At the beginning of the season in the cold fast flowing waters of the Ogmore, anglers often have no other choice but to use the wet fly technique. Early in the season trout are often found holding near the bottom. Using large wet flies are therefore more likely to reach the correct depth and attract more fish.

Wet fly fishing consists in working the fly beneath the surface of the water. Many fishermen use a leader of three flies which enables the whole depth of water to be searched. One at depth, one at middle depth and the third near the surface. Artificial models imitate insects which move in the water or rise to the surface before transformation and flight. Wet fly fishing is a technique which can be used all year round but at the beginning of the season it is the only method which is likely to succeed as cold fast-flowing water greatly hampers hatching.

Use standard equipment: a 9 to 10 foot rod, weight forward line which is ideal for the leader of flies, a floating line can be used or an intermediate model for deeper water, or a sinking or fast sinking model for deep or fast flowing water.

Good spring flies are generally bushy: trout will make an effort for a decent sized prey and emerging insects are also large. For the point use the classic March Brown, an artificial fly coloured in the middle which allows the fisherman to observe the drift, for the first fly there is more choice : Zulu, Black Pennell, Peter Ross or a sedge in deer hair. If the current is strong the fly at the point should be weighted. Obviously the heaviest fly will be at the point to work at deeper depths and the lightest will be near the surface, if the sun is shining the bob fly can be replaced by a fly which remains on the surface.

Wet fly fishing is used over short distances where possible. The principle is the same as for other fishing techniques: the flies are cast out to the chosen spot. The fisherman must work using fairly rapid retrieves over short distances (approximately 10 centimetres) which gives the flies a zig-zagging movement. Cast the flies upstream. Leave them to drift down then retrieve by pulls towards downstream and once the flies are downstream make pulls towards upstream. At the end of the run bring the bob fly to the surface and make more or less long pulls which resemble flight.

At the beginning of the season fish bite cleanly and you simply need to lift the rod to secure the catch.
Fishing at a longer distance is carried out using the same method but beforehand the angler should search along the banks where he is standing. The fisherman should use a slightly longer rod and have perfect control of the line (floating) which should never drift beyond the point of the line.

Tight Lines