During the winter, one can often catch many trout in the deep pools on the Murray’s Marauder (pearl or black). Cast a size 10 across stream. After they sink deeply swim them slowly across the stream bottom by stripping them six inches every ten seconds. These two streamers match several of the main minnows the trout feed upon during the winter. Try to fish each pool thoroughly, being careful to work each undercut bank thoroughly.
Frequently on warm sunny afternoons you can spot several trout feeding on aquatic midges in the slow sections of the pools. Taper down to a 6X tippet and put on a Mr. Rapidan Dry Midge size 20 and fish one on one to each rising trout using a slack line cast such as a puddle cast. Don’t be fooled into assuming that a delicate dimple riseform indicates a little trout. I have seen 20 inch trout create such a small riseform that it is difficult to spot. A splashy riseform is your cue to switch to an underwater fly such as a Zebra Nymph size 18. These trout are feeding on the emerging midge as he swims up through the current to reach the surface. The trout are racing to capture the emerger and the inertia of their bodies create the disturbance we see on the surface.
Often there will be some trout feeding on the dry midges in the same pod as those feeding on emergers. I use a two fly rig in this situation. I attach a Mr. Rapidan Midge Dry size 20 to my 9ft 6X Classic Leader. Then and a Zebra Nymph size 18 to a 24 inch 6X dropper coming off the dry hook with an improved clinch knot. Fish this two fly rig the same way you would if you were fishing just the dry. However, be gentle on your strike so you do’t break the trout off.
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