Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition Issue 3911 May 2020 | Page 7

7 May 2020 VOL.39 • ISS. 11 How To bon’s low stretch characteristics that make it more sensitive and responsive than standard monofilament. Over the years, I’ve experimented with several different line weights. I’ve employed 2 pound test on the light end of the spectrum and 6, 8 and 10 pound test on the heavy end. I’ve settled on 6 pound test because it provides ample power for most stream applications. It is fine in diameter, yet it has enough body to keep it manageable and relatively tangle free. Line capacity isn’t a huge issue for the stream angler, but a silky smooth drag is. The dominant factor in any stream is current and current greatly magnifies the power and speed of even modest sized trout. If you are spooled up with 6 or even 8 pound line and hook a decent size trout that dives into a strong current be prepared to say goodbye if your drag hesitates or grabs. Beyond a quality rod and reel, stream fishing requires a small well thought out array of terminal tackle. Tackle boxes are a pain to carry on a stream, so you’ll want to carry your gear in a fishing vest or creel. This way your gear will be readily accessible. Depth control is crucial when fishing for stream trout. In most situations you want your offering drifting near the bottom at the same speed as the current. Since stream depths and current velocities change constantly you’ll need a variety of different sizes of split shot, so you can mix and match to achieve the proper depth and drift. Since the amount of weigh will need to be changed frequently, it is important to use removable split shot. Lead split shot with squeezable tabs at the rear are cheap and easily removed, but the tabs make them more prone to snagging. Super soft English split shot that is composed of a combination of lead and tin doesn’t have tabs, but due to its softness it is easily opened with your thumbnail. English shot is significantly more expensive than standard lead shot, but it doesn’t hang up as often. All things considered I prefer the English shot when I can get it. Generally you have to visit a fly shop to find it or you can order it directly from merry ‘ol England via the Internet. Along with split shot it is a good idea to carry a few eighth to quarter ounce bullet weights. You won’t use these very often, but they are good to have just in case you By Cal Kellogg continued from page 6 are confronted with extra deep or extra For situations when I want more flash I go will take a wide range of natural baits, in fact any small organism found in the fast water, conditions you’re most likely with a model featuring a gold blade. to find in the early spring. Some anglers believe that you need lures stream or that falls in the stream might just find itself residing inside a trout. Targeting stream trout means fishing in a wide range of different colors, but I Having said that, I employ four different a variety of small baits and that means disagree. When a stream trout hits a lure it natural baits when targeting stream trout. the aspiring stream angler will need is a reaction bite triggered in large part by Worms are my favorite. The baby night a selection of small hooks. Octopus the vibration and silhouette of the spoon hooks in sizes 10 and 12 along with bait or spinner. I believe the color of the lure is crawlers found at tackle shops are great, but smaller “garden worms” that I dig holders in sizes 8 and 10 will meet all pretty far down on the list of importance myself are even better. I’ve tried red the challenges that you’ll face on the in terms of whether or not a trout chooses worms and while they will catch trout I’m stream. Sharp strong hooks constructed to strike. not a big fan of them. They are too small of fine wire are important, so it isn’t I avoid bright unnatural colors. My wise to skimp on quality to save money. thought is that the metallic flash put off by and too fragile for most applications. CONTINUED ON PG 8 Gamakatsu hooks are always my first a gold and silver lures mimics the flash of choice. If they are not available Eagle a baitfish, while the Claw Lazer Sharps will get the job done. dark color scheme Beyond split shot and hooks, I of my favorite recommend carrying a Spartan assortment Panther Martin is Now of wet flies and lures. Subsurface flies can similar to the color be fished very effectively using spinning of the nymphs that Booking tackle in both lakes and streams. trout are accus- DELTA In terms of lures you want to have both tomed to eating. STRIPERS spoons and spinners. Every avid stream The spin angler angler has his or her favorite lures. It isn’t can take plenty of All Bait & Tackle necessary to have a big selection of lures. trout on flies and More important is having confidence in lures, but artificials and Fish Cleaning Furnished the lures you use. can’t compete with My all time favorite spoon for stream the effectiveness of Call for Information – fishing is an eighth or quarter ounce natural baits. Stream Kastmaster. I carry these in both gold and trout are opportun- [phone] silver with gold being my first choice in ists by nature and Capt. Chris Ditter 3906 most situations. In lakes I don’t use traditional spinners very much, but in streams I can often For both Bank Anglers and Boat Anglers! be found working Sponsored by a spinner. I’m very 2020 TOURNAMENT DATES particular about the • FEB. 8th................... San Pablo Dam Res. type of spinner I • March 14th ............. Lake Pardee use. For me there • April 25th ............... Collins Lake are Panther Martin • May 2nd .................. 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