11-05-2009, 12:59 AM
I just can't let this one slide. I personally guided Jim Teeny in Alaska many years ago on the Unalakleet River. What you write is correct.
"he could see the fish and the fly and could put it right in their mouth. Put on a show for all the people at the launch area. As we worked our way down the river, the water was not as clear and it was not as effective."
I stood right by his side for a full week watching him snag, I mean "put it right in their mouth," 20-50 pound king salmon. One right after another. Over and over. He "caught" more kings than any other fisherman at the lodge that season, times 10! Using a black #8 Teeny nymph.
Like any huge king salmon actually eats those, or a size 10 white one for that matter. Not a single other angler ever caught a king on a black teeny nymph in 3 seasons at that lodge. Kings only ate big, flashy, mostly bright patterns.
Draw your own conclusions. "Water was not as clear, and it was not as effective" Maybe because he couldn't see to guide the fly into the fish's mouth?
I have nothing against Mr. Teeny personally. We got along great, he taught me a thing or two (I was 17!), and left me a generous tip. However, his fishing style is not for everybody, and his technique of nymphing with a sink tip line is not for most.
It is all sight fishing, watching and guiding a fly into a fish's mouth. More like bowling or tossing darts, not enticing a fish to strike a fly. I have no problem with it if that's what makes the angler happy, but again, its not enticing or presenting an opportunity for a deliberate strike.
So, I wouldn't jump out and buy a sink tip to present a nymph naturally to a trout. There's a reason most people don't do it!
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"he could see the fish and the fly and could put it right in their mouth. Put on a show for all the people at the launch area. As we worked our way down the river, the water was not as clear and it was not as effective."
I stood right by his side for a full week watching him snag, I mean "put it right in their mouth," 20-50 pound king salmon. One right after another. Over and over. He "caught" more kings than any other fisherman at the lodge that season, times 10! Using a black #8 Teeny nymph.
Like any huge king salmon actually eats those, or a size 10 white one for that matter. Not a single other angler ever caught a king on a black teeny nymph in 3 seasons at that lodge. Kings only ate big, flashy, mostly bright patterns.
Draw your own conclusions. "Water was not as clear, and it was not as effective" Maybe because he couldn't see to guide the fly into the fish's mouth?
I have nothing against Mr. Teeny personally. We got along great, he taught me a thing or two (I was 17!), and left me a generous tip. However, his fishing style is not for everybody, and his technique of nymphing with a sink tip line is not for most.
It is all sight fishing, watching and guiding a fly into a fish's mouth. More like bowling or tossing darts, not enticing a fish to strike a fly. I have no problem with it if that's what makes the angler happy, but again, its not enticing or presenting an opportunity for a deliberate strike.
So, I wouldn't jump out and buy a sink tip to present a nymph naturally to a trout. There's a reason most people don't do it!
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