Had an afternoon at Barlow lakes today for the first time in a very long time.
Had a lot of interest from the fish, coming right up to the fly, within an inch or so, then backing off.
Once or twice I could live with, but this must have happened 10 times within two hours.
A couple of others that I spoke to were finding the same & we wondered if the fish were seeing the leader attached to the fly & shying away? Or is it more likely bad fly selection or presentation?
Hoping to go back next week to have another try & want to see if I can improve things.

If it's more than just you, likely to be presentation... un-natural drag in a light wind probably the culprit, try leaving more slack in the line. Fish can always see the leader/tippet, but chose to ignore it unless it is causing the fly to act in a strange way.

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Just My Tuppenceworth!!

The Barlow Lakes trout have obviously been to Specsavers. Joking apart trout often look but don't touch. When they behave this way there is something radically wrong with the fly, presentation, and the leader. I was fishing with an angler today and it happened to him two or three times.

BK

hello you need to give a bit more info, were you using dry, wet , buzzer, was there a ripple or still flat calm, was there insect life, did you see the trout taking, were you using the same, do you know what trout see above if fly on surface water, do they recognize color or fishing line, trout it said have a window view but you say came up to fly and moved away. so if dry maybe it was not as natural as should be, but many times have cast a fly a bit moth eaten and the trout have taken. i would be interested to know what other members think as i am sure many including myself have found this. if this fishery is not a C A Release may be a few small lures in the box as best of luck next time.

If its not the leader showing or drag I would try dropping down a size or two , ie from a 14 down to a 16 or 18 .

tightlines jonboy.

I would say the same as Jonboy.Would be too coincidental hat the anglers were using the same type and size of leader.
Go smaller just dropping a size can often make a difference.
Fish can see small flies ,just aswell as big uns.

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Kevin