Of interest to fly fishing folk

[Newt]

More from Field & Stream but this time, some observations by a diver watching fly fishing for trout from the trout's perspective. Some of what he found out goes against conventional wisdom.

 

http://www.fieldandstream.com/fieldstream/...1575804,00.html

[gozzer]

Thanks for that Newt, it makes interesting viewing and reading.

 

I'm no 'fluff chucker', it's a quarter of a century at least, since I waved a fly rod in anger.

The points made in the article apply to fish in general, and with bait fishing, as well as fly.(a point I was trying to make in the 'Trotting fast water' thread).

 

It's a shame that modern trends in the UK angling scene, don't require the learning of water craft such as this.

The number of posters on here that ask for a definitive answer, (what bait, how far out, how deep etc), to what is really a general question, is proof of that.

Time spent watching the fish, and their behavior, will answer these questions, (and a lot more), and increase catches a great deal.

But it seems that 'instant' results are what are required, with very few putting in the 'hard miles' and 'earning' their fish.

 

John.

[Steve Burke]

Very interesting indeed, Newt!

 

And not just to fly fishing folk.

[Vagabond]

You have posted that up before, Newt, but its well worth repeating

 

Here is an example of how it works in practice (last Wed July 11)

 

 

In particular Point 1 - far too much false casting was going on at the fishery - this fish was caught by a single roll-cast into the air, one backcast, one forward cast.(three rod movements in all)

 

A short ACCURATE cast is more effective than a long cast achieved with a dozen rod strokes

 

...and Gozzer makes a good point - as soon as I landed it three blokes came and asked me "what fly"

I showed them the fly....

 

NOBODY asked me about fly size, tippet length, depth, how far to cast, retrieval rate, bite indication etc

 

In fact, asking "what fly" is a sort of insult - it implies you are just a wally who was lucky enough to have taken the "right" fly out of the box.

 

In fact I caught on a GRHE size 16, but any brown nymph (eg Pheasant Tail) would probably have done the job.

 

Small drab fly - drab because it was a bright day, small because these browns are wary of bigger flies whizzing through the water and being snapped at by small rainbows.

 

Short range cast, so I could stalk the fish and put the fly just inches in front of it.

 

Bite indicator - when I saw the fly go down the hatch

 

Depth - same depth as the fish I could see

 

Retrieval rate - zero, the fish took on the drop.

 

...and just to show it was no fluke I got another

 

Edited July 17, 2007 by Vagabond

[Steve Burke]

...and Gozzer makes a good point - as soon as I landed it three blokes came and asked me "what fly"

I showed them the fly....

 

NOBODY asked me about fly size, tippet length, depth, how far to cast, retrieval rate, bite indication etc

 

I couldn't agree more. It happens with lure fishing too. I'm often asked what colour lure I've caught on. My own first question is about the depth a fish was caught, closely followed by the speed of retrieve.

 

If you haven't already read the article that Newt posted a link to I suggest you do so.

 

I found the bit about changing the weight 3 times before changing the fly especially pertinent. There's lots of other useful points too.

 

The only one that I don't agree with (except perhaps in the context of the article) is that changing to a lighter line isn't worthwhile. In a tumbling stream it may make little difference, but it certainly often does in slower currents and even more so on stillwaters. It's not just the visibility of a larger diameter line, but the effect it has on the behavour of the bait.

[Newt]

Vagabond - I knew I had posted some of the info and a link or two after reading the article but didn't remember finding a master link to the info until last night.

 

Steve - I do think they were specifically talking about using heavier line in terms of fast water.

[Vagabond]

Vagabond - I knew I had posted some of the info (before)

Yep, and it was the same few who responded last time.

[Janet]

Fascinating reading Newt!

 

Janet

[Whitebridges]

Crikey, I've never seen such fat aweful looking stockie brownies!

Wild river fish look like this:

 

Edited July 18, 2007 by Whitebridges