Clinch Sulphur hatch(?)

[pacofly13]

Headed probably down to the Clinch this weekend w/ a buddy and was just wondering if the sulphur hatch had slowed down a bit and is going to become more sporadic? I had heard some info that it was but i suspect it might w/ these temps, plus figure the sizes may start heading more towards 18's and such... just trying to fill in some tying before i leave of all my sulphur patterns. Love any info and it would be greatly appreciated!
thanks~ Matt

[MadisonBoats]

Well, I thought it was on the downward taper; however, my brother told me it was very thick this past Saturday about mid-tailwater.

I have spotted a few adult sulphurs in the upper 2/3 of the tailwater the past 3-4 days. However; most of them seem to be in the nymph stage in those areas. If you plan on trying dry flies or emergers; I would suggest drifting or fishing the Church area to allow them to emerge from their nymph stage. There are plenty of stocker browns hitting emergers or just about anything in the film at Millers and above the weir. Also; watch for the water temperature to push 62 degrees or more before they start a noticeable action.

[pacofly13]

Great info.. thanks!
I know last year from fishing the Church that I'm generally tempted to fishing a dry, as I'm sure are most, but I've always had better luck and more action sub-surface.. as i think i once heard, 90% of feeding happens below the surface, or something like that. I will also make sure to check the temp up around Millers also to see where it's at.

p.s. loved your underwater vids and sample photos.. gives me a good idea of what colors/proportion to mimic on patterns

[MadisonBoats]

Originally Posted by pacofly13

Great info.. thanks!
I know last year from fishing the Church that I'm generally tempted to fishing a dry, as I'm sure are most, but I've always had better luck and more action sub-surface.. as i think i once heard, 90% of feeding happens below the surface, or something like that. I will also make sure to check the temp up around Millers also to see where it's at.

p.s. loved your underwater vids and sample photos.. gives me a good idea of what colors/proportion to mimic on patterns

Pacofly13; they were stingy with me on my nicely tied dry flies. I know that emergers work pretty well and there are plenty of experienced guys on this forum to elaborate on them. I expect that nymphing will be your best choice until around 11:30am+. Throw them on short droppers if using indicators or let the extend out if you are fishing a drift. The key strike area is in the top 12" of water. Most trout go for a high probability take instead of trying to scoop a dry fly. Split back PMDs work great as well as wet flies. If you want to target the big boys and are fishing deep holes; throw some weighted phpts and allow them to drop off the shoals and in to their line of sight. They will not move more than a few inches unless it is a huge bait.

[pineman19]

Originally Posted by MadisonBoats

Pacofly13; they were stingy with me on my nicely tied dry flies. I know that emergers work pretty well and there are plenty of experienced guys on this forum to elaborate on them. I expect that nymphing will be your best choice until around 11:30am+. Throw them on short droppers if using indicators or let the extend out if you are fishing a drift. The key strike area is in the top 12" of water. Most trout go for a high probability take instead of trying to scoop a dry fly. Split back PMDs work great as well as wet flies. If you want to target the big boys and are fishing deep holes; throw some weighted phpts and allow them to drop off the shoals and in to their line of sight. They will not move more than a few inches unless it is a huge bait.

Shawn,

Were you fishing and smoking a pipe (or cigar) below Millers today?

Neal

[MadisonBoats]

Originally Posted by pineman19

Shawn,

Were you fishing and smoking a pipe (or cigar) below Millers today?

Neal

, Sir, I was smoking a cigar. That is my vice on the river; well, besides having a thermos of coffee with me in the AM. I was working some new flies with some underwater footage. I have been working on capturing many different flies and nymphs in an active environment.

I hope I did not impose on your area; if so; just give me a wave and I will kindly move downward. Today was more of a science/filming experience more than catching fish.

[pineman19]

Originally Posted by MadisonBoats

, Sir, I was smoking a cigar. That is my vice on the river; well, besides having a thermos of coffee with me in the AM. I was working some new flies with some underwater footage. I have been working on capturing many different flies and nymphs in an active environment.

I hope I did not impose on your area; if so; just give me a wave and I will kindly move downward. Today was more of a science/filming experience more than catching fish.

I thought it was you from a distance. I was the one fishing upstream of you. I did pretty well in that section with soft hackles. In regards to sulfurs, There was a decent hatch below Millers today. I started with a midge, after a while I seem some adults coming off, put on BHPT, no action there, tied on a yellow soft hackle and things picked up. Was a great day on the river, very few people fishing plenty of space to fish, even the scientists caused me no ill will

Next time, I'll give you a shout, but I'm glad I didn't disturb the Mad Scientist

Neal

[MadisonBoats]

Originally Posted by pineman19

I thought it was you from a distance. I was the one fishing upstream of you. I did pretty well in that section with soft hackles. In regards to sulfurs, There was a decent hatch below Millers today. I started with a midge, after a while I seem some adults coming off, put on BHPT, no action there, tied on a yellow soft hackle and things picked up. Was a great day on the river, very few people fishing plenty of space to fish, even the scientists caused me no ill will

Next time, I'll give you a shout, but I'm glad I didn't disturb the Mad Scientist

Neal

Neal, thanks for the smiles...I am glad you enjoyed yourself. I really focus on the habitat at times and I could care less if I catch fish. I almost left my rod in the car and carried a tripod. I have been working on adding film footage to a new Clinch River video that will portray the river in all its seasonal changes.

You could never bother me; I am an open book and always eager to chat and meet a new friend.

[pineman19]

Shawn,

Sounds good on the video and have enjoyed your pics and movies of the sulfur hatch. I am not a fly tier, but it has given a better idea what to look for when I am purchasing flies.

Neal

[Corbo]

Pineman

Glad to hear you got into fish today, you should consider becoming a fly tyer as you can TWEAK your ties to very specific conditions or circumstances.

I personally like parachutes and CDC emergers on sulphur hatches BUT Shawn's observations and my own on the Holston at Nance's the past couple weeks with caddis will have me working on some killer flies for nexgt year.

BTW... my ex married a dude and moved to Florida but is coming to visit for a few days... avoid Sevier County till Sunday.

Gonna be offline till next monday as we are moving to Sevierville and no internet till next monday.... good fishing to all!