- Amber beauty
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.
When everything is possible…
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.
First one
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.
Second gift
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.
Patience awarded
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.
Catch and Release. Only...
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.
EDB Mayfly
Mohican Mayfly variant
RR
(more…)
