In my limited experience works best if rod is swung almost parallel down river the same as is often done after the normal drift whilst nymphing is almost exhausted & in preparation of the next upriver cast. This will cause the nymph or fly to swing in a line some distance directly down stream below you ( the opposite of what needs to be achieved on the drift ) resulting in a tug felt as everything straightens out & the final whip around is completed, which can take longer than expected. It is at this point that a fish is most likely to strike, perhaps out of curiosity or from having identified it as a small fish or some form of food source trying to escape. Am certain most if not all anglers here will have also encountered such an unexpected "bonus" many times but like myself probably only accounting for maybe 1 in 10 or 12 hooked also with a higher % of fish lost possibly due to the hook not imbedding in a firmer part or the corner of the fishes mouth. Actually am finding the topic of this thread rather timely as was considering posting re our unusual experience about 10 days ago & to ask for suggestions as to the cause. As already mentioned we have found such downstream hook-ups on the "swing" usually have only accounted for 10% or less of hook-ups yet on this occasion accounted for 90% or more with "never fail" upriver drifts only 5 or 10% of the hook-ups ... why the sudden reversal ? Could it be due to any or a combination of the following factors ? (1) River had only just cleared from heavy rain & maybe had provided a bounty of food that was readily accessible in the calmer tail end of the pools rather than expend energy at the top of the runs. (2) The fish were simply resting after gorging themselves & had merely responded to a possible food source presenting itself in an unusual manner. (3) Any other reason/s.
------------- When you cry, feel pain or sadness, no one notices your sorrow .... BUT fart just ONE time !!!!!!!!!!!
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