Spring Weather - 4 Seasons in 1 Day.

Trout Tucker.

Large river stones make an excellent wind break for these delicate insects.

Deep water, a weighty trout and a small net = "The run-around."

On a double nymph rig this fish took the top fly - my swimming mayfly pattern.

Enjoying the muggy spring light northerly rain, heaps of insects around, a few sporadic hatches of mayflies and stoneflies. The swimming mayfly pattern is proving to be unstoppable. All fish I have caught have been taken on it. I will post the tying instructions soon as I have now photographed the tying steps. I have a new mayfly dryfly which worked well today which I will share soon too. Great to be on the water again with me old mate Jack.

Swimming MayFly Nymphs

Trout love to eat swimming mayflies especially as they are emerging to hatch. They are usually quite large and have a hunched appearance. I have found it difficult to get the shape of these right as the legs, head and wingcase are located up the front of the insect.

Tail: Hare mask guard hairs with the stripe between the black and gold colour.

Body: Latex strip.

Gills: Flat nylon thread looped and tied under the latex.

Top Gill: Guinea Fowl Fibres.

Head: Black 2.5mm tungsten bead.

Legs: Hen Pheasant Tail fibres.

Wingcase: Latex.

Photo Effects

Learning to Fish

It seems long ago when I first picked up a fly rod. Nearly 30 years ago now. It's fun to see someone elses first day on the river!

Fish 0 Stag 1

When I was out on the river, splashing in the distance caught my eye as a Red Stag was galloping full steam across the river towards me. He stopped mid river and stared at me, then turned back and continued up the far bank. It's not so common to see these guys when your fishing, but in April during the roar anything is possible. What a sight!

JAPAN

Yep!

Mr. Kato's backwater Fly Store "Dusk" and top customers.

Mr. Kato admires Noriko's creation.

Mr. Yoshida - Bamboo Rod Builder.

Amago.

Hitch'n a ride.

Beautiful Japan - Countryside.

The approach - #3 weight rods and gentle casting.

Nature's fridge.

Lunch.

Fish'n Buddies.

Man-made obstacles.

HANG ON A MINUTE MATE!

House size boulders with deathly vertical drops, cheap slippery trekking shoes and a light weight tippet had my mate doing the crab-walk as he tried to navigate his way closer to the water to land his catch. I'm pleased to say that he didn't come to any slippery demise and the fish was eventually landed and released, not before a frenzied mob of eels came in for a closer look. I've never heard of a nest of eels but if there is such a thing this was definitely it.

A week later I went back and fished a few eels out for a feed. There were literally 30 in this small area and some were at least 15cm across the back, with a metre of 40lb line, a hook and a bit of beef, I could chose the ones I wanted by just dangling it infront of there mouths. Messy to prepare, but good to eat!