Rambling (again)

[Otter]

Hi Dubbn ,

I have used the 2488's up to 22 - they are decent strength and decent gape and I have take a few of my better river trout on 22's.

Its challenging trying to ascertain how small one needs to go on particular rivers.

Thanks for sharing your photos.

[DUBBN]

By the way Dubbn, was the enjoyment in any way enhanced with your self imposed restrictions ?

Otter, I was not ignoring this. I wanted to take a day to think about the answer. I really should have answered the second I read it, as my feelings have stayed the same. There are times during the year when Flymphs and Soft Hackles come into their own. In my opinion, caddis activity has to be on the top of the list. Being that I always reach for a Flymph/SH during the caddis hatch's anyways, I cant say that I enjoy it any more or less. There are more fly fishers now that reach for SH's than there was 5 years ago. I believe the word is getting out about the effectiveness of the patterns that we hold so dear to our hearts on this forum. I do not know if that is a good thing. I would imagine that time will tell. Personally, I hope most anglers find it to be a fad. For me, caddis activity translates from Spring Runoff (May here in the Rockies) till the frost nipped days of late September. October caddis is a different animal, and I would be happy if every other angler in the world did not know about it . For me, when I hit it, it's that much fun! I would trade every Salmon/Stone Fly Hatch that has ever developed on any river in any part of the world for just one week of hot October Caddis action.

So, we have May through October taken care of. I would say I was just as happy with the restriction.

Just around the corner, perhaps 4 weeks away, the Blue Winged Olives will make their first appearance of the year. Comparaduns, Parachute Adams, tiny PT nymphs, and any manner of cocktail emerger (my WD-50) will be the talk of the town. The newspapers will even report their appearance. In all the ramblings, gossip, news paper columns, and general chit chat at the fly shops, not one word of Soft Hackles will be spoken. Thats ok by me. I have fantastic days using my little Olive SH's, and the ugly Muskrat.

So, we have March through October covered with the Flymphs and Soft Hackles. Theres times in that span I believe I could have used bigger flys, like size 4 Stone Nymphs, size 2 Cranefly larva, the tabboo ridden SJ Worm, and caught a couple very large trout, but all in all, I believe I did just fine with the Soft Hackles .

November through February. Ugh, grrrrr, ouch. The Soft Hackles work at times, but they will never be my pattern of choice during this season. Midges are king, and its tough to compete with a simple thread pattern (Black Beauty type). Eggs are extremely effective. Stripping Streamers can be so much fun. Yeah, I will be glad when my year is up.

Thats it in a nutshell Otter. It was fun, but since last November? Not real fun.

Almost forgot..... There is not one shred of evidence to support one darn thing I have said. This, as always is my opinion.

[DUBBN]

In the end, it doesnt amount to a hill of beans.

Thats the truth.

[Otter]

In the end, it doesnt amount to a hill of beans.

Thats the truth.

[DOUGSDEN]

Dubbn,
As Lance said, ramble on anytime! I thoroughly enjoyed it! How do I get the smilies over to this area where I type?
Somewhat lost on some computer matters but I am learning.....
Dougsen (how's that?)