THE CUT-THROAT CAT’S WHISKER

HOOK: Size 10 wet fly.
THREAD: Fire orange 6/0.
TAIL: White marabou.
BODY: Veniard ‘Ice Straggle Std.’ Chartreuse
COLLAR: As body but in red, 2 turns only
WING: White marabou with a few strands of pearl ‘Flashabou’ underneath.
HEAD: Well varnished thread.

Bright white lures have done well for me in the past at this time of year so here’s an updated Cat’s Whisker which has become very popular and effective. As the weather gets colder and the season draws to a close, the fish seem more keen on chasing a lure. If it resembles a small fish all the better. If you tie your own flies, the addition of some flat lead foil under the dressing will help the fly to sink more quickly. You can expect to catch using a floating or sink tip line from the bank or an intermediate or slow sinker from a boat. My alternative lures for this time of year would be black fritz, Dawson’s olive and humungous. Booby versions of all these lures are worth a try, from the bank use an intermediate line or slow sinker. From a boat a Di3 or Di5 line may work better depending on the water depth. This method will often put a fish in the bag but is not appropriate for catch-and-release fishing since the fish tend to swallow the fly and removing the hook could be difficult without injuring the fish.

If the lake is calm, I will always be on the lookout for rising fish and will try to get a fly near them as soon as possible. At this point in the season, rising fish could be taking money spiders, small beetles and small hatching midges. The spiders are very small and I wouldn’t try to imitate them but foam beetles and top-hat buzzers in size 14 and 16 should produce a fish or two. A size 16 black gnat is also one to try. Watch for the rise so you can figure which way the fish is heading and get your fly a few feet ahead of it. In a light breeze, the fish will usually be heading upwind so it is not too difficult to position the fly. Unfortunately, this can be a bit tricky when it is calm as the fish tend to meander about, changing direction frequently which can be very frustrating. If this is the case, cast into the general area of activity and leave the fly stationary, hopefully a fish will find it eventually.

Above: Foam beetle size 16

Below: Black gnat size 16

Nymph fishing should continue to catch but be prepared to fish deeper than during the summer months. A midge tip can be a good line to try, especially off the bank. The sunken tip helps to slow the line down in a cross wind and this keeps the flies at a reasonable depth. For a point fly, my choice would be a gold-head hare’s ear or weighted bloodworm with midge pupae, crunchers, diawl bachs etc. on the dropper(s).
Finally, don’t forget that brown trout are out of season in November so if you do catch any, please return them carefully to the water.

Phil Bilbrough