Onwater Seminar by Tim Holschlag with the Tippecanoe River Fly Fishing Club. 5 members and Tim arrived at the SR 18 Bridge west of Delphi, IN at 10 AM to a beautiful day.
Tim provided onshore prep info and then moved the operation to the stream for demonstrations on this famous 'crayfish hop' and his perferred stripping methods.
All six of us took to the stream and staged at various points along a 150 yard stretch some 200 years upstream of the SR18 Bridge.
As individiuals staked out a likely spot to test their skills on rousting a smallmouth to their fly, Tim visited with each, watching, conversing with and offering pointers.
TFF President Jan Hawkins was first to set the hook on a fiesty smallie. It wasn't a line-breaker, but at 8.5" it had every intention of giving Jan the impression he was 14" and more.
Tim demonstrated his approach to smallmouth lies, from upstream and downstream; preferring a 45 degree angle of approach with a cross-current retrieve. He also said he preferred the use of a strike indicator in the swifter current.
Tim reeled in and released a fiesty 10" smallie and then Jan did the same with another 10" mathed double. That was the end of the fish action. But we did have a good bit of spontaneous steamside bathing take place. Slick rocks, good current and early season wading can make for good stories. Fortunately for those involved, photos of their efforts were not recorded.
The gathering broke-up just past noon with three of the group heading back to their work or other duties. While Tim, Gary Jones and myself moved over to Wildcat Creek near West Lafayette.
The action there was slow - but 4 fish were summoned to the point of attention and released to gain size and improve the local population.
Any day on the water is always better than just about any alternative. And a learning session is all the more enjoyable. It was a both fun and educational.
