Fishing Tiny Dries

I fished the Swift last Saturday with Alex Bagdonas. We started at the Pipe, where we ran into Jo.

Early on, I took several bows nymphing with zebra midges. As the air temperatures warmed and fish started rising, I took more on a swung soft-hackle-and-midge set up, mostly brookies. Although all fish took the midge, the soft hackle served as an attractor. I saw several fish follow the tandem rig before hitting. As the rising became more steady, I switched over to dries.

Fishing with tiny dry flies was both challenging and rewarding. I missed many strikes since I couldn’t see the flies. Eventually, trial and error brought several rainbows and brookies to hand. Patterns that worked for me that day included tiny BWOs, Winter Caddis, and a Parachute Adams.

Later, Alex and I moved above Route 9. It was a zoo. The water was clearer up here and the fish more skittish. I hooked and lost a large bow and took a brookie sight nymphing in the Bubbler arm. Alex took some nice fish including a 14″. brookie. Eventually, I called it quits and drove the two hours back to New Hampshire.

Early morning at the Pipe. Photo credit: Alex Bagdonas

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2 thoughts on “Fishing Tiny Dries

  1. Ashu, congrats on the good action. You have to love catching trout on dry flies this time of year. Dry flies will always be my favorite way to fish. A 14″ brook trout is a beauty.
    Sam

    1. Thanks Sam! If you get a chance, fish the Pipe. It can get crowded, but when they start rising around noon on a warm late fall day, it’s all worth it!

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