heathcote
06-21-2011, 01:35 AM
The other week I was in the stream helping with a survey of the drift biota. This was a real eye opener as I regularly fish here. Samples from the top, mid and bottom were done with a fine mesh screen opperating for 1 minute intervals accross a riffle approximately 2 ft in depth to a total of 50 samples.
From the surface drift only one Diptera fly was taken; from mid water a few midge pupae but from the bottom came 95% of the diverse biota taken.
From this the following results were calculated:
Caddis Olinga feraday (horn Caddis) 46% 3 to 8mm
Caddis Triplectides (stick Caddis) 6% 6 to 8mm
Caddis Hydropposyche (free swimming) 3% 6 to 8mm
Shrimp/Scud 33% 1 to 3mm
Worm green 3% 2 to 3 mm
Waterflea 3% 1 to 2mm
Diptera lavae 3% 1 to 4mm
Diptera pupae 3% 4 to 5mm
No mayfly or damsel fly lavae were found at all though in summer there are always a few to be seen.
Armed with this information and a few hours at the fly tying bench a new fly emerged to be tried last weekend.
The OLINGA NYMPH:
Hook 12 or 14 heavy Grub
Thread black
Body to a curved horn shape from mid brown floss with heavy varnish finish.
Hackle a short beard of grey partridge
As the water is not deep I thought that weight for the new nymph would be sufficient with the heavy hook alone to take it down to the food zone where obviously the trout would be. I only had two hours to try the new creation out so spotted and stalked individual fish. Conditions were not the best dull, cold with threat of rain and spotting has been better to say the least. Only two fish were seen and the first saw me move into position and bolted. The second was in a nice steady flow below the bridge and about 15 feet from the bank; heavy tussock shielded my approach and with just my head and rod showing the first cast was made. The nymph landed on the button just inside the trouts position and a couple of feet above. It was ignored, to high in the water column by far, another pitch four feet above but a little wide and again it was ignored though I judged it in the taking zone. A third pitch and this time it trundled down to almost on it's nose. The trout didn't move at all but the new nymph shot into its mouth as it showed a flash of white. Lift and it's on. A great thrashing of water on the surface and a single run denoted great displeasure at the hooks intrusion into lunch time gorging. After a short slugging match my prize slid over the net rim and was mine. A beautiful 20 inch brownie, pretty markings typical of this stream and in full pre spawning condition. Still in the net the offending piece of steel was removed from her jaw and my lady companion of the morning was released back to her home and slowely swam away. I should have doffed my hat in farewell but just grinned from ear to ear for the pleasure she had given and the success of a new fly.
I give you "The Olinga Nymph" May you enjoy the same success as I with it.
From the surface drift only one Diptera fly was taken; from mid water a few midge pupae but from the bottom came 95% of the diverse biota taken.
From this the following results were calculated:
Caddis Olinga feraday (horn Caddis) 46% 3 to 8mm
Caddis Triplectides (stick Caddis) 6% 6 to 8mm
Caddis Hydropposyche (free swimming) 3% 6 to 8mm
Shrimp/Scud 33% 1 to 3mm
Worm green 3% 2 to 3 mm
Waterflea 3% 1 to 2mm
Diptera lavae 3% 1 to 4mm
Diptera pupae 3% 4 to 5mm
No mayfly or damsel fly lavae were found at all though in summer there are always a few to be seen.
Armed with this information and a few hours at the fly tying bench a new fly emerged to be tried last weekend.
The OLINGA NYMPH:
Hook 12 or 14 heavy Grub
Thread black
Body to a curved horn shape from mid brown floss with heavy varnish finish.
Hackle a short beard of grey partridge
As the water is not deep I thought that weight for the new nymph would be sufficient with the heavy hook alone to take it down to the food zone where obviously the trout would be. I only had two hours to try the new creation out so spotted and stalked individual fish. Conditions were not the best dull, cold with threat of rain and spotting has been better to say the least. Only two fish were seen and the first saw me move into position and bolted. The second was in a nice steady flow below the bridge and about 15 feet from the bank; heavy tussock shielded my approach and with just my head and rod showing the first cast was made. The nymph landed on the button just inside the trouts position and a couple of feet above. It was ignored, to high in the water column by far, another pitch four feet above but a little wide and again it was ignored though I judged it in the taking zone. A third pitch and this time it trundled down to almost on it's nose. The trout didn't move at all but the new nymph shot into its mouth as it showed a flash of white. Lift and it's on. A great thrashing of water on the surface and a single run denoted great displeasure at the hooks intrusion into lunch time gorging. After a short slugging match my prize slid over the net rim and was mine. A beautiful 20 inch brownie, pretty markings typical of this stream and in full pre spawning condition. Still in the net the offending piece of steel was removed from her jaw and my lady companion of the morning was released back to her home and slowely swam away. I should have doffed my hat in farewell but just grinned from ear to ear for the pleasure she had given and the success of a new fly.
I give you "The Olinga Nymph" May you enjoy the same success as I with it.