April's tip of the month for young anglers - fishing the dry fly

Each month, Fishing for Schools fly-fishing expert Bob Goble gives us his top tips for angling throughout the year. This month (April 2019) Bob's thoughts turn to shuttlecock...

Now we are well into spring and the flora and fauna are bursting into life. Trees are revitalised, standing tall in fresh shades of green. Shrubs and plants are bursting forth, with an ever-changing sky framing the whole picture and of course the grass is growing - that reminds me, I must get the lawnmower out…

Whilst titivating my garden, my thoughts are by the lake, watching a trout or two moving up-wind, head and tailing, the classic sign of fish feeding on the nymph, high in the water.

Another thing comes to mind and that is the dry fly, drifting slowly across a very slight breeze. The dry fly comes in many forms and variations in size and colour, it can mimic or suggest an emerging buzzer or midge, or come to that a few other insects (you might remember I touched upon the buzzer in last month's issue).

This particular fly is called a shuttlecock emerger (see picture above). It is a favourite pattern of mine and if you tie flies you will know how easy this one is to make.

Use a light-weight hook designed for emerging patterns in sizes 14-10. The shank has a short slim body of either rabbit, hare's ear or seal fur substitutes, a double wrap of fine pearl tinsel for the ribbing, (this for a little more strength around the abdomen, as after several fish the ribbing will fray), and three good Cul de Canard (CDC) feathers or plumes for the suggestion of the emerging wing. The fine CDC feather comes from the rear end of a duck and has natural oils for waterproofing and buoyancy,

The idea is that the abdomen of your fly will sit under the water, with the wing (that's the bit we see) on top. When trout are feeding on the emerging buzzer or nymphs of several insects you can have a field day catching. The take is usually very confident, just lift the rod, smartly, into the fish.

Use a 6-7 weight fly rod with fly line to match, a taper leader of 9-10 feet tapering down to 6-7Ibs breaking strain. Attach the fly, rub on the tippet end or fly end a little of the ledasink (pictured), to about 18 inches.

You may have to repeat this on several occasions, but it will take the shine off the line as well as helping it to sink. The idea is to have this short length just under the water with the rest of the line floating above (pictured).

You can also use a small amount of gink floatant. This is to aid the fly after a while to float high, but only put it on the CDC wing and use the tiniest amount. Too much and you will only sink the fly.

Fishing the fly is straight forward. If there is wind - hopefully not too much, a slight breeze is preferable – cast out from left to right and slightly behind if you are right handed, or vice versa.

Just let the fly drift around, keeping in touch and without too much slack in the fly line. Keep it as natural as possible. It is a sight fly so it will be absorbing and exciting to see these trout coming up, splashing and swimming around the offering and it will only be a matter of time before you connect.

With the fish netted, your fly needs to be dried. Squeeze it between a piece of absorbent cloth, make a couple of false casts and away you go.

The shuttlecock can be purchase from good tackle shops that supply fly fishing gear or alternatively go on-line.

A first class shop I can recommend is the Friendly Fisherman at Tunbridge Wells Kent. They also have a website.

That's all for now. Have fun and be safe

Bob G.