As a newcomer to the sport I'm curious to find out why I'm missing so many takes.I've been doing the majority of my fishing at Ladybower reservoir and because I'm using lures,I'm often if not always unable to see whats going on at the leader end due to water colour and the fact that the water is often a bit choppy.My theory on this is that the fish that I've been taking have been generally hitting the lure with some force which means that the trout are swimming away from me as I'm retrieving the lure.The slight takes that I'm missing seem to be from fish that are hitting the lure from behind as I'm retrieving or from the side.Would I be correct in thinking this?

There are loads reasons why this can happen , You need to mix it up when it comes to retrieve if you are striping fast then slow it down for example or try a figure of 8 retrieve
Long tails on lures ?? they can just nip tail and not take the hook .
Size of lure , to big ?? try going smaller .
The point here is you need to chop and change things till you have more hook ups .....

O also on some waters Perch have a lot to answer for !!!

__________________
Your fish ----> ><((((º> My fish ----> ><(((((((((º>
__________________

Cheers Danny

Co-Founder of S.S.F.D 2010

Hi The novice

The above is known as......excuses
Even IF your surmise was true then it would effect everyone in the same way
There's no easy way to tell you its bullsh@t .....but respect you asking

The problem usually lies in a presentation or control fault
Sweeneytodd goes a little in the direction of presentation......and I would add on the control side that I would hazard a guess that you are NOT in control of your tackle.

When fishing make sure you are in full contact with your fly.....point the rod at the fly(ie your nose, rod tip, line and fly should all be in line)....keeping the rod tip down at water level.....this means that there is no 'slack' to take up, at the bite, and the second you 'lift' YOU have instant action and control.

This should see you going in the right direction......if this fails then its go fishing with a guide who will correct your faults....or a competent angler who you can aspire to that is willing to be 'watched'.
Some of the detail is 'fine'...but is the difference required.

And stop making excuses

__________________
Two things to have in life - A good bed and a good pair of boots -and if you aren't in one you should be in t'other

its the baby jesus telling you to stop fishing for filthy pellet pigs with lures and to get to a river and catch proper fish on proper flies

<puts on tin hat and ducks >

__________________