Canal tactics

[elwyman]

Doesn't look as if there will be any significant rain for a least 2 weeks, so my only realistic opportunity to cover a salmon with a fly could be on the lower reaches of the Welsh Dee.

The river here is very slow with deepish pools between high banks, as it meanders across the Cheshire plain, not good fly water at all. Most angler fish spinners or shrimp/worm, and it can hold a lot of salmon in low water conditions.

Quite similar to lower Tweed I suspect, and I see SK had success in a similar looking pool on Horncliffe yesterday.

I might experiment next weekend - any suggested tactics for fishing a fly in such water?

[salmonking]

Elyman,

Hi,yesterdays success for me was a square cast on a very fast 25ft tip,then letting the flee drift,so its getting down all the time
depending on whet kind of sinker you have,i would even considered an upstream cast,this could cause debate,IE sniggling method,but on a difficult sunny day,on deep water and this type of water is where the fish are,well most of them anyway,and although the fish are showing regularly,they are lying deep,as the flee just got downstream of me i started to edge it across the lie
(twitching)this was applied for an hour my mate Stuart also using the same method,and he had a couple of plucks so to speak,the fish i had really hammered the flee,to it almost disappearing down its throat,seemed to work ,not a great way to fish the flee
but when drastic measures are called for,we must adapt,as long as the flee isn't stripped hard,there is less chance of foul play,,,,,
food for thought.

[elwyman]

Cheers Col

Sounds like a job for my jocky monteith tips line then, and perhaps an early/late try in any streamy water I can find.

As you say, not the most interesting way to fish, but I know there'll be plenty of fresh lying down there waiting for the next flood.

[salmonking]

Good luck,,this tactic has worked for me on occasions,even with a floater,depending on overhead conditions,tight lines as always.

[williegunn]

Have you thought about backing up?
Start at the tail of the pool, cast square then pull in a yard of line, then take a couple of steps upstream.

Repeat.

[elwyman]

Backing up was on my agenda of things to try Malcom - it'll make the long walk back to the car more interesting anyway. ;D

Joking aside, it has worked for me with sea trout in similar pools, so well worth a try.

[elwyman]

I might put the canal trip on hold - looks like we should get some proper rain next week, but keep the rain dance going!

[billytheghillie]

no, we dont dance, dont want the stuff, we are doing FINE!

[elwyman]

C'mon Billy, you have to let a few fish upstream for my upper Tweed visit in November. ;D

[billytheghillie]

you will be okay then, il lift my net for you. What beat you going to?

[elwyman]

Ashiestiel - not fished it before, but it was recommended by some forum members last year.

[billytheghillie]

I its a nice wee beat, but you tend to get a lot of coloured fish on it. Look out for MICK THE GREEK!