Suffice it to say I read the various reports and actually put some money down (too much according to my spouse) to purchase and support the various lure manufacturers. Frisky Jenny and Kada Flies are all good flies and I've used them with sporatic results. Last week at Sterling Point, it was a mess. Cold, windy and just nothing going on. Caught one rainbow on a Perch Frisky Jenny and then just headed back to Ft Spokane. Great day to fish (any day is a great day to fish) - just no fish. No problem.
So, a week later, light winds, cold and hit the ramp at daylight. Headed upriver to Split Rock, first fish in the boat 30 minutes later on a Perch Frisky Jenny. Nothing on the Orange and Black Kadafly. No problem. That's fishing. Eleven hookups, 8 fish in the boat and five home. My old standard, the Muddler Minnow, 185 feet back with 20 foot leader and lead line ... don't know why I try anything else .... other than to support local business. I really enjoy reading fishing success stories ..... I do. Nothing on Perch divers on downriggers though I was marking fish on all three transducers throughout the water column. Kept busy with the electronics - that goodness for the autopilot! Just seems the old standbys always work at Split Rock - wish other stuff did but for me it doesn't. Picked up a couple above Split Rock but most were within 1/2 mile and 200 feet offshore. That was today.
I am NOT making any assertions about anybody else - if you don't like it - get over it. These are my observations as of today.
Water temp ... 40.5 degrees
Light winds ... less than 5 knots
Air temp - cold enough to put up the canvas
Brown Muddler Minnow, 185 feet back on 26 lb lead liine with a 20 foot leader.
GREAT DAY ON THE WATER!
Hope your next day is as much fun!

Kfedka

12/23/2014 10:28:00 AM

Something that seems to trigger bites very well is to ride in an "S" shape all the time.

mtngrizz

12/23/2014 12:18:00 PM

Muddler patterns seem to be a old standby with many of us who have fished for many many years. I asked Frisky Jenny years ago to build one of their flies in that pattern but was told that it could not be done. No pattern available. Too bad, I think a big Muddler with a trailing single or treble would be brutal on big rainbows. Perhaps Kekeda could work on that. Good report, your observations based on your day on the water. We all have those days. What works for one doesn't always work for another.

downriggeral

12/23/2014 2:39:00 PM

I find each day to be a puzzle to be solved....that's half the fun! Historically I have caught more fish on leaded line than any other way. For me the magic number is 18# lead-core, three colors back (90') plus 50 to 60' fluorocarbon leader, a very small swivel four or 5' fluoro leader with the fly tied direct. I tip the fly with worm or artificial worm (chartreuse has worked great the last couple of trips) and I keep the worm just beyond the stinger trailer hook on the flies. I also put them in the water and watch them "swim". I don't want them to spin. A very slight roll seems to be OK. Just my observations and no harping whatsoever.
The experiment must continue - Alan

hewesfisher

12/24/2014 8:49:00 AM

This report is a good example of why what works for one may not work for another - too many variables from one day to another and one boat to another. I get many questions from others wanting to know how I fish, where I fish, what gear I use, what depth, how far back, and so on down to the smallest detail, but the bottom line is you have to be willing and able to adapt to the conditions of the day, move if not productive, and change the game when nothing else seems to work. That's what "fishing" is all about, finding what works so it can be "catching". Like others, I get complacent as I'm comfortable with what works for me and not always willing to try something different. Those days when I do try something new, and the results aren't as expected, I always go back to what has, and does, work for me. Great thing about fishing, many ways to accomplish the same goal. :-)

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