Trout Fry 'Bashing!'

TROUT FRY 'BASHING!' - Late Summer / Autumn, you'll find the edges of still waters are teeming with fry, when trout become aggressive its an ideal opportunity for the Fly Fishing Angler to join in on the action tempting those predatory trout!

Fishing Fry Fly Patterns - Spotting scattering fry causing carnage on the water surface has to be one of the most exciting times to go fly fishing. Forget small nymphs & dries when trout are bashing the fry! Check what they are targeting, the margins will often give a good idea of what fry are present. Usually it is Perch, Roach, and Rudd – All can grow relatively large, so fishing fry patterns that are big in size shouldn’t be a worry. So stock up with imitations for the onslaught!

Fry Fly Tactics - Two ways to target fry feeders, off the surface with floating fry, or beneath with sinking patterns.

If there is a lot of surface activity, trout smashing into fry that jump clear, use a floating fry. Drift on the surface in the commotion, occasionally pull it a small distance, making a V to make it look like it is accelerating attempting to escape and hold on!

If theres little surface action, use a sinking pattern, fish at various speeds with an occasional sharp pull as if the fry is trying to escape from hungry trout, these movements sometimes induce a following trout to attack. Zonker flies can be very effective in this instance.

Find fish fry around the water edge & structures – If it is not obvious where they are, identify safe areas where the fry will hide from predators, target jetties, buoy ropes, weed beds, etc. Alternatively margins are a great place to start, also check where birds are attacking the surface, a great indicator, they’ll give away any fry shoals!

Fish Fry Terminal Tackle - Use a strong leader material! Trout are aggressive and explosive when fry bashing, they are normally the heavier / stronger resident fish. Aggressive takes will really test your tackle, a minimum of 8lb would be recommended.

Tying Fishing Fry Fly Patterns – Use fly tying materials with good foam to make sure your surface flies float high in the water, use good mylar tubing to imitate fry bodies etc. for the sinkers. Bucktail and Marabou (esp Grizzly) for tails, put some flash in as well. Experiment & enjoy!