Plenty of bug life around the trout streams in the last couple of weeks! With some sustained periods of settled weather the trout have really got into a feeding groove, or so it seams. In the mornings there have been varying intensities of buzzers (midge), caddis, and mayflies. Ive also been tying some beetle patterns like a mad man, I have seen a few around and the trout will be starting to feed on them imminently. See this blog for some beetle low - down.
One thing I have been constantly reminded is just how important it is to keep your eyes locked onto your fly, if possible, when presenting to a fish. My preferred order for a strike indication/ eat is first to look at the fly, if that’s not possible then look at the fish, if that’s not possible then look at your strike indicator, leader, fly line etc. If that’s not possible then you can slowly lift & draw the rod tight when you think your flies are on the fish to check for a take.
I have seen quite a number of fish so far come up to take the dry, only to miss it upon opening their mouth. Personally Ive trained myself to resist striking until I see the fly disappear, not just striking from the trouts mouth opening on what LOOKS like your fly! Leaving the fly on the water for the fish to return (slow moving/ still water) or a quick recast a foot or two in front of the fish (moving water) will usually result in a look up, as long as you have not done anyting to alert the fish to your presence!! Now there are many different theories for this from rejections, refusals, to selectivity, eating something else in the water column, or just plain missing. Of course it depends on the situation on the river at the time, but from my experiences its USUALLY the trout just plain missing the fly, either through error, or, making a wee bow wave of water with their snout that pushes the fly away a little just as they break the surface and are about to eat.
If any Dunedin/ Otago locals would like to experience some fly fishing for a day or 3 in early December, I have some multi-day availability due to a recent cancellation/ postponement from our Auckland friends. If no one takes up the offer Ill be going bush myself chasing some trout around! Email me at thomas.j.mcauliffe@gmail.com to touch base.
Have a great week!
