Recently I was asked by Ed
Herbst (Editor of Piscator, the CPS Journal) to summarize a scientific
paper for the
next issue of the Journal. It seemed a simple task, but when I was
handed this
paper, it wasn't just a paper, but something you can use to press
trout, like
you would flowers. The paper involves trout and stream biology in
Browsing through this briefly, I was struck by two things, the
difference in
stream fauna on the bottom vs. those in the drift, and how much
detritus was
found in trout stomachs.
Samples from the stream bottom show a cross section of bugs that are
completely
different to those found drifting in the stream. Thus, if you go and
sample a
bit of water before you fish it by putting down a net, and disturbing
the
bottom, or you turn over a few rocks to see who's home, you are NOT
getting an
accurate representation of what the fish may be feeding on.
Having watched many videos of trout feeding behaviour, fish are feeding
on what
is drifting in the water column, and to a lesser extent, what is on the
surface. Your focus then should be on what is drifting in the water
rather than
what is on the bottom. (I am not suggesting that trout don’t bottom
feed or
'root' at times, but most of the feeding is done on the drift). This
makes
sampling more difficult as you would have to keep your sampling net in
the
water much longer. But there is a shortcut. According to the paper, and
other
items I have read, the majority of drifting creatures are baetid nymphs
(a
family of mayflies). These are small, mostly dark nymphs, with
relatively big
thoraxes and small backsides. There is the answer, fish small nymphs
(size 20
and smaller) and your are more likely to be successful.
A varying but significant amount of sticks & plant material were
also found
in trout stomachs, which begs the question. Why do they swallow sticks,
stones
& leaves? Perhaps they are mistaken for food items, provide
nourishment in
some way, or help digestion. Perhaps you should be tying some odd
imitations.
Look out for this year’s issue of Piscator where I will give more info
on the
trout's diet, and expand on the role terrestrials and other food items.
An aside. The mix of stream fauna is a very good indicator of the
health of a
stream, mayflies usually mean healthy water, but some are sensitive to
metal
pollution and others to excess nutrients (like fertilizer runoff). If
there are
only fly and midge larvae, then there are problems.
Finally. This weekend will find me in (the hopefully warmer) climes of
KZN
where I am attending the Outdoor and Adventure Fair being held at the
home of
Ufudu in Kloof. If you are in the area and not running the comrades,
please pop
in. Besides fly fishing there are myriad of other activities taking
place and
it is kid friendly. I will have a Tenkara rod handy in case you want to
try it
out. Details are in the events section below.
Best regards,
Craig
PS. I have included links to Weather forecasts for Cape Streams and
Stillwaters
from weather stations in the area on the website.
For example, you are able to check Lakensvlei weather from the weather
station
on site (just bear in mind the wind will be faster than indicated as
the
station is in a wind sheltered area)
New J Vice Bobbin
Events
Knuckle Knot.
OK.
This isnt a new knot but a method to tighten your knots without
compromising their strength. Knots usually fail because they are not
lubricated properly, or are tightened too fast.
If you tighten your knot slowly (this applies aspecially to finer
tippets) you are less likely to heat up the knot, so will be more
successful.
The problem is usually that you pull carefully then suddenly it slips
and you you have done the damage.
Hold the completed knot as shown whith your bottom fingers touching.
Slowly rotate your wrists and arms together and tighten the knot.
Using this method, you have complete control.
Fun
with Butterflies & Moths
When
you buy a whole bird skin you will always end up with some feathers you
just cant use. While in a creative mood I played around with some
'leftovers' and came up with some butterflies and moths. It is nice to
play with your toys once in a while, and I thouroughly enjoyed the
exercise. I am not sure if this will catch fish, but if I put them in
the shop I am bound to catch a fisherman or two :-)
If this is too frivolous for you, I have included a
serious fly as well.
I have had good success with it in local waters as it is very 'alive'
on
the water.
It can be fished with the 'old fashioned' rod and reel, as well as
Tankara style :-)
Traditionally Japanese pheasant is used for the wings and hackles and
Zenmai (flowering fern) for the body,
but I have substituted for locally available materials.
Step by step tying instructions for both are here
Black Tailed Devils
406 Productions
R179.99
A decade in the making, Black Tailed Devils is a one-of-a-kind
fly-fishing movie, the first dedicated to capturing the pursuit of
permit on film. The producers of Getting Guided and Into the
Backi
ng--the only company hard-core and hell-bent enough to
target this
befuddling species full-time--travel to the outer regions of the
Florida Keys with tournament-winning guides and their clients to score
never-before-seen footage of the flats' most elusive fish.
With an array of reel-searing runs, cursing anglers, pole-throwing
guides, and a lifetime's worth of tailing permit, Black Tailed Devils
captures--like no film before it--the insanity and exhilaration of
chasing permit on-the-fly. Buy
Online
The Orvis Guide to Small Stream FlyFishing
Tom Rosenbauer
Harcover 8½" x 11 2011
R349.00
Provides all the
information for finding and fishing unspoiled gems found everywhere
from wilderness areas to suburban backyards.
As more fishing is done close to home, small trout streams, or
third-order streams as described by hydrologists, are thirty times as
abundant as the bigger, more famous trout streams, and most of them are
on public land, making them more accessible. This beautifully
illustrated and definitive resource explains the small-stream
environment, how to find these streams, how small-stream trout behave,
how to read the water, special casts, fly selection, and how to present
the fly in all types of small streams. With this fly fishing guide
book, anglers can find and catch wild trout far off the beaten
path. Buy
Online
Visit www.netbooks.co.za
for a large range of Fly Fishing Titles. For the latest book
& DVD
releases go here
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