During a flat calm at Easter Balado last night, I had a go at stripping a Damsel through the water, the fish went nuts and attacked every cast at a hell of a speed (quite good fun to watch actually), however, despite quite a few knocks, I just couldn't get a positive take.
I was finding they were hitting within 15-20 feet of the bank and if I slowed the retrieve to allow a take, they just turned tail after giving it a wee nip.

Any tips on how to actually induce an earlier take?

Gary

The trick - if there is one - is to maintain the speed of your retrieve right till lift out,you might find that it helps if you stop "pulling" for the last 20 feet and complete the retrieve by moving the rod tip towards the bank.If you are getting bites but not managing to connect you should try reducing the tail of your fly.

Hi Gary, my experience with stripping lures, has been to not slow down to allow the fish to take. Just carry on pulling the fly away from the fish as if the fly is trying to escape.

Sean

Thanks for the tips, I'll perhaps have another go tomorrow

It might also be worth resisting the urge to strike when you feel a knock - just keep retrieving until it all locks up solid.

That's part of the problem James, they seem to hit at the point when you're ready to lift from the water. I considered bunging it out and running like hell along the banking, but that would not be gentlemanly

Could you take a few steps backwards so that you retrieve the fly further into the margins before you lift off?

Oh tempora, oh mores..

When I was a lad "Stripping a Damsel" - was a two person sport played in private.

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I could do that, but I don't want to look desperate

I'm not sure if I want to know that game

I actually watched a lad on the opposite bank, the rod tucked under his sweat pit, retrieving/stripping the line with two hands; now that did look rather strange

I believe it's called 'milking the cow', and i agree it looks ridiculous!