Dry Dropper Question

[RichardCullip]

I very rarely use a dry/dropper combo when fishing the Kern. I usually fish a dual nymph setup hung under a thingmabobber. However recent posts about the dry/dropper setup has got me thinking about giving it a try. When I think of dry flies, I usually think about a size 18 parachute adams which doesn't support much of a dropper fly. My question to the fine folks on this forum is - what's your favorite dry fly (fly type and size would help a lot) when you fish a dry/dropper combo on the Kern?

[FlyinFish]

Hey Richard, I don't fish the Kern much, but I have been known to be forced into tying on a piece of sin to the end of my dry from time to time. It works particularly well in the early AM when the fish haven't quite started looking up.

On the local water I can sometimes get away with a #18 dry and will use a #16 if the water is faster. I'd imagine this would also work on parts of the Kern, but you may have to up size.

In terms of preferred pattern, my choice would be a hi-vis EHC (just an EHC with a bit of hi-vis shuck placed over the elk hair). This provides a good compromise of see-able fly and also eatable fly.

If the fish aren't picky, you can throw on your biggest stimi or hopper or even a thingamahopper, but this may not be very productive on certain water. If the fish are not eating caddis type stuff, then I would go with a large parachute gnat with hi-vis coloring on the post. Basically, something that has a parachute post for hi-vis, but also has hackle wrapped around the body for more floatatiousness.

This one I didn't seem to parachute, but you get the idea...

[Gary C.]

Richard, yesterday on the Kern I was fishing with a yellow foam indicator and started getting a lot of hits on the indicator. I put on a natural colored stimulator and nothing happened. It was kind of a DUH moment when I realized that I should have put on a yellow stimulator. I made the change and caught one on the first cast. I picked up 2 more from the same run before we started for home. I was useing about a size 10 indicator.

[Flatsix]

I haven't fished the Kern but I've used a dry dropper at Hot Creek. A guide gave me this tip.

Select a dry pattern that rides high, is visible and mimics whatever is hatching, tie the nymph about 12" below that and let the dry drag the nymph along. With a good cast, the two will move at the same speed and appear natural. The dry will act as an indicator if the nymph gets hit.

[DubL HauL]

almost exclusively fish with 2 flies on the line unless the fishing is so good just one fly will do. For the Kern I don't fish much but something with a good float so you can run the dropper long/deeper. I like to run a 3ft drop with a #16 or #18 bead head copper john or whatever. In fast water some of the strikes on the drop are pretty much on the surface not long after the flies land.

I usually tie a blood knot for strength and use the tag to tie the dry on seems to have less connection/drag from the leader and dropper which allows the dry to float independently.

Andy

[fish-on-bro]

Richard, I like stimi's and foam hoppers. One real good hopper is the Hopper Juan. You can go to the website http://www.hopperjuan.blogspot.com and it gives a picture and a video tutorial. It shows using foam cutters to make the body but you can cut the foam with scissors. I have tied and used this hopper and it floats like a cork, and it's fun to tie. Also check out Mikey Wier's "Super Hopper Dropper" on youtube. This is a great little set-up that is very adjustable. Think the Fly Shop in Redding sells his hopper.

Here is one of the Hopper Juan's I tied. Used scissors to cut the foam.



Fish-on-bro, out....

[ptflashback]

Wow, that Hopper Juan is pretty cool. I personally am a fan of both Stimis and a size 12 Amy's Ant when fished in faster water with some Frog's Fanny.

[planettrout]

Based on what one has to contend with on the Kern...sometimes...this pattern should fit right in for the dry/dropper combo:



from these folks:

http://www.westwaterproducts.com/buttflies.html

PT/TB

[fly addict]

Based on what one has to contend with on the Kern...sometimes...this pattern should fit right in for the dry/dropper combo:



from these folks:

http://www.westwaterproducts.com/buttflies.html

PT/TB

That fly would work on the LA river for Carp!

Mark

[planettrout]

Shhh...

Don't let the secret out!!!

http://www.pipelinernow.com/?page_id=112

PT/TB

[briansII]

True story. I was fishing a pay to play ranch in BC. Fish just started to rise, so I set my cigar on the edge of the float tube to tie on a dry. Got all rigged up and reached over to grab my cigar. It wasn't there? I looked up and saw it floating in the water.....must've knocked it off. I noticed it was moving funny? I saw trout lips. I made a lucky cast and the fly landed right next to the cigar. Fish took it, and I landed about a 18-20" Kamloop. Best I can figure, mayflies were emerging on the cigar, or that trout just spawned and need a smoke.

A Montecristo could work as the top fly, but you'd need to lube it up with silicone floatant.

briansII