Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => Fly Fishing Cafe => Topic started by: FishOn36 on June 04, 2010, 05:12:42 PM

Title: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: FishOn36 on June 04, 2010, 05:12:42 PM
I'm looking to get a fly box and load it up with all the popular patterns used around these parts, just for trolling mainly. I'm wondering what size hooks I should be going for? I bought a couple of Royal Coachman's a couple weeks back, size 10 I believe and they seem quite tiny but I did catch a small trout trolling it.

Suggestions?  :-\

edit: Can leech patterns be trolled on the surface?
Title: Re: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: Rp3Flyfisher on June 05, 2010, 04:59:25 PM
If you are going to be mainly trolling, I would stick with flies in the size range of Size 8-12.

As for trolling leeches on the surface, not the best but make sure the fly has a bead head or add a split shot or two and you should be OK.

Rick
Title: Re: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: marmot on June 05, 2010, 07:04:19 PM
If you are going to be mainly trolling, I would stick with flies in the size range of Size 8-12.

As for trolling leeches on the surface, not the best but make sure the fly has a bead head or add a split shot or two and you should be OK.

Rick

yup x2.

Leeches = deep presentation, usually.
You can troll chironomids if trolling is your thing too.  When we were kids we did quite well dragging chironies around..size 16 moose manes.  Actually you can troll pretty much any fly of any size around.  Not as effective as casting but you'll still catch.
Title: Re: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: FishOn36 on June 06, 2010, 01:15:09 AM
As for trolling leeches on the surface, not the best but make sure the fly has a bead head or add a split shot or two and you should be OK.

Probably a dumb question, but would I hook up a couple split shots about 18" ahead of the leech like you mentioned in another thread or could I just add say a small split shot directly in front of it? If that makes sense... :-\
Title: Re: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: HOOK on June 06, 2010, 06:27:11 AM
Try getting yourself into watching The New Fly Fisher on tv if possible. the host mentions in several shows how he adds split shots right by the head of the fly to help give it action and sinkability. I have never tried trolling leeches on a dry line, always been done with a clear slime line or a faster sunk line. Way more effective i think.
Title: Re: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: canso on June 06, 2010, 08:19:54 AM
go to Canadian tire and buy a $15 full sink line, add 30ft of 6-8lb mono then tie on a leech pattern. if you put out all the sink line,
troll slow, it will be down about 10ft.
I just use bead head wooly buggers
Title: Re: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: FishOn36 on June 06, 2010, 01:51:57 PM
go to Canadian tire and buy a $15 full sink line, add 30ft of 6-8lb mono then tie on a leech pattern. if you put out all the sink line,
troll slow, it will be down about 10ft.
I just use bead head wooly buggers

I'm currently using spinning setups for this, as a I don't have a fly rod (yet ;D).
Title: Re: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: FishOn36 on June 07, 2010, 08:11:46 PM
Try getting yourself into watching The New Fly Fisher on tv if possible. the host mentions in several shows how he adds split shots right by the head of the fly to help give it action and sinkability. I have never tried trolling leeches on a dry line, always been done with a clear slime line or a faster sunk line. Way more effective i think.

What channel is that on?
Title: Re: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: colin6101 on June 09, 2010, 12:40:23 AM
Here's another good show that is available for viewing online as well.
http://www.sfotf.ca/watch-full-episodes-index/
Title: Re: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: Spiznack on June 10, 2010, 02:46:34 PM
What channel is that on?

The best channel on TV: WFN - World Fishing Network.

Tuesdays are fly fishing days when they run mostly fly fishing shows.  The New Fly Fisher is one of the best.
Title: Re: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: cohojoe on June 15, 2010, 11:25:50 AM
try a weight on your spinning out leader to get down.   then slow,  jerky ,  erratic,   zig zag,   then wham .    make sure your rod or line is attached to your belt loop with a carabiner. 

 Once my newbie fishing buddy  laughed at me when I suggested attaching the rod or line to something on the boat or his clothing.    I will never forget the humble pie he ate when we got back to the lodge and he had to pay the owner for the lost rod and reel.     We tried to snag the line but it was foggy and I could not get a bearing on where we were on the lake.      Carabiners cost about $ 2.50 at Surplus Herbys,   Cost of the rod and reel  $  hundreds and hundreds.   

  My buddy at Horse lake made the same mistake in my  Lost and Found thread.   There must be a lot of rods and reels down in our lakes.
Title: Re: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: firstlight on June 17, 2010, 09:17:24 PM
Whenever i use split shot i like to keep it as far away from the fly as possible.
Usually a rod length.
Title: Re: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: jimmywits on July 11, 2010, 10:30:57 AM
Probably a dumb question, but would I hook up a couple split shots about 18" ahead of the leech like you mentioned in another thread or could I just add say a small split shot directly in front of it? If that makes sense... :-\
Purchase a type 4 full sink line, and don't worry about weights. You can even go type 6 if you want to be really deep . As for a fly rod and reel, for trolling you do not need expensive equipment at all.   
Title: Re: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: RalphH on July 15, 2010, 02:23:19 PM
buy a $15 full sink line, add 30ft of 6-8lb mono then tie on a leech pattern.

30ft? Short leaders usually work better with sinking lines as there is less of an issue with an arc or curve in the leader. There will be a curve in the sinking line .

In most situations try to troll as slowly as possible. However sometimes fast does wonders. Salmon lake in July is one place that a fast troll with a purple leech often outfishes any other method.
Title: Re: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: FishOn36 on July 15, 2010, 03:24:50 PM
Thanks guys, I'm heading out to Wholesale sports later today where I'm probably gonna pickup a fly rod with a sinking line to troll leech patters. Gonna see if they sell pumpkin head flies there to try out @ Rolley lake on Saturday along with black & olive woolly buggers :D
Title: Re: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: jimmywits on July 15, 2010, 08:21:19 PM
Thanks guys, I'm heading out to Wholesale sports later today where I'm probably gonna pickup a fly rod with a sinking line to troll leech patters. Gonna see if they sell pumpkin head flies there to try out @ Rolley lake on Saturday along with black & olive woolly buggers :D
Good move, for trolling leech patterns and wooley buggers (same thing) etc ; you don't need to spend much money on rod and reel or line, and you will be successfull. The main concern presently will be the temperature of the water as we get further into summer.
Title: Re: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: FishOn36 on July 15, 2010, 09:29:49 PM
Good move, for trolling leech patterns and wooley buggers (same thing) etc ; you don't need to spend much money on rod and reel or line, and you will be successfull. The main concern presently will be the temperature of the water as we get further into summer.

Thanks jimmywits, I ended up getting this package http://www.amundson.ca/flyfishing/rockymountain/rockymountain.html (http://www.amundson.ca/flyfishing/rockymountain/rockymountain.html) and this line http://buy.scientificanglers.com/lines/fly-lines/professional-series-full-sinking-type-iv-gray-html.html (http://buy.scientificanglers.com/lines/fly-lines/professional-series-full-sinking-type-iv-gray-html.html) (Professional Series- Full Sinking - Type IV - Gray, WF- 8-S).

EDIT: Going to return this tomorrow, stupid me...was kinda in a rush yesterday to pickup a combo but after doing some research a 8wt for trout is WAY overkill. Ideally a 5-6wt is what I need...right?
Title: Re: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: jimmywits on July 16, 2010, 08:20:21 AM
Thanks jimmywits, I ended up getting this package http://www.amundson.ca/flyfishing/rockymountain/rockymountain.html (http://www.amundson.ca/flyfishing/rockymountain/rockymountain.html) and this line http://buy.scientificanglers.com/lines/fly-lines/professional-series-full-sinking-type-iv-gray-html.html (http://buy.scientificanglers.com/lines/fly-lines/professional-series-full-sinking-type-iv-gray-html.html) (Professional Series- Full Sinking - Type IV - Gray, WF- 8-S).

EDIT: Going to return this tomorrow, stupid me...was kinda in a rush yesterday to pickup a combo but after doing some research a 8wt for trout is WAY overkill. Ideally a 5-6wt is what I need...right?

  Right, a 5/6 weight fly rod is the most universal of sizes, covers all the bases.
Title: Re: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: FishOn36 on July 16, 2010, 11:06:21 PM
  Right, a 5/6 weight fly rod is the most universal of sizes, covers all the bases.

Okay, so I got myself a proper setup..paid a bit more but who cares. 9" Fenwick Eagle GT 5wt rod and a Reddington 5/6 "RISE" reel in dark charcoal color. Unfortunately they didn't have a 5wt full sinking line so I ended up getting an intermediate.
Title: Re: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: jimmywits on July 17, 2010, 09:29:47 AM
Okay, so I got myself a proper setup..paid a bit more but who cares. 9" Fenwick Eagle GT 5wt rod and a Reddington 5/6 "RISE" reel in dark charcoal color. Unfortunately they didn't have a 5wt full sinking line so I ended up getting an intermediate.
Nice set -up, but to get your bug deep without adding weight, you will need a type 4 full sinker. Your intermediate sink line is also an exellent addition to your arsenal, but for daytime fishing in the summer it may not get deep enough.
Title: Re: Fly hook size for trout?
Post by: FishOn36 on July 17, 2010, 08:51:34 PM
Nice set -up, but to get your bug deep without adding weight, you will need a type 4 full sinker. Your intermediate sink line is also an exellent addition to your arsenal, but for daytime fishing in the summer it may not get deep enough.

I went to Army & Navy in Langley today to pick up a few things, they didn't have any full sinking 5wt line either which was pretty disappointing. Intermediate should work do for now..will add a tiny bit of weight if needed.