FALL SPAWNING: [EGGS]

As we continue seeing more and more redds (trout nests) pop up around the Driftless Region, it’s really important to also continue having discussions around sustainable and ethical practices when fly fishing this time of year. We are still a few weeks away from peak spawning, but that’s why it is so crucial to be talking about this stuff now.

Today, I want to present some info around how to effectively and ethically rig egg patterns and beads for trout. Obviously, the best way to avoid unsustainable and unethical fishing this time of year would be to simply not fish until December, or better yet, January/February to protect the baby trout that are incubating in the gravel for this period of time (see my last post for more information about some wading tips). The reality is that most people won’t wait that long so I want to offer some “Tips & Tricks” to do this with some informed knowledge 😊

Without a doubt, eggs are known to hold the highest source of protein value (proportional to size) for trout. This is a GREAT way for trout to load up on calories in preparation for Winter. So the obvious choice of fly for many anglers this time of year is going to be egg patterns.

HOW TO RIG UP for the “egg hatch”:

1. The most common approach would be to use a single Glo-Bug Egg, typically tied on barbed hooks and bought from a store or online.

2. A Rag-Style Clown Egg, which imitates a cluster of eggs (much more common for Steelhead or Salmon fishing).

3. A Bead Setup is the use of a plastic bead that come in endless colors and textures, which are actually astonishingly REALISTIC!

DIFFERENCES:

• Options 1 & 2 have the egg pattern tied on the hook itself, like a traditional fly.

• Option 3 has the bead pegged with a toothpick (or small wooden/plastic peg) on your tippet, with a single hook attached about 1-2” below the FIXED BEAD. [I’ll attach a video later with an alternative rigging that is great for simplicity]

SUSTAINABILITY & ETHICS:

• The major problem with egg flies (Options 1 & 2) are that they quite often (and I mean like almost eminent) get SWALLOWED fairly DEEP and can cause major harm to the fish if you intend to release it. I’m sharing this from experience. A way to help alleviate some of the destructiveness caused by deep swallows would be to fish BARBLESS eggs. [This helps A LOT, but doesn’t address the deep hook problem]

• The BEST SOLUTION is to use the BEAD SETUP for a couple reasons:

1. They are super REALISTIC! So they typically catch a lot more fish.

2. They are very DURABLE. Trust me, after about 3-5 fish (especially browns with big teeth) those foam eggs will look more like string cheese 😂

3. MOST IMPORTANTLY the HOOK SET will be right in the corner of the mouth every single time, rather than in the back of the throat! They get to swallow the bead. And the hook stays in a safe place.

BEADS & WHERE TO FISH THEM:

• Bead setups are by far the best option for targeting non-spawning trout in the deeper runs and holes downstream of spawning trout that are depositing eggs and releasing eggs from the gravel. I like to think of these “buckets” or “holding areas” as a lobby where patients wait for their turn haha and eggs are like the mini fancy sandwiches you get while you’re waiting 😂 These will be their actively feeding fish (pre-spawn fish or post-spawn fish).

BIG FISH TIP:

• Big fish hardly ever expose their backs! That’s a BIG NO NO! So they have to hangout in the deeper water anyway. So if there are any bigger fish around, the deeper pockets (2.5ft or deeper) is where they’re gonna be hanging out.

EDUCATE, CONSERVE, AND PROTECT IOWA