Fly size

[G Ritchie]

On arriving at the river, what factors do you take into account when choosing the size of fly you are going to use?

[hf]

Graham... I was taught to find out the temperature of the water first and then base the size of fly on the result. (something which I have been slack in doing).

My usual is to get down to the river as quick as possible and have a calculated guess at size of fly I should be fishing. I will change fly though and see if a larger or smaller one will make any difference. (sadly on my part... not much

I would take into consideration the flow of water and any wind chill.

highladfisher

[allysshrimp]

I base my choice of fly on intuition.I know water and air temp coupled with possible wind chill have a lot to do with the size we should choose.The type of water as well makes a difference,by that I mean is it a slow pool or fast one.
If I believe the water to be right for my opening gambit,I will start from there,and move up and down in sizes if required.
Bill.

[sinkingtip]

Always a tricky one this and with as many reasons for choosing a specific size of fly as there are patterns - well not quite but you know what I mean.

Bill used an interesting word - "intuition". I fully realise that this thread is about "size" and not pattern but, as with choice of pattern, confidence plays a great part for me in choosing the length of fly I intend to use. Please note that I say "length" as opposed to hook size as often the two don't equate.

As a well documented and general rule of thumb - the higher and colder the water, the bigger or more obvious the fly should be.

For me, fishing a variety in sizes of rivers such as the Tay or Esk's during the 'spring' period (Jan - April), this can range from 3 1/2" to 1" in length depending on the river, height, temperature, clarity, scale and character of pool.

Another factor in choosing the size of fly, and one which is not often discussed, is strength of leader - there's a thread in itself IMHO. A 3" brass tube will not react well to being fished off a 10lb leader as wont a size 10 low water single iron fish properly off 25lb test - extreme examples I know and apologies for stating the obvious but important nevertheless.

At the end of the day it boils down to (for me) "intuition", knowledge, confidence, conditions, advice and presentation. How many times have we all heard the saying "If its a fresh fish and you cover it correctly it'll hae a go - disnae matter whut sehz 'O flee ye use".

I am sure we have all seen guy's take fish on the same day, same beat and in the same conditions - one using a micro tube and another using a 5" 30g Salmo.

As me auld grannie used to say "Size isn't important STippy - it's what you do with it son"
Regards
STip

[allysshrimp]

sinkingtip said:

Always a tricky one this and with as many reasons for choosing a specific size of fly as there are patterns - well not quite but you know what I mean.

Bill used an interesting word - "intuition". I fully realise that this thread is about "size" and not pattern but, as with choice of pattern, confidence plays a great part for me in choosing the length of fly I intend to use. Please note that I say "length" as opposed to hook size as often the two don't equate.

As a well documented and general rule of thumb - the higher and colder the water, the bigger or more obvious the fly should be.

For me, fishing a variety in sizes of rivers such as the Tay or Esk's during the 'spring' period (Jan - April), this can range from 3 1/2" to 1" in length depending on the river, height, temperature, clarity, scale and character of pool.

Another factor in choosing the size of fly, and one which is not often discussed, is strength of leader - there's a thread in itself IMHO. A 3" brass tube will not react well to being fished off a 10lb leader as wont a size 10 low water single iron fish properly off 25lb test - extreme examples I know and apologies for stating the obvious but important nevertheless.

At the end of the day it boils down to (for me) "intuition", knowledge, confidence, conditions, advice and presentation. How many times have we all heard the saying "If its a fresh fish and you cover it correctly it'll hae a go - disnae matter whut sehz 'O flee ye use".

I am sure we have all seen guy's take fish on the same day, same beat and in the same conditions - one using a micro tube and another using a 5" 30g Salmo.

As me auld grannie used to say "Size isn't important Stippy - it what you do with it son"
Regards
STip

Better put than I STip.

[conwyrod]

All of the above is sound advice.

When fishing my home waters, I suppose experience and knowlege of what has worked before in similar conditions is the starting point for me.

Air & water temperatures (individual and relative to each other) and water clarity/height/current strength are all factors I'd consider.

Gillies are always worth asking for advice, as are other anglers on a strange beat.

If in doubt, a size 8/10/12 red allys/cascade/Stoats Tail usually gets tied on!

[conwyrod]

Do people feel that fly sizes needed today are generally smaller than those used in the past, eg as mentioned in books written 50 years ago?

I've heard this mooted a few times, most recently by a Tyne angler in a T&S article. Possibly down to global warming and/or a change in what salmon feed on at sea??

[Willie Gunn]

I look on the rods on the dark red Freelander that is always parked in the car park when I arrive, he is seldom wrong.

Today's flies smaller than those of yester year, you have been visiting forums where the writers talk out of the wrong end of their digestive systems again.

Compare a size 10 Ally Shrimp with a size 6 Blue Charm the Ali Shrimp is about twice the size.

[hf]

Are there any out there who will test the temperature of the water before choosing fly size?

I rightly/wrongly thought that it was something a gillie did each day before heading out with the guests. If the gillie does test the temperature then isn't there some merit in it?

Just questions

highlandfisher

[conwyrod]

I carry a thermometer, but only tend to use it early and late season.

I like to know if the air temperature is warmer or cooler than the water temperature, as this will influence the depth at which I will start fishing.

[salmo]

highlandfisher said:

Are there any out there who will test the temperature of the water before choosing fly size?

I rightly/wrongly thought that it was something a gillie did each day before heading out with the guests. If the gillie does test the temperature then isn't there some merit in it?

Just questions

highlandfisher

I always test the water to try and understand how much energy the salmon have. I give my fishing guests a little check list to help them choose but it is very general.



I will mail you a powerpoint slide I have which has miniature versions of this and other fishing checklists. These are plasticised and cut up or if you do not have a plastic coating machine you can sellotape onto the any free plastic card and then keep in your wallet.

The list is based on Falkus and others but you have to bear in mind light and water clarity when choosing fly size. In spring cold deep pools use a bigger fly and you will rarely go wrong. When conditions change and you switch to floater or intermediate or you are in shallower pools drop a fly size.

I find that many people drop the fly size too early in late spring but follow the advice of other successful fishers.

salmo

[hf]

Salmo... thank you for the offer of the powerpoint slide and gratefully received.



highlandfisher