Introduction

H ALL ABOIJ 'I ROUT F $B 271 t.m 1 (2; '6] j. A. RIPPELL m ("BORDER '""*^. I E It K E I E r 5ENERAL LIBRARY JNIVEfiSITY OF CALIFORNIA tyCe^yr^ iS^K f^/A^t^<i^'e(H/^fy. ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING. Digitized by the Internet Arciiive in 2007 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/allabouttroutfisOOriddrich o i o^ ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING BY J. A. RIDDELL (" BORDER rod"). "We may say of angling, as Dr. Boteley said of strawberries, ' Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did ; ' and so, if I might judge, God never did make a more calm, quiet, -- innocent recreation than angling." Iz\AK Walton. Condon and fcUing-on Cync: THE WALTER SCOTT PUBLISHING CO., LTD. NEW YORK: 3 EAST I4TH STREET. 1909. PREFACE. As an angler who has spent the most of five-and-twenty seasons by the riverside, my aim is to convey to the reader, in simple language, the outcome of actual experience, in the hope that beginners, and also more experienced anglers, may find some information that will enlighten them to attain better results. My aim is to touch upon every legitimate lure, and to give, in the smallest limits, practical information with advice that will enable the novice to proceed without further instruction, and meet with a share of success in angling. To those commencing, I can recommend angling as one of the most whole- IV1842719 VI PREFACE. -- some of pastimes one that will keep those who pursue it in good health and afford them an abiding pleasure that will be as fresh at sixty as sixteen. It only remains to state that what has been said in these pages as to northern waters applies equally to all streams where trout abound, whether in the south, east, or west of our country. Ryton-on-Tyne. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. ... PAGE A GENERAL INTRODUCTION 9 CHAPTER II. ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING 15 CHAPTER in. DRY FLY-FISH L\G . . .� . . 40 CHAPTER IV. CREEPER AND STONE FLY-FISHING . . 45 viii CONTENTS. CHAPTER V. I'AGE WORM FISHING 53 CHAPTER VI. MINNOW FISHING 67 CHAPTER VII. NIGHT FISHING 78 CHAPTER VIII. A FEW HINTS ON TACKLE . . -85 CHAPTER IX. .... LOCH OR LAKE FISHING I02 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. UP-STREAM CLEAR-WATER WORMING FrOtltispiece PAGE WET FLY-FISHING UP STREAM . . .14 COLLECTING CREEPER IN THE STRONG STREAM WITH LANDING-NET . . 46 GATHERING CREEPER AT THE WATER EDGE WHEN THEY ARE JUST ABOUT TO EMERGE AND TURN INTO THE STONE- FLY 48 GATHERING STONE-FLY UNDERNEATH THE LARGE STONES ON THE LEEWARD SIDE OF GRAVEL-BED . . . . -5� SPINNING NATURAL MINNOW ACROSS STREAM 68 ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING. CHAPTER I. AN INTRODUCTION TO ANGLING, One of the secrets of success in angling lies in keeping out of sight, and to do this it is advisable to make oneself as inconspicuous as possible. Thus my favourite colour in dress is a drab shade, which accords with rocks, gravel beds, and grey backing of clouds. The invisible brown, however, has one disadvantage; if you have with you a friend who is higher up the stream, he often has a difficulty in locating you on a gravel bed. 10 ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING. A Safe Rule. It is always advisable in low and clear waters, when possible, to fish up stream, and in the early months, while fly-fishing, you need have very little fear of being bothered with parr, those pests of downstream fishers. In fact, when I see a brother-angler fishing down stream I always think it is a good thing for the trout. Copy Nature, and produce flies a shade smaller in preference to larger than the natural insect. Do not be afraid to sink your flies, and give preference to spider dressing, also look carefully to the fineness of the gut. Bushy, heavily-dressed flies are objection- able, as trout are, like human beings, more easily attracted by the elegant and slim. Keep in mind, trout are the keenest- -- eyed of fishes a mere shadow, or an un- natural ripple in wading, being sufficient An introduction to AnCLinG. ii to scare them away. A golden rule is to keep out of sight. Value of a Pocket Lens. A pocket lens is very useful to examine the contents of the stomach of the first fish you land. Even though it may be partly digested, with a powerful lens you frequently can detect what the fish are feeding on. I repeat, always try to copy Nature to the minutest detail. When fly- fishing in a good breeze, cast your flies on the side the food is drifting towards. It is advisable to keep your finger on the line, as a gentle pull is more easily felt; you can then strike instantaneously. When using a landing-net do not try to take a fish in less than a foot of water; trout struggle dangerously when stranded in shallow water; also keep the net well below a fish in netting him. Patience, 12 ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING. with perseverance and keen observation, greatly help a beginner. Caution Essential. In commencing to fish the shallow side of a stream in clear water, wade in very carefully. If a wave goes before you, the fish will at once clear away. In evening and night fishing you cannot be too careful ; trout then leave the streams and deeper water for the side and thin, flat water. Good trout in rivers, sorely dis- turbed through the day, seek shelter in the daytime, and usually come out of their harbour towards dusk. In playing a good trout, when you have the luck to hook one, instantly raise the point of your rod and keep it up and ever up; only lower the top should the fish jump out of the water, and as soon as he regains his own element, up with the rod top again. Never let out more AN INTRODUCTION TO ANGLING. 13 line than you can possibly help, and to this end follow your fish up or down stream, keeping slightly below him. If you simply stand still and let him run you are almost sure to lose him. Study the Habits of Trout. ^ A good knowledge of the habits of trout materially help the angler, and in small waters, when fishing is practically at a standstill, an hour or so is well spent in watching the movements and habits of the fish. This can be done by creeping cautiously, taking all the shelter of any cover that the riverside affords. It will also give the angler an idea of how near he may approach a fish without being observed. He can also take note of what particular kind of water fish are -- feeding in whether it be the shallows, the streams, the medium, or deeper water. 14 all about trout fishing. Perfection Unattainable. Much has been uttered from time to time as to the patience required to make a good angler. How often you hear it said, with perhaps a tinge of contempt, " Oh, I have not the patience to become a fisherman!" Well, I candidly admit I have not, and never had, the patience to go on persistently flogging the water when fish are off the feed. I simply give up, and generally fill in the spare time either in collecting minnows or turning up the stones by the waterside and examining the different larvae hatching out, or per- haps have a smoke until the rise comes on again. But to my mind the charm of fly-fishing is that, though perfection is unattainable, yet progress, and with it a fair amount of success, is within the reach of all. WET FLY-FISHING. See page 15.) CHAPTER II. ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. Wet, or sunk, fly-fishing up stream is universally indulged in throughout the North; and I strongly urge this method whenever practicable. You are more certain of hooking fish; a much shorter line may be used, and you are proceeding in the direct way to keep out of sight. Choice of a Rod. , A rod of 9 ft. 6 in. to ii feet is about the handiest length, and, personally, I do not like them too supple; the lighter, with a moderate stiffness, the better. Limber rods for up-stream fishing are not good. There is so much difference of opinion as to what is the best material for rod-making l6 ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING. that I refrain from any definite recom- mendation apart from cautioning my readers against the purchase of cheap rods. On one point, however, there can be no two opinions, that is, in selecting a rod take extreme care to guard against getting one in the sHghtest degree too heavy, as this effectually prevents the skilful manipu- lation of the rod that is necessary in upstream casting. Casting is done chiefly from the wrist ; and if the rod is too heavily balanced it is bound to lead to slovenly and unsatisfactory fishing. Lightness with free action are desirable. The Reel. It is also necessary to see that your reel corresponds in weight to balance the rod properly. The ratchet should not be at all stiff, otherwise you are certain of being broken by the first run of a fish. Have the drum well filled up with backing, ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. 17 SO that the line will pay out faster, but leave sufficient room in case of reeling up in the dark, otherwise the line is apt to get jammed. The Line. Select a waterproofed line that in thick- ness and weight compares favourably with the build of the rod. Much depends upon A this in casting. tapered line is also an advantage. Otherwise use a tippet or casting-line of taper-twisted gut about five or six feet long. For a beginner a casting- line is a good help in learning to cast. It is difficult to give instructions in writing for the novice to accomplish this seemingly simple task. However, the following hints will be found useful: How TO Cast. Commence with a moderate length of -- line one of not more than sixteen or 15 ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING. seventeen feet; just prior to making the backward cast raise the rod top sufficiently to gather the slack line; then considerable force is used in the backward cast to get the line fully extended behind the angler. This latter motion must have an upward swing, so as to prevent your tackle becoming foul of any objects behind you. The forward cast should be made imme- diately the line is fully extended; this requires only a slight movement of the wrist, and the rod itself will carry out the flies. Of course, there are occasions when a certain amount of force is required to extend the line, that is when you have a wind against you, or in using a long line. Use the Wrist. I have noticed that generally beginners more or less want to do the work themselves, working both body and arm; in ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. IQ fact, one friend in particular, should he read this, will at once know who I am referring to, inasmuch as it took days to get him out of the way of that dreadful heave of the arm ; eventually, to accomplish this I had to strap his arm by the side of his waist. In this way he was enabled to overcome the difficulty. Always bear in mind that every cast should as much as possible be made from the wrist, keeping the arm down to the elbow close by the side, and thus save labour, and at the same time giving a graceful and accurate throw. Flies must not Drag. In up-stream fishing you are con- stantly casting three times for a down fisher's once. Let your line float about three yards, then up and at them again. Do not drag your flies, but keep your line fairly taut. The natural flies are 20 ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING. carried down more or less rapidly, accord- ing to the velocity of the stream. Do not trail your flies, as this gives rise to sus- picion. In casting do not bring your rod top within two yards of the surface of the water. This also is bad form, and apt to alarm the keen-sighted trout. Arrest from the wrist in mid descent, and the line will then spin out straight and fall flies first. Do not be afraid to sink your flies. The majority of aquatic insects are hatched under stones in the bed of the river ; and for one that meets death on the surface, I am bold to say scores are seized in the middle passage. This is easily proved. No fly is on, but you are getting an occasional trout. Open the mouth of the trout, squeeze the body, and you will be much astonished at the mass of insect food disgorged. As already stated, a small pocket lens proves very useful to ascertain what the trout are feeding on. artificial fly-fishing. 21 When to Strike. In striking in up-stream fishing, " the rise of a fish " is not always seen, for the simple reason that your fly is probably four or five inches below the surface. Keep your eyes on the water, about where you think your flies are, and if you see the gleam of a trout strike ; or if you see your line stop, instantly tighten : you cannot do this too soon. Correct striking is an art that is acquired by dint of much practice and careful observation ; but in up-stream fishing as opposed to down, it is comparatively seldom that you are broken, as you pull the fish towards you with the current. Good trout take the fly gently, sucking it in, and do not usually cause the ripple that smaller ones do. When Trout rise Short. In fly-fishing every rise or slight pull should be responded to by instantly 22 ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING. tightening the line. It is remarkable on some days what a small percentage of fish you hook in comparison with rises. How- ever, this is unavoidable by even the most experienced angler. Light and clouds may have something to do with this, particularly in the early part of the season. Also, trout are not in good condition ; and in the earlier months they are generally more in the deeper water, and when rising to the fly, the deceptive light, together with their backward condition, they come rather short. The Best Month for Fishing. Trout fishing in most of the North of England rivers opens at different dates in March, but little good with fly-fishing can be accomplished until April. This latter month and May, given mild weather, are the two best months in the season for fly- fishing. The best parts of the river to ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. 23 fish in April are the gentle running streams, as trout, being out of condition, are unable to live in the stronger water. Therefore, the angler must devote his attention to the pools and slow-running water. A favourite cast is under over- growing willows, trees, or any other such shelter by the side of the river. During the early part of the season trout, as a general rule, take better in the sheltered stretches of the river, which also meets with the approval of the angler. In cold or boisterous weather little good can be expected, and under these conditions the angler, if bent on fishing, should certainly make for the sheltered stretches. The Spring Spates. During March and April spates are frequent, accompanied with fairly strong winds, and generally, to the angler's regret, they blow down stream. However, 24 ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING. on these occasions the water is somewhat coloured, so the fisher has the advantage of being able to cast partly with the wind, casting across and down stream without much fear of being observed by the fish. In this way the run of the water keeps the line tight, consequently the angler must refrain from striking a rising fish. The mere tightness of the line is sufficient to send the hook home ; otherwise, if he should strike he is almost certain to pull the fly out of the fish's mouth, as, in addition to the weight of the fish, he also has the pull of the water to contend with. The hooks being so small, and the angler pulling direct out of the fish's mouth, this is almost sure to occur. When striking a fish in up-stream fishing, it is done by a motion of the wrist, and -- must be instantaneous but gentle heavy striking is dangerous, and a habit that is easily acquired ; therefore, try to avoid violent striking. Much presence of mind ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. 25 is needed to keep nerves under control and so avoid the startled jerk, which so frequently results in the loss of a decent trout. When once you have securely got the hook home, the greater care you exercise in playing the fish the more certainty you have in ultimately creeling it. June Fly-Fishing. With the advent of June fly-fishing becomes uncertain on our principal rivers. In fact, as soon as the stone-fly appears on the water fly-fishing becomes at a discount. Yet occasionally a decent basket of fish may be secured by using the finest of arti- ficial flies; but for reliable fishing the angler must wend his way to the hilly country side or outlying districts and make for the smaller tributaries, where good baskets may frequently be made by using similar flies used in the main rivers a 26 ALL ABOUT TROUT FISHING. month or six weeks earlier. When I say good baskets I refer to quantity not quaHty; but, nevertheless, the angler will sometimes meet with odd half or threequarter pounders. Vegetation is generally backward in the moorland and hilly districts, likewise the insect life. I have seen a good hatch of March browns appear on the water at the end of April and beginning of May on Rede-water, whereas on the main rivers it had been off fully a month. June is quite early enough to commence operations in the moorland tributaries, and owing to the scarcity of fly-life, trout are naturally backward in condition. They do not rise with freedom until there is a regular supply of the natural fly on the water, and this seldom occurs until June is fairly established. The Charm of the Burns. Two flies are ample for burn fishing, and probably one may be used to greater ARTIFICIAL FLY-FISHING. 2; advantage. All the angler has to do is to keep out of sight and get his fly on the water, and he is almost certain of a rise from every pool. He will also be much surprised at the resistance offered by these little fellows averaging five or six to the pound. Burn fishing has its own charms, and leads many anglers to some of our wildest and most beautiful scenery. In burns rising and flowing through peat, a grey partridge-spider, with yellow body, works well. If using two flies, they should not be more than two feet apart. Some Reliable Flies. The following list of flies are good killers, and I have found them to work well throughout the season. They are by no means complete; but, from experience, I think there are few days during