What is mayday? If you don`t know ask an old captain who is struggling to hold the ship above the water after the crash or watch how mayfly is drifting downstream and disapearing in black current where mighty trout is laying. But for me mayday is time to get out with Mayfly box in the pocket, plenty of patience and hopes, that I will meet golden torpedo or trout as we use to call them. Trout on a fly it is always “hot topic” and it does not come much hotter in freshwater flyfishing than trout on dry fly during the fresh summer evening. This is a short report with some advices how to make a dreams come true.

Everyone who calls him self a fly fishermen, knows what is Mayfly and what is brown trout. In general it is simple big fly`s are fly`n and big fish are feeding. But you must know that there are so many reasons why these things can go wrong and why it is not so simple: wrong whether conditions, no mayfly hatch, absence of trout or absence of patience and presentation skills. Even more… In my opinion it is question about to be in right time and place and what is most difficult, not to miss a chance if there is one. This year I was holding the “mayfly pulse” since end of the may when first big Ephemeropteras was emerging. I was waiting for first hot days that will warm up water and boost the hatch. Know it is windy and rainy, but last five days was hot and windless – so I was expecting some activity at the evenings. Trout are quite shy creatures and would prefer to lay in shade than feed in bright sun, so it is no better chance to get one, than in late evening. We where out in a river at 7 pm and whether was perfect- few drops of rain, no wind and mayflies cruising above the water. Last weeks whether was dry, so water level in the river was low and we where expecting that fish will be quite spooky. In the first fifteen minutes we recognized three average sized fish feeding unregulary on the surface. No doubt that they where feeding on mayflies – mainly dead imagos, hence emerging insects where almost absent on water. In spite of it, I hooked first fish with olive Klinkhammer short after the first cast, but immediately missed it. It happens time after time – you know it.

When trout are out, out for mayflies, they are leaving their “safe homes” and are feeding in shallower waters where they become extremely spooky. That’s the reason why I am using upstream casts, where it is possible, to present a fly. It is much safer and usually will not spook trout if presentation is gentle. So, naturally I was moving upstream after the first take and I recognized small water disturbance close to beaver dam. No chance here – fish was feeding inside the dam in the small pockets. In spite of this I landed a fly two times inside the damn dam with 100% confidence that take will result in broken tippet. I was waiting for take until suddenly. You idiot, I recognized that I`ll better leave it than harm it (trout). Some years ago I have observed trout preferring to feed on dead mayflies in small bay with almost standing water. They where cruising and picking up dead mayflies one after another. This strategy is something opposite than usual behavior when trout is picking up drifting mayflies on the stream. So my advice here – be aware and take a close look on these spots too.
After 20 minutes I hooked up another brown trout with mohican mayfly and again almost on second cast. I have recognized the place where the trout was feeding before, so few casts was more than enough to get in touch. Typical trout – made some two jumps after I hooked her (female) and bended my rod nicely before I saw here mighty look from the landing net. It was easily to see, that fish stomach was full with food. May be tomorrow she will be so full that would have no interest in my flies. I released it after short photo session and would say it was around 0,5 kilos and some 37 cm in length. Meanwhile time was running quite fast and I had left maybe hour more to chase bigger ones. Knowing the river is key factor to be successful in such a case. I was moving quite fast to the spot some 500 meters upstream, where deep slowly floating water was facing rapids – perfect outlet for big brownee.

This place have a magical feeling, that comes from almost black water that runs close to ferny bank with majestic spruce trees. That’s it – the place I was after. Just patience. I was focusing on the outlet and first 10 minutes was quietly watching – how the river is flowing, how flies are flying and how nature is speaking to me. First rise, than second… Fish was appearing time after time in different places, and my hands was calling for first cast. You know that feeling your body say yes, but your mind is struggling and saying to be patient. In these cases blood runs faster… Just no rush, because maybe I will disturb some trout that are going to feed. Finally I made my first cast to the fish that was feeding closer to me. No response. Few more drifts – no reaction fish even refused to rise again. I was still standing in same position casting some 10 meters more upstream for another fish who was feeding close from opposite bank. I decided to make longer cast rather then move little bit upstream, because I had a feeling that it will disturb the first fish I was trying to catch before. After long cast you must be careful not to disturb a fish while preparing for the next cast. If you will lift a fly line of the water, exactly where the trout is feeding it can disturb whole thing with ease. So I decided to let the fly drift some 5 meters more until it was safe to make another cast. Another thing is, that trout opposite to the grayling, sometimes use to change feeding place and hence can take the fly in different spots, so I was ready for… Ready for stunning take after another cast – my Mohican mayfly was drifting some meter or two close to the opposite bank. Beautiful trout, little bit bigger than first one with absolutely full stomach was looking at me again with the same anger in the eyes. Two nice fish in two hours – not so bad for over fished Latvian rivers. But still there was something missing – that bigger one that always escapes. I was still standing in same spot, with minimum movement to not disturb water and cautious creature that fortunately was still feeding bellow the overhanging bush next to the opposite bank. I saw it too times again but not more.

One cast after another – fly was drifting below bush and my hope was with it. I changed a corridor where I drifted a fly once ore twice – no response. Is it a fly? No, no, no, trout are not as choosey as grayling. It was almost too dark for fishing at that place when the 50 cm beauty finally decided to take my fly. That’s it what is all about! Beautiful female with torpedo shaped body and astonishing amber looks. When I released the fish I knew, that tomorrow whether will change and maybe we must say au revoir to Mayfly trouting. At least fo some time.

P.S. My brother released also two nice fish that evening little bit downstream, so we where happy about this river stretch where trout density seems was like in older times. It is exactly what about every fishermen is dreaming, so please respect the natures right to live – so Catch and release. Only…
Here is classical flies – just in case.

RR

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There are good days bad days and since this year Fly Fishing Days in Lithuania. This is rather a fly fishing festival not a competition. During the both days there will be fly casting demonstrations and lessons from EFFA master instructor Uwe Rieder (www.pro-guides.com), so do not hesitate to participate in casting clinics.This is nice chance to fix some casting faults. For those who are focused more on tying than fishing, there will be also some tying corner indoors to share your experiences. So bring your own tying stuff too. You can come with your families – organisers promise that assistants will take care of your children and if it will be necessary also will help to find your way back to tent or lodge.

Event will be held at June 6-7 in the river valley SVENTOJI next to the coast of lake Pastys in camp side “Pastys” You can find map here.
Event price:
The guest fee 5 €. (With your tent)
Guest-house fee 15 €. / 1 pers.
P. S.: Number of rooms are limited.

For more information ask here or try to connect Eugenijus directly: eugenijus#salmolita.lt
See you there,
RR

Sea, wind, a little bit of cold and fatigue, but you are still in move, in move with only one aim – to land a silver bullet. What for or what it is all about? I would say it is about ability to face the sea with a small rod in your hands and a big hope that your efforts will be rewarded. And when it happens you know the feeling…

So, last few days together with Lithuanian friends I was back in Sweden – this time to chase see trout or Havsöring as they name it. Besides main mission – this fishing story was also filmed for Lithuanian TV. Originally we were planning to visit Swedish cost early at April, but, because of several obstacles, dates where changed. Little bit too late one may say. Yes, but better late than never. Last year, in mid April, there was quite a nice fishes landed in region we where visiting, so the hopes was quite high… 5 kilo is a some kind of a dream, but 3 kilo sounds little bit more realistic. Before the trip I have prepared some versions of famous Grey Frede, also I tied different Sand Eel imitations with and without epoxy heads. Yeaah, there was a psycho type fly`s and classical Magnus too. So, a few reasons to expect a nice takes…

In general, fishing was quite tough in terms of casts needed to get the take and this story is about fishing impressions and conclusions. One is for sure – I will be back again.

Before we started our friends from Scandinavia mentioned that sea trout fishing at coast in this season was not so good. A good sign, especially if you keep in mind that you must succeed, because otherwise weekly TV fishing story will be about… Hmmm, about how good is to fish with the fly rod even if there is no fish landed. Quite wearily…

At the first evening, when we where looking for the possible places, I noticed that sea is quite warm and it was a disappointment. In other terms it means that fish can also find food far from shore and we can’t expect a lot of takes. On the other hand, there was good news too – amount of net fishing was decreased this season, at least I heard such a rumor, that may be can be proved with a bulky net collection that we founded all around the coast we where fishing. And only one net in the sea – usually it is opposite.

First few days I was fishing mainly with famous Grey Frede size 4 and 6. Because of the fact that this part of shore was new for as, it was necessary to move all the time to find a perfect spot – so this fly was a nice choice – you can fish it in shallower waters with immediate retrieve after presentation. If you fish a little bit deeper spot – just wait a while when fly sunk and retrieve a little slower. In terms of weather first day was the best one – a little wind from sea and cloudy fogy conditions where perfect for fish to come closer to shore. I noticed that in the small bay there was a quite high concentration of baby sea trout feeding at the surface, and almost immediately landed two of them – so if there is good food source there must be bigger ones too. Around 12 I felt sudden take and first sea trout around 1 kilo jumped out of the water. Almost 20 minutes later I landed another one – this time it was recovered kelt silver yet slim one. Not a bad start – all the fish was cought with Grey Frede – the classical sea trout fly. Evening was even better – landed only one, but hooked another that escaped almost at my knees and had another two ore three nice takes. Read the rest of this entry »

This spring is a birthday of new fly fishing festival and championship in Latvia. Few years ago few enthusiasts from organization “Mes Zivim” started to stock grayling, trout and rainbows  in the river Ogre with the aim to establish licensed fishing for these species in long term perspective. Lets say, sustainable development. Now river has its own grayling population and pretty good chance to land some big one too. To help organization continue efforts in this river and also to promote this scenic part of Ogre, at the May 16, fly fishing championship and festival, will be held at Mengene.

Rules are as always – one rod with maximum two fly`s and of course barbless hooks are the  must for anyone who are out in the river. Also you must have a landing net and general state licenze – so called Makskeresanas karte. I hope organisators will provide it. To be honest we can expect some spin fishermen also at that time in the river, but they will fish in different parts, and hopefully will not disturb our activity`s. Usually there are nice persons, and just a few steps away from fly fishing.

Prices for participants are aprox 10 Euro for guests and 30 Euro for participants. During the day, there will be  casting pool as well as casting clinics from me, Egils and Guntars.  For more information call V. Rozentāls  +371 29159593 .  I hope i will see some friends from Lithuania and Estonia – Ogre is worth to see at that time, and you can come with the family if you like.

See you there and any questions are welcome!

So, is there anything new in tube  fly tying? To be honest, all the principles remain the same, but components are getting better and better. Few years ago  Mikael Frödin came out with the new turbodiscs and now we can say that this inovation will stay for long. In Kolding fly festival I met Morten Bundgaard from Pro tubes and I was quite impressed with posibilities. So let me introduce this tube fly LEGO step by step.

Rubber discs or Pro Softdiscs as it is named. These 12 mm discs are offered in 7 colors are designed  to handle wing and hackle in shape when fly is chasing current.  If you apply hackle close to the disc, it will stay in shape even in the wildest current, and your fly would not loose the volume .

No dobt – it will help you to feel fly better on the stream also. Rubber is quite soft and what is mor important – seems indestructible.  While designed to handle hackle it can be used as a front disc also.

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Back again. This time from Kolding Flyfestival. I was there together with friends from deaddrift.org nice beer and rod casters from Lithuania.

Some years ago together with Egils we passed fly casting exams here, so for me this festival has an historical background also. 24 hours of traveling in one direction was worth to see how fly fishing is developing in Scandinavia.  This is one of the biggest fly fishing festivals in Northern Europe, so it is a must to see what happens there.

News are following. Read the rest of this entry »

Is there a good way to connect shooting head to running line? Yeaaahhh…, connections are always frustrating some one can say. Maybe, but we can get use to it, and with the certain improvements we can achieve loop to loop connection that will not disturb casting during the double haul. Ok, ok there are also double handlers and of course there are no hauling and connection point always stays outside the rod tip, so it will not disturb the cast – strength is an issue here. For sure, one of the best loops are factory made – yet little bit bulky, but smooth, long lasting and powerful.

If you have loops on both ends of your head – brilliant, but if don’t, or if you are going to customize the head…? I`m the one who likes to customize the heads, so loop preparation is a must.
In this short article i will go through different types of connections and give my Pros and Cons on them.

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April is time to fight big waters and big fish. Also you must fish quite deep and slow, because water are just warming up. Even more – if you fish large rivers for chub, asp or seatrout with single handed rods distance sometimes counts. Especially for asp (Aspius Aspius) here in Latvia. So it can not be much better way here than use shooting heads. And you know it!

The question is simple – how to choose the best one for your rod. Here i will not discuss about density (sink rates) because you know better where you are fishing. Also tapers remains for different story. Length and grams are discussed bellow. If you are fishing in bushy river with a lot of obstructions choose short heads – 6 till 8 meters in length and even some times shorter. For distance cast heads up to 13 meters are optimal, but average length for 9ft rods are around 9 meters. So it`s simple 9 meters for 9 footers. I must say this is length i use most. Another story is weight. There are so many rods and lines… And there are big differences in the same weight rods and lines. It is quite easy to go wrong here. The best way is – if you have shooting head that fit`s your rod, and what is sometimes more important, also your casting style, measure it`s actual weight and you will know once and for ever what you need. If you do not have any shooting head…, hmmm, you are not in the deep trouble also. Just stay calm – call your fly fishing friend who are mad about purchasing new lines and take some heads for test. Choose the best one and then go on and measure it`s actual grams. So you do not have any friends with “spare head”. You can do it either!
If you are going to purchase shooting head in fly store instead of preparing it by yourself please do not follow AFTMA recommendations – it may be deadly misleading. If there are no marks on the packadge about grams please take shooting head out and measure it – there is always scales in the store. Here is the table I have prepared for those who are not shore about correct grams. Please note – it corresponds for single handed rods only!!

This table is based on my experience and more less you can not go a lot wrong with it. Main thing that i would like to notice – there are still some cases when you need different weight. For example average 8 wt rod with a fast action feel`s comfortable with 19 grams, but for pike fishing i use 21 grams instead. Why? With such a head (21 grams) I can cast with less speed and achieve same energy in the cast and what is more important – if i use really heavy pike fly`s this heavier head balances system better than lighter one and in other terms “will straighten your fly line with ease!!!” To be honest it is not so trivial, because if you are using the head that is on the heavy limit that your rod can handle, it is quite easy to overpower rod during casting that will result in tailing loop and what is more important – disappointment! In this case use a lighter shooting head or adjust your casting stroke – take the power off! But this is story about how to cast a a head that will follow another time.

Today, i was out for few hours in Salaca – to enjoy start of the spring and of coarse to inspect some spots for salmon and seatrout. Weather was nice – mild sun with a breeze of light southeast wind, temperature few degrees above zero. This year licence price for one day fishing is 9 Lats, that is really not expensive. In spite of such a price, there was quite many spin fishermen on the other bank without licence (effect of the economical crisis), but with not a bad collection of damn words. Fishing in favorite spots meanwhile hearing these “birds singing” was somehow tiresome. I moved upstream hopefully not to meet anyone there. I was lucky – next to the small tributary Korģene there where only some steps in the snow reminding that i`m not the first one here this year. In spite of the comfortable conditions on the river bank, water temperature was o,8 degrees above 0. Not the best new`s – but what can you expect if the snow is melting. Fortunately water level was not high and it was clear enough to see bottom in 1,3 meter depth. Usually in such a conditions, let`s say in autumn, there are no doubt about using floating line (shooting head), but after some half an hour i felt like an idiot – expect a salmon rising for fly in such a conditions? Maybe some other time. I changed a head to intermediate/sink2 and finally i felt my fly in the water layer where it should ride. Just patience… Fishing in such a low temperatures requires a slllllooowwwww presentation of the fly, and if you are using 30 degree casting angle, fly swing`s almost forever. Just cast and wait, wait, wait – meanwhile with full control over fly. Boring some may say. Ok, but you can watch how nature is waking up and finally hope that you have more patience than fish. Too or three casts – step, then again casting and stepping until the end of the pool suffering from little cold, that makes you feel alive. Until someone stops your fly. Today it was around 14:00 when at the end of the pool, in the well known place 5,5 kilo kelt female stopped the fly. I was using Rusty Orange 7 cm long tube fly with bright orange cone in the front. These colors work fine in brown colored waters. But, without a proper presentation it is useless. For sure! I was lucky – salmon season 2009 opened.

Monday evenings from 19:00, together with a couple of friends, i`m tying fly`s in the small pub Buffete – corner Melngaiļa and Valdemāra.

Each Monday we have new theme, so send an email for details. Friendly atmosphere, ideas about different flies and tying techniques are discussed. So join us and share your knowlidge.
Reinis