Monday, November 19, 2007

Fast vs. Slow


Just got back from NE Iowa again... Today was cold, damp and more windy than the weather guy said it would be. For the entire day I saw only one fisherman in the distance and had the stream pretty much to myself.

The trout were cooperative but less aggressive in comparison to the previous week. I had only two half hearted takes on leeches, but there was some good surface activity. I fished half damp duns, then switched to emergers, and at the very and of the day got several strikes on soft hackled drowned dun/emerger.

I fished Lami 5wt/Milward Flycraft combo until the lunch, and switched to the recently built Lamiglas 7'6" 6/7wt on the brown vintage blank. I liked the new rod with 6DT the best, even though it is a bit powerful for this stream. I am surprised how great caster this rod is... It has absolutely nothing in common with contemporary Lamiglas Honey rods/blanks. It is quick and shoots line like crazy. I actually had great fun with the rod, shooting little flies into openings among branches and exposed roots on the opposite bank. I missed several fish on the greased line presentation with it-the soft Honey Lamiglas is a better rod for wet fly work. I just can not imagine better rod for streamers, and large western dries/grasshoppers. For now it is going to be my dedicated smallmouth bass rod, too.

2 comments:

BLUEANGLER said...

Beautiful! Vlad...

I would love to stay that creek whole day! I bet it is very challenge fishing! But take fish on soft hackle is fun for sure! I always want to learn how to fish soft hackle... but only got fish by accident... should read some book and build up some confidence : )... as usual, a very beautiful rod too... would be a great rod for bass here!

flyfishingunlimited said...

Hi Mark,

This creek is like a little paradise. So many interesting things to observe-from plants to fish to birds...even on cold and dreary days like yesterday. As you know, I love soft hackles and incorporate them in many flies. I usually fish them on greased leader, mending the line so that there is always a little bit of tension. I also fish them upstream dead drifted, like an unweighted nymph.

If you ever come up this way, I will take you there...