Lessons learned with cold hands…

When I arrived at the “other” river the conditions seemed just right – as I was getting my permit I ran into Neil “Trout Machine” Sinclair of Double Decker fame (double deer hair wings  allow the fly to be used in the heavy water where  big fish like to sit) -“if he is here” I reasoned “then I must have hit it right”

Mike (Tamanawis) soon showed up as well – a quick hello and then we all hit the river.

There was no trout rising however it is only a matter of time I said to myself – approx 45 mins later as I watched numerous March Browns drift past while no trout rose I began to suspect that something was not right – another hour later and after a hatch of Large Dark Olives I knew the trout were just not turned on.

I crept up on Mike who at least had found some rising trout – hooked a couple and then promptly lost them – I suspected they were Grayling….splashy rises – we get caught out by the wee ones every year…

I moved on.

I was sitting watching the water when I thought I spotted an otter – I was fumbling around with my camera when I got a splash at my feet – watch this cheeky wee bugger:

 And I was wondering why I had caught no trout from the pool!

I was glad that I had tied up some nymphs before I left the house – I used my new JVice which I am reviewing – damn sweet it is too.

I cast to the head of the pool with a dry and dropper – 2nd cast and the fly stopped – I struck – a strange fight – a Grayling – a nice one – maybe a pound, maybe just over…

– Later Neil said it did not count as it was not in season, still a nice fish – you can see where it has been damaged – the otter? A cormorant?

I met up with Mike and we watched Neil fish for a bit – sometimes it pays to just watch other anglers – one thing we noticed was that if he spotted a rising trout he would then cover it many times before moving on – even if the trout had just risen the once – I suppose the method behind this is that if it has risen once then it will rise again – it has not moved off to another area it is still sitting there – thinking – maybe thinking about rising to one of those pesky flies that keeps passing over its head.

Mike then showed me his most recent creation – don’t let him fool ya – you see he gives off this impression of being all tiny dry flies for tiny trout however then he brings out ultra realistic streamers while discussing catching Salmon and Sea Trout on the dry fly.

Not that he gloats and not that I am envious.

I left when my hands got too cold – Neil I noticed had brought a flask of coffee – ah experience!

The day started with such promise – overcast (kinda) with a breeze, there was going to be a good temp too – it ended with cold hands and a chat about the JVice in the car. The trout in this river were just not locked on to surface flies yet – a bit like the Kelvin really – the Kelvin is maybe a couple of weeks ahead due to the increased temp of the city – at least that is what my pals and I think anyway!

Neil was still casting, casting, casting in the distance…