Getting itchy Lads?

[Mak'er a Lak'er]

Hello all,

I hope everyone had a good winter.

I'm sure you are all chomping at the bit to get out on the water like I am.

Livingroom has been the flyfishing room for the last couple of weeks, cleaning line, etc...

Question: Does anyone fish choronomid patterns at ice-out? I've been brainwashed by Brian Chan of Sportfishing on the Fly. He always kicks butt fishing those patterns from a stationary boat in the lakes in the BC interior. Haven't heard anyone talk about those patterns on the board before, but I know we have the same hatches around here.

Anyone want to chime in on this one? Other suggestions for ice out bows and brookies would be cool too (pardon the pun).

Cheers,

Mak'er

[bobfly]

Might be a bit early for a chrominid hatch but I am just starting using them last year. I've seen Chan's video and John Huff gave a talk on them last year to the club at Kenauk. You let them go to the bottom and then slowly retrieve right up to the boat or tube.

I've had some luck on a chrominid pattern with a piece of white foam at the head and leave it dead in the water as a floater and also at the tag end of a series of wet flies. I've actually seen them in the water so it is a food source wherever there is a midge hatch. John was getting some instruction in BC and he said it was awesome. A little boring while you set up, but the 5 pounder take made it worthwile.

bobfly