Testing Enforcer Flying Pigeon Decoys and New Pro Series Shell Decoys

I set up a quick test of the new Enforcer Flying Pigeon Decoys and Enforcer Pro Series Pigeon Shells yesterday and I have to say I’m impressed. I was just out having a look around and didn’t have time to shoot so just made a quick video. They do look very realistic in the breeze and will go nicely mixed in with my full body Enforcer decoys. It was late afternoon with very low bright sun and there was very little shine from them with their matt paint. Guest appearance from Oskar the GSP. Enforcer Decoys are available from djdecoys.com.

Malham Tarn 11-06-16

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We had a fantastic day on the mysterious Malham Tarn at the weekend with friends from the Leeds Branch of The Fly Dressers Guild. It’s not an easy place to fish but the wild brown trout are very special indeed when you find them. It was very misty with a few showers but in general the weather was good.

We didn’t get many trout with only 3 caught from 5 fishing but there were dozens of perch to keep boredom at bay. David Hild had two 4lb trout and Melvyn Wood had a stunning 6 pounder on a sedgehog as it hit the water. Jerry Lee and Jim O’Brien were pulling perch out like strings of mackerel, two at a time.

We were mainly fishing loch style with traditional wet flies, dragging large bushy flies on the top dropper through the ripple to attract the fish. You will never catch many trout here but when you do it’s spectacular.

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There were so many perch but mainly small ones – we didn’t find the big ones that are in there. I can’t wait for another trip, it really is a beautiful and truly wild fishery.

Fly Hatches in June

Yellow Mayfly

Rivers: the large dark olives will start to tail off, while other upwing flies such as mayflies (above), medium olives and yellow mays will increase in numbers. Mayflies will hatch right through June though numbers peak at different times on different waters. Stoneflies will be hatching alongside alders and some sedges too. As far as terrestrials go, expect to see beetles and black gnats featuring high on the menu.

Damselfly

Stillwaters: Pond and lake olives should start to hatch in increasing numbers. Caddis flies will most likely be on the water too. On warmer days there will be big hatches of damsel flies (above) and their nymph patterns will work well around the margins and in particular near read beds where they often crawl out to hatch. There will be mayfly hatches through the month if the species is found there. Lots of beetles will be getting blown onto the water so tie up some foam ones.

Fly Hatches in May

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In May on the rivers, you will find large dark olive hatches will start to drop off to be replaced by other upwing flies such as iron blue duns, mayflies and medium olives. The mayflies should start to hatch towards the end of the month and into June. Stoneflies will be hatching alongside alders and a few sedges. Expect to see the hawthorn hatch continue as they stumble onto the water, with the arrival of black gnats too.

Pond and lake olives should start to hatch with increasing frequency on stillwaters. Caddis flies should be emerging too in lakes too. On warmer days there will be large hatches of damsel flies, especially around the margins. There should be hatches of mayfly towards the end of May where the species is present but they are not that common on lakes.As far as terrestrials go, expect to see hawthorn flies finding their way on to the water as well as lots of beetles tumbling from the bushes.

Overall May is one of the best months for hatches, only surpassed by June in my neck of the woods.

Chris.