wet flies and water temps...

D

downriver79

Steelhead
My local waters have been consistently staying in the low 50's. At what temp does swinging a wet fly on a floating head/tip stop being effective? If I have the time, I like to start off with a floating head and then fish back through with a sink tip. I'm wondering, at what temp should I forego the floating tip and just lead off with a sink tip? Any input is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!
 
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I feel confident fishing a floating line any time the water temp is 50* or above. Even colder in Canada, but that's another story. For where you're fishing, I'd just fish the floater and skip the sink tip follow up - go fish another run instead.
 
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Some food for thought...
In times of abundance, I've had great luck in fall SH fisheries in WA / ID / OR / BC using float/float or float/intermediate setups as long as there wasn't ice in the river.
I've also raised fish to topwaters in water temps as low as 41° 'Merican.
I also have the good fortune of knowing crazy folks who fish float/float year-round and do well.
I've also had some positively ridiculous days in late fall fishing heavy flies on full floater setups...

So the crux of the problem becomes - what do YOU want out of it?

Do you want to catch a fish by any means possible? Pull a plug or drift some bait.

Do you wanna catch a fish on a spraypole? Fish a skagit head and 11' of T10 with a 2.5" black leech with some blue flash. You're welcome.

Do you wanna admire the sexy loops of a scandi setup all year long? Fish a float/intermediate and your favorite fly and get it done, fisha.

Do you wanna be like the last LSpencer acolyte and fish nothing but blunted muddlers when you actually fish?

The path is yours, mang. Have fun however you roll.
 
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G_Smolt said:
Some food for thought...
In times of abundance, I've had great luck in fall SH fisheries in WA / ID / OR / BC using float/float or float/intermediate setups as long as there wasn't ice in the river.
I've also raised fish to topwaters in water temps as low as 41° 'Merican.
I also have the good fortune of knowing crazy folks who fish float/float year-round and do well.
I've also had some positively ridiculous days in late fall fishing heavy flies on full floater setups...

So the crux of the problem becomes - what do YOU want out of it?

Do you want to catch a fish by any means possible? Pull a plug or drift some bait.

Do you wanna catch a fish on a spraypole? Fish a skagit head and 11' of T10 with a 2.5" black leech with some blue flash. You're welcome.

Do you wanna admire the sexy loops of a scandi setup all year long? Fish a float/intermediate and your favorite fly and get it done, fisha.

Do you wanna be like the last LSpencer acolyte and fish nothing but blunted muddlers when you actually fish?

The path is yours, mang. Have fun however you roll.
Click to expand...
Very well stated. I fish floating lines and traditional wet flies well into the 40s and larger marabou patterns below those temperatures on my home water. Willing to fish a sink tip on the Deschutes when the fish are staring into the sun and on the OP in the winter/early spring. I do it because that’s the way I enjoy fishing.
 
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All solid advice and much appreciated!
G_Smolt said:
Do you wanna catch a fish on a spraypole? Fish a skagit head and 11' of T10 with a 2.5" black leech with some blue flash. You're welcome.
Click to expand...
Single or double handed, this with varying sculpin patterns has been my go to method (shorter sink tip length on single hand, sink rate varying depending on the water) when pressed for time and wanting to cover water quickly and has been the most productive.
 
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G_Smolt said:
Some food for thought...
In times of abundance, I've had great luck in fall SH fisheries in WA / ID / OR / BC using float/float or float/intermediate setups as long as there wasn't ice in the river.
I've also raised fish to topwaters in water temps as low as 41° 'Merican.
I also have the good fortune of knowing crazy folks who fish float/float year-round and do well.
I've also had some positively ridiculous days in late fall fishing heavy flies on full floater setups...

So the crux of the problem becomes - what do YOU want out of it?

Do you want to catch a fish by any means possible? Pull a plug or drift some bait.

Do you wanna catch a fish on a spraypole? Fish a skagit head and 11' of T10 with a 2.5" black leech with some blue flash. You're welcome.

Do you wanna admire the sexy loops of a scandi setup all year long? Fish a float/intermediate and your favorite fly and get it done, fisha.

Do you wanna be like the last LSpencer acolyte and fish nothing but blunted muddlers when you actually fish?

The path is yours, mang. Have fun however you roll.
Click to expand...
It’s taken me 64 years to reach this level of enlightenment🤪

and yet I still have my occasional hissy fit when the Chemist is killing it and I’m casting to seemingly barren waters 😖🙂
 
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