Trico Hatches -- Memories of
Past and Present
The
Trico hatch can be an incredible experience for the fly fisherman.
During the past 25 years, I have had the opportunity to hit this hatch
on local limestoners in the Pennsylvania region, and on the phenomenal
Missouri River in Great Falls, Montana.
Recently, I have seen Trico activity on the West Branch of the
Delaware, Mainstem of the Delaware and the Beaverkill River as well. My
general impression is that these river's temperatures and potential
flow releases play a great part in whether these hatches are successful
or not.
After having the wonderful opportunity of fishing the Catskill region
for 5 years now and also having many years of fishing nearby
Pennsylvania Limestoners and Maryland tail waters as well, the shrewd
angler should truly focus their Trico hatch matching to fisheries that
provide stable water temps and flows. Specifically, water temps that
stay within the 50- LOW 60's region consistently during the summer
season are IMHO excellent potential systems that can provide this
challenging form of fishing. Please, however, ensure that this hatch
does exist before just showing up and waiting for the magical moment
(Vincent Marinaro called this hatch the "invisible curse" -- and I
highly recommend reading his wonderful portfolio of books including
"Ring of the Rise" that goes into great lengths of discussing
strategies, techniques, patterns and generally excellent stories about
the wonderful limestone country near my home).
Interestingly, many anglers briefly mention that they are focusing
their Trico hatch matching on Spring Creeks in the Northeastern
Pennsylvania region. Excellent choice and I envy their ability to hit
this wonderful opportunity.
Today, I would not consider Falling Spring or any of the other
limestoners in the South Central Pennsylvania region to truly provide
the dense spinner activity that once was a common occurrence. This does
not mean, however, that a smaller spinner fall or emergence will not
trigger trout and allow the angler to focus on feeding fish. But do not
consider the activity to be as consistent compared to other well know
creeks or rivers.
Here are some techniques that the successful angler should consider
when meeting this hatch:
1.) Micro Drag must be defeated or you will not hook fish during this
hatch. Consider using a much longer tippet than normal, reach and curve
casts, longer rods, supple tippet material, or even using a Double
Spinner Trico pattern that allows you to use a size 18 Trico Spinner
pattern. A Double Trico Spinner pattern will help the angler by not
just allowing the use of a bigger gapped hook, but also allow the
angler to minimize the micro drag challenge as the fly will have a
heavier placement in the meniscus of the water surface.
2.) The pitch to the trout must coincide with the rhythm of the rise.
One should truly (as always) consider watching the fish rise and get a
solid understanding of the cadence of the trout when the rise occurs.
Pitch the fly in the correct feeding lane WITH also the correct timing
that allows the fish to time his rise to the imitation.
3.) Consider using terrestrials as a way to trick the trout. This can
especially deadly before the actual spinner fall occurs as the trout
are conditioned to be looking up. Crickets, ants and beetles are
particularly favorite patterns.
4.) The setting of the hook should be done in a gradual lifting of the
line. Remember we are talking about small flies and thin tippets here.
5.) Consider using size 20-28 Trico patterns AND remember that a slight
trimming of the wing density may be a way to trigger these fish to
respond.
6.) Reels with smooth drag systems can be very helpful when playing
trout on small dries. Choose the model of your choice.
7.) Consider fishing that Bamboo rod you have hidden somewhere within
your fishing library as well. There is nothing like fishing dry flies
on a Bamboo rod -- especially during the Trico hatch.
8.) Recognize that the Dun activity typically takes place in the late
evening and the important spinner fall may take place anywhere from
7ish a.m. until late morning depending on the weather and previous
emergence density.
Here are some places of which I know provide wonderful opportunities to
hit this amazing hatching activity of which I have personally
experienced:
1.) Missouri River -- you need to experience this fishery at least once.
2.) Spruce Creek in Pa. -- Private water that may require you to pay to
play, but is a great place to experience what Falling Spring was like
25 years ago (well almost - the Falling Spring native rainbows will
quickly remind you of the Delaware River bows - only in a spring creek
setting).
3.) Spring Creek in Central Pa. -- I am not as familiar as to what
particular stretches, but this is the only place, besides the Delaware
West Branch, Cedar Run, Slate Run, that hold truly native/wild Browns.
4.) Mossy Creek in Virginia --- Probably the best hatch on this system.
5.) Silver Creek in Idaho -- words cannot describe how beautiful this
place is -- another place you have to experience it to believe it.
6.) Madison River system.
I wish you luck, patience and remember -- keep that reel full of
backing.
Sincerely,
HLR
The
Trico hatches hatches in the Catskills pale in comparison to those in
PA and of course out west, and the reason for this is not because of
temps and releases.
It is simply because the Catskill rivers do not have the right
"Nutrient mix" and habitat needed to feed the insects what they need to
be prolific.
You need rivers that are marl rich, with an abundance of aquatic
vegation,and ph levels pushing 8.5-9.5 to produce super trico hatches.
Sure there are tricos in the Catskill but I wouldnt plan a "trico trip"
around them.
The lehigh Valey has three streams that have tremendous trico hatches
into the fall.
HOOKS AND HOOK SET- Use tiemco 2487 hooks for all your small patterns
from 22 and smaller.They are light guage scud hooks that are off
set.Years ago many anglers would off set there hooks in a vise to
produce a larger gap.I have used these hooks for 3 seasons now and my
hook to release ratio has increased by at least 20%.
Also when setting the hook try and set either right or left since you
will want to try and hook the corner of the mouth as opposed to the
lips for easier penatration.
EMERGERS-For some reason very few anglers fish the emergence of the
tricos.The Males will come off in the evening into dark,HOWEVER the
females will hatch in the early am..Typically with warm weather it will
be at day break.The emergence stage of the females in the morning will
provide you with some excellent angling opportunities.
The best pattern for this is a PSEUDO emerger.Zlon shuck,dark green
thread,and dk green thorax with cdc for the wing.The Pseudo emerger
works well since there very similar, and where theres tricos there are
usualy pseudos.
SUNKEN SPINNER PATTERN- Yes tie some trico spinners as you normally
would and add a bead head to it.Charles meck uses them in PA with great
success and My friend Josh Steinmentz who is a guide on the Missouri
uses nothing else but this pattern.He out fishes anyone on the mo who
uses typical spinner patterns that float.
Tie it behind one of those pseudo emergers about 8 inches as the
dropper fly.Or behind a terrestrial of some sort.
This can be used during the spinner fall and not just at the end when
the spinners are sinking.The larger fish will usually position
themselves right under the surface when the hatch is heavy.The big fish
are not going to come up and down every 10 seconds to eat such small
meals.They can and will sit there and Porpoise for hours gorging
temsevles on the spinners.
Your sunken pattern will drift directly at the fish.
I GUARANTEE if you you try all of the above you will catch hook and
release more fish when the tricos are on the water.
GOOD LUCK
Last
edited by JOE.T on 08-13-2003 at 09:50 PM
flyin
The male pattern does have an all black body, female is a pale white
body.
Yes, the microfibbets do get split just like any other standard spinner
pattern tail. The tail is extremely long -- like 1x- 2x the size of the
entire hook
I tie the wing spent - figured 8. Typically, I clamp down the wing
material with a few wraps figured 8 right away OR just clamp down the
material with wraps that pin down the material so that it is parallel
to the shank -- However -- make sure that the point at which the
material is pinned is near the thorax area behind the hook eye -- then
figure 8 wraps to force the wing into a spent position.
If you have tied larger spinner patterns with spent poly wings before
-- same procedure only on a smaller fly. Key consideration is to use
much thinner diameter midge pale white nylon thread. Bulk is bad --
sleekness is good.
Also, make sure that you use authentic LaFontaine Clear antron material
.
__________________
Hyde Low Rider,
Always keep your reel full of backing....
HLR,
Ok, thanks. I'm using clear nylon thread right now, 8/0 black unithread
for the thorax, and only what I have, which is cream antron. Sooooo,
I'll have to get some of the LaFontaine clean antron (good source
anyone?), but are the other materials ok? Also proportions: about 80%
"white" 20% thorax (black), and the wings tied in the thorax area just
behind the eye??
Also, the nylon thread is *very* slippery, but do I just bulk it a
little near the bend to split the microfibbets? I'm guessing that I do,
and the one I tried this on looked right.
I'll try to post some pictures when I get a couple done.
-- Rob
flyin,
Here is the correct source, thank me later:
http://www.greycliff.com/Supplies/SparkleYarn.html
The thorax for my flies is just a spot of black fine dubbing.
I figure-8 the black dubbing around the spent wing thorax.
Yeah, split the tails - the more comfortable you become with the thread
- the smoother the thread wrap for the split for the tail, etc.
Remember, bulky wings are bad and another reminder longer wings is not
bad also -- they can always be trimmed on the stream side if getting
rejections. Also, typically focus on using the female version as my
primary spinner pattern.
Patterns you should consider to use: Very small/slim size 22-26
Pheasant tail before and during spinner fall activity. Spent Spinner
pattern and also Joe T's discussed sunken spinner pattern has gained a
real following as well. A sunken trico pattern was discussed in one of
Charles Metz's books about hatches, fyi -- as well as this book
released about 20 years ago (Blue Winged Olive species):
Trout and the Fly (The)
John Goddard
A unique study that provides a clear understanding of how a fly
looks—not to an angler, but to a trout.
ISBN 1558214410
Interestingly, Gary LaFontaine also discussed the same observation of
using an olive diving caddis adult wetfly as a good pattern for
imitating the sunken Blue Winged Olive Spinner as well in some of his
literature.
Working with smaller (essential micro patterns) becomes easier with
practice. Also consider using straight eyed midge hooks of the best
quality you can justify.
__________________
Hyde Low Rider,
Always keep your reel full of backing....
Last
edited by HydeLowRider on 08-22-2003 at 05:00 PM
HLR:
I attached one of my trico attempts. I always have difficulty doing
tight dubbing, especially on small flies. But can you comment on the
general idea?
I think I should split the tail more, use the LaFontaine antron.
I also experimented with fine white thread, as well as the
clear nylon which this fly used.
Are the proportions approximately right, given the sloppiness,
for the wings, tail, body, dubbed thorax?
Thanks,
Rob
flyin,
Looks great. I would fish that fly. In fact, I would be surprised if a
discerning fish would reject this fly IF they were taking flush
spinners in the surface film.
The wing gives a shimmering effect that will help in many light
conditions and might encase some air bubbles if trapped below the wing.
I am not too concerned that the tail is not split apart for a smaller
pattern. You may want to, however, focus on getting those fibers split
further apart for other iterations of any spinner pattern including
this pattern. Some patterns that really require split tail fibers
include Compara Duns, Spinners and Hen Wing or Cut/Burned Winged Thorax
Dun patterns (considerably popular down here in Limestone/Spring Creek
rivers in South Pa.) Split tail fibers provide a very important
outrigger/stabilizer for flies in this design type as previously listed.
The black dubbing can be a problem - answer is to use really fine, not
thick black dubbing fibers. Rabbit or hair based dubbing really works
for me because I can get a tighter dub on the thread. Of course, there
are other synthetic or synthetic/fur mix that may be better -- your
call, but think about what the fur dub needs to accomplish.
The wing needs to be long-- sort stubby wings DO NOT cut it for
spinners. Spinner wings are long -- like 2x or 3x of the body length.
Straight eye midge hooks provide a better bite than down eyed.
Remember, sleekness/compact but material must allow it to float in the
meniscus.
What camera did you use for this picture? Digital? Really impressive
photo.
Sincerely,
__________________
Hyde Low Rider,
Always keep your reel full of backing....
Last
edited by HydeLowRider on 08-24-2003 at 09:39 AM
HLR,
While I agree with most of your comments in the initial post about the
methods of fishing the trico hatch, I - a)do not understand one thing
you wrote; b)disagree with another; and c)question a third.
a)Tricos are almost exclusively fished with short, under 30-35 foot
casts. Why is a 9 foot rod any better then a 7-1/2 or shorter one? I
would think that rod weight would be important because, all other
things being equal, the lighter line could present the fly more
naturally.
b)You wrote that trico duns hatch at night and the spinner fall is in
the morning. From what I've observed and read, the hatch takes place in
the morning. The duns molt to spinners within hours of hatching. Mating
takes place and the spinners fall. Of course conditons are a factor.
I'm guessing that there is also a hatch in the evening and the cool
temps delay the mating and spinner fall until the morning.
c)This might be picky but you mention using a reel with a smooth drag.
Why any drag at all? Wouldn't this be a perfect situation for the reel
with no drag? Yesterday I hooked and landed a 13-14" brown trout on a
trico. Statistics:
rod - 7-1/2 ft, 3 weight
line - 3
leader - 12 foot including about 3 feet of 10x tippet
fly - size 30 trico spinner
reel - make not important. Drag set at lowest possible(just about free
spool) Drag controlled by finger pressure.
Wouldn't you say that any setting of drag on a reel with such light
terminal tackle could snap the tippet at any moment?
Tight, but gentle, lines. *G*
Allan
Mayfly,
a.) I never discussed rod length at all. Maybe you were referring to
another posting? I prefer to fish my 7'4" rod with dry flies. In fact,
on my boat, I always carry two or three rods. The smaller rod I use
typically for spinner fishing during the evening rise from my boat. It
is my best dry fly rod and I have hooked and landed many larger fish on
dry flies with that preferred rod. This is my weapon of choice.
Whatever works, go with it...
b.) You are very correct. I have never fished the sub imago of the
species at night. Has anyone? That would be an interesting discussion.
I have only fished the imago before, during and after the fall in the
morning. I have never seen the spinner fall in the evening -- only in
the morning at previously listed river/creek systems.
c.) You can get away with fishing the hatch and small flies using
finger pressure. HOWEVER -- don't try that with strong fish like the
ones at various rivers and creeks mentioned in my first posting. Trust
me, the burning sensation you will receive from a hot running Rainbow
in the Delaware, Missouri, etc. will leaving a lasting impression in
more ways than one. I would go as far to say that you will not land
fish within those particular river systems on light tippet by hand. I
would recommend you take the challenge and fish these rivers. If I do
not see you on the river, please post your results -- share the wealth
and experience. Also, this is my conservationist side coming out,
PLEASE use the 7x or maybe 6x if possible and work that fish in as fast
as possible -- one can kill that fish if you don't. That can be a true
tragedy to kill those trout for the sake of just playing the fish in
order to prolong the thrill. I personally play that fish as hard as my
tackle can handle it and get that fish released A.S.A.P.
In reference to a smooth running drag -- yeah I agree, less strong fish
really do not require such precision. However, if you fish the Delaware
and Beaverkill system, it is truly a must for the stronger fish you
will typically fight. (The other river systems listed in my posting
will typically also require smooth drag systems -- especially the
Missouri River....) Even large fish will make runs that could really
test your setup. Why lose fish based upon not utilizing the true
potential of your tackle? God knows the modern day tackle has been over
engineered to provide this type of service.
I rarely ever break off fish due the snapping of the tippet. Typically,
if I lose a fish it is because I did not get a good angle on the
setting of the hook. My bad if that happens.
__________________
Hyde Low Rider,
Always keep your reel full of backing....
Last
edited by HydeLowRider on 08-24-2003 at 10:54 AM
One suggestion for increasing both hookup rate and the amount of pressure you can put on a fish with these small patterns is your hook choice. Tiemco came out with a new style(2488) a couple years ago that are 2x short and 2x wide. I mainly use them for emerger patterns in the larger sizes but size 20 and 22 should be fine for tricos. My favorite hook for these small patterns is the Gae;ic supreme midge dry fly hook. The gap on a size 20 is about the same as a normal 16 and they are also short. A 20 should be fine for most tricos. Don't know availability on these any more but the packs I have list a web addr of www.gaelicsupreme.com
bjm
2487 Scud
hook for emegers and or duns that are smaller than 22.
Down eye 2x wide 2x short fine wire.
joe t
flyin,
the 2488 has a straight eye and has a little less of a (scud/emerger
type)bend than the 2487.
HLR,
I suspect the hook may weigh a little more with a bigger gap, but the
flies float just fine.
bjm