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Stream X - Hard to find, but worth the effort.
021 551 4248 sales@streamx.co.za

Dear [fname]

The WPLJ (last months fly) is an effective fly in stillwater, but has never been put to the test in a river.
After fishing a beat a few weeks ago, I decided to try it out on the way back. Just below a wier, there is a big deep pool, and standing above the wier I cast downstream. Letting the current move the flyline and without a retrieve, a customer was expected pretty soon. But nothing, not even a tire kicker. After experimenting with a number of retrieves and different parts of the pool, there still wasn't even a car in the carpark.
Being of stubborn disposition I moved to the side of the pool, and did a 'drown and across' thing. This is where it got interesting.
The multiple currents made a few curves in the line, and my line went out from the rod & curved back towards me with the fly close and visible. A trout swam up to the fly, picked it up, swam away, then spat it out. And I didnt feel a thing on the line!

This is wake up call time, as in don't make assumptions. The assumption was that because the current is causing the curves in the line, the line is relatively 'tight' and you will feel the takes. NO WAY!
LESSON: If you are downstream nymphing, keep the line as short as you can. Rather hide away than use a long line.
Something else I noticed was the fly was swimming a little hook down, which it wasn't supposed to do. This was because I had used a down-eye hook instead fo a straight-eye, so watch out for that.

After shortening the line, I got a bass, after which my attention was drawn to two trout at the tail of the pool who were in the perfect position for me to see their reaction to the fly. My cast spooked the one, but the other followed the fly until I ran out space, never touching it.
In a lower pool I hooked a few, but the real action came later in a faster run, where the same fish attacked it three times without getting hooked. As the fly went upstream past the fish it would wait a while then dash furiously at the fly, attacking it with gusto.
Vindication was mine, the fish absolutely hate this fly! Especially in fast water.

Now this is a good thing, beacuse they attack flies they hate, rather than given them the nose up haughty disdain they reserve for some of our dry flies. The fish further downstream hated it too, even one rather large bass, but unfortunately the hook up to landing ratio was very poor, something that would be remedied by straightening the eye.

Last weekend found me guiding on the Holsloot during the CPS river festival, and with high water things werent easy for anyone.
It was the perfect day for the WPLJ, but it seems it never got put back in the box after it had its squint corrected.

On a different subject, while reseraching the fly of the month, I came across this quote by Jeremy Lucas, (ex-Egland international FF) who was a controller at the 2010 world champs, and I just have to repeat it.

"I watched outstanding performances out there. The three podium teams, Czech, France & Slovakia, were awesome, but then all the top ten teams (out of 28) were exceptional, and most especially the three non-European teams who made it to this level. South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Without a doubt, for teams with little experience of grayling, on Europes top grayling river, against all the crack European teams, to be able to make it into the top elite ten is incredible." Jeremy Lucas - FlyFishing & FlyTying Magazine October 2010

Doesnt that make you proud of our team. (We came in 5th)! And when last were you referred to as a non-European :-)

Best regards
Craig

sales@streamx.co.za

News & Events 2010 Calender

28th of October Fly Tying Thursday @ CPS clubroom @ 6pm (note new venue & dates) No charge for attending, or for the Thelema Wine. Don't forget to RSVP. We will be tying flies for Sand Sharks and our guest tier is Jimmy (The Shark Man) Eagleton, who will be showing us flies that don't foul hook sharks.
4th November @ CPS Well known author & smallmouth specialist Tim Holschlag will be doing a presentation on smallmouth bass fishing around the world.	12-14 November Yellowfish & bass outing to the Clanwilliam dam - unguided. One Camp site still available.	23 November Fly Tying @ CPS clubroom @ 6pm (note this is tuesday not thursday) No charge for attending, or for the Thelema Wine. Don't forget to RSVP. Guest Tyer and Czech Champion Jiri Pejchar will tying for us.	26-28 November TCCF Sterkfontein Experience
4 December Sand Shark (Guitarfish) outing with StreamX & Sean Mills	9-12 December Father & Sons Vaal River Yellowfish Train Trip to Warrenton with StreamX & On-the-fly More Details, Book & Pay Online Credit cards accepted
	January

More details on our Guides &Travel page.

Just landed..

Knapek barbless Hooks - Streamer, Nymph, Lake & Scuds
Liquid Fusion
Split shot dispenser
De-Barb Pliers, Dr Slick
Marryat CDC winding tool
Micro Rabbit Strips
MP Loop clamps
Peacock eye sticks, Black & Red
Sparkle Emerger Yarn, more colours
Snowshoe rabbit feet, Black, Nat Cream & Black
Mink zonkers back in stock
Veniard Premium Fly Tying Kits

New Wychwood products due towards the end of November..

Quest Travel Rods
Sunglasses
3 & 4 piece rod tubes
SLA reels in smaller size, 4-6 weight

Fly of the Month

Champion's Caddis

Thanks to Jeremy Lucas for this one.
The 2010 World FF Champs were held on the San River where hatches of danica mayflies were prolific & gammarus shrimps were migrating upstream. The fish weren't interested in imitations of these & most teams moved over to Caddis imitations as there were sporadic hatches, and the flies were working. Jeremy Lucas (ex-England) was guiding Team Australia before the event, and this is what he came up with.
During the event he observed that most of the best teams were using very similar flies.

Step by step tying instructions are here

DVD of the Month

Gordon van der Spuy puts the FUN into Fundamental

fundamental flytying

DVD, Fundamental Flytying: Tackle the Hackle
Gordon vd Spuy
Paradigm productions with Diesel & Dust
DVD-R PAL 90 minutes
R229.00
In this, a first of a series of flytying DVD's, Gordon van der Spuy and Charles Stewart explore the fundamental techniques and materials necessary to tie some of the most potent patterns known to both man and fish. Enjoy this easy to follow DVD, made for flytyers by fllytyers, and be taken on an entertaining and insightful journey into this fantastic world of fur and feathercraft. Buy Online

Visit www.netbooks.co.za for a large range of Fly Fishing Titles. For the latest book releases go here

Fly Tying Tip of the Month

What to do when your deer hair gets out of hand.
Simply hold it back & wins some lead wire around it. It will be out the way.
This is particularly handy when stacking deer hair, as you don't have to bulk up thread on the hook after each 'spin' to hold the hair back while you do the next one.