Ascension Bay…Oasis:

Fly fishing in a tropical environment involves interaction with all kind of exotic species and not all of them fish!  For me, such sightings only add to the excitement when it’s possible to catch critters bearing teeth without even using rod and line (below).   Honestly, some outings unfold amidst the day to day drama of live and death when apex predator like sharks or crocs mercilessly hound unfortunate creatures. Of course, sometimes you might come across more sinister signs, like the tracks of a prowling jaguar on the fringes of a mangrove forest…proper Tarzan stuff!  As far as I’m concerned these distractions make flats fishing a rich and varied pastime. 

Paul~

 

~Pugmarks of a large jaguar stretch along the shoreline~

Brightening up a dull day:

Our recent trip to Ascension Bay, Mexico blessed us with plenty of sunny weather, something we’re desperately lacking back home right now!  Anyway, our groups enjoyed chasing the usual suspects of bonefish, tarpon, cuda, shark and those enigmatic permit.  Naturally, an arsenal of rods allowed you to swap at a moments notice, depending what species decided to swim past the skiff.  Though at times it seemed we had enough hardware to sink a battleship!  Despite occasionally grabbing the wrong rod for the job things generally worked out OK. Of course there’s more too it than nailing fish after fish.  Taking a break from a spell of hard core fishing brings certain rewards and allows you to compose yourself for round two (the afternoon session)!  Paul~

NZ Trout Diaries for Christmas

A nasty virus grounded me over the festive season, so wrapping up warm I lost myself in a good book.  Full of interest, event and sound information they really don't come any they don’t really come any better than “The Trout Diaries” written by Derek Grzelewski.  A former guide, Derek takes you month by month through a fishing season in New Zealand.  And to say I became totally consumed would be an understatement.  A big fan of the crystal clear streams down under, I found myself wanting to be back there more than ever. What really does it though is how wonderfully crafted this book is.  An honest and philosophical account, you actually feel you're pacing a riverbank with the author, step by way.  Having digested every page from cover to cover, back to front and inside out, I’m fighting back powerful urges of jumping on a plane to fly some 12,000 miles and sample those huge spotted beauties……A must read even if you have little intention of visiting NZ.  Published by Bateman the book is now available from www.amazon.co.uk or www.amazon.com   

Paul~

Practice makes Perfect:

Gearing up for my annual jaunt down to Ascension Bay in Mexico, tying flies for bonefish, tarpon and permit has consumed me of late. And whilst having the killing fly is crucial these are only as good as the knot that secures them. One thing that’s vital out there is being able to tie on a fly (often quickly in a rocking skiff…) using an articulated knot. Time spent practicing is rarely time wasted.  The trick is to make sure all turns bed in neatly and little if any kinking affects the leader close to the fly.

Paul~

There’s caddis about too:

~Yours truly disturbing caddis…or something like that~

 

Although much of our sport centred round upwinged hatches the San boasts an incredible population of caddis too. Admittedly, many of these emerge undercover of darkness before making for bankside safety. Believe it or not, retrieving a snagged fly from overhanging trees has certain advantages. Any adult caddis resting here were easily disturbed and soon scuttling about the surface. In such circumstances it’s hard not to take advantage by flinging a fly into the immediate area.

 

We all like a photo of a good fish for posterity and Paul Mercer is no different.  However, whilst trying to snap a plump grayling, it happened to slip from his hand……that’s what he reckons anyway!

A bumper hatch

It’s not everyday you have an opportunity to experience Blue-winged olives that run into their thousands. Equally, not every river is capable of producing such an event.  Yet, when she’s on song the San yields an astonishing number of fly.  A drop in temperature was just the job to spur these on when we were treated to a bumper hatch.   Better still the boys managed to connect with some quality fish too.

Paul~

 

~Mark Whitmarsh…one very happy chappy~

Blue winged-olives bring it on:

~Brian Garner and Paul Mercer search out a sheltered corner~

 

 

Back home weather conditions often dictate our fishing and the same is pretty much true in Poland.  Faced with a niggling breeze, we had to search out a quiet corner or two in a bid to find rising fish.  Thankfully, parts of the San flow through heavily wooded regions which provide welcome shelter.  It was here that Blue Winged-olives hatched in abundance with grayling and trout close on their tails.  During lulls in the wind, grayling responded to our carefully presented flies.

Paul~

~Grayling like this were in the offing~

The sun doesn’t shine on the righteous:

~Pat Naish cradles nearly 50cm of prime San grayling~

Like most of Europe, Poland has been basking in sunshine for weeks on end.  However, we arrived just as a rain front came in, covering much of the region in cloud.  The upshot being Blue-winged olives streaming off in droves.  Of course being on the river at the right time counts for everything and those prepared to forego lunch were rewarded with some belting fish.  Using a size 20 CdC emerger, Pat Naish led the charge with Mark Whitmarsh close on his heals.

Paul~

~Smiles all-round...!~

Poland-A time for Grayling:

Autumn is prime time for fly hatches on the San River in south west Poland.  Recently though drought conditions have scuppered any Blue-winged olive activity.  However, forecasters are predicting a change so fingers crossed, cloud cover and accompanying rain will kick start hatches for our week ahead.

Paul~   

A day on the Wye:

Friends of Cressbrook and Litton AA hold an end of season bash on the Derbyshire Wye.  I was there spending a day with Kris Kent of the Wild Trout Trust, wearing my WWT Vice-President’s hat of course.  True to form the day dawned dank and miserable, making trout or more importantly the insects they care to eat a little lethargic.  Though come lunchtime things were in full swing.  John Glynn, Kris and myself passed up this slap-up affair in favour of fishing and what fun we had.  Using tiny dries on fine tippets afternoon sport was as good as it gets.  Though occasionally, both Kris and John turned to the dark side by knotting on a tiny nymph…bah.

Paul~

 

Known as the “Silver back”, Kris has enormous hands which makes any trout look small!  Though one thing you can’t deny is the sheer beauty of Wye rainbows which come into their own during September.