Riffles, did I ever mention it's my favorite place to fish, especially on a small stream. These swift water gems not only produce fish they also provide a sense of security to the trout. You would be amazed at the size and amount of trout that find security in a skinny riffle.
They will be found to the left, to the right, in the little plunge. At times they will be in the upper part of a riffle and other times at the tail. But be assured they are there.
This guy was taken from the riffle above along with a few others.
I poked several trout in this 4 foot riffle. They splashed and jumped and as much commotion as they made they did not stop the others from striking the fly.
Do you know why trout like to spend time in the riffles?
Lift up a few rocks in a riffle....man there's a buffet there. There were nymphs of various sizes, lot's of aquatic worms and some other strange life forms.
There were plenty of these to, why they were under the stones beats the hell out of me.
So guys next time out don't pass up the riffles.
The LL Bean Fish and Game by Angus Cameron has a great section for "camp cooking"...lots of good stuff. I picked this one out of a few and we enjoyed it tonight.
Nice pst Alan. I love fishing moving water also
ReplyDeleteMark Wittman
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Mark there's usually a fish or two in a riffle. It also give the fly plenty of movement.
Winged dun mayflies under rocks? That's a new one! I just did some research and found that some mayfly species will emerge on the bottom and float from bottom to top as duns. Who would have thought?
ReplyDeleteRM Lytle
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Rowan I first thought this must be a mistake, then I checked another rock and they were there also. It's all new to me.
I am very far from being knowing half of what most flyfishers know about insects, but it was always my understanding that certain mayflies emerge underwater then shoot up through the water column quickly to take flight. I was under the impression that this is why wet flies exist for some mayflies but not others, to imitate this type of mayfly. A Cahill comes to mind as one of these, but again, I'm sure there are people here much more knowledgable than I on this topic.
DeleteGeorge S
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George that is interesting and make a lot of sense. But in all my years of fishing that's the first time I've seen this.
Alan
ReplyDeleteFishing riffles and eating a fantastic meal a great combination----thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell
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Bill pocket riffles are also a fish holding place. Next time your out on a stream you must try them.
Alan
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photographs of the riffles and brookies!! What a way to spend the day on the stream. Clear skies, and small streams full of water and gorgeous brook trout!
TROUT1
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Pete those few hours are precious.
Alan, that is the darnedest thing seeing those winged insects underneath rocks. I would like to know the explanation of that!
ReplyDeleteI need to pay more attention to the riffles. There is a large section of the river I fish that I walk right on by every time on my way to a deeper run. I have to try the riffles this spring and see how I do.
Best Regards, Sam
Parachute Adams
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Sam I thought I was seeing things. When I turned the rock over they did not move.
Riffles can be hot at times, that's why I fish them from top the tail.
Hi Alan,
ReplyDeleteExcellent post once again......
Over here we have at least one up-wing which hatches from the nymph into the dun whilst under water (the one I know of is the 'dusky yellow streak' Heptagenia lateralis but there may be other????).
I like the look of the wet you were using there...... Do you have he recipe?
Like the look of the meal at then end to ;-).
Alistair
Anonymous
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Alistair that's the first time I have ever seen this, and to go further I have never heard of this happening.
It's an emerger..wood duck tail and wing...natural fox squirrel belly dubbing, and hen hackle collar.
I need to try riffles more. To often, I fish the tails and maybe do a drift through, but I really dont put enough effort into them! Amazing to see the dun's under the rock! Wild!
ReplyDeleteHibernation
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Will never pass up a riffle, lots of fish find them very much to their liking. Those duns were a first for me.
Alan, great pics. Love the "emerger shot"!
ReplyDeleteRalph Long
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Ralph sometimes the camera just catches it right.
Alan, I have tried to post a couple of responses here (actually, the same comment) and for some reason it is not taking. So, I will try again this morning.
ReplyDelete"Much like Man, Fish have to eat and have oxygen to survive. As you said, the riffles are full of both for fish. That is a win/win situation for all of us".
The Bluegill Bug
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Mel you sound like me. There are times when the computer won't let me do what I want.
Great thoughts on those riffles.
I had a nice stocked trout hook up in a riffle on the Muddy. That was fun. I felt like I was deep in the Poconos. I am pretty sure I heard ravens (ravens!) calling in the background.
DeleteLike you say, they go where the food is.
gios
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Riffles, at times it's a buffet and the trout know it.