FOR THE ANGLER Dry Fly Time

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30312, 12 December 1963, Page 27

FOR THE ANGLER Dry Fly Time

(Specially written for "The Press" by J.

SIERS)

Summertime, with its noon heat, still early mornings •nd long yawning twilights is made for the dry fly purist. It’s the time to wander beside a clear stream and languidly explore pools in shade of drooping •willows.

And if there is no hatch, tnere is no problem—the air sings with the buzz of insects and trout keep a sharp eye on the surface.

It does not require a great deal of skill to be successful •t dry fly fishing, but for those with an artistic disposition, the method is tailormade.

The very implements •uggest the finest delicacy a beautifully-tapered rod of eight or nine feet, featherlight at 4-5 ounces; soft, tapered line and a gossamer trace, which can be snapped as easily as a silk thread- an imitation insect no larger than a threepenny piece with these the dry fly fisherman works a stream casting up to 40 feet and J™*- Ending the fly with softness and incredible accuracy. And if and when a fish does nose up and take the offenng. the batUe is a long way from won. If the trout weighs between two and J >oun 5 s ,<«*«■* for rnosjt New Zeeland streams) it has the advantage. The •n*ler has little hope of , its first dash Should the trout head for snags and twist the cast the battle is lost fl 2 h * rman - At other times the fish can race down♦'T?"’' a Gherman cannot follow.

On the unusual occasions when the fish is a monster

of six or seven pounds, held by a hook the size of one of its teeth, the odds are overwhelmingly in its favour. But the dry fly purists go on developing their skills in spite of any such set-backs and when conditions are right are among the most successful trout fishermen.

Sports writers say much of sportsmanship and emphasise the importance of playing the game not only to win. In fishing, the dry fly angler has the best chance of getting the most satisfaction.

Wet fly fishermen and minnow spinners can also be deadly accurate in casting and equally efficient at using fine equipment, but they have none of the suspense of watching a lure dance on the surface. Nor have they the heart-stopping excitement of seeing a fish break the surface to take their lure. Sometimes, where both fish the same water, there can arise a deal of animosity and angling clubs and acclimatisation societies well know the arguments over the classification of water.

Perhaps one day, when the fishing pressure is greatest, streams and rivers will be classified according to season. For example, in the early part of the season a stream will be open to bait, minnow and fly fishermen. Later, it will be open only to minnow and fly anglers and finally only to fly fishermen.

Budapest’s History of Art Museum is to put on a large memorial exhibition next spring in honour of the 400th anniversary of the birth of Shakespeare.— Reuter.