Very Slow Fishing

Miniature Bonitos

Last month I spent a week in my village in the southern Kučaj Mountains. I had already enjoyed a couple of fantastic afternoons on the Crnica. Trout took nymphs surprisingly well throughout the day, but surface activity was subdued. It wasn't absent—just dampened by the fog that often forms over the stream on hot days, when warm air meets the icy water of the spring creek.

The following day I returned to the same stretch where I had fished so well the previous afternoon. It was quiet. I suddenly heard voices and realized two spin fishermen were working their way downstream toward me. I stepped out of the stream and followed a narrow path through the thicket until I reached the road. The muddy puddles glowed red, stained by the terra rossa—or crvenica, as we call it locally—that gives this region its distinctive color. I walked toward a shallow crossing, and the two fishermen emerged from the dense vegetation.

"How's the fishing?" I asked.

"Oh, not great. Only small ones everywhere. We didn't fish the water upstream—you can keep going."

I thanked them and continued upstream.

Several hundred meters farther on lay one of my favorite pools, a place that has produced beautifully during caddis hatches for many years. As I walked, I made short sidearm casts with the nymph already tied on—a simple cased caddis larva inspired by the Driftless Area's Pink Squirrel.

When I reached the pool, Hydropsyche caddis were hatching in abundance. A few large, dark Sericostoma personatum—the Welshman's Button—were also fluttering over the water.

Then I looked closely at the surface.

Several fine brown trout were intercepting emerging caddis pupae just beneath the film.

Back home in New England, I spend many autumn days chasing bonito and false albacore. These small tunas often herd bait just beneath the surface, leaving long wakes before striking with explosive speed. I had never seen trout behave quite like this.

Small brown trout were cutting through the surface film, making distinct wakes as they intercepted emerging caddis pupae—slashing through the pool like miniature bonitos.

It was an incredible sight.

I tied on a large caddis imitation and was astonished by the speed of the first take. A brown trout shot across the pool from several meters away like a miniature Spitfire and engulfed the fly without hesitation.

What followed was nearly thirty minutes of nonstop action.

Nature often rewards patience. Still, I'll take luck whenever it comes. As Hemingway once said, when luck arrives, it's good to be ready.

Bonito Jigminnow Tinker Mackerel

The Evolution of Bonito Jigminnow

I've been tying and fishing this pattern since 2009. It went through different small changes: from the type of jig hook and combination of natural materials, to using a different way to weight it, to sink and ride correctly. I used Larva Lace strip lead in early versions, and moved to tungsten weights for the past six years or so... It has become my most productive bonito fly. I landed almost all my fish on it this Fall.

Melty Minnow Crease Fly

Original post...I tied several Melty Minnows long time ago, but here is an updated photo of a baby bunker version.

Orange Bonito Jigminnow

Trying out some new jig hooks... 

Hardtail Fishing With Friends

Great session today on the rocks, with old friends (didn't take the pic with everyone)...Wonderful times! I got my fish on the large jigminnow, again. It has been the best producing fly this season for me.

Bonito Hunt 3 - Jigminnow in Action

 Fishing with friends today...Good times, always!

Pink Bonito Jigminnow

  

Bonito Hunt Part 2 - Jigminnow in Action

Bait

Bonito Hunt

Micro Bait Crease Fly

Bay Anchovy Crease Fly

Worked well on bonito last Monday. Lots of bay anchovies and blitzing bonito schools...

Bonito Jigminnow Revisited

Tying some of my jigminnows in natural colors...lots of silversides around. Old favorite right here, size 1/0!

Dragon Tail Baitfish

Not my favorite fly, but so easy to tie...and it is ugly! Dragon tail baitfish, size 2/0, just another boring Albie Snax impersonation.😂

Before and After the Storm

Retrospective 2012-2014!

Minty White for Albies

Minty white albie whores, tied with soft mint bucktail, white hackles and chenille, mint thread, and pale green-pearl Sparkleflash.

Red & Tan Squid Crease Fly

Snowy day fly tying...

Flamboyant Crease Cuttle-Squid Flies (2)

Trying some on smaller hooks...This one is on 1/0 long shank stainless iron.