RETRIEVES

[macrickster]

Hi there, Can anyone tell me if u use a different retrieve for different types of flies and lures. I would be grateful for any info. Iam just looking for info, that may improve my fishing and chances of catching something Macrickster

[beckster]

Hi.Don't take this as gospel but this is the way i work it.

LURES-you've got to experiment,start off with a slow figure of eight,then add in some short tugs and pauses and if that doesn't work try some long pulls

NYMPHS-very slow retrieve,just enough to keep in contact with your nymhps

The above retrieves will work but only if you are fishing at the correct depth.Start at the top of the water column and work your way down by counting down then changing on to your next density of line until you hit the level of the fish.

If the fish don't take after all this........hit the pub ;D ;D ;D tightlines.

[Russ]

That's pretty much it. I use a couple of different retrieves that definately work.

Firstly, when fishing anything with mobility in the dressing - that's hen hackle, partridge hackle and of course marabou, I try to make the material work. By this I mean I pop the retireve about one or two inches at a time. I try to make the flexible part of the dressing really flex to try to impart as much movement as I can.

The other retrieve worth mentioning here is what Gary Borger calls the "Devil Bug Waltz", and this is really for use with Damselfly nymphs. Borger noted that damsel nymphs will swim for about a foot with a dramatic wriggling action, and then stop for a couple of seconds before repeating. In trying to imitate this he retrieves a foot or so of line quite slowly while wiggling the rod tip. I have tried this and it really does work. If you try this, it is best from early summer to late autumn, and be prepared for some violent takes.

Hope that helps.

Russ

[lawrence]

Definately do alot of reading, thier is so many little bits and pieces to put together, that was really overwhelming for me my first year of flyfishing. But soon it becomes second nature,also find out what the your local bugs are doing at certain times of the year. For example a dragonfly nymph during the spring is coming from the deep of the shoal to the edge of the water and cralling up the reeds,..fall, you wanna fish your fly from the shore down to the deeper water. And if your river fishing ,well thats completely different ;D I just bug the hell out of the guys down at the local fish shop, oh yeah one site that got me started was sexyloops.com ,its like a free online flyfishing school from some of the worlds top flyfishers and casters. Anyways best of luck and tight lines,cheers

[macrickster]

Thanks for info guys/girls, Really grateful as ive been drawing afew blanks lately. And was thinking maybe its my retrieve, As used to do ok at same venue. Could it be that its maybe harder in the winter, But will take ur info and take a walk along to libary many thanks again
Tightlines Macrickster

[Dog]

macrickster - in the winter, as the water gets colder, you may find the fishing will slow down and your retrieve will need to be slowed down too. Now this is not ALWAYS the case, but is a fair rule of thumb. I quite like to mix up my retireve - figure of 8 for a few handfuls, then a few short sharp pulls, throw in a long slow strip, then back to the fo8. Just mix it up is my advice. You would be absolutely amazed at how far a trout will follow your flies / fly, and how often this happens. Give them a little something to persuade them to take the thing - a twitch, a long draw - just something to 'spark' him if he's following. They might not be as aggressive as other times.

[macrickster]

THANKS alot guys, will be takin that info on board this weekend. And hopefully get a few bites and loads of fun cheers for now guys Tightlines (Ricky)

[oldessox]

You should also try not retrieving at all , specially at this time of year, if it's flat calm use a bung and suspend your fly , if there is a breeze use a longish leader and a floating line and just let the breeze pull the fly slowly round while you hold on to the line to keep any slack out of it , watch for ANY deviation in the speed or shape of the line bow and gently strike , or any movement or stopping moving of the bung , again a short lift of the rod to move the fly a few inches is usually enough to see if it is a fish causing the change. If there is no fish , just take up any slack and let the drift continue.

[Nathan]

It prob alrdy been covered, but just in case. I fish my nymphs static 100% of the time, just keepin up with the flies with a slow figure of eight, you dont see buzzers ect, wizzing through the water at a rate of knots!

hope this helps,


fluff