i have frequently met people fly fishing, who have selected the fly they are using based on their favourite colours or because they managed to catch a trout with it last time they used it, (which could have been months ago), or because the fishery owner/bailiff has recommended it as the best fly to use on this fishery.
I have frequently met people fly fishing, who have selected the fly they are using based on their favourite colours or because they managed to catch a trout with it last time they used it, (which could have been months ago), or because the fishery owner/bailiff has recommended it as the best fly to use on this fishery.
But which fly to use on a very hard day, when any interest from the trout is clearly not there?There are a few ways to tackle this situation, the first being to retire to the local pub for a few refreshments and return to the fishery as the evening rise begins, or you could try putting up a big lure and fish it as deep as possible on a sinking line with a nice slow sink and draw retrieve, hoping to get a reaction from the trout’s aggressive nature.
But one of the methods I favour the most when the fishing is difficult is to put up a realistic looking buzzer, with a fine point of 2/3lb breaking strain and fish it as static as possible, fishing at different depths and using the fly line tip and floating part of the leader as a visual aid when looking for those gentle takes.
It takes a lot of patience and concentration for this style of fishing, but I never tire of striking at the slightest movement on the leader/flyline, and it never ceases to surprise me that the small indication of movement that caused me to strike, turns out to be connected to a trout which is as surprised as me when it finds itself hooked, often this tactic turns out to be the gentlest of takes and the hardest of fights.
Imagine the shock when the trout gently sucks in what it thinks to be a food item, and suddenly out of nowhere finds out its hooked, thus causing the trout to bolt off in panic, hence giving the fly fisherman a hard fight, with which he must use utmost care and play the fish very skilfully, due to the fine point of 2/3 lb breaking strain leader he is using.
This style of fly fishing is one of concentration, patience, and above all not for the faint hearted.
The reason I select a buzzer for this method of fly fishing, is the fact that the buzzer is one of the trout’s staple diet food items which is probably the most usual food item it comes across daily.
After all… if this doesn’t work out, you still have the other option of the pub!!!!Tight LinesAndy, UK Fishers
