Fly Seasons Chart / Resource

[jbeasley]

I'm new to the forums, and relatively new to fly fishing. I've done so for several years now, but only off and on, intermixed with other types of fishing.

I seem to spend a lot of time finding the right fly or two while in the water trout fishing. Since a fly should represent their current natural food source, I thought there must be a resource somewhere online showing the typical seasons for insects in various regions, their development, and suggestions on appropriate flies to use. I have yet to find this resource.

Does this type of resource exist? A book or two someone could suggest?

I typically fish the Obey with occasional trips to Caney Fork. I also enjoy pan fishing in smaller local rivers.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Tentwing]

jbeasely;

First out welcome to the board.

I am currently back in the hospital , but When i get back out and have access to something besides an I-phone to post with I will put together a list of flies that are must haves on the Obey , and a good selection to have on the Caney too.

Sorry for the delay,...........Tentwing

[jbeasley]

That would be awesome!

Sorry to hear you're in the hospital! Will pray for healing.

You wouldn't happen to be the gentlemen who works/worked up at the fish hatchery would you?

I crawled into the Obey this Saturday morning just before 6 AM...and the trout were super active. Got a quick catch...then I heard the dreaded horn! What? I had called Friday up in the evening and they were showing no generating. Sometime in the night it changed. They ran one generator from 6 until 8 AM. I almost had me a little girly fit right there in the middle of the river!

Thanks for your reply. Hope you get better soon.

[Tentwing]

jbeasley;

Sorry i am not the gentleman at the Hatchery. However your most likely refering to the hatchery manager Terry Cambell. He is a good man , good friend and a fine fisherman.

Glad to hear someone is getting to fish keep those fishing reports coming they are good for the souls of us shut-ins.

On the Obey size #18 and #16 Black Zebra Thread Midges with silver ribbing and a gold bead head are a must and wil with good regularity produce year round. Sometimes in Feb you might want to try them in #20's.

The Red-Neck Prince tied midges style in #18's and even sometimes in #16's are also a must have staple in an Obey Fly Box. I usually start out on the Obey with a #16 Zebra as the point fly and a #18 Red-Neck Prince as the mid fly on my rig. There is usually no need to change.

In the warmer part of the Spring and Fall #14 Micro-Boogers in Olive or Black both seem to do well, but not during the hot months of the year.

Also in the Spring and Fall both dont be afraid to Try a Wooly Booger stripped in quick strip, strip...pause fashion.

Last but not least during the colder part of the year. Bead head Pheasant Tails in size #18's and #20's in natural color or Olive drifted dead on the bottom also produce well.

Hope some of this helps, Maybe when i get well we can hit the Obey together sometime,.............. Tentwing

[jbeasley]

Perfect! Yes, I was talking about Terry, just couldn't remember his name. Met him a time or two fishing with Gary (Hootie Hoo) Gilpatrick, who is to blame for getting me hooked into all of this. Before my second son came along, I fished with him several times. I was getting low on flies, so I made an order the other day based on what I remembered he had told me.

The few that I remembered from him is on your list, which is great. You've reminded me of a couple others he mentioned, and gave me a couple other options as well. I was missing the knowledge of what times / seasons to fish these most of all, so the insight you've provided there is greatly appreciated.

With my two young boys, my fishing trips anymore are an hour or two here and there, anytime I can get them in, rather than a half day or full day on the water. That's the main reason I've not got to fish with Gary, or learn from others lately and really needed this "boost". I'd enjoy getting together for some time on the Obey whenever you're up to it, and I will make time to do so.

I plan to go this Friday after the morning generation and see how things turn out. I'll break out my zebras first! May be taking my little bother out into the river for the first time. I'll let you know the results!

Thanks again!

[Petey]

Well if you getting advise from Hootie Hoo I must say you are running in rare company!

Petey

[jbeasley]

Gary's reputation always seems to precede him. We were in the Jaycees together, and I've had a ball fishing with him in the past. Just don't get to take those day trips much anymore.

[Tentwing]

jb;

Listen carefully to everything Hootie tells you while fishing the Obey. He is easily the " Obey Master " much of my success on the Obey can be credited to following his advise.
By the way you will have to get him to tie some Red-Neck Princes for you as they are not avalible in fly shops.

Please tell Gary the next time you see him that you met Tentwing on line and that rumors of my demise are not true, and while my health is not good I am getting better. Also let him know that I am no longer living in Livingston. Tell him Cheryl and I have moved and when I once again have E-mail I will contact him.

Tentwing

[jbeasley]

I'll be sure to pass the word along to Hootie. I was on the phone with him just the other day. However, I'm not going to pass on the accolades, especially "Obey Master",...his head is big enough as-is.

Did some mid-afternoon fishing on the Obey yesterday. It was slow going but found a school of browns feeding. Caught several within about 30 minutes on a red zebra midge. First time I've fished the Obey and ONLY caught browns. Foul hooked one in the tail and thought I had a winner for a minute!