Hi Joyce, what a question. I hope I never get too close to the answer. I suspect much of the fun of flyfishing is the continual search for the 'Holy Grail' of what attracts the fish. I agree with you Joyce that there may be similarities in the things that attract fish the world over. But there are also subtle differences. My experience is with wild trout in underfished waters. I suspect the size difference you mention may have something to do with the fact that many of the fish I cast to are seeing an artificial fly for the first time. Certainly they have not seen many. Also Shetland is a land of wind. These conditions require larger flies. Many of our hill lochs are not very fertile so a trout may accept a wider range of artificial flies. I know I've only scratched the surface and trying to find flies and techniques that work under different conditions is all part of the fun. All the best Graeme.
-----Original Message----- From: Joyce Westphal [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2002 6:54 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [VFB] Alpine Fly Swap.......... Graeme, it is the same as yours..got it out of the UK magazine, Flyfishing and Flytying.(Sep/Oct 2001).love that magazine. Our trout like smaller flies so I've found that it works best done in size 14 instead of the 10s and 12s preferred in UK waters. I"ve found that both the olive and the "hell" hog work well here. I read lots of magazines and adapt the flies to my situation. Some fail..others are big hits. I tend to think that fish the world over may be attracted to the same things. What do you think? Joyce
