Want to know what flies are working best here at Fisherwick Trout Lake?
Have you ever wanted to tie your own flies but were unsure about what materials and equipment you need? Or how to tie the best patterns?
Fisherwick member, Al Stewart, shares his thoughts on flies and the tying thereof, and anything else that comes to mind in the noble pursuit of fly fishing.
Peeping Caddis
by Unknown - 20:08 on 04 June 2013
Bright sunshine is not the best for stillwater trout fishing. Today, the sun blazed overhead and there was a stiff breeze blowing. Several anglers did catch, mostly on cruncher and whisker patterns.
I had a good walk around the Trout Lake before I started and as the wind was blowing from the east, decided on fishing the first mark (opposite the picnic table). Tried a Copper Clouser (one of my own variations: nice and sparkly) thinking the fish would go for a fry imitation. Gave that up after about twenty minutes. The fish, I thought, must be pretty deep. I then tied on a Peeping Caddis on its own. The one I used has no weghted underbody and it was taking too long to sink once it was wet. Not only that, I don't think it was getting anywhere near the bottom! So I added a small Damsel Nymph to the dropper to help the flies get down. It also helped combat the wind a little bit. After about half an hour I got a bite. The rainbow was landed and duly despatched to the great Trout Lake In The Sky. It looked like it had been in the wars a bit, with one pectoral fin missing and chewed gill covers. But it put up a good fight! The fly was half-way down its throat, but the forceps soon retrieved it
I fished on for another half hour and got another bite. This time the fish must have realised it had got hold of a phoney and spat it out. At least I knew where the fish were!
Another half an hour and another bite. Wow! Did this one go! I had to keep letting line out as it dived deep over and over again. I kept thinking I was going to lose this without even seeing it! Eventually I brought it to the net. A good two and a half pounds if it was an ounce! It measured about 20 inches long and was in really good condition. The Caddis had disappeared, and even gentle probing with the forceps couldn't locate it. Eventually, in a last act of defiance it shook its head and severed the tippet. Memo to self: Don't use 3lb tippet again! I released the fish after it recovered and with an insolent flick of its tail, it disappeared into the depths.
As it looks like it's going to be a sunny and warm, if not hot, spell and the surface temperature on the up, it pays to think long and deep if you want to catch fish.
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