Fishing on the Dark Side

[Bjay]

Hi guys
Fishing on the dark side is chronomid fishing straight down from the boat. Usually 16 feet and deeper.
Here is how I do it. been dong it over 30 years.
First you need to have something to attach to the fly to get it down.
Now a lot of guys use their forcepts BUT your forcepts are going to sink into the mud anywhere from a few inches to a foot or more before the bottom is solid enough tp stop them from sinking, they are to thin and too heavy. (From my experience.)
So I have found that a 1/4 by 3/4 inch stainless bolt with three nuts is just right. Put an "O" ring in the middle of the nuts and hook your fly in the "O" ring. This won't sink into the mud as fast or as deep. I gingerly find the bottom then put the rod tip to the water wind up the slock, and then reach up to the first eye , grab the line ,pull it back to the reel and wind up that slack. Remove the nut and drop the line back down. Sit with the rod tip at water level.You're fishing.
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL YOU DO. (You may now just sit and wait. The fish sometime will only take the fly if it is dead still, or.)
You now work the fly. I give the fly a few moments at dead still, the slowly lift the fly off the bottom, about a foot at at a time, then pause a few moments, then lift again, to about a 3 foot lift total. The drop it back down and start again. This works really well if there is a hatch and you are using chrommies. I use from # 18's to 10's straight 2x and 3x long and scud hooks. All 2 x strong.
Cheers
BJay