ADK nymph fishing for trout in streams

[beaverPond]

I am new to fly fishing and looking for some advice on nymph fishing in ADK streams. I respect the fact that this is a HUGE subject. Any advice on color/style/size that might be a good start would be greatly appreciated. Is there possibly a couple that might work through most times of the year?

I caught the brown I posted on a Hendrickson nymph that was just holding in the current downstream. My buddy said I was lucky. I must have been because I put in about 30 hours to get that fish.

Thanks,
beaverPond

[Mettaweeman]

Good nymphs for beginners are Hare's Ear in brown or olive green, beaded and with no beads, sizes 6 to 10 are average. Stoneflies also work pretty well up here, I've had good luck with sizes 4 and 6 on the streams around Warren and Washington counties.

[wildbrookies]

Mettaweeman, gave you some very good nymph patterns to try ...also,look for nymphs with some flash,like the flashback nymph styles(hares hare flashback,etc)....and some with gold ribbing,or peacock for the thorax(peacock herl is always a good natural irridescent,sparkly material...a few are ....the Zugbug,pheasant tail nymph,Copper Johns,etc....theres alot out there now with more flash....helps the trout pick up a fly quicker...hope I helped...anymore questions,just ask...

[beaverPond]

Is it essential that you dead drift the nymphs? Or can you pick some up just holding them in the current downstream? Also, anything that the native brookies especially love would be appreciated since they are the gems.

beaverPond

[wildbrookies]

You can dead drift , and get ready when the nymph is three quartering downstream,thats usually when my fly is taken ....

I have to mention a set-up that my brother and I use that will work for any trout in most situations...its called the "dropper " technique...you can ty on a nymph and ty a piece of 4x or 5x tippet material about 16-18"`s from the the bend in the hook on the nymph....and I like to ty a soft-hackle wet fly to the end ,so that when your done with the drift and your set-up is just straight downstream,the attached wetfly will rise and flutter around ,but get ready,a hit in that position is usually a strong jolt ,that often proceeds in a break off of the fly/trout...just lift the rod-tip carefully and the trout will hook itself...this set-up can be done with all kinds of flies...buggers/nymphs, buggers/wetflies, dryfly/nymph,dryfly/wetfly,etc...experimenting with this method is fun and often productive ....gives the trout another fly to consider eating, if one is not to its liking...the other day...my brother and I caught all our trout on the wetfly dropper... not the upper bugger....

[Gray Ghost]

WB - What patterns/sizes do you like for the dropper?

[beaverPond]

Thanks for the advice. I will try it asap and let you know how it works. Would a bugger work in ponds for drifitng along? I much prefer stream fishing but I may get out a few times to some ponds. I was thinking of olive or black buggers. If you ever fish the Oatka let me know and I will let you know what I have learned from the olt timers here. Nothing like ADK though. I have a camp in speculator.

Thanks for everything,
beaverPond

[wildbrookies]

Beaverpond,
I`m not too good with flies in ponds...we actually stopped going...I suppose we`ll never get good if we don`t keep at it, but, streams, now thats a differant story...love the adk`s streams and a few in Washington County....

Never fished the Oatka, I don`t even know where it is....are there brookies in it?

GG,
I ty a soft hackle wet that has a green drake color on the body w/ peacock herl for the thorax and hungarian partridge for the hackle...also,love all colors for the dubbing(body) also...red,yellow(wrapped with thin oval gold ribbing....this fly was the hot one friday)...orange works well for the native brookies ....I use burnt orange oppossum dubbing(got the idea from Francis Betters,he uses it on his Ausable Wulffs).....anything that will attract the brookie and look buggy,seems to their liking...also, like to use a pheasant tail nymph as a dropper....hope this helps....let me know if I can help you with anything else...

p.s...sorry, forgot Copper John, and Prince nymphs.....all dropper patterns in sizes # 12-14

[beaverPond]

No brookies in Oatka. Just a ton of browns(some native). But it is a great dry fly fishing stream because it is very open, providing a ton of casting space. There is a lot of aquatic life with great hatches as well. I hear that there are trout 20+ inches in this small stream. I would prefer a native brookie any day though. My biggest native stream brookie is only 15". My dad holds the family record of 18 1/4".

I posted a little movie snipit of Oatka:
2octave.com/pics

beaverPond

[Qtip]

I've had my best luck with Hare's Ears and caddis patterns. If you tie, just get some pattern books and have it. It will also keep your technique up to snuff. Have the fun of fly fishing is the learning by trial and error. Read, watch videos, etc. Become a sponge for info. Good luck!

Qtip
Soli Deo Gloria!

[marzrw]

GG - I lke bead heads - nymphs and soft hackled wet flies...I have caught a ton of trout on them the past few years...Buggier the better...Browns, tans, greens, and peacock bodies ...As WB said 12-14 works best. Sometimes (or most times) we use the two fly dropper technique...

Don't know if we are supposed to advertise for businesses, but if you don't tie yourself, go to: www.flyshack.com Click on wet flies, go to page 3, and look for: Bead Head Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle - sizes 12-14...They are really good flies at cheap prices and I believe the guy is local - West Charlton, NY... You won't be sorry...