RE: Trick for Rocky Ford

[Wes Neuenschwander]

Title: Message

I have found this to be an extremely effective technique, both at Rocky Ford and at various still waters around the area.  Personally however, I prefer to make the initial presentation dead-drifted to an actively cruising fish.  I find that by placing the fly several feet ahead of a feeding fish - just so the fly hits the bottom a foot or two ahead of the fish - the fish will frequently root the fly out of the mud without having to give it a twitch (if it doesn't take it during the dead-drift, of course).  The whole sequence closely imitates that of a natural scud, dislodged and adrift, with the critical additional advantage of providing partial concealment in the silt bottom layer.  It's truly amazing how many 'inspection/rejection" scenarios, where the savvy cruising brutes swim slowly to the fly, nose it and turn away, turn into vicious takes as soon the the fly eases slightly into the bottom.   These fish have just too acute a recollection of the hundreds of imitations they've already seen to fool them when they can see the fly clearly.  Partially embeded in the bottom, just an outline with only a hint of the size, shape and color presented, the fly provides a very powerful and effective feeding stimulus.    Sometimes of course they won't take on the initial presentation and will just stop and scrutinize the fly.  In this case though, the most important thing I've found is controlling the twitch of the fly so that the fly moves only very, very slightly - less than an inch, if possible - and to twitch it only once.  Excessive movement is unnatural - even a scud in flight will only move a few millimeters - and moving the lfy too much will pull it out of the concealing mud.  The hardest part though is only giving it a single twitch:  Frequently the fish will charge the fly and stop, with its nose almost touching it, and then wait for several seconds before rooting it out and turning away with it.  You can see the fish, agonizing over the decision, nose down, still, except for slightly twitching pectorals and maybe a small wave of the tail!  You can see me agonizing as well, as I wait for the fish to dig it out and run.  This can be incredibly exiciting fishing, and excellent training in patience as well!   -Wes      -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Robert J. Lawless Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2004 3:50 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Trick for Rocky Ford Here's a trick for Rocky Ford when it's cold or anywhere else for that matter where you have cruising fish.  Hide or stand still in a spot where you can observe any fish that might come near your fly.  A scud is good for this tactic.  Now make a cast to a spot that you can plainly see.  Let the scud go to the bottom with no retrieve.  Put hands in pocket with the handwarmers.  Light up something.  I use a cigar, of course, in order to stay legal.  Enjoy but watch out for cruising fish.  As soon as one approaches from either direction, twitch the fly up out of the mud, just a little at a time.  We want mud on the fly and mud on the leader.  Trout are not afraid of mud.  They will attack and dig up the fly if necessary.  Give them a little tweak when you think the time is right.   If you miss, then go back to your twitching.  Chances are that the fish will look around, locate the scud, and attack again.  This technique requires patience, a modicum of casting ability, and a good cigar or two. Bob, the Pay Me A Dollar