Fly Fishing for Bass - Considerations

Could you catch a big silver fish here on the fly ? Considering...

1. Wave height
2. Wave direction
3. Wind strength
4. Wind direction
5. Current
6. Depth
7. Backwash
8. Light levels
9. Line and leader choice
10. Fly choice
11. Casting restrictions
12. Tidal state
13. Water condition
14. Time of day
15. Retrieves
16. Position
17. Presentations
18. Timings
19. Casting strategies
20. Safety

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Fishing Report - Sept 29th Ian And Martin

To Ian and Martin who made life easy and fun for two days - thanks guys!

We experienced some great fishing and Martins battle with a > 10 was a series of images I will never forget. Personal bests, quality fish, great weather and superb locations all combined for a change.

All fish were taken on surface lures - we felt why look for numbers when you can have such visual angling treats!

You can see some of the great experiences we had over the last two days in the sequence HERE - both have already booked for Autumn 2010.

At fish two swims

Fishing Report - Ian's pesonal best - this morning.

Bass Fishing Influences - Reflections and Refractions

Reflection

As light travels through water it can give us some information about the content of the water. On calm days the water surface acts almost like a mirror. But look straight down, and the mirror disappears. Instead you see what is under the surface. If you look further away, your viewing angle increases, and the surface reflection becomes stronger. At the same time more of the light from under the surface is reflected back down.

Refraction

Have you ever put a stick into the water and watched it bend at the surface? You know it's straight, so what you see is an optical illusion. The reason is refraction. Light from under the water is bent as it passes the surface into the air. As a result the underwater part of the stick seems to be in a different place from where it really is.
Refraction can also make things in the water appear larger than they are. It is also the reason why waves often focus sunlight into patterns of light and shadow on the bottom.

Once in the water the light continues to travel downwards, gradually growing weaker. How deep it goes depends on the type of water and on the angle of the sun.

There are two reasons for the loss of light as you go deeper:

Absorption - photons disappear and the energy they contain is turned into heat or used for photosynthesis.

Scattering - photons change direction, but do not disappear. Often the new direction is upwards.

Absorption is what gives water its colour. Open ocean water is usually blue because the blue photons travel furthest before they are absorbed. Water with lots of phytoplankton (microscopic plants) is often bright green. Chlorophyll in the plants absorbs blue light, so now the green photons travel furthest.
Pure or clear water scatters very little light. When the water is clear and clean most of the photons disappear into the deep. That's why clear water seems quite dark when you look straight down.
Small particles in the water (plant cells, decomposed matter, sand and mud) scatter much more light. In this type of water many of the photons change direction and travel upwards. Seen from above when you are looking down this type of water has a much lighter colour.

In sea water, particle scattering and absorption has a BIG effect on your fly and lure fishing. Just as in fog, the scattering and absorption blurs details, and if you were a fish you might only see a short distance ahead. The light also fades faster as you go deeper. In water with lots of small particles, it can be dark at just a few metres depth. Tiny particles in the water scatter light and make everything look blurred and indistinct.

Fishing Report - Sept 19th Jim and John

John Weir from Ennis Co. Clare had spent Thursday and Friday with me working at a Saltwater Fly Fishing for Bass Workshop. Conditions were improving all of the time and this morning was going to be one of those days. I convinced John to stay for just one more short morning session of fishing. I took the fish in the post below just at high water at a local mark on a lavender white and grey sloopy droopy built by Andy Elliott.

Measuring in at 81 cms he proved to be a worthy adversary and was returned after a few photographs. Its not often that I post photos of myself and many thanks to John for taking the time out to make them. Brian whom was also on the two day workshop returned to cork mid morning after a big breakfast at cuasnog, convinced more than ever that fly fishing is the best way to catch bass!

This afternoon John, having seen the fish of the morning and having caught some himself, decided this was the last shot of the weekend as he was returning to Ennis – whilst John battled on I managed another good fish for the day at 79 cms. It was great to have someone there to witness it – two specimen bass on the fly in one day.

A big thank you to Brian and John for the company, the fishing, the pints and all the craic!

September satisfaction

The rod is loading and so is the weather!

Like most things in life its a question of timing - getting it right is the key  - bide your time, its not that far away!

Autumn surface lure fishing

We visited a little estuary in Cork yesterday, just to be out of the wind! See the sequence below - I had taken some time out from fishing over the last few days so was excited about getting out there. Our intentions were to make some shots of mackerel taking lures on the surface hence the micro lure gear. We ended up having some real fun with several bass who seemed to be enjoying the early Autumn sun. All fish taken on the surface within 30 metres. In the stillness and peace of the afternoon the explosive takes were magnificent – especially at such close range!

Landing gear

Rods: Lucky Craft ESG’s – 8’-7” casting 2-16 grammes
Reels: Shimano twin powers, tecniums
Line: Varivas super trout braid – 4kgs.
Leader: Rio powerflex 3 kgs

Lures: Bevy pencil, Bevy popper, Skinny pop, Shirashu minnow, Camion, Wavy, chinupen, and mebapen.

......into the blue

Out of the brown and.....

Fishing Report - Sept 7th - Hani Ghali

Anyone visiting on the Wexford coast in the last few days will know how far away we are from 'normal' September weather. The grip that the wind and rain now has on the sea will take some time to 'settle'. Of course today is a nice day but tomorrow there are gales forecast so theres little chance of stability or indeed fish on the fly in the next few days. After a day like yesterday......... but then its part of fly fishing, the challenges are not like any other fishing - its not always about catching.

As Stefanie, Hani and Cedric whom have come from Switzerland ride the roller coaster of weather - spirits are high and we chat and sit and watch, maybe even make a few casts - who knows?

After three seasons at this level of difficulty for fly fishing maybe its time for a new strategy !

Its looking good from wednesday onwards though with a return to better conditions - lets hope it stays that way and we could have a spectacular Autumn!

Is this what we have been waiting for?

Looking towards the weather horizon things are looking very good with a little stabilisation appearing in the systems mid/late week next - these predictions might boost the fishing performances on the next tidal sequence later in mid September. More details HERE

This is what I have been waiting for and I guess you have too - fingers crossed!

get into the groove

You definetly know when you have been trying hard - too hard sometimes!

Get on down..........thats where its at!

Forecasting the weather - September - 1

I came across a little book recently - Signpost to the weather by D&K Barlett. First published in 1949, I have extracted their forecasts for each month of the year. I hope you will enjoy their theories over the next few months - savour the September days ahead!

The Month of September according to D&K Barlett - with BASS indications by Jim Hendrick

There can be some fairly good, warm weather during this month, particularly in the east and south of Ireland. Thunderstorms can still be experienced and one unsettled period is probable near the middle of the month The weather in the North and West can be fairly good but intervals of unsettled weather can bring rain and wind at times. The days are shorter, the nights begin to feel cooler, and occasional night frosts occur in the Highlands of Scotland, but generally the summer heat continues to affect the sea and land.

The weeks of September

1st to 7th-A number of warm, sunny days are probable, but there is a danger of occasional thunderstorms. The alternative is very cloudy, changeable conditions.
8th to 15th-This week is usually cloudy at times but a fair spell is probable.
16th to 24th-Generally a few good days of calm, sunny weather, but one very changeable period.
25th to 30th-There is a tendency for the weather to be more unsettled. The first autumn rains occur and there is less risk of thunderstorm

Bass Fishing - My favorite month of the year. Possibilities are almost endless!

Rating 5/5
September Bass Fishing Experiences Here Here Here

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new definition of summer madness