Another trip to Bushyleaze yesterday proved to be challenging, but rewarding in the end.

Arrived midday-ish and surveyed to situation - cloudy, with occasional sun + strong SW breeze. Damsel flies everywhere. Some fish leaping but otherwise no obvious feeding patterns visible.

Concluded the fish were deep and decided that buzzers and damsel nymphs would be my first line of attack.

Started with a buzzer/Diawl Bach combo first - black buzzer on point, red holo DB on the dropper. Fan casted several spots, at various depths, for a couple of hours, starting on the north bank. Not a single tug.

Switched to a damsel nymph. Now on the south bank and got my first fish - a fin-perfect half pound Perch taken just above the weed line! I know they're a pain, but Perch are gorgeous fish and I had to admire the little blighter for his spirited take. Returned unharmed.

By now trout were starting to get a bit more active. Patrolling trout were moving up and down the north bank margin making splashy rises and bow waves. I switched to a Corixa and waited for a bow wave within short casting range. I cast to a swirl about 15 yards out, got a take within a few seconds and was into a hard fighting rainbow. 10mins later it was on the bank, weighing in at 5lb - lovely fish and a PB for me!

I continued with the Corixa for while longer, but feeding patterns had appeared to change again. No further takes on the Corixa and the gentle rises I was observing encouraged me to switch to surface methods. I could see a few buzzers coming off so I tried my trusted suspender and Shipman's buzzers but these were not generating any interest. As the sun set I switched to a CDC emerger (nice leggy pattern that sits in the surface film) and moved along to the south-eastern bay. Some nice rises and bow waves in the margins here. I cast to one, which within seconds was followed by a confident take. The head-shaking during the fight was a good indication of what was on the end of my line. Sure enough after a good fight I was looking at a 4.5lb brownie in my net. Really good conditioned fish and a very impressive tail fin.

By then it was getting dark and I was hungry. Two ecellent fish in the bag and a smile on my face.

Fishing at Bushleaze can be hard at times, particularly for beginners like me, but patience seems to pay off, as does flexible tactics.

Cheers
McDun