First outing

I must admit I didn't have the highest of hopes when booking a dam (Lake Isabella in Underberg) to have my first fly fishing outing but I'd be lying if i said i didn't hope to catch at least a small trout seeing as its a well maintained and fished dam.

My morning started out at 6am arriving at the water front, evidence of trout everywhere with multiple rises being seen and two who leapt completely out of the water, while these two were by no means large they were fair sized at roughly 40cm.

Getting onto the water was rather easy thanks to the dam having three small rowing boats at the boat house (difficult to maneuver but without a float tube i sucked it up and struggled with the oars).

I started the days fishing with a dragon fly imitations, then migrated to a policeman then all sorts of woolly buggers all on intermediate lineand finally tried using a PTN and GRHE on a floating line... all of this lead me to exactly 0 fish after the days fishing:?

Does anyone have any suggestions as to the correct retrieval methods that should be used on dragon fly nymphs? I know there's fish, they were feeding and often around my fly but I couldn't convince them.

Any other new guys to the fly fishing scene having similar problems to me?

At least I got a nice sunrise

For the trout, you must match the hatch or an attractor pattern..been years, but I used to use dry fly for the early morning and evening rise, otherwise I always had more success on a wet fly like a royal coachman or woolly bugger when fish went down for the day. If the fish are stockies and you are desperate for one, then a fly made from brown wool with little wire around the shank before the wool, to imitate a food pellet would always get me a chow even if not so sporting..

Thanks Dr Halibut, I didnt think of using dry in the morning, although now that you mention it it does make sense. The fish are rising to the surface in the early hours:fswim. Im not too desperate to catch one but rather to be able to outskill/ trick them for now, thanks for the advise

I'm a newbie but I used a DDD and boom, fish on!

R4z0r wrote:

I'm a newbie but I used a DDD and boom, fish on!

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My luck is not as good ::rofl: congrats and happy fishing::tight:

Patience @Johan1241
Make sure you also have polarized sunglasses if you haven't got already. Goodluck!

Johan, when fish are rising in the early morning, then they are taking hatched flies on the surface, which you can try and match or cast an all rounder like a small Adams.

Otherwise they are taking the nymphs in the surface film, match this with a unweighted midge or nymph pattern.

In both cases you should use a floating line, cast and let it drift without any retrieve.

You might also like to downscale your leader.

You can also use the floater with your buggers. When not getting bites try and use smaller flies. Black, brown or olive should see you right. Again, do not be in a hurry and let your line drift without retrieving. Watch your line where it enters the water.

The bites might not always register in your hand, but the line will make a short movement where it enters the water. "Watch your line"

What works well for me is to sit after casting, then just allow the line to drift and all I do is to take up the slack very slowly.

Johan, sometimes the feed very shallow and the take will be close to the rod tip.

I forgot to add that you must try and cast near grass beds or any other structure.

Should you not get a bite in one area then move a couple of yards and repeat.

Enjoy, I know the first one is not far away.

ignatius wrote:

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Thanks Ignatius for the info, I will try remember this when I'm out on the water

I appreciate all the help and tips, you guys will make a decent fisherman of me yet _seal1_

My best results were always as mentioned, with polarised glasses and sight casting for fish you've spotted. If you sit quietly where you've seen rises or swirls, you will spot the cruising and feeding fish. Then you have to cast carefully and accurately, not to spook the fish with your waving rod or line, and feed the fish! Game on..That is more than half of the fun..

Otherwise small,dark sinking pattern on very slow retrieve if waters are deeper and fish are down. Ja olive and black was always good as a fly with life like a bugger or with some contrast. Sure not much has changed with trout in 20 years..