Fishing Tips

In 24 hrs we had 83 mm of rainfall in Trafalgar, Nova Scotia. The West River St. Mary’s is rising fast as I write this on Sunday, July 5/09. It will take a day or two to settle down, but the high water level will enable salmon to travel to their destinations throughout the watershed. The result should be great fishing for the rest of our salmon season, ending on July 15/09.

Now, here are few valuable tips I’ve learned from others during my years of fly fishing.

Never lay a fly rod down on the ground or floor because someone, possibly yourself, is likely to step on it or drive over it. Usually there’s a bush or some secure object to lean a rod against, keeping it where it is easily seen. An open car door isn’t a safe choice.

Get in the habit of storing and transporting your fly rod in a protective case. A good fly rod costs from $150 - $1000, and most broken rods result from accidents, not manufacturing defects. Many newer rod cases are fitted with dividers that protect each rod section, a great improvement over the rod bag, and a great time-saver. Cases are also available that are designed to protect both rod and reel – we can unzip the case, remove the outfit, put the rod pieces together (line & fly are still in place) and we’re ready to fish. Molly and I use the latter type because we like to minimize time spent fussing, but we want our gear protected. Once it becomes a habit, using a rod/reel case is as easy as buckling a seatbelt.

Protect your eyes with some type of glasses when fly fishing.

When threading a line through rod guides, double the fly line over about 1 foot above the leader and thread the line loop through the guides rather than the leader tip. The leader follows along behind and the line is much easier to see. If you accidentally drop the line, the loop keeps it from falling back through the guides.

When walking in open spaces with a fly rod, it’s best to carry it backwards. Then, if you happen to fall, the delicate rod tip is not likely to suffer damage.

When others are fishing, remember to stay clear of their backcast. I recall a careless angler being hooked in the lower lip by another’s backcast once, and, as you can imagine, it was the forward cast that really hurt. I’ve also seen pets suffer a similar fate, so watch the dog!

If we find ourselves wading dangerous waters without a wading staff, a fly rod carried horizontally, just above the water surface and pointed straight downstream, can be used against  the water surface for a little support, often just enough to keep your balance. Wading is really a balancing act, a fine line between being in control and a drenching.

If you should happen to fall in a river, try to stay calm and not tire yourself by struggling. A log floating down a river always finds a quiet eddy or simply washes ashore, so keep your head up and go with the flow (unless you are approaching the lip of a falls).

Insect repellents can be harmful to fly lines, so we must take care to keep the part of our hands that touch the line free of this material. A spray applicator can help, but if you must apply repellent by hand, use the back of your hands rather than the front.

Now, here’s a wet salmon fly that has come to be one of my favourites:

Shady Lady

Thread:                      UTC G.S.P. 50 Denier black thread

Hook:                         Salmon wet fly hook, such as Mustad 36890 or Tiemco 7999,  size  2 - 10

Tag:                            Fine oval silver tinsel

Butt:                            Fluorescent chartreuse floss, fluorescent red floss

Body Hackle:             Brown cock neck hackle, tied in by the tip & folded backward

Body:                          Deer body hair dyed black

Head:                         Black thread finished with 2 coats Angler’s Corner Wet Head Cement

Enjoy your fishing and please stay on the line …