It works great in shallow waters, but not in deep lakes like Wes
comments. I use that technique in streams, and when I want it down faster,
I use the sinking leaders (I have a couple from Orvis). In streams, I'm
stripping pretty fast, and don't notice a difference in catching fish from
others using a sinking or intermediate line.
Ed Roden
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.questquality.com
Living
would be easier if men showed as much patience at
home as they do when
they're fishing.
Del asked:
Is it possible to fish Buggers and other streamers on a WFF line?? If so, are their any special techniques that I should know?? Also, anyone have an intermediate line that the don't need and are willing to trade for flies, leaders, or materials??
Thank You,
Del
Hi Del,
By WFF, I am assuming you mean a weight forward floating line in your question above. A floating line for streamer fishing has some value and some problems. The biggest problem for both stillwater and stream fishing is that your fly will never get very far down in the water column.
In stillwater fishing, you can use a long leader and WAIT as the fly sinks, but then there's the commotion that the floating fly line and the line/leader connection make on the surface of the water during a retrieve. In fishing for touchy, spooky trout, that alone is enough to scare them off, particularly during a flat calm. For these reasons most stillwater flyfishers use at least an intermediate sinking line for subsurface fishing, including buggers and streamers.
In stream fishing, casting up against banks and undercuts, a floating line is often fine, and makes casting more enjoyable as you don't have to haul the sinking line out of the water before making another cast. But, if the streamer needs to be deeper to be effective, you may need to go to at least a sink-tip type line with a short leader.
I find I have the most success with stillwater streamers in relatively shallow water 3-5 feet deep. That's because that is the preferred habitat for minnows and forage fish, which your streamer often imitates. That's where the big trout are looking for the small critters. Find shallows adjacent to underwater weeds and next to a dropoff to deeper water. That is a situation perfect for an intermediate line. Stealth is required. It's fun fishing.
Wes Wada
Bend, Oregon
