In part four, Joel Hays picks up where we left off in part three posted on Valentine’s Day. The value of what to bring along also extends to – blister repair. The trip we were on last summer was a five day trip where if there were weaknesses in equipment, shoes, skin or bones – they were exposed. I can attest to the wariness of these fish, and when they are spooked (by a rookie like me) they are GONE. The end. The strategies laid out here are deadly accurate, and if you don’t believe it, try it your own way and see what happens. Keep going down this trail to the end and you will get to a fly pattern called the Joel’s Foamulator. Thanks so much Joel! Heck of a ride. Can’t wait to see if there’s time for me to fish while in Guatemala next week.

I cannot stress enough that you need to plan your presentations. This includes your casting. How much space do I have? Can I get a good back cast? Am I going to line trout? Will I have a better angle from the other side? These are questions that need to be on a loop in your mind. You neck should hurt at the end of the day from constantly checking your backcast space.

Angler position is also crucial. Standing in the middle of the stream is a last resort. A large river will “hide” the vibrations of your wading – a small stream will not. If you step into a small pool, you will telegraph your presence to every fish in the pool. The small fish might not care but the larger ones will stop feeding and hide. Try to stay out of the water as much as possible. Slow down your motions and stay low. Avoid wearing anything white or brightly colored; you need to blend in with the surroundings.

This brings us back to presentation. Say you are in a stream that is 8 feet across with bush on each side and a few overhanging tree limbs. The run in front of you is about twenty feet long with a great looking lie at the top behind a log and two boulders – the kind of set-up that just looks “fishy.” There are probably 2 or 3 nice fish in the lie at the top and then a dozen or so smaller fish in the more marginal water in the back half of the run. You could easily pick off a handful of the smaller guys in the back but eventually, the nice fish would get spooked. You can’t catch 5 brookies at the tail of a 20 foot pool and expect to catch the 11 inch cut at the top. If you could cast all the way to the top (watch that backcast!) you would “line” half the fish in the stream. Even a two weight line hitting the water in a foot deep run will freak out some fish. If you’re looking for the “trophy” fish, the only answer in this situation is to crawl along the bank (if brush allows) and shoot a bow and arrow cast to the head of the pool.

Many small stream anglers wear knee pads over their waders. This should give you an idea of the usual position. Full waders are overkill (and a source of overheating) on these streams and hip waders will usually leave you with a wet ass at some point. Waist length waders are a great compromise. Depending on the length of the hike in, I will sometimes pack in the waders and change at the stream. Trail running shoes are a great alternative to heavy hiking boots and fit in the bottom of my pack while fishing. In summer conditions I prefer wet-wading these streams in a pair of shorts and wading boots with neoprene socks. I carry a pair of rain pants and a shell in my pack. I can always “layer-up” and sit out the inevitable Rocky Mountain afternoon thunderstorm.

In the past I have always used a fishing vest with a day pack on my back. The combination of layers and straps wasn’t always comfortable but I had everything I needed for myself and client for the day. The new pack vest combinations are a great advancement – you can wear the combo together or each piece separately. Some of the new packs (like the William Joseph Exodus) have day packs with heavy-duty internal suspensions that rival anything you would find at REI. Many are hydration compatible which helps balance the weight of water carried.

Having a pack is always a good idea because thrashing around in the high mountains and/or WAY off the beaten path requires some extra gear. I have been caught in sleet/hail storms in July in the Elk Mountains above Crested Butte. A friend and I once watched a digital thermometer drop from 77 degrees to 42 in 15 minutes (this while cowering beside a log during one of the most amazing thunderstorms I’ve ever witnessed). NEVER GO ANYWHERE IN THE MOUNTAINS WITHOUT A GOOD RAINSHELL! It could save your life or at least keep you from being miserable. I always have a wool hat and polypro gloves in the pack as well as a light fleece pullover. A small Ziploc contains basic survival stuff (matches, “space” blanket, small candle, compass, etc.). I always carry at least a liter of water and if I’m going out all day, a few iodine tablets so I can refill from the stream. On the not-to-serious side I usually have a thermos of coffee and/or a beer or two (those little insulated lunch carriers that kids use make GREAT beer coolers!). If I’m packing out waders and boots at the end of the day, a kitchen trash bag keeps the soggy stuff separate.

I would never be so bold as to name EXACT spots to fish, but I’ll give you some hints. Find the following creeks on a map of Colorado; Anthracite, Oh-Be-Joyful, Tomichi, Italian, Saguache, Little Grizzly, Upper Tarryall, one of the many “Clear” or “Four-Mile” Creeks. This list could get long fast. If you’re going to North Carolina, look for the upper Mills River drainage. In Pennsylvania, find the Black Moshannon.

It’s a different way to fish and a different type of reward. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or “fish-holder”). If your idea of a trophy is a 22 inch Brown, then this might not be for you. But, if you want to see the most colorful fish you’ve ever caught, one that was born in the same water in which it was caught – then this a great way to fish. Pull out a topo map and follow those blue lines until the road ends . . . that’s where the real fishing starts!

Joel’s Foamulator

This is a great small stream pattern because it floats well, is durable, looks like something to eat, and is relatively easy to tie. It also doubles as a good pattern for the typical “hopper and dropper” searching pattern used in so many Western areas. It doesn’t need to be treated with floatant (especially if you include the CDC).

Materials:

Hook:Tiemco 200 #12 or 14
Thread: 6/0 yellow or tan
Body:yellow and orange craft foam
Legs:yellow or orange Sililegs
Wing:Natural Elk
Underwing:White or Cream CDC
Overwing:any light colored Crystal Flash
Hackle:Grizzly

1)Cut a 3/4” x 1/8” strip of yellow and orange foam
2)Wrap thread to bend of hook (even with point) and tie in yellow foam. Overlay with orange and secure. Trim the end of the foam.
3)Advance thread on the hook shank about 1/8 of an inch and then wrap both pieces of foam to shank. Repeat.
4)Tie in a piece of CDC over the orange foam.
5)Cut two one inch pieces of Silileg. Tie in on each side.
6)Advance thread another 1/8 inch along shank and wrap the foam down again. Pull the leg material along the shank and tie in.
7)Trim, comb and stack elk hair. Tie in on top with tips as long as the barb of the hook.
8)Tie in a few strand of Krystal Flash. A drop of Zap a Gap on each side of the wraps at this point will strengthen the fly. Make sure not to let it soak into the elk hair or CDC.
9)Trim the elk hair and foam and tie in hackle piece. Advance the thread over the remaining elk hair and foam tightly.
10)Wrap the hackle to just behind the eye. Trim and whip-finish.