Finding the Balance Part II: Presentation and Setup

Part II to fishing balanced flies dealing with setup and presentation. 

A prime spring rainbow!

 Setup

Casting strike indicators coupled with long leaders is a visual eye sore. There is no elegance about it. Weighted patterns and in some instances added weight to the leader via split shot often requires large open loops to reduce tangles. The name of the game is to minimize false casting. Using the resistance between the fly line and the surface tension of the water aids in loading the rod and ensures the fly line will turn over. Longer fly rods of 9 feet or greater are preferred. Six and seven weight lines will allow the indicator and fly to be picked up with greater ease. The current line of choice amongst serious Stillwater fly fishers for this method is hands down the Rio Indicator line. The thick front tip and short front taper easily turn over the strike indicator.

A tiger trout that fell to a balanced leech in 30' of water.

Balanced patterns can be fished with leaders up to twenty five feet depending on at what depth the trout are feeding. In most instances a leader of ten to fifteen feet will suffice. When asked what size of tippet one should use the best answer is to let the conditions decide. With patterns in sizes #6-10 3-4X fluorocarbon will handle most situations. As patterns get smaller (#12 down), or in the case of clear water, 5X fluorocarbon tippet may be required. Flies tied using the pin and bead method tend to spin or “helicopter” during casting. This usually results in unwanted twisting in the leader. Attaching a small #12 black barrel swivel between the end of the leader and tippet material will correct this problem as well as aid in getting patterns down quickly. It will also eliminate knot slippage between the monofilament leader and fluorocarbon tippet.

 A major factor in increasing the effects of the balanced fly is the proper leader to fly connection. A standard clinch knot draws life from the fly and reduces its animation in the water. Used in conjunction with a Non Slip or Duncan loop for the leader to fly connection the balanced fly can come to life with minimal surface chop.A good illustration of a non-slip knot can be found here: http://swittersb.wordpress.com/2009/08/29/loop-knot-for-streamers-nymphs-non-slip-mono-knot/

Presentation

Balanced patterns can be fished throughout the open water season with success. Starting in spring, when trout patrol the shoals and littoral zones of lakes, hanging balanced leech patterns below a strike indicator is an effective method to entice some of the lakes largest specimens. At this time of the year water temperatures and oxygen levels are ideal for trout in shallow zones of the lake. As the season progresses and the water warms, trout will seek more suitable temperatures and oxygen levels in deeper water where permitted. During this time, fish can still be taken with balanced imitations below a strike indicator.  As the water cools in the fall trout return once again to the shoals and littoral zone and can offer exceptional late season fishing with leeches, scuds, bloodworms and smaller damselfly and dragonfly imitations fished below an indicator. At any time during the season it is a good strategy to focus around weed beds both shallow and deep as well as any structure such as sunken islands or points. Trout will often key in on the array of forage in these areas which offer prime habitat for a variety of both invertebrates and minnow species. Like with any form of fly fishing, matching ones patterns to what is on the trout’s menu is a sure fire way to be rewarded. Close inspection around the lake shore for recently hatched insects and on the water for shucks will aid in pattern selection. It is this initial observation that can often determine whether one has a boom or bust day on the water.

A fine Maligne Lake rainbow taken on a balanced pattern.

Generally flies should be fished within one to two feet of the lake bottom. To determine this, the easiest method is to attach a pair of hemostats to the fly, which is attached to the leader, and lower it until it hits bottom. By raising the fly/ hemostats off the bottom the fly fisher can accurately determine where to attach the strike indicator. The most effective strike indicators for this method are those of the quick release variety as they allow easy adjustment when changing depths.

Always be observant of bottom type and or the presence of macrophytic growth (weeds) and debris. Sometimes it is a good idea to fish amongst weeds such as lily pads and openings in pond weed as trout themselves cruise under cover in search of food. When fishing over Chara mats make sure your fly is clear of the vegetation as your pattern will go unnoticed.

Another quality Saskatchewan Bow'.

          As with chironomid fishing an anchored platform offers the easiest and most precise way to cover water effectively. When fishing from a boat a double anchor system is indispensable in reducing side to side drift. If fishing from a pontoon boat or belly boat, a single anchor in conjunction with the use of fins will allow proper boat control (you can still mount a second anchor if you choose). Quartering casts with the wind is the most effective way to cover water using the indicator and fly. The wind not only provides animation to the fly but slowly allows the indicator to move with it, dragging the fly along in the strike zone. Balanced patterns imitating caddis pupa and mayfly nymphs are extremely effective in mimicking these species near the lake bottom as they stage just prior to a major emergence. The quartered cast method is ideal for covering water during such times. Once the line has blown straight down from the anchored boat “popping” the indicator back with short 2-3 inch strips will prolong the presentation. More often than not this is the only way to present balanced flies on calm windless days. 

"Popping" balanced flies can pay off under calm conditions.

          Fishing balanced patterns static under a strike indicator is an effective and enjoyable method of Stillwater fly-fishing. By applying these patterns (see previous article) and techniques the beginner and advanced fly fisher alike will add another tool to their arsenal in unlocking the world of Stillwater trout. 

Finding the Balance Tying and fishing balanced patterns

** This article was originally published  in 2011 for Fly Fishing Central which has long since been moth balled. I will do a follow up (Part II) shortly seeing as it is probably my number one method for taking big stillwater trout in the spring**

Kent Butterfield with a "Decent" Saskatchewan Rainbow!

Part of the joy garnered from fly fishing and fly tying is often found in the merger between tradition and innovation. Much of our success on the water and the development of successful patterns at the vice stems from experience and information gathered over the years. Nothing holds truer today than in the realm of stillwater fly fishing for trout. Information concerning trout and their habits, habitat and forage base is readily available to both beginners and experienced fly fishers alike.  The result is a breeding ground of ingenuity both in how fly fishers present their patterns to trout in stillwaters and how flies are tied at the vice.

One such method that is popular amongst stillwater fly fishers is fishing flies under a strike indicator. Much to the dislike of purists the “bobbers” have found a place in the arena of stillwater fly fishing. Not only can flies be presented in a lifelike manner to the trout, but the array of forage that can be imitated is virtually endless. Leech, dragonfly, damselfly, caddis, mayfly and various baitfish patterns can be fished successfully in areas where conventional methods simply are not feasible. Presentations in and around weed beds and in close proximity to debris cluttered lake bottoms can be done without fear of fouling up flies. Imitations remain at the proper feeding depth consequently resulting in greater odds of success. 

Balanced Flies Take Big Fish.

This method of stillwater fly fishing does, however, present a problem. With the exception of chironomids, which travel vertically in the water column, most insect species are traditionally ineffectively represented in this manner. As such, most fly fishers fish conventional flies which are meant to be retrieved horizontally through the water column. This is easily accomplished with an assortment of fly lines available to the fly fisherman. When we present these same patterns under a strike indicator the fly is now hanging in a vertical position which is un-characteristic of most trout forage and more often than not refused. To correct this problem flies have to be properly weighted and balanced in a manner that will allow them to be fished vertically below a strike indicator yet ride horizontally in the water column.

Balancing at the Vice

The first and simplest method of getting the proper horizontal orientation of the fly is by using lead wire on the front half of the hook shank to counter balance the weight of the rear half of the hook. Don Andersen, of Rocky Mountain House, has perfected this method which was first developed by Dean Baaynes when tying his Catatonic leech. Don had experimented with various gauges of lead and numbers of wraps on his patterns before finally settling on .025 lead wire on a Mustad #79580 #10 - #12 or equivalent. Don wraps a total of fourteen wraps of lead on the shank of the hook. Wraps are started roughly mid shank to directly behind the hook eye; leaving room to form a head later on. He then makes seven tight wraps towards the bend back overtop his original wraps. The weighted hook looks and acts like a standard jig head used in spin fishing. On smaller flies, below a size #10, .015 gauge lead can be used to minimize bulk on the flies. With hooks properly weighted in this fashion tiers are only limited by their imagination and forage being imitated when dressing their patterns. 

Catatonic Leech

The second method is a complete break away from traditional thought. It is ingenious if only because of its simplicity and its downright effectiveness when one is aiming to fish a horizontal pattern below a strike indicator.

Jerry McBride from Spokane, Washington first started tinkering with balancing flies when members of his local club were discouraged that their patterns were not having great success below a strike indicator. As a mechanical engineer, Jerry quickly applied principles of physics to devise a fool proof solution to the problem. 

Big spring bows' love leeches!

 By placing a tungsten bead on a pin and lashing it out past the hook eye Jerry developed a clever and effective method of balancing flies that would allow his patterns to sit completely horizontal below a strike indicator. When attached to the leader with a non slip loop or Duncan loop the fly would ride upside down, pivoting on the eye creating unhindered movement of the fly.

Jerry first began experimenting with simple fly designs. He believed that by dressing patterns in the round the trout would have a completely unchanged 360° view of the fly. Jerry’s Balanced Bead head Six Pack was the first of these patterns. Since then he has experimented with other patterns that have been easily converted to the balanced fly design and have been met with excellent success. He recommends using Super Glue after the pin has been placed along the hook shank to ensure the pin and bead do not slip. Wide gapped hooks with turned down eyes such as a Mustad #3906 or equivalent are preferred.

Recently several anglers have opted to using actual jig hooks with no lead. Hooks such as a Mustad #32762 Aberdeen or the Gamakatsu Jig 90 will aid in permitting the eye of the hook to remain free of body materials.

 Stillwater fly fishers are forever in Don, Dean and Jerry’s debt. Their simple ideas have created a versatile and effective method when it comes to approaching lakes and ponds.

Pattern Design

Balanced flies are often of basic pattern design. Tiers need to rely on the use of materials such as filoplume, marabou, rabbit strips and ostrich herl to impart life into the fly. Using dubbing loops enables the full effect of the materials to breath in the water.

Balanced Damselfly

 A good imitation for leeches and dragonfly nymphs is Phil Rowley’s After shaft leech. Not only does the fly breathe suggesting life but the array of colors it can be tied in can be adjusted for local conditions. In lakes with clear water the subdued nature of the pattern is taken with confidence by wary trout. A balanced after shaft leach has become my number one pattern for foraging spring trout. It can effectively imitate a wide range of forage types simply by altering the size and color.

An effective imitation of the large darner dragonfly nymphs is the Hunting Dragon. Dropped in amongst the weeds it does an excellent job representing this species common in many productive lakes.

Hunting Dragon

 In many of our parkland lakes in the prairie region of western Canada large hatches of Hexegenia limbata mayflies occur. A balanced Hex’ nymph is excellent just prior to emergences in the evenings. Other species of mayflies as well as caddis flies and damselflies are best imitated with soft hackle designs incorporating filoplume or marabou into the pattern. 

Balanced Hex Nymph

Another overlooked staple in productive stillwaters are the various forage or bait fish species. Tying crippled patterns to imitate recently injured or maimed bait fish can be very effective in triggering larger, predominantly piscivorous, trout into instinctively removing “weak links” from the ecosystem. 

Balanced Stickleback

Crippled Fathead Minnow

 One of the challenges of tying balanced flies is to not clutter the body, in particular, the eye of the fly. When using the lead wrap method, again, leave enough room behind the eye to form a head. With the tungsten bead and pin method, ensure when wrapping or dubbing your body to leave a slight concave past the eye so as not to hinder placing leader material through the eye when fishing.  It should also be mentioned that an excess of materials used behind the eye of the fly will counter the weight of the bead and may affect the orientation of the pattern when fished. This needs to be taken into consideration when determining body materials prior to tying.

It is quickly apparent that pattern design can be easily adjusted to suit local conditions. As fishing balanced patterns grows in popularity I am sure an increase in patterns suitable for this fishing method will follow.

In part II, presentations as well as pattern applications will be discussed.

..."Things" Fisherman Say...

 
 For your viewing pleasure...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfGvvz7HbAw

Pregame

It is mid March in Eastern Alberta meaning the weather is becoming milder and with it thoughts of casting flies over open water. I have come to develop a ritual this time of year that helps me get through the agonizing month and a half leading up to opening day. It is a slow process, one that I have gone through almost every season since I took up fly-fishing almost 20 years ago. I look forward to it if only because it means I have a whole season still ahead and I haven't missed out on anything. I often find myself daydreaming of various trips and the ensuing success I will have only to quash it with skepticism from the previous season. As in, "man I can not wait to fish Lake X every set off during May," followed by the realization that I only fished it once the previous year. I have learned fishing never gets in the way of life but that it's the other way around.

The daydreaming and the trip planning in my head soon begin taking shape. Phone calls, e-mails and plans start to become finalized all without my Wife's knowledge. Actually, she has been with me long enough to know exactly what the hell is up when I start taking phone calls behind closed doors and nervously closing the laptop when she enters the room. Any other woman would probably think their significant other were having an affair. We usually have to have a serious sit down to discuss what is and what isn't practical. If you were to ask me I would say it's all practical but alas' this would contradict my "happy wife happy life," belief so I am reduced (and have come to somewhat understand) compromise.

This isn't to say that life is miserable when trips get aborted due to some unforeseen event that just springs up. O.K. that's not entirely true. In most cases I am too preoccupied with trying to fish as much as I can that I never look at the calendar at when I actually should. As a husband and father of three young boys time is in limited supply these days so it pays to listen to my wife going over the upcoming weeks itinerary. I used to try slipping my plans into conversations real subtle like, as in , "oh that sounds nice, I think it will be a great idea. Man the weather forecast looks like it will be nice on Thursday, probably be good fishing...". It actually worked too.

 She has, however, over the years deciphered this into something she can more easily understand, " I could care less about your wine and cheese party with some of your girlfriends. Thursday is going to be overcast and calm meaning trout are cruising the shallows, I am going fishing!"

 Needless to say I have been reduced to actually having to ask for permission to go fishing. Fortunately my wife somewhat understands so I can bank on getting to do 20-30% of preplanned trips which when you look at what I originally had planned still ends up being a lot!

Anyway, my preseason ritual. It usually begins with getting over the hurdle of cleaning up my fly tying desk. I have never considered myself a neat freak and when it comes to my desk it is no different. I do try to keep it relatively clean...initially. I remember when I was commercial tying I would read books by A.K. Best on how to become a more efficient and prolific fly tier. For arguments sake a lot of what I read helped speed up my tying and I was getting through orders quickly. But then I am a fisherman at heart and not a commercial tier. With every passing fly order I grew more disdain for the profession as my flies were gracing the boxes of other fly fisherman. Needless to say my commercial tying days were short lived and I quickly resorted back to old habits, which is where I am 15 years later. By this I mean; tie a fly, stop. Tie another fly with completely different materials, stop etc. etc. so on and so forth. Anyone that ties flies knows this is a recipe for one giant shit pile of fur and feathers.

So come mid March I spend several evenings cleaning the dead moose sized pile from my desk so I can at least get at my vice. Quick glances through my boxes will tell me what I need to stock up on and perhaps remind me that I have way too many flies to begin with (I am thoroughly convinced fly tiers suffer from OCD). This of course carries on through the fishing season until the end of October at which time I focus on hunting.

About two weeks out from the season I will begin cleaning my gear bags which can prove to be another monster all together. When I was a young Jedi my mentor Wayne Phillips explained that fly lines should be pulled from reels, stretched, oiled and hung so they didn't crack and or retain reel memory. Reels should be cleaned of grit and greased and rod guides checked for burs or wear. Wayne said a lot of things to which I have to this day yet to determine if they were true or not. On the topic of equipment maintenance he was probably right. Now, that doesn't mean I pull my fly lines from my reels (I am good for a new one about once every five years) but I follow through with the rest of what he said and after multiple seasons most of my tackle is holding up.

My actual tackle bag usually is good for a rotten sandwich, flat bottle of pop and or a half eaten granola bar stuffed under some fly boxes from the previous season. Old leaders and tippets are tossed, new ones stocked. Split shot that was dumped in the bag is put back into appropriate containers and I usually have to give the bag a shake to get sand and crap from out of the bottom. Once done my bag is repacked and ready to go for the rest of the season and or another tossing mid way to rid it of a decaying lunch.

My final step and probably the one I relish the most, is going over the bathymetric map of my chosen destination. If it is a lake I have fished often over the years I will prioritize spots based on forecasted weather conditions (wind, temperature, sun) to where I know I can set up the best. New water bodies are crap shoots but at least I can narrow down much of the water to a few likely looking spots. Once in a while I get it right the first time and the fishing goes as planned. Usually it doesn't. Still, it is something I enjoy doing the night before opening day which then leads to frantic fly tying into the wee hours of the morning.

Looking ahead, when my boys become older and we begin to go fishing together, a part of me hopes that I can still keep my sacred preseason ritual. Part of me still, and even more so, would like to keep it my own little tradition but then I know that is just wishful thinking.

Roderick Haig Brown once wrote: "One learns to temper hope with skepticism, and loses nothing by doing so." I couldn't agree more, in life and in fishing!