Clinch River Sulphur Question

[troutslayer3393]

I am going to be fishing the clinch in a couple of weeks or so and was wanting to know what size the sulphurs usually are and what pattern would be most effective there.

Thanks, Lee

[ChemEAngler]

Originally Posted by troutslayer3393

I am going to be fishing the clinch in a couple of weeks or so and was wanting to know what size the sulphurs usually are and what pattern would be most effective there.

Thanks, Lee

Lee,

In my experience the Sulfurs are around a #17. A 16 seems to be too large at times and an 18 is almost too small. I would suggest some Sulfur Thorax patterns and CDC Comparaduns. I prefer to use turkey biot for the body. The Clinch sulfurs colors also seem to vary based on what type is hatching. The earlier hatching E. Invaria appear to be slightly larger and more orange than the E. Dorothea Dorothea.

Below is a pic on one of mine:



This is the pattern I used to catch the brown in my avatar on. However, by far the majority of the fish I catch during the hatch are caught using a #16 FBPT with a touch of Frog's Fanny on the wing case. It causes a little air bubble to form on the wingcase to mimic the wingcase splitting open.

[Jswitow]

A size 16 or 18 comparadun pale yellow to slightly green. Sparkle duns are often more effective, making it look like a cripple that can't shed it's shuck. 6x tippet, 12-15 leader. I would usually use 12' (5 or 6x) with 3' or 6x added. I'm no master though!
Best,
John

[ChemEAngler]

Originally Posted by Jswitow

A size 16 or 18 comparadun pale yellow to slightly green. Sparkle duns are often more effective, making it look like a cripple that can't shed it's shuck. 6x tippet, 12-15 leader. I would usually use 12' (5 or 6x) with 3' or 6x added. I'm no master though!
Best,
John

Good note John. I second the recommendation for the long 6x leader. These fish tend to be really leader shy during the hatch.

[Fishermansfly]

So why is I feel like one of a handful of tiers on this board that actually post to fly tying....Especially when your throwing up goods like that! Nice tying!

~Brett

[ChemEAngler]

Originally Posted by Fishermansfly

So why is I feel like one of a handful of tiers on this board that actually post to fly tying....Especially when your throwing up goods like that! Nice tying!

~Brett

Brett,

Thanks. Coming from you that means something. Most of my ties are just regular patterns, I can't do the creative things you do at the vice. I am really excited about Troutfest though, hopefully we can draw the same shift. I will give you a call in a couple weeks when I get back from SC. I know a couple of nice little shoals that are the first to get the sulfurs that we should hit.

[truchin]

Travis when are you scheduled to be tying at the flyfest? i'd like to learn to tie sulfurs.
By the way that's a awesome fly!!!
jose

[waterwolf]

In a couple of weeks if they are coming off yet, and that is a big if. The bigger if is if the water will be off, at this point doubtful.

But if those two are favorable, then a size 16 will work fine, and the hatch will be just starting which means the bright orange ones will be hatching primarily. They lean almost to a 14, but not quite.

Fish comparaduns, cdc comparadun, comparachutes, hair wind duns, or no hackles. DO NOT forget to bring some unweighted PT's in size 16 either, no bead, no lead, just a PT. DO NOT forget that, if you bring only one thing, bring them.

[ChemEAngler]

Originally Posted by waterwolf

Fish comparaduns, cdc comparadun, comparachutes, hair wind duns, or no hackles. DO NOT forget to bring some unweighted PT's in size 16 either, no bead, no lead, just a PT. DO NOT forget that, if you bring only one thing, bring them.

Hey waterwolf,
You ever tried using an unweighted softhackle PT? I have thought about trying that for a while, and may have to this year.

[waterwolf]

Originally Posted by ChemEAngler

Hey waterwolf,
You ever tried using an unweighted softhackle PT? I have thought about trying that for a while, and may have to this year.

I refuse to fish anything with "soft hackle" in its name or on its body. Just one of my many oddities.

I am sure it will work, I just have had a ton of success using an unweighted PT, tied with a thorax either under an indicator or dropped off a dry. Only when the hatch is in full swing is important.