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A much better week
Fri 26th August, 2011
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It's been another dry but warm week in sunny Turangi and most days I've been fishing in shirt-sleeves by mid-morning. The weather systems that are carrying the rain we need have stalled out in the Tasman and it now looks as if we won't get any until Monday. The dodgy forecast must have confused the fish because the last couple of days there have been runs going through with some real little rod-benders in amongst them. I was fortunate to be on the spot and had my best days fishing { at least numbers wise } for a long time. The guys under the bridge are still pulling them out and as I drove past one morning saw an angler holding up a brown which didn't look too bad. Wet-liners are getting their fair share with smallish rabbits but for those of us who haven't been converted its still globugs for the fresh new arrivals. Wading the river is getting pretty slippery but this slimy coating is beneficial for the creepy crawlies and there are heaps of lighter colored caddis larvae around now.
Trout love them and they are at the top of the menu for fish that have been in the river a while. I recall Jared posted pics last year of fish that were almost bursting with them. When I'm using the dropper rig one of the flies will always be some form of caddis. This combination works well throughout the year for browns and rainbows. Despite the funny looks from other anglers, used in the right water it still catches fish even during the colder months.
Last week I included the first part of Bill Thrussell's wise words on how to hook, play and land fish. Part two below is for bigger fish like this one caught by Tore Aalberg earlier this year .
"If you are lucky enough to fish where trout regularly exceed 2kg (4lb) and often a great deal more and backing is something you regularly see flying off the reel, your main aim is to get the fish onto the reel as soon as possible.
If the fish bolts downstream let the line slip through the forefinger of your line hand under light pressure, with no pressure from your rod hand, till the line comes tight onto the reel.
If the fish races upstream leave your rod tip down at water level and facing the direction of the line - not the fish - let any loose line you have, slip through your fingers till the line comes tight to the reel, even if there is a big bow of line between you and the fish. The bow of line will maintain pressure on the hook.
Then once the line is tight to the reel start winding at a frantic pace, following the line with the rod tip until you can lift the rod tip up to 45 degrees without introducing any slack.
If the fish jumps 'bow to the fish'
Once the line is on the reel you can use the reel’s drag system to release line evenly. If you have no drag system use your line hand cupped lightly under the reel onto the spool rim. Try not to get your fingers in the way of the whirling reel-handles when a big fish runs, unless pain is your close and dear friend.
If the fish jumps, 'bow to the fish'. That is, lower your rod tip quickly to give the fish some slack. A jumping fish can put real strain on your leader, especially if it falls back onto taunt line.
You need to be very careful with a big fish that is racing downstream. You may need to lower the rod tip to reduce the strain on the line; this is especially true if there is a bow in the line from a fish changing direction to race downstream from upstream of you. This is another of those occasions when you must fight the urge to raise the rod.
The End Game
So you have done everything right and the fish is now tired and looks as though it might be possible to land it. This is a critical time in this game.
Trying to net a fish on your own is often problematical.
To get the net under the fish you need to lift the rod tip high to reduce the angle between the fish and the net. But lifting a rod tip high with the line running down close to the rod to the fish risks breaking the rod. It is called ‘point-loading’, and means that the weight of the fish is transmitted down the rod, not along it. This puts to much pressure on the weak tip section of the rod. This is a very real problem with fish over 2.5kg (5lbs). The best solution I have found is to use a landing net with a collapsible or extendable handle.
Once you have the fish where you can net it, pull the fish head-first gently over the rim of the net, then flick up that rim and lift the net at the same time. If all goes well the fish will be at the bottom of your net.
If the fish ‘freaks’ at the sight or touch of the net, do not ‘chase’ it with the net, let the fish swim off and then carefully move it into position again for another attempt.
If you are going to release the fish, keep as much of the fish in the water as possible still in the net, remove the hook, lower the net, hold the fish into the current and let it swim away when it is ready.
Of course having a fishing partner lurking about to net your fish makes life a whole lot easier.
Sometimes it is easier to ‘beach’ a fish. If it is possible to move back onto a bank, it can be easier to slide a fish gently into shallow water.
This is often very true when trying to land fish over 3kg (6lb), and sometimes the only way to land fish 5kg (10lb) and over.
If you are planning to release the fish do not pull it up onto dry land – dry sand, rock or vegetation, all will wreak havoc with a trout’s slime covering which is used to repel bad stuff in the water. Instead quickly remove the hook; gently turn the fish back towards deeper water and hold its head into the current till it moves off under its own steam.
The key thing to remember when trying to land a trout (in fact any fish) is to try and keep things as smooth as possible. Constant, unrelenting pressure against the fish’s attempts to escape is what tires it out. Jerking the rod about, not releasing line smoothly when the fish runs, all can lead to the hook pulling out or the leader breaking. Smooth firmness is required when you come to the end game and try and net or beach your prize".
Plenty more for the fly fishing addict at :
www.btrussell-fishingthroughlife.blogspot.com
Yesterday I fished with Shamus Petrie. Actually we didn't do that much fishing we talked, walked, laughed and because he is a keen photographer played around with his new video camera.
We needed to get some footage for his forthcoming block-buster "Wet-lining The Movie". Shamus is as passionate about wet-lining as I am about nymphing and I have to admit watching him using what he calls his "low water salmon technique" I'll be dusting mine off in the next couple of days. Tore Aalberg pictured holding the brown above once said to me in a letter " I think I have learned a lot over the years, enough to know there is still more to learn " thanks for the lesson Shamus I really enjoyed it mate.
The fishing has been much better at least during the small runs we had mid-week. But once you get away from town they are still a bit thin on the ground... although you will catch something.
I haven't been out yet this morning so when I've finished this I'll grab the gear and if anything happens I'll tag a little update on the end later.
Just got back... I fished for a couple of hours, there are still some nice fish in the deeper runs. Mostly spent fish in the shallow riffles. I didn't see another angler until the afternoon shift showed up but the remainder of the weekend will probably be busy.
Tight Lines Guys
Mike |
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