CDC Trico Thorax Dun
Mike sent me this question this week
Thanks Mike
Hi… I’m a bit new to trout fishing. I dont have any trico pattern flies. So, I’d like to build up a little inventory of them. You have several on your site. Any suggestions on what to get? I could buy some of each, but am not sure if that’s the way to go. Is there a suggested order of priority (most popular) suggestion you’d have… i.e. what to buy 1st, 2nd, etc.
Also any other mid to late summer pattern suggestions on other flies would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Mike
Trico fishing is a challenging game. Clear water, spooky fish, long casts and pattern selection all play their part in how well you do at the catching part.
Clear water and spooky fish- At the time of year(in a few weeks or sooner?) that the tricos begin to hatch, the water usually is very clear making it difficult to get close to the fish without spooking them. Long leaders, 10-12 ft with light tippets, 6-7x will help. If you cannot cast 30-40 ft with a 10 ft leader and a light presentation, many mornings you are out of the game. I cannot stress this enough.
Spooky fish and long casts- Because the water is clear, the fish for the most part know you are there. Water levels tend to be low. Anything less than an long, accurate, soft landing cast will send them out of your casting distance. Move up, and they move too. Keep casting, they shut down. It can be frustrating. Keys are to move slow, work the fish closest to you. Don’t get caught in the game of scatter casting to all the fish you see rising. This will usually end badly. Practice your long casting NOW. Begin to get up earlier. Sometimes to get to the river at the right time you have to get up early, especially if the air temps remain like this,,,,,hot.
Pattern selection- I carry a ton of trico pattern variations. Some days I only need one fly.
When one begins to understand the life cycle of this little mayfly, fish it on different rivers, and see all the various patterns out there it can become a sickness. Those little patterns are so cool. You must have more of them(sorry, I diverge). To try and keep it simple, there are nymphs and emergers, males and females, duns and adults, and then there are the spinners.
Probably the number one pattern is the trico spinner patterns. Have at least two different ones in two different sizes say #18 and #22. Many time I will fish two trico patterns. A dun and a spinner. If they are eating one or the other I can go to fishing just one fly. If they stop eating that fly pattern, I change. I think an important factor is you being able to see the pattern on the water. At 30 or 40 feet, fishing a #22 pattern in charcoal black caught in the surface film can be difficult for most anglers to see. Many of my lead fly patterns are dun patterns with a white wing. It is easier to see them land and get a bearing about distance and placement of cast. Many time there is a “feel” or Zen component to trico fishing. You know approximately where your fly is but cannot see it. You end up reacting to a water disturbance(a rise) in the area of your fly.
Dun patterns are probably the second most important. Make sure you carry a green(female pattern) of some sort. Sometimes a small BWO can double as a trico female.
All in all if you are serious about catching you will have 6 to a dozen fly patterns to choose from, making sure you have at least two of each pattern incase one particular one works. That way you have a back up in case you lose it. Maybe a dozen flies and you will be in the game.
Trico fishing is some of the most challenging fishing of the year. It can be hard and it also can be rewarding to catch just a fish or two on some mornings. Your casting and presentation skills will be tested for sure. Sorry about the somewhat scatterbrain response to your question. My brain is hot from all of this hot weather.
One more thing. Some days the fish are greedy during this hatch. From my experience it can come on any day but mostly at the beginning of the hatch period. When this happens, you can chuck just about anything at them and they will eat. Go figure… it is fishing for trout.
Good luck
Mid summer- Ants, beetles, hoppers, royal wulffs.
Anyone else have some thoughts?
10 users commented in " Ask Andy-Trico Watch——Patterns and Thoughts "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackWhen possible postion yourself so you are casting down and slightly accross to the targeted fish.
Makes life so much easier.
I only carry one pattern. A hackled spinner type. I just wrap the full hackle and clip the bottom flush and leave the top so it is easier to see.
Generally when I am having trouble catching the fish it is less about the fly patern and more about the fly not being presented properly.
Agree, agree.
My favorite pattern is hackle fiber tail, pearl crystal flash body, black thorax and white CDC wing, on a #22 Tiemco #101 hook. I can SEE it!
I’m probably on my knees half the time because I like to get close to the fish. Long tippets and accurate, careful casting can make or break your day. PRACTICE!
Most of all, remember, you have been given a gift to be on the water at this most magic time. Rejoice in it.
I second the down and across or even slightly upstream and across works – key is don’t cast over them. Also since a #22 is hard to see for most people – I will usually tie a more visible fly 12″ above like a parachute adams in #18 or less. As Andy said, some days they’ll take the adams over the trico pattern. Oh and watch the air temps – 68’F is the magic number for the spinner fall. Get up early, claim your spot, and enjoy a cup of coffee or your morning beverage of choice while you wait. Sometimes that’s so enjoyable, I end up watching the fish and never wet the line – some days even letting someone more eager than me fish the pod I was waiting for. Good times.
Uncle H and Jaybird
Approach is adjustable and many time necessary. Your point are well spoken. I think patience is is overlooked by many anglers who are taken back by the number of fish rising directly in front of them. They react too aggressively. Be cool as a cucumber. Accuracy is imperative. One more factor.
Picking your fly from the water;
A fast ripping, splashing, pick-up of even a small fly from the water can do as much spooking as a poor presentation cast. Anglers must learn to pick their fly from the water with little to no disturbance. On an upstream or downstream cast, place the fly 3 or 4 feet above the targeted fish. Allow the drift to move the same distance past the targeted window and then gently remove the fly from the water. Slowly move the fly toward the removal direction so that the tip of the rod begins to load. Apply just enough power and smooth acceleration to silently remove the fly from the waters surface. Repeat the cast. In order to complete this task effectively the angler must have total control of the evil slack line or the whole removal and recast will end badly. I will apply Loons Payette Paste(which I sell:) to enable my leader to float higher and not break the water surface tension. Many times a sunken leader can be the culprit in poor pick-up.
Jay, had my hands on one of your rods yesterday. a fine piece of work.
Jack
All great points. I think folks would be amazed at the bennifits to adding extra length to their leaders.
Great info! I love fishing Tricos. One thing I’ll add (maybe it was already covered) – is that if you come upon a spot with lots of rising fish it’s helpful to watch for a bit (it’s always helpful to just watch the water!). If you can’t hook up – target a specific fish rather that just casting blindly to the “crowd”. Find a fish, watch it, study it’s rhythm. Is it moving a bit side to side? Is it just staying put? How often is it eating? All this stuff comes in to play. Put your cast where it needs to be and watch that fish take your fly.
Roger that Bob
Summary; Observe, adjust, take your time.
“Jay, had my hands on one of your rods yesterday. a fine piece of work.”
Yeah I had some talent in my former life!
I feel a reincarnation.
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