When i see a fish take my dry how long do i wait before i strike?
Some say to me to strike as soon as i see the fish take my fly,others say wait a few seconds.
The reason i ask is because i am missing so many takes on the surface.
Also when the dry fly is on the surface of the water,should the hook part of the hook be under water? As i have noticed that some of them lie sideways.
Thank you Tony

Some people reckon saying `God save the Queen` then striking is time enough. Give it a try
Andy.

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The trout in yonder wimpling burn
That glides, a silver dart,
And, safe beneath the shady thorn,
Defies the anglers art

R.Burns

I usually just lift the rod gently, i find that a lot hook themselves, but im no dry fly expert, but this works for me,
If you strike, you will either pull the fly out, or break,

I always watch the flies like a hawk, try and see how the fish takes the fly, its speed, its direction and manner of the take. I adjust my time to strike accordingly.

I see a lot of anglers strike at ghosts, fish which come up and closely inspect the fly without taking it. If you're watching the fly closely enough you won't do this, and the chance of the fish returnig for a second go is likely.

As for how the fly presents itself on the water, you can always help it. If you're fishing a klink for example, put the body/thorax portion of the fly in your mouth and wet it while keeping the post/hackle dry. This will aid in correct presentation of the fly.

[QUOTE=stuartpengs;519256]I always watch the flies like a hawk, try and see how the fish takes the fly, its speed, its direction and manner of the take. I adjust my time to strike accordingly.

Blimey that must be one slow mother of a trout !

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" If you stand by the river long enough the bodies of all your enemies will float by"

LOL, it's not an exact science I'll admit. Lets say the fish does a slow deliberate "hump" type of rise to the fly and is side on I'll hit it immediately, If the fish is turning while taking the fly, or is head on I'll wait a second.

It depends on a lot of things; like if you have slack or a bow in the line, distance from the fish & so on.
I was told that having slow reflexes is a positive benefit to dry fly fishing, whereas with nymph fishing you can rarely be too quick when reacting to the take if using the end of the flyline as indication.
I've yanked the fly out of several decent-sized trout's mouths over the years on clear waters when nymphing & seeing the mouth open & the brief flash of white, but that is another story...

Been there, done that, worn the T-shirt....

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"In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." - German proverb
JH based near Southampton

You are always going to miss a proportion of takes (?) to the dry/damp fly. As previously mentioned try just lifting into the fish rather than a strike - more often than not you will be pulling the fly out of the fishes mouth.

Tenet

Thanks for the help,i guess more practice and more fishing.