When They Quit Feeding on Top

[Bruce Tomaselli]

I fished for gills on Friday and today. I started around 6:30 am. Each day fish readily fed on top of the water on foam spiders. Each day the fish stopped feeding on top between 10 and 11:00 am. What would be the best way to pursue them deep? I fish only flies and no live bait. Would a hopper dropper type rig work? How about a nymph and a float? Ideas will be appreciated.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I would go with a "Briminator," "Cats Meow," "Rubber Legged Dragon," "Cap Spider," "Bully's Bluegill Spider..."

The list of nymph-like flies is endless. As long as it has a general shape and color reminiscent of aquatic nymphs, and some dangly, vibrating bits like hackle or legs, your in the zone. Small streamers are also an option, from 8-12 sizes.These get a bit fiddly for some people, however, so think dragonfly nymph and you're off to a good start.

WHY CHANGE?

The bigger fish typically retreat to water in 4-10' range by late morning, and some sort of cover. Ideally, this will also be within a short swim of a depth break to deeper water in the 10-20 ft range.

In the harsh, heavy glare and heat of Summer, you may have to go even deeper. All this means a fly that sinks, and probably some sort of weighted line arrangement, be it sinking tips, small shot or fully sinking line.

I usually chuck my fly rod by that point and go with very light spin gear. I'm not so much a fly devotee as an opportunist!