Chris Dore Fishing Report for Reel Life November 2018

Another very changeable few weeks here in the south and a struggle to find fishable waters some days. However fishable doesn’t always mean gin clear.

As rivers rise and colour you often have a window where the fish move to the softer edges and can be very readily caught, up to a point.

Top right: Sam Hopwood with a cracker from dirty water.

It's important when fishing rising rivers to always know your escape route and to keep a close eye on the water around, and upstream of you. If in doubt, get out.

Big, bright nymphs moved through the calmer edges will pull fish as will large streamers. Stoneflies, bloodworms, uglies and other rubber-legged nymphs excel in such conditions but don’t underestimate a trout's ability to locate smaller naturals, even in very discoloured flows.

Streamer fishing is underrated and many anglers don’t think of using them, unaware of their effectiveness in certain conditions. A Mr Glister or larger, articulated pattern is not only deadly in high flows, but often in sparkling, mid-summer streams too.

In general runs, river scenarios, my usual method is to pitch the streamer upstream alongside of, or well ahead of the most likely water and strip the streamer straight back down: big trout are both predatory and territorial. If a smaller fish or your fly is swung away, then it isn’t much of a threat as it’s leaving the trout’s territory. If they’re not hungry, they don’t have to move on your fly. However if your streamer is moving downstream, straight towards the fish and his territory, then it is a threat, and this can trigger an ultra-aggressive response.

One tip that will often convert missed chances is what you do immediately following a chase down, or when a fish hits your streamer but doesn’t hook up...

Get it straight back in there, fast! The fish is still aggressive, pumped, looking for a fight so if you can get your shit together in those valuable few seconds after the miss, drop your fly just past him and strip into it again, the fish will more often than not hit it a second time.

Pitching your streamer across the current, mending to get a deeper / slower drift, then moving the rod tip to impart life as it swings across the river below you, is another deadly method - especially in wider, slower pools.

As I write, we are again suffering heavy snow to low levels and blanket rainfall across the south. Stay safe and fish hard. Summer has to arrive soon, right?

Pro Fly Fishing Guide

Queenstown, NZ

www.chrisdore.com

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