Nothin to it but to DO IT!

Here mousey, mousey...

Mousing has been around for a while.  I equate it, in a way, to carp fishing.  A lot of people have been doing it for a long time, just not the people who write or make videos about their excursions.  I've wanted to tie on a mouse pattern for some time now.  Daydreaming of a big largemouth or rainbow crashing the surface for a swimming rodent makes me salivate.  At the tying vise, however, my hesitancy would kick in and I would opt for a pattern I'm more comfortable with.  I was fearful that I could not tie a mouse pattern.  Even with only myself at the table, I feared a blow to my ego and potentially to my tying.

And then I received something that turned everything around.  A gift from my uncle.   Flies he had found when cleaning out my grandfather's things after he had passed away.  There were two of them, large, gaudy, obnoxious.  Thick clumps of deer hair tied on with what looked to be butchers yarn.  Thick white yarn holding on one large, long clump of deer hair.  One of the things I am sure to tell kids who are just starting out with tying is, "there are two types of flies...flies that fish like, and flies that fisherman like".  That is something I had forgotten while tying lately.  Everything has been precise and aesthetically pleasing to me.   I began developing the mentality that beautiful flies will catch fish.

I'm fairly certain that my grandpa didn't tie, so those flies my uncle gave to me must have been tied by his brother, uncle Donny.  They weren't pretty or neat in any way.  But I'm confident they would catch a fish.  My confidence was riding high.  "I can tie a little old mouse pattern," I though.  Turns out, I could.  It was not only easy, it was ascetically pleasing and realistic.  I did work hard to make it that way, but if it hadn't turned out like that, I wouldn't have minded.  They will be tested this weekend in locations where hungry bass and trout call home.  Heck, maybe I'll even try out the flies that inspired my work.  My confidence is riding high.

If you have considered tying a patter that you think will kill it on your local water, but are hesitant to take the jump, I only say this.  You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.  If you never attempt to tie a patter, you never will.  Get busy tyin when you don't feel like tryin...

Indicator Fishing for Cats

Big kitty hooked under the indicator

I've never been the biggest fan of indicators.  I understand their place in the world of situational fishing and appreciate the benefits they offer anglers, but they are never a first chose of mine when approaching a body of water.  I do use them, and enjoy nymphing as much as anyone, but will rarely consider bubbles in any other situation, stillwater or otherwise.   Just for kicks, I decided to try fishing under an indicator down on lake Sharp for some cats that have been gorging themselves lately.  Overall, the indicator performed very well and I ended up catching some nice fish.  Here are my takeaways from the day of fishing:

Pro:  You see the strike.  The strike was light, but thanks to the indicator, the hookset was immediate.  Without the indicator, you may not have recognized the strike until you felt the fish on the line.  By that time, they may have already spit the hook.  Seeing the strike immediately was a benefit.

Con:  You really have to pay attention.  I looked away from the indicator a few times only to eventually feel a fish on the line, or see what was left of the indicators movement after the strike.  Each time the late hook set led to a lost fish.  When I fish, I like to enjoy the outdoors and take everything in. When you can't look away from your indicator, that takes away from the overall fishing experience for me.

Pro:  You can keep you fly in the strike zone.  Just as you would adjust your indicator to fish seems
and riffles in a stream, the same tactic holds true for stillwater fishing.  These fish were targeting prey holding in a specific area.  Holding the fly in that zone made me much more likely to catch a fish.  Many attempts were made without an indicator and it was far less effective.

Con:  Wind.  South Dakota is known for many things, one of which is WIND.  I don't mind the wind, and do very well fishing in it.  These cats were holding in a deeper hole that required a long cast. When the wind picked up, casting with the indicator became quite a chore.  Seeing the strike, at this time, also became a challenge.  Two strikes in particular occurred as I stopped the presentation.  By the time I finally felt the fish on the next strip, the hookset was too late.  I lost both fish.

Con:  You get lazy.  Even after fishing under an indicator for a short time, I found myself feeling dependent upon it.  My other senses didn't seem as acute as normal, specifically in the feel of the rod.

There is definitely a place for indicator fishing in our stillwater fisheries.  Give it a shot and see if it is a viable technique for you.

Here Kitty Kitty Kitty...

"Wiskers" - Photo courtesy of Jason Burt Studios

I have a new favorite species to pursue with the fly.  At least until I make another trip to Lake X1-27/b.  Admittedly, my Carp infatuation did not last very long.  Don't get me wrong, I still love chasing the fumanchu sporting badass of the mudflat.  But there is a new fish species with facial wiskers that I'm beginning to love even more.  The channel cat...

Channel cats have really been on lately.  Clousers, buggers, san juan'ish style patterns have all been catching fish.  These fish are voracious!  They have been devouring flies on site with reckless abandon.   They have no regard or respect for the condition of our flies, or for the strength of my right arm after the fight.  These fish are STRONG!  So strong, in fact, that I'd be willing to bet that a five pound channel will outfight a five pound common 9 times out of 10.  Did I already mention that they are hungry?  When they are feeding, look out!  Fish on consecutive casts is not atypically when you get into some hungry kitties.  Carp can sometimes take patience, stealth, cunning, strategy and skill.  When you're on your game, you can catch a mess of carp.  But your presentation has to be REALLY GOOD!  Kitties don't care about presentation.  King cats just want to eat.  Bad cast?  No problem for the cats.  Fly swimming sideways?  eh...cats will eat it.  If you haven't already, add catfish to your flyfishing bucket list for the year.  You, too, might have a new favorite prey.