11-22-2003, 09:07 PM
My fishing is almost exclusively stream fishing for trout.
I usually start out with hardware, but carry crawlers if I get no action with the lures.
The crawler is put on an Eagle Claw #4, #6, #7 (the best sized hook I've found for general trout fishing, but unfortunately no longer available unsnelled), or #8 bait hook, starting just above it's collar, fully loading, but not packing, the hook shank. I ensure the barb is passed back out of the crawler to better ensure it stays on the hook.
This rig is unusually fished with no added weight. In most cases when weighting is needed, I use one of the tiny cylindrical nymph weights sold by Fly-Rite. In extremely heavy, fast water, I will weight with up to a #4 Bass Pro clam shot.
In areas where I run into all "little" trout (10 inches and under), I pinch the crawler in half and use only a half crawler at a time. This not only avoids waste, but better ensures hooking a fish without having to wait for it to almost digest the crawler. Using the "shortened" crawler, for me, also produces more lip hooks allowing releasing of the fish in the event I don't want to keep it. I use the tail end of the "halved" crawler first. The head end of a crawler will survive in the event it isn't soon used. The tail end will not. The tail half is put on the hook starting right into the cut-off end. The head half is put on the hook as described above for a whole crawler.
I fish the crawler rig, letting it run with the current, with a bow in the line between my rod and the water with the reel bail open, letting out more line as the situation requires. If the line straightens out or stops moving, I carefully take up the slack. If I feel a fish on the end of the line, I engage the bail, wait for the next tug and strike.
If the switch to crawlers doesn't bring action, I then switch to a single #14 or #10 salmon egg hook using a single Fireball. I'm not sure why, but the Fireball seems to work, particularly in predominately Rainbow waters, when the hardware and crawlers don't (I have yet to catch a brown or brookie on a Fireball).
I, again, usually fish the single Fireball with no added weight. When I do weight, I go no further than one of the Fly-Rite nymph weights.
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I usually start out with hardware, but carry crawlers if I get no action with the lures.
The crawler is put on an Eagle Claw #4, #6, #7 (the best sized hook I've found for general trout fishing, but unfortunately no longer available unsnelled), or #8 bait hook, starting just above it's collar, fully loading, but not packing, the hook shank. I ensure the barb is passed back out of the crawler to better ensure it stays on the hook.
This rig is unusually fished with no added weight. In most cases when weighting is needed, I use one of the tiny cylindrical nymph weights sold by Fly-Rite. In extremely heavy, fast water, I will weight with up to a #4 Bass Pro clam shot.
In areas where I run into all "little" trout (10 inches and under), I pinch the crawler in half and use only a half crawler at a time. This not only avoids waste, but better ensures hooking a fish without having to wait for it to almost digest the crawler. Using the "shortened" crawler, for me, also produces more lip hooks allowing releasing of the fish in the event I don't want to keep it. I use the tail end of the "halved" crawler first. The head end of a crawler will survive in the event it isn't soon used. The tail end will not. The tail half is put on the hook starting right into the cut-off end. The head half is put on the hook as described above for a whole crawler.
I fish the crawler rig, letting it run with the current, with a bow in the line between my rod and the water with the reel bail open, letting out more line as the situation requires. If the line straightens out or stops moving, I carefully take up the slack. If I feel a fish on the end of the line, I engage the bail, wait for the next tug and strike.
If the switch to crawlers doesn't bring action, I then switch to a single #14 or #10 salmon egg hook using a single Fireball. I'm not sure why, but the Fireball seems to work, particularly in predominately Rainbow waters, when the hardware and crawlers don't (I have yet to catch a brown or brookie on a Fireball).
I, again, usually fish the single Fireball with no added weight. When I do weight, I go no further than one of the Fly-Rite nymph weights.
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