i fished here on saturday but all i got was 1 small trout. the stretch by the boat house i did not know how to fish because it was like still water no current at all, and 1 mile up of that the water was crystal clear and my indicator seemed to scare them. so how do i fish these parts?

Not knowing the water, and I expect many that do to add more informed comment, but fish it in the early morning or last thing at night, at this time of year and fish it fine, degreased, far off (long leader) and small flies - a general rule on any water, at this time of year.

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"The sun was so delightfully warm, and the stone, which had been sitting in it for a long time, was so warm, too, that Pooh had almost decided to go on being Pooh in the middle of the stream for the rest of the morning."

www.monnow.org

can u explain degreased for me? i was using a 15ft (30lb down to 5lb i think) tapered and 6ft leader (3lb) with indicator, for a short while i tried with only the tapered leader

Hi Mark,

I would try to avoid those 'dead' areas of water where there is little flow. It tends to be less well oxygenated and less attractive to the fish.

The Usk was very clear on Saturday and therefore, when it's like this, you need to approach to fish with extreme caution. Remove the indicator. Use the tip of the fly line to detect takes. In some cases you may even see the fish to your fly. Use a long, tapered leader - 12' to reduce the chances of spooking the fish but not long enough to effect turn over. Try not to cast too long a line or you'll need to false cast more and there are probably fish between you and the one you are targetting. If you do need an 'indicator', try a klinkhamer special - nice and bouyant with the nympg trailing behind - either NZ style or with the dry on a dropper.

Keep it simple and deliberate and focused - and you'll find you find more fish.

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Dave Wiltshire

River Fly Box

there were alot of fish in the slow, they were rising, the only way i could think of to fish them is using streamers

If they're rising then they should be approachable fish. In slow water, drag may affect your presentation if the line crosses between fast and slow currents. Either try a snake line cast or a parachute - allows a bit of slack and gives you a bit more time for a drag-free presentaion.

On Saturday (fishing just near Crickhowell) the fish were taking all sorts - a drag free presentation was essential and I found they were very wary wth the water so low. I found more of an angle was needed between myself and the fish - but then drag becomes even more problematic...

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Dave Wiltshire

River Fly Box

Degreasing your tippet makes it less visible becasue it sinks further into the miniscus. Use a proprietry brand or make your own with fullers earth available from chemists (you have to trawl around them a bit) or cat litter, ground up, washing up liquid and water or glycerine to soften and apply frequently when tippet appears to be floating and too visible.

To avoid drag, DW has given some good casting tips but don't be worried about fishing too long a leader, turn over is vanity, presentation is sanity. I.e. some slack or even coils in the end of the tippet/leader will help prevent drag. At this time of year, in clear water and wary fish that have been caught a few times and that are rising you need to be stealthy, wade very carefully without false casting over or near the fish you are targeting and enjoy the challenge.

P.S. I would also be fishing down to a minimum of 3lb mono (maxima ultra green) or even 2lb at this time of the year. It is less visible and allows the fly to sit longer without being affected by drag.

__________________
"The sun was so delightfully warm, and the stone, which had been sitting in it for a long time, was so warm, too, that Pooh had almost decided to go on being Pooh in the middle of the stream for the rest of the morning."

www.monnow.org

i said slow but the water there does not move at all

As I said, enjoy the challenge and don't forget that low light/darkness is your friend.

__________________
"The sun was so delightfully warm, and the stone, which had been sitting in it for a long time, was so warm, too, that Pooh had almost decided to go on being Pooh in the middle of the stream for the rest of the morning."

www.monnow.org

Excellent advice above. Only think to add is check if the fish are taking spent spinners. In which case I have struggled with hackled dry flies and catch more using spent patterns. I was on the Usk last weekend. The evening rise started at 8.30pm, on a long flat pool. There were duns, spinners and sedges on the water. Caught a few fish with a hackled dun, then it started to be rejected. Switched to a spent pattern and immediately caught two more fish.

As the summer moves on, the tippets get lighter and the flies get smaller.

wjd