After a busy autumn, we’ve now got a chance to take a deep breath, reflect on the last few months, and have a look towards the winter ahead – perhaps surprisingly, one of our favourite times of year to guide.
To the last few months first, and guiding got underway in earnest (as usual) from the very start of March. Despite a cool and wet December/ January, by this point, abruptly dry and warm conditions in late summer had left their mark, with a number of lakes having dropped significantly.
Low lakes are an interesting proposition for us guides. Over the decades, we’ve come to learn that, providing water quality remains reasonable, lake level has little to do with fishing quality. Aquatic ecology is so complex, some brimming-full lakes can be a bit disappointing, while just down the road, a half empty lake is fishing brilliantly.
Many times this autumn, we took guests to one of these half empty lakes, only to find that the sad looks soon evaporated once a 5 pounder was heading to the horizon, towing all their flyline, plus a decent length of backing. Of course, the full lakes (and there are several) can fish well too of course, but there’s no guarantee at all that more water equals better fishing – as a few hundred guests would attest!
In terms of detail, while smelters (minnow feeders), mayfly and damsels all played their part, the headline this autumn was probably midge, or more precisely, chironomid. The hatches have been impressive, and not just on evening. And don’t think it’s all about tiny flies either – many of the naturals around here are 10mm right up to 14mm.
As we write at the start of winter, the midge action shows no signs of backing off. And with recent rain, some of those low lakes are starting to flood over revegetated ground, with tailers following the rising tide. One definite upside of having a lake drop for a while! Polaroiding shoreline cruisers is big thing too. And on those rough, ‘horrible’ days (well, horrible for humans), pulling a big wet can see the rod just about pulled from your cold hands. As always, time will tell regarding future water levels and conditions, but right here right now is looking good.
To the last few months first, and guiding got underway in earnest (as usual) from the very start of March. Despite a cool and wet December/ January, by this point, abruptly dry and warm conditions in late summer had left their mark, with a number of lakes having dropped significantly.
Low lakes are an interesting proposition for us guides. Over the decades, we’ve come to learn that, providing water quality remains reasonable, lake level has little to do with fishing quality. Aquatic ecology is so complex, some brimming-full lakes can be a bit disappointing, while just down the road, a half empty lake is fishing brilliantly.
Many times this autumn, we took guests to one of these half empty lakes, only to find that the sad looks soon evaporated once a 5 pounder was heading to the horizon, towing all their flyline, plus a decent length of backing. Of course, the full lakes (and there are several) can fish well too of course, but there’s no guarantee at all that more water equals better fishing – as a few hundred guests would attest!
In terms of detail, while smelters (minnow feeders), mayfly and damsels all played their part, the headline this autumn was probably midge, or more precisely, chironomid. The hatches have been impressive, and not just on evening. And don’t think it’s all about tiny flies either – many of the naturals around here are 10mm right up to 14mm.
As we write at the start of winter, the midge action shows no signs of backing off. And with recent rain, some of those low lakes are starting to flood over revegetated ground, with tailers following the rising tide. One definite upside of having a lake drop for a while! Polaroiding shoreline cruisers is big thing too. And on those rough, ‘horrible’ days (well, horrible for humans), pulling a big wet can see the rod just about pulled from your cold hands. As always, time will tell regarding future water levels and conditions, but right here right now is looking good.
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