Had a very frustrating day at my local club water today (hey welcome to Trout fishing) eventually had them rising to a black Shipmans buzzer but could not achieve a hook-up. I started off with the Shipmans on a dropper and a large dry fly (Grey Wulff) on the point as a sighter (I find it hard to spot the Shipmans) after 4 rises to the buzzer which took the form of a heavy swirl with the fishes back visible on the surface and no success I thought maybe the leader was putting them off so swapped the buzzer to the point. This proved just as infuriating as over the next hour I had another half dozen rises all very similar in form but still no hook up, it didn't seem to matter if I struck quickly or left a pause of a few seconds before striking. Am I doing something wrong or do Trout have a playful sense of humour when it comes to winding up anglers.

__________________
I used to like fishing because I thought it had some larger significance. Now I like fishing because it's the one thing I can think of that probably doesn't.

Are you sure they were taking your fly?
If they were just playing with you a different colour or size might tempt a take.
-A.

__________________
Let's TACKLE Cancer
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lets-Tackle-Cancer/183417921672756

Yep they were definitely after the fly, I'll have to sit down this week and tie up a rainbow nation of Shipmans as I've only got black at the mo

__________________
I used to like fishing because I thought it had some larger significance. Now I like fishing because it's the one thing I can think of that probably doesn't.

I think the behaviour you describe has happened to the best of us. I agree with achampion change size and colour before you put your tackle on Ebay.

BK

I won't be committing fly fishing hari-kari quite yet and although I've been fishing since last June this is the first time I've ever had a day like this, so many rises for such little gain, still it beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

__________________
I used to like fishing because I thought it had some larger significance. Now I like fishing because it's the one thing I can think of that probably doesn't.

At least you got them interested. Frustrating when you're using a lure and the b---ers just nip at the marabou tail so you pinch off the tail and then they don't want to know. If it always worked it wouldn't be worth doing it anyway!

__________________
The scenery in the Grand Coulee area of eastern Washington was worth the air fare on its own!

I had a similar response today fishing a size 16, black f-fly in a flat-calm. Four takes but no positive hook-ups. I'm pretty sure they were just trying to drown the fly, for some fishy reason - it happens.

__________________
*
How poor a thing, sometimes I find,
Will captivate a greedy mind - Isaac Walton.

~~*~~~~~
*****©(

That probably was happening with me although when I left the fly to it's own devices and didn't strike at all......I still didn't hook up

__________________
I used to like fishing because I thought it had some larger significance. Now I like fishing because it's the one thing I can think of that probably doesn't.

I too was using small buzzers today and had similar problems. 3 times I thought Id hooked the trout but it came off , and a few near misses as well. I did land a fish on a larger fly earlier.
I havent used flies that small for rainbows before. I mustnt be striking hard enough to set the hook probably ????

All part of the game guys.
That's why they call it "fishing" not "catching".
Next time you go, you might well hook the lot !