Moy Sea-Trout on the Fly

Some forty to fifty years ago, local anglers enjoyed considerable success catching sea-trout along the Moy Estuary using a variety of artificial flies, including tandem lures as well as more traditional patterns. But over the years, this technique was largely overtaken by the use of sand-eels and mackerel strip, fished very sportingly on exceptionally light tackle. As this technique resulted in excellent catches for the angler, the use of the fly seemed to have come obsolete . . . until Peter O'Reilly came along some four seasons ago and as a result of his successes, convinced me that I should look again at fly fishing as a preferred Moy Estuary technique.

I examined the contents of his fly boxes, enjoyed lengthy chats with Alan Pearson and Roy Williams, and then acquired all the necessary fly tackle, including fly rods, reels, lines and, of course, flies. In the latter context, since the sea-trout seem to prefer a live food diet, it seemed likely that fry-imitating or sandeel-imitating patterns might well offer advantages. Here, the choice might appear almost limitless when one takes into account all the lure patterns used world-wide for rainbow trout, as well as the favoured sea trout patterns.

When I set off to experiment on the first day of last season, I was both amazed and delighted to find that I had landed nine plump sea-trout by the end of the session, and so, I thought, I was on my way.

For the rest of the season I continued to experiment with various fly patterns, with different colours and densities of line, and many of my clients joined in the fun. Resulting from this, my post-bag has grown to a large size; not just letters arriving, but also books, fly-tying materials, new (to me) flies and lures, and tackle catalogues, all of which help to illuminate this absorbing branch of the sport.

By season's end I had discovered seven or eight very successful patterns and had reached reasonably firm conclusions about fly line types too.

I well know that this is just a beginning, because I experienced days of total failure as well as days of success, so I know I am just scratching the surface of the possibilities. Still, in a relatively short space of time, much has been learned. Much remains to be investigated, and I look forward to renewing my research next season.

For example, we normally fish the estuary in daylight hours. I am well aware that in many fisheries it is thought to be a waste of time casting out a fly much before 11 p.m., and not even then if the moon is too bright. The Moy Estuary fishes well even on bright cloudless days, but who knows what the night might have to offer the brave souls who dare to venture forth . . .

We have learned our daylight lessons when using baits. We know which of the tides is most likely to produce results. We know the bends, bays varying areas of current flow where feeding fish are most likely to linger. We know which wind direction is going to legislate against good catches, and we also know where it will blow from to our advantage. Will matters change in half-light, or after dark? There may be cynics and unbelievers who do not wish to accept that estuary fly fishing can be as productive as it is enjoyable, but to those of you who have open minds, I offer you to join with me in increasing knowledge of this most sporting way to catch a very sporting fish.

(In conversation with Alan Pearson).