Just spent a very frustrating day on a local fishery. Caught one fish......but watched dozens feeding readily on something just under the surface, but couldn't make out what it was.
Tried drys, wets, buzzers, lures, all to no avail. Is there anything worse than catching next to nothing when all you can hear is the sound of fishes' mouths slapping as they gorge themeselves!

Any ideas as to what I can try next time? Any help greatly appreciated.

PS. Water is only 6/8 feet deep and very rich in natural food.

There are a lot of Corixa active at the moment on the shallow ponds I visit; the bugs have to pop to the surface on a regular basis and replace their air supply - I wonder if this is what they were feeding on?

OB

Should have spooned the fish might have gave you a better idea of what they were feeding on ....I Had a similar day last week fished hard for about 4 hr and finally got one my mate took three spoons loads of fresh water shrimp out of it ... It was full so I had some size 14 and 16 shrimp patterns so on they went and bingo a good end to what was looking like a hard day.


Wilkie

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" TRUE CHAMPION'S DO NOT GET JUDGED ON HOW THEY FALL......... BUT HOW THEY RISE".

It could be caenis, or better known as the "anglers curse". Probably the smallest mayfly you will ever see in yout life, if you can see it at all. There are a ferw thjings that work when these hatches come off, but none of them are guaranteed to get the fish, as they tend to feed very specifically. hence the name, anglers curse. Next time, try a tiny buzzer, about a size 22 or smaller, suspended about 30cm beloy a matural looking dry fly, about the same size, on the lightest tippet you feel comfortable to risk. Best to go to 6X or lighter. Just let it lie there until a fish hopfully sips it in. Many anglers have tried to crack the code of the caenis hatch, but few have managder to get it right consistently. It is simply a case of trying different things.

Spooning the fish is the best solution - it takes out the guesswork. Yes, I know - what about if you haven't caught a fish yet and that's the problem?

Don't be shy about asking another fisherman if you can spoon their fish (or ask them if they have spooned their fish). You might both benefit!!!! I have always responded positively when someone has asked me this, and that very question tells me you will be someone who is keen to improve - so I will be that much keener to help. Also, whenever I have asked that question of others I cannot recall one instance of an awkward moment. Quiet the reverse - usually it starts a fascinating enquiry and debate.

Thanks for the ideas guys........it's great to know it's not just me! I'll try out the suggestions and hopefully have a bit more luck.

Problem with spooning the fish as it's a catch and release fishery.

Yes, spooning and c&r don't mix.

Another thought - sometimes the lack of catching can be more to do with the depth being fished than the fly choice. I have fished many buzzer rises when the normal method didn't work very well, but as soon as I switched to an identical sized / colour suspender buzzer (right in the surface film) the catch rate shot up. The difference between fishing the fly at the surface compared to 6 inches below was astonishing.

If you couldn,t see any insect life on the water, it could have been snails, which often migrate at this time of year. But as others have already mentioned, could also have been corixae or shrimps.

Yes it could have been snails, they cling to the surface film with their pad and drift with the breeze..

Stickfloat

I fished in the same conditions today,tried a multitude of small dries,buzzers ect. Finaly started catching on a size 16 copper john and believe me they loved it. Ended up getting about 15 fish including a nice 12 pounder.

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Born to fish, forced to work... Same thing!