Clinch Report [October 2012]
 

The Clinch has been fishing its typical Fall pattern. The water has started to change color and temperature. The bug* activity has narrowed to midges, craneflies, scuds, & an occasional sulphur. *(Not Exclusive)

Upper Tailwater:
Surface Water Temperature: 52-56 by 2 PM (Latest Measurement)
Color: Slate-Grey

• One of the best patterns I have fished is a #20 olive midge, black thorax, brown-olive beads.
• The most effective patterns seem to have a trigger effect or something in them to help them stand out in the water color.

Lower Tailwater:
Surface Water Temperature: 55-62 by 3 PM (Latest Measurement)
Color: Slate-Grey

• Fishing has been slow for me on the lower end. I am just averaging a handful of fish each trip. Also; the quality of fish is down and mostly rainbow.
• Most fish were taken on soft hackles.
• Midge emergers and comparaduns have produced at pool-tail-outs in certain areas.

I hope others can post to share their reports and information in hope that we can help each other have a better experience.

*Safety Note: Be extra careful wading on rocks. Some of the vegetation has started to die and the surfaces are becoming super slick.:eek:

your report is the mirror image of my last couple trips with two exceptions. i have been floating above the weir, and using a red zebra midge. all 'bows mostly dinks and one in the slot.

I fished upper (early) and middle (noonish) sections Saturday, it was cloudy early and not many rises. I did manage to snag a few on #18 zebras. When the clouds left and the sun came out I found more rises in the middle section. Midges, crane flies and one lonely sulfur came off. I still prefer a #18 sulfur with a dropper as my go-to set up. They slapped at my sulfur refusing it but took my #24 emerger dropper as the water was coming up. Occasionally one will take the sulfur.

I fished the so.ho. last weekend and while I miss those many browns, I'm still committed to learning fall and winter fishing on the clinch.

Shawn, you said you go-to bug midge is a olive, brown, do you use olive wire?
c.v.

Actually, I have been using biot midges above the weir.:smile:

I use olive UTC V-rib (Midge), no wire. Here is a grainy picture I took from my GoPro. Sorry; the GoPros do not take quality macro shots.:redface:

Ofcourse I forgot to mention that I use an offset hook. I think that is imperative to hooking fish on the smaller midges.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...54985773_n.jpg

"scooter midge"
 

That bug tied in a different color is called the "scooter midge" on the so.ho. Thanks, I'll tie it and try it this weekend.
c.v.

MadisonBoats,

Tied some of those olive midges last night in a little darker color and used them this morning and wow did they work. Thanks for the great tip

'd-rib'
 

I tied some with 'd' rib not 'v'
'd' is very small, I'm not sure in relationship to 'v' anyway I will sling them this weekend. Punk just inspired me.

CV, I always was under the impression they were one in the same. Some call it D, because that is how it is shaped, some call it V because its made of Vinyl....? Who knows.

I believe they have all sorts of sizes. At least 3 or 4 from my memory.

Small (midge) D rib:
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/h...s1-2-11001.jpg

Medium D rib:
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/h...s/DSCN4523.jpg

thanks Grannyknot, I think you're correct. I tie with the small rib that does not come on spools. I found it in small packs with several feet in each pack.
c.v.