03-23-2014, 12:20 AM
Thanks for the input everyone. While I can't complain at all about recent results, some of these techniques are relatively new for me (the last year or so) so I heartily endorse the idea that I need to experiment more (ie; go fishing) very soon.
[quote skis_flies_ice]
Mending your line too much or improper mending can create slack between your flies. Get a few good mends at the very beginning of your drifts and leave it. Dont mend unsless you see a little wake created by your indicator. Over-mending can put the brakes on your indicator. To keep your indicator fully downstream keep your line downsteam of the indicator. Sometimes developing the tiniest of a downstream belly can help keep things "in touch" but you run the risk of pulling your flies off the bottom or too fast through the water. So its a balancing act.
[/quote]
There may be something to this with what was happening last week. Thinking about it, all three of the foul hookups were at the very end of the drift and I tend to stretch out as far as possible with my rod to get every last foot of good "drift" before pulling up. Maybe adjustment on how I'm mending could change that some. I'll have to experiment with that next time. I personally think I was striking late on at least 2 of them as well. It was one of those nice days when the hits were usually pretty solid and I think I may have not reacted quickly enough on a more subtle take on a couple of them. One of the fouled hookup hits was a hard one though so who knows. Like I said before, I appreciate the suggestions and it will just be an excuse to experiment more.
If I don't go ice fishing on my day off next week, I'll probably be back up there and I'll see if I can get a few pics for Remo this time as well.
[signature]
[quote skis_flies_ice]
Mending your line too much or improper mending can create slack between your flies. Get a few good mends at the very beginning of your drifts and leave it. Dont mend unsless you see a little wake created by your indicator. Over-mending can put the brakes on your indicator. To keep your indicator fully downstream keep your line downsteam of the indicator. Sometimes developing the tiniest of a downstream belly can help keep things "in touch" but you run the risk of pulling your flies off the bottom or too fast through the water. So its a balancing act.
[/quote]
There may be something to this with what was happening last week. Thinking about it, all three of the foul hookups were at the very end of the drift and I tend to stretch out as far as possible with my rod to get every last foot of good "drift" before pulling up. Maybe adjustment on how I'm mending could change that some. I'll have to experiment with that next time. I personally think I was striking late on at least 2 of them as well. It was one of those nice days when the hits were usually pretty solid and I think I may have not reacted quickly enough on a more subtle take on a couple of them. One of the fouled hookup hits was a hard one though so who knows. Like I said before, I appreciate the suggestions and it will just be an excuse to experiment more.
If I don't go ice fishing on my day off next week, I'll probably be back up there and I'll see if I can get a few pics for Remo this time as well.
[signature]