I'm going to both agree and disagree with DonO, and amplify another
observation. I have an artificial stream that I use to demonstrate the
swimming action of various "streamers". The adjustable flow speed lets
one see how some patterns that swim on their sides at slow speed will
rotate to the proper position at higher speeds. Also, different designs
have "better" motion at certain speeds. I believe, from experience, that
trolled or manipulated flies that fish in the intended orientation are
more effective.
HOWEVER, from considerable observation on real streams, I know for a
fact that trout will bite on "anything" resembling food that is FULLY
SUBSURFACE and drifting naturally. The word BITE must be qualified to
read TASTE. I have watched them take everything that drifts close enough
to their position into their mouth, retaining the good stuff and almost
instantaneously ejecting the trash. Sometimes the trash has a hook
"hidden" inside and doesn't leave as planned, or a moments hesitation
has let the fly get too deep in the mouth for easy ejection.
One interesting experiment I carried out almost 20 years ago involved
"artificial scent." Rough nymphs tied in the round were soaked with the
appropriate scent. Trout would hold onto these nymphs, not necessarily
swallow like a worm, but keep in their mouth even when there was a light
drag from the leader.
IMO, the natural presentation of surface and subsurface free-drifting
food is critical. Both types of food adopt multiple orientations during
a natural drift, being pushed and pulled by a myriad of currents. So
achieving drag-free approaches is the goal but the actual orientation of
the fly at the instant it's taken is far more influential in whether or
not a hook-up will result than whether or not it will be taken
originally.
cheers
Paul
http://www.galesendpress.com
--
Paul Marriner
Outdoor Writing & Photography. Owner: Gale's End Press. Member: OWAA &
OWC. Author of: A Compendium of Canadian Fly Patterns (co-author),
Stillwater Fly Fishing: Tools & Tactics, How to Choose & Use Fly-tying
Thread, Modern Atlantic Salmon Flies, Miramichi River Journal, Ausable
River Journal, and Atlantic Salmon.
