Mayfly, Yellow Mays and Iron Blues

Let's face it, perfect weather on a bank holiday is the exception and not the norm. With a warm weekend though, Monday saw a shift in conditions. 'Changeable' weather conditions can often ruin a good day' fishing, especially when you are expecting some considerable Mayfly (E. Danica) hatches. Other times, these potentially unfavourable conditions play to our advantage.

A drowned Yellow May Dun alongisde my CDC Mayfly emerger

Strong wind puts many off, but it was well worth perservering on Saturday. A strenghtening breeze was blowing Mayfly Duns all over the river and it was a matter of searching for areas where these helpless flies were congregating, as the fish were quick to make the most of the offerings.

A Mayfly Dun

Infact, many of the duns were struggling to dry their wings and take to the air without being blown over. Others that had been more successful found themselves blown onto the surface. I even played around with a more splashy presenation to imitate this. And it sent the fish crazy, slashing at the flies almost instantly.

Notice the size difference between the male and females

However, my attention was turned to some very good fish feeding in a tucked away corner, positioned at the end of a wind lane. Such condition are challenging as these fish were cruising around the pool, knocking off duns as they moved. Spooking such fish is very easy, especially when several fish are moving.

Another plump fish fall for a Mayfly imitation

After making contact with several smaller back markers, being careful not to allow the fish to disturb their bigger cousins upstream, I was in position. First cast resulted in a porpoising rise that I duly missed! Was that the only chance? Waiting seemed an age, but eventually a fish showed again which I hooked. A plump fish of just over the pound was pleasing, but not the bigger specimen I had hoped for. A longer wait and eventually a large head and shoulders appeared to engulf my Dun imitation.

A really solid fish. Worth the patience.

With a good fall of rain on Tuesday, the river had risen a little. The wetter weather seems to have really spurred a flush of Iron Blue Duns to hatch; loved by the fish.

Another fish, this time 2lb 5oz, graced the net this afternoon. The forecast is for more rain. Whilst the weather remains inconsistent, the fish are proving quite reliable.

~Dave