Andy,
I've always thought that fishing poppers for salmon versus
fishing with streamers was like choosing between dry flies and nymphs
for trout. We know that trout feed subsurface 90% of the time, so we
fish dry flies only when we see trout feeding actively on top. Or we
choose to force the issue and rather than catch "numbers",
we opt to get our kicks on top by catching the few we can raise. It's
the same with salmon. You will almost always catch more salmon
subsurface but if you're looking to interact a little more with them,
and possibly catch fewer fish, you'll want to fish on top. That being
said, you can make a popper work for you more often than not,
especially inshore. It simply becomes a numbers game, or, if you will,
quantity versus "quality."
I try to cast in a direction that allows me to retrieve my
popper. That sounds simple until you're in a boat that's moving with
the current and you cast upcurrent because of the wind or whatever.
You strip like crazy and your fly doesn't move. You have to able to
maneuver your boat into a position that gives you an angle to cast to
feeding salmon that will allow you to work the fly.
Leland.
Leland,
I tried some poppers while out at Seiko with Patrick this weekend, but quickly gave up because he was hooking way to many fish on the streamer and slime line combination and my ego could not take the battering. As Patrick stated, we were fishing the kelp and rips during running tides from a drifting boat with some ground swell and a decent wind chop, both casting and bucktailing - so my question is: are there any tricks of the trade that you can share or certain conditions where the poppers seem to work better or worse?
Thanks in advance,
Andy
PS I have not yet had a chance to look at the video tape as I am still trying to desalt 2 rods, 2 reels, 3 spools, 2 rod cases, a fishing vest... Any tips on the best method for desalting and caring for fly equipment used in the salt would be greatly appreciated! I have noticed that my Loomis IMX rod is showing some rust discoloration along several of the guide feet from the trip out there 3 weeks ago and I thought that showering with it and wiping it down with a washcloth would have been sufficient ...
----- Original Message -----From: Leland MiyawakiTo: WaflyfishersSent: Tuesday, September 18, 2001 4:24 PMSubject: Re: Sekiu Salmon BonanzaI am glad to hear it's still going hot and heavy. Fellow listmember, Brian Lencho, is there as we write. I hope he's hitting 'em again.My salmon-in-the-salt days are over for the season. I'm putting my time into steelhead beginning with a week on the Bulkley from this saturday.Leland.
Greetings list members,
To start off, I hope everyone has a better week this week than last and my prayers go out to the everyone effected by this tragedy.
A couple of friends and I went to Sekiu to fish Sunday and Monday and it was by far the best thing we could do to get our minds off of recent events. The Silvers were in the kelp beds just waiting for our flies to be cast at them. Many of the fish were in the four to five pound range and we also got a few seven to eight pounders. Buck tailing was definitely the best method for numbers of fish with casting and stripping being effective but not as much so. The fish seemed to concentrate at the points of land sticking out into the water where a rip had formed. Several times we had three or even four fish on at a time in those areas. Andy was even inspired to put down his rod (when his arm got tired) and picked up the video camera to film this event. Hopefully we will have some footage soon to share with the website so you all can see for yourselves just how hot fly fishing can be in the salt. Sekiu and Neah Bay is so under fished by the fly angling community ! ! it surprises me that more people aren't doing it. No crowds and tons of fish. In fact I have been thinking of attempting to set up a Washington fly fishers outing there next year.On Sunday we wanted to see just how many fish we could actually hand release not counting any fish that came off next to the boat or any fish that played but came un buttoned. The total for three of us in eight hours were 67 fish LANDED with at least twice that with fish on. If anyone is interested in joining us for an outing next year you can contact me by e-mail. It is plenty early to make plans,but I for one,am already counting the days. Oh and if that isn't exciting enough there are also the occasional king to be caught.
--- PATRICK PETERSEN
--- [EMAIL PROTECTED]
