fish to relieve some pressure and allow the drag to run out some more line or backing. Big carp will let your line see sunlight for the first time in years! This technique is used to successfully land all big freshwater or salt water game fish.

He's Running South To Mexico !!

(and taking all of your line and backing with him)

Photo Monster Common Carp Utah


Make sure you get the fish on the reel, your hands can’t compensate for the changing line pressures like the reel and rod. So use the tools that were designed for the job. As you direct the fish from one side to the other during the parallel run you can reel in line as he comes directly in front of you, if you reel quickly . You can also point the tip of the rod up to “coax” him to come straight in for a few seconds. Trust me; it will only be a few seconds before he goes sideways again. Carp are some of the finest fighting fish I have experienced in the Western States. So go out and have some reel fun. Be prepared for several hard runs, like he’s going to Mexico and watch him closely near the shore. They don’t give up like trout or bass often do when they see a human. I have seen many a carp head straight south after I have had them to shore two or even 3 times.

Say "Golden Bone Fish", Click
Photo another uncommonly big carp in Utah


Once you have landed your fish, take pictures and revive the carp quickly. In some waters, you are encouraged not to return the carp to the water. Unfortunately, the bias against carp is justified in some waters so we suggest following the recommendation; however, wherever possible, release the fish so someone else has the honor and opportunity to catch it.

No fish is better suited to test your skills of casting, fighting and landing large game fish with exceptional fight and stamina. They are great practice for landing that trout of a lifetime.

It may be true that in spring, a young mans thoughts turn to love but as the afternoons warm and evenings lengthen, the summer fly fisher begins to think about his strongest – and possibly wariest – adversary. And that is why we call them Utah’s golden bone fish.

Fly Hatch For Week Ending Saturday June 6, 2009

Afternoon rain turns to dry sunny afternoons this week and that will affect the evening hatch pushing it later into the day, in some cases right up to dusk. The time just before sunset when the Sun drops below the West mountains and the air begins to cool and the emergers become active as well as the older adults from hatches of days gone by that come into the pond area to deposit eggs for the next generation. The old adults "flit and Skirt" across the waters surface trying to avoid the preditors that lurk below while ovipositing the next generation of eggs into the pond. This is also the time when the fish rise high in the water column to feed. The dinner bell has just sounded and the lunkers are ready to "Come and Get It" !!!

Generally ignoring the older adults, they feed on the emergers as they try to escape their shell and crawl through that thin layer of water surface, the miniscus, to escape their water world and enter the air as a new adult. This is the time the trout are feeding and taking advantage of the moving "buffet" as it makes its break for the new world. It is also the "magic" time for the dry fly fisherman. The trout seize the emergers and turn down with the mouthful they have just slurped or gulped. If that happens to be your fly the trout is about to get a really sharp surprise and the reaction is typically to go back to the surface and rocket out of the water like a missle launched from a submarine. LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!

Check out our Fly Hatch Chart at:
http://sites.google.com/site/trophytroutschool/Home

How Fly Fishing Saved My Marriage

Check Out Our Website Featuring Access To Trophy Trout And Fly Fishing Instruction ! Come And Catch The Big Ones!!!

"Click Here For Complete Access"

Don't Miss All Our Trophy Game Fish Photo's And Tips Available On This Blog, Simply Pick Your Selection From The List On The Right !!!

Amber's Fly Fishing Experience:

Here is a sad - but true - story:

Jason and Amber had been married for 5 years. Jason was a golf nut and Amber absolutely hated golf. She was getting upset about all the time Jason spent golfing. And now, Jason had taken up fly-fishing. His golf clubs gathering dust in the garage, Jason had enrobed himself with the latest in fly fishing clothing and armored himself with the finest gear. Amber was really interested in learning how to fly-fish and thought this would be a great opportunity for them to quality time together. They were even planning a special trip in the fall to fish the legendary waters of Montana.

So, Jason and Amber purchased equipment for her and headed off to a lake two hours drive away to teach Amber the finer points of fly fishing.

It was a beautiful day for fly fishing: chilly, overcast with an occasional cold drizzle - the kind of day fish love and ladies despise.

Jason started to show Amber the "four count rhythm" he had learned from A River Runs through It. Trying as best she could, Amber couldn't seem to make it work right. Valiantly keeping at it, she tried again and again but her line would either snag the back cast or pile in front of her like a large pile of limp, green spaghetti. This was accompanied by Jason's rising frustration.

The ensuing argument seemed inevitable - the rising tones of anger, the misconstrued meanings and finally, icy silence was about to separate the two, now frustrated and angered opponents - when, rocketing up like a submarine launched cruise missile, a very large cutthroat trout lept from the waters surface. It was enormous! It was the largest fish Jason had ever seen and larger than anything Amber would have even imagined inhabited this, or any other, body of water. Even in the muted, dismal afternoon, its colors shown as if it had been enameled and jeweled like a Faberge egg created for the Czarina. And, affixed to its toothy maw, was Amber's fly.

The fish, now re-entered the lake making the water erupt like a fat kid doing his favorite cannon ball into the swimming pool.

The pile of spaghetti slowly began to move toward the murky depth as the fish end of the fly line rocketed away as if shot by a crossbow. Amber stood frozen as Jason started to babble instructions,sounding like a cleric calling for prayer. By some mystery (probably a manifestation of string theory) the spaghetti pile disappeared, the line tightened and Amber's reel began to sing. She stood motionless and, hearing Jason's incoherent expletives, some of the meaning began to work its way into Amber's consciousness. She was not only stung by the vindictive nature of the tirade, but also offended by the verbiage and - even more hurtful - the language. She looked at Jason as if he had just landed from Planet Vulcan. Realizing that he had crossed some verbal boundary and ventured into the no man's land of female indignation - he suddenly stopped.

The scene was now supremely silent and the ashen sky was a mirror of their ashen expressions. Amber and Jason looked at each other,as an icy wind began to blow between them. Suddenly, the silence was ruptured by a sound. It was a quite sound but resounded with all the violence and portent of a grenade:

"SNAP!"

The drive home was a mere foreshadowing of the ensuing arguments and recriminations. Amber and Jason's love, which once shone as bright as the cutthroat's crimson neck wear, now seemed as gloomy as the sallow skies that had accompanied them on that eventful day.

Jason no longer golfed or went fly fishing - instead he began drinking - and Amber wondered what happened to the gallant knight she had married.

Nonetheless, there is a happy ending to this story.

In the interest of brevity, we shall simply say that it took professional counseling and training to root out the deep seated emotions and disappointments.

And, in the end, Trophy Trout School ...well...we really don't know if it saved the marriage but; the last we heard from Amber, she still takes pride in being able to out double-haul her husband. And Jason; proud husband, felt that each trophy caught and released, was never more worthy of admiration, or as beautiful, as his fly-fishing wife; Amber.

"Click Here For Trophy Trout School"

Fenwick Fleigenbinder