Bottom bouncing is all about “feel.” The 6-pound Maxima monofilament was taut between rod tip and the three-way swivel. As the split shot landed on the gravel I could detect the bottom and the beginning of the drift. The intent was to allow the current to carry the lead shot along or even occasionally off bottom, with the spawn sac floating inches above and in the feeding zone of Mr. Trout.
Bottom bouncing is an art, which is only achieved by experience. You have to be able to identify holding trout water. Tom Hamilton winter steelheading on the Saugeen River.
Repetitive was the word. From the time I left the truck, I was walking down the same path, to the same river, right to the same fishing hole I had been visiting for almost fifty years. Jeez, meandering through the waist high grass, it seemed I was stepping over some of the same logs that were hindering my progress over decades past. When I emerged from the bush, the river in front of me was winding down through the cement abutments almost hypnotically. Light rains from the previous three days had injected a little more life into the swirls and currents, inviting me and more likely the migratory trout fresh up from Lake Huron.
Entering the river, it was always the same. Go slow, no need for haste. The same rubble was underfoot. No need to stumble, flounder, trip or even worse endure an early morning ice bath. When I reached a depth a little above the crotch of my waders I paused, established my footing, checked the condition of my roe bag and studied the water in front of me. The dime sized fresh eggs were tightly wrapped and snug, with a small addition of one Styrofoam Black Bird floater to keep the bag up and away from bottom. Three feet above the the number 6 Eagle Claw hook, the perfect amount of split shot hung down from the three-way swivel. The rig was ready to meet the river and bounce the bottom below.
My rod was my favorite. The little Abu Cardinal 3 was almost 50 years old. The rod, a 9 foot 8 weight Fenwick was just as ancient, but not as old as the angler holding it. Opening the bail and the first cast was made just a short ways upstream to the far edge of the drift. As soon as the rig landed on the surface, the bail was snapped closed and my index finger felt the mono slide into position in the crease between my knuckle and fingertip.
Bottom bouncing is all about “feel.” The 6-pound Maxima monofilament was taut between rod tip and the three-way swivel. As the split shot landed on the gravel I could detect the bottom and the beginning of the drift. The intent was to allow the current to carry the lead shot along or even occasionally off bottom, with the spawn sac floating inches above and in the feeding zone of Mr. Trout.
On the first cast and drift I could only detect bottom and no bite. Retrieving the rig, the second upstream cast was placed a few feet closer. The lead sank and the sac below began its downstream ride. Three bounces along bottom and the trout intercepted the spawn sac. The bite definitely wasn’t a hard take, but the mono between the groove of my index finger identified a fish. Seconds later the steelie was out of the water in that all to familiar water walk on the surface. Back into the river the annoyed creature bulldogged back and forth and up and down the confines of the pool. Five minutes later 8 pounds of scaled silver was resting in the landing net hanging from my vest.
These days, I love nothing more than searching out drifts big or small. Bottom bouncing success on a cold December day.
Four hours and four fish later I called it a morning…a very productive morning. Three of the rainbow were released and one was retained, about to be put on ice and later sizzling in my frying pan.
No knock on the new exploding generation of “float” fishermen. I’ve watched the boom toward float fishing right from the first introduction of 12-foot-long rods, center-pin reels and plastic floats more than forty years ago. Hell, I have a few outfits of my own. But let’s be honest, it’s more sight than feel. Watch the float, wait for the wiggle and set the hook. Float fishing allows for longer drifts, much longer drifts. Sometimes way, way long drifts that are unnecessary. These days, it’s often a case of shoulder-to-shoulder congestion, crossed lines, confusion and even fistfights. Anyone, once they’ve learned the art of handling a center-pin reel can catch a steelhead. Just sit back and watch for the bobber to wiggle. Though too many anglers release too much line and can’t see the float let alone the wiggle.
Bottom bouncing is an art, which is only achieved by experience. You have to be able to identify holding trout water. Learning the places where they stage, rest and feed. It all comes with experience. Identifying the difference of the bottom and the actual bite. Then you learn to “match the hatch.” Different water clarity might lead to different sized roe bags and different colored presentations. You don’t fish water where you can see the fish. If you can see the trout, the trout can damn well see you! You learn to recognize water temperature and water levels and to match the techniques with the conditions. You learn to never, ever fish in crowds. From late September until the end of May is the time to be on the water. Even in mid-winter, if the river is free of ice, the trout are going to be waiting. Possibly in a different location, at a different flow or a different depth, but still in that river.
The float fishing crowd are outfitting themselves with some pretty expensive gear between long rods and center-pin reels. The cost there can average between five hundred or more than a thousand dollars. My ancient Fenwick and Cardinal 3 totaled out a less than a couple hundred in the day and modern versions never top three hundred greenbacks.
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These days, I love nothing more than searching out drifts big or small. Drifts without the side by side line-ups, long rods, crossed lines and confusion. It’s referred to as solitude. Matching wits with the fish. It’s called bottom bouncing.
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4 comments
I do a lot a lot of bottom bouncing in the spring in my area. I look for riffles that hold trout and suckers. I have never used a three way rug for this type of fishing and will give it a try next spring. In the past I have used imitation eggs, sucker spawn and chromotids in different colors. Enjoyed the article very much this morning. Happy holidays.
Have said the same thing for years
No skill in bobber fishing. Love the vibration that comes from take that lifts weight off bottom
Amen! I don’t use 3 way swivel though.
10 pound mono with 6 to 8 lb flouro, depending on water clarity, size 10 hook.
Cast out, feel the weight hitting the bottom.
Sometimes adding or removing a split shot to match the current. Always anticipating the tick,tick of a bow, steelie or brown grabbing the sac and zzzzzzzzzz (line peeling off the reel) thanks for article. It does take practice. Now nearing 70, been doing this for some 60 years. There’s a lot more to it. Raising the rod to slow drift…
Awesome read! Drift fishing is king in my opinion.