Cow Green reservoir

[Deleted]

Fished Cow Green yesterday for the first time plus it was also first time using T rod in stillwater. Was probably not the best test as the wind was blowing a hooley, the mist was down with visibility around 100m at times plus it was really cold. Only saw one rise, fished from 11.00 to 4.30 as was a bit of a drive there and back. Saw one other angler as he was leaving, no litter, no sign of the place being regularly fished with very few entries in logbook, some catching fish to 1 1/2 pound.

First mistake - 3lb copolymer point and 2 flies in wind = tangles. Change to 4lb fluoro helped but didn't eliminate problem.

Flies - was advised small and black. Seemed a #14 peacock spider was too big, no offers. Didn't have anything smaller in black but a pair of #18 tungsten hares ear did the trick

Biggest problem was detecting takes in the wind. Realised I was missing quite a few very subtle, gentle offers. Didn't help that a lot were lightening-fast. Can anyone advise what the best line set-up is in these situations? I had 12 foot tapered braid followed by 12 foot fluoro.

Didn't feel disadvantaged that I was fishing close but would recommend waders (to keep warm if nothing else) or wellies. You just need to get out 12 feet across shallow margin. Not sure if proper wading is allowed but I wouldn't recommend it as there are lots of drop offs close in.

Had 8 fish to 1/2 lb but a better T angler would have at least doubled that, or better. Well worth £9.00

[flatsghost]

Malcolm
Just a very quick reply whilst having morning porridge. In windy conditions with Tenkara or even western style tackle a 12' leader would be way too long. You will find take detection very difficult. Shorten up your leader by at least half I would say and don't be afraid of going a little heavier/stiffer on your leader to avoid tangles. I read some where in the forum recently how some have fished with an ultra short leader and still caught.
I would suggest using the wind rather than fighting it would help. WBT are used to nailing food as it blows from the lee shore of lakes.
Sounds like you had a good day in any event and it is all part of the learning curve as they say!
Tight lines
Glyn

[Deleted]

Glyn
Thanks for advice. With the longer leader I was just trying to get that wee bit further out to try to find better fish as it was middle of the day and I was getting a lot of hits off tiny fish when fishing close. As you say, the good old learning curve. Off to try another water as soon as forced down lunch.
Malc

[daves]

I think you'll find that many of the fish, even the bigger ones are in the margins & that casting far out will not select out the bigger fish.

[stokesy]

i have fished cow green myself not using tenkara as ihave just got into this style lately. but western style i found you dont have to cast far fish seem only acouple of rod lengths out at most, also traditional wet flys and black dry flys work well. worm fishermen seem to do well here also.