Garnffrwd Fly Fishing

Spent a superb day at the fishery yesterday - arrived around 9.30 am to find fish cruising just below the surface and gently sipping in what I think was a Caenis hatch all over the lake. Set up with a floater & small (16) pale dry on the point & tiny (18) claret buzzer pattern on a short dropper 'washing line' style to hold it just 3/4" below the film. Had much interest & loads of refusals until I tried giving the team some 'action' with a varying fig 8 retrieve. This method took several rainbows on the buzzer in steady succession but it was obvious that they were being induced to take rather than taking my presentations as naturals - much to my frustration! I think the lack of brownies highlighted this so I spent some time just watching the brownies feeding in a quiet corner.

As the day progressed & armed with my observations off came the dropper & I set up with a size 18 hare's ear CDC shipmans - with instant results! Some of the best sport I've experienced at the water followed with brownies (no rainbows) to 4lb taking the buzzer confidently from within the surface film. One point to note was that if the fly was 'riding high' on top of the water takes were much more tentative than when it was pulled into the film with a few sharp tugs just after the cast & then just left static.

The day ended at last light with the usual evening rise & this happy angler left the water with a total of 7 rainbows & 12 browns. Excellent sport in a wonderful environment - I'll be back soon chasing that elusive 'monster' brownie!!

Tight lines & wet nets all,

Paul