When trout season opens later this month, a large number of creeks and rivers in Northern California will be open for fly-fishing, and if you don't use the right flies, you might be standing in a river all day.
"Getting the right bait for fly-fishing is a serious business," said John Dietz, 45, a salesman at The Fly Shop in Redding.
Dietz said there are many things to consider - what type of fish you're trying to hook, the bugs that frequent your target creek, the time of year, the weather - and if you don't consider all of them, you're out of luck.
"You've got to imitate what the fish is eating," Dietz said.
Because trout season opens at the end of April, fishermen should focus on flies that will be effective in April and May.
"This time of year, you're going to want to go with golden stone flies and salmon flies," said Sandy Watts, 66, a salesman at The Fly Shop.
Watts said bait flies come in two main categories: "wet," which rest below the surface of the water and mimic larva, nymph, pupa and other underwater prey; and "dry," which rest on the surface of the water, mimicking an insect in its adult stage.
In most of the areas opening this month - including Hat Creek, McCloud River, Clear Creek and Battle Creek - both Dietz and Watts recommend using stoneflies.
"Salmon fly nymphs, also known as rubberlegs, are also very active this time of year," Watts said.
In late May, when spring rains are more prevalent, Watts suggests using green drake mayflies, as these flies tend to be plentiful when it rains.
Open year-round, the Sacramento River is a popular area for fishermen. Local fly fisherman Andrew Borgic says caddis flies are useful in the Sacramento River. Borgic, 27, of Redding suggests flies such as the Mother's Day caddis, the caddis micro spawn, as well as rubberlegs, to lure your quarry.
"I really like the spotlight caddis with a micro mayfly dropper when I'm at the Sacramento River," Borgic said.
"Caddis flies are very effective in the Sacramento River," Dietz said, "so are mayflies. We've had a big hatch of them this year, so the fish there will be on the lookout for mayflies."
For places such as Lake Shasta and Whiskeytown Lake, Dietz recommends bigger flies.
"At Shasta, you're going after bigger fish, so you'll want to use dragonfly nymphs, frog flies and threadfin shad." Dietz said.
Billy Brown is a freelance writer who lives in Redding. Contact him at billy@bbwriting.com.
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