Catch More On The Swing This Winter
The weather is cooling and the rain is currently hammering down here in the South, as my thoughts turn toward the winter runs and catching fish on the swing.
Now you may have had success last time around, but that other guy just seemed to always be on the spot, with regular catches and better resultsäó? Here are a few thoughts he may have been doing to up his catch rate. Try something new this winteräó?
Watch what others do and do something different. Chances are fish have seen that presentation / fly plenty of times. Try your favourite colours in flies of a different profile to what others are using - hit a Matuka style, or Foxy Swinger instead of the usual woolly bugger for instance. Consider entering the water from a different bank, move out onto that gravel bar or stay closer to that softer edge. Position yourself differently to others. Grab the trouts interest by doing something it hasnäó»t seen a hundred times.
Swing control. Get slower and deeper, or know when to move your fly faster and impart additional movement. Learn the difference between leading the fly, or following the fly with your rod tip and what effect an upstream, or downstream belly can make to your flies behaviour. Check this: Techy Thursdays - Swingin
Learn how to get lighter shit, deeper, and have better control over your cast, presentation and swing. Work the current angles and employ mends / walking to avoid the need for overly heavy, action killing flies and tips so you can fish through a variety of water with more fishy presentations.
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Quick one - weighted sink tips, unweighted flies. Lengthen / shorten your leader to suitäó?
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Try new water. Donäó»t just hit the accepted pools where everyone seems to fishäó? you may be supprised what holds in those scratchy pockets and shallower riffles inbetween when everyone is up in the pool above. Had a good morning on your favourite stretch? Why not try somewhere you havent fished, or heard people talk about beforeäó? there may just be a reason whyäó?
Try something different this winter whether it be your flies, locations or approach to your favourite pool. The best anglers stay fluid and can adapt on a whim according to light, water and weather conditions and rarely keep doing the same thing if its just not working.
About the Author
Chris Dore - Marketing & Promotions Ambassador Manic Tackle Project