Strategies for big Rainbows

[kylef...@gmail.com]

I located a couple of 18+ inch rainbows living in a river pool with tons of juvenile smallmouths, pumpkinseeds, fall fish, creek chubs, and carp. They shared a lie with a pair of 12-14 inch bows that occasionally ate a natural nymph.

The water was very clear and I was able to hide behind a tree and get very close without tipping them off until I clumsily drifted nymphs and willy buggers in front of them. The large ones kept their jaws shut, not even naturally
Occurring bugs.

I'm guessing the big ones hunt from dusk till dawn for baby smallmouths, pumpkinseeds etc.
I'm guessing their diet is more like a largemouth bass than other trout.

So any insight ?
Should I try crayfish pattern?
Rodents (hell the biggest one looked like it could eat a city rat, a baby bird or a duckling)

What is a good fly to imitate a 3-4 inch smallmouth, pumpkinseeds or creek chub?

Is this a job for an 8wt outfit?
I'd be happy to catch the smaller bows on nymphs with a 5-6 weight without spooking the big guys.

[Rob Snowhite]

Clown egg. Go small.

Sent from my iPhone

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[kylef...@gmail.com]

In reality it is probably 5 inch p-seeds and bronze backs. This bow was so big i got a bit shaky in the knees. Broad shouldered. 20+ inch length. Thick and healthy looking. It bullied 2ft carp out of position in the river.

[Rob Snowhite]

If its bullying fish go with a Mike Schmidt pattern, a big, articulated, bulky fish pattern.

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> On Jun 8, 2016, at 9:43 PM, kylef...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> In reality it is probably 5 inch p-seeds and bronze backs. This bow was so big i got a bit shaky in the knees. Broad shouldered. 20+ inch length. Thick and healthy looking. It bullied 2ft carp out of position in the river.
>

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[Yambag Nelson]

Rainbows are generally not known as nocturnal or fish eaters like big browns.  Not to say they won't but that wouldn't be my first thought. You could try a mouse after dark though. If you are fishing mid day in the sun there is a good chance they just aren't going to eat.  

If there is fast water pouring in to the pool I would try and catch a good hatch and see if they move into the fast water to feed.  Rainbows love fast water.

I would also try the other extreme i.e. very small nymphs.  Depending how deep the water is i would hang it off a dry fly so that you can make the cast from a distance and still be able to detect the strike.   I'm assuming the fish are spooky and you mentioned the water is clear so you arne't going to be able to get close.

I don't see why you would need an 8 weight for 18 inch fish.  A five weight is plenty of rod.

[kylef...@gmail.com]

Thanks for the tips.  

I'll have to go shopping for the articulated streamer but have clown eggs.  

Just curious why clown egg vs. any other egg vs. anything else small???

On Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at 9:49:29 PM UTC-4, Rob Snowhite wrote:

If its bullying fish go with a Mike Schmidt pattern, a big, articulated, bulky fish pattern.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 8, 2016, at 9:43 PM, kylef...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> In reality it is probably 5 inch p-seeds and bronze backs.  This bow was so big i got a bit shaky in the knees.  Broad shouldered.  20+ inch length.  Thick and healthy looking.  It bullied 2ft carp out of position in the river.  
>
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[Chris Zogby]

Try a medium-sized, white, woolly bugger under an indicator. I've seen a friend fish over a large (20+ inches) rainbow for 10-15 minutes in clear water. The fish passed on every nymph pattern thrown at him, but he took the dead-drifted bugger on its first pass.