Last night I was fishing dries, just searching water as I find this the best method at this time of the year.

It was very windy and in these conditions I find Shipmans the best dries to use, but I missed so many takes, with fishing coming out of the blue, some even pulling the tip around, and splashing on top.

But most were missed. Is this just something that happens in a good wave, as the fish 'miss' the flies, or could it be something else? Has it happened to anyone else?

About month back I got my first fish on a dry using a shipmans and I was fishing beside a guy I knew just from going down fishing and and hes normally very good and both both of missed a lot fish in the same conditions as you described good strong wind and a small wave on the lake. Also doesn't help that it was nearly dark and you just about see the fish rising.

AL

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i dont like a strong wind when on the dries seems to spook them and if its swirling on the surface it seems theres no hope.

We've been missing take after take on our res. just lately. Mainly in flat-calms and light ripples. We've tried foam beetles, by far the most effective pattern over the past few weeks, sedges, shipman's buzzers and even down to size 20 Griffiths Gnats - and we're still missing 'em!

You might think could be down to the leader but we've been rubbing down and degreasing regularly with fullers earth.

I know I have a tendency to strike too early - I am very excitable, but my mate always watches his fly-line for movement - and we're both missing takes!

I put it down to the trout! This phenomena always seems to happen in summer, when the trout are lethargic - I'm sure that when the cooler weather comes the takes will be far more positive - why? I can't explain.

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

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Tommy,

It's exactly the same at Rutland. One guy I know gives them loads of time, and misses, I strike quickly, and still miss.

I think we get around one in five. But the other evening, two fish tightend the line, and still no hook up. Sooh strange, but great fun thinking it out !!

One last thought, flies that fish on the surface seem to be the worst offenders, and those in slightly better. Example Shipmans very poor, Shuttlecock, just poor?

Richard.

Is it possible that the fish are trying to sink the fly before taking it, I have seen this a few times on stillwaters?

regards

Vince