Stu's Summer Rundown
Fly Fishing Through the Madness: Reflections on a Challenging Summer
The last few months have been a real mix — unseasonably warm temperatures, sudden thunderstorms, and all-around unpredictable weather. While it’s been nice not to be soaked to the bone every time I step outside, the fishing itself? Let’s just say it hasn’t been easy.
River levels have stayed low for much of the summer, which has turned the trout into extremely fussy feeders. The usual patterns haven’t been cutting it. Sporadic hatches have only made things trickier — one moment they’re rising, the next they vanish. Matching the hatch has been more like decoding a cryptic crossword.
Streamers? Pretty much out of the question. With water this skinny and clear, the trout spook if you so much as blink too loud. I’ve had to lean heavily on technical dry fly and nymph approaches — and even then, success has been limited to the most precise presentations.
In an attempt to mix things up, I’ve spent the last month chasing carp. But even that’s been a test of patience. Warm, stagnant stillwater temps seem to have put them off the feed, or at least made them extremely cautious.
⸻
Barbel on the Nymph: A New Challenge
One recent highlight, though, has been trying my hand at tight line nymphing for barbel on a beautiful North West river. It was one of those scorching summer days — the kind where you question your life choices standing in waders under the blazing sun — but what an experience.
After some trial and error, I managed to land two stunning barbel, with the largest tipping the scales at 8lb. I also lost three others during the fight, which only added to the adrenaline and the obsession. Barbel on a nymph rig hit like a freight train and fight like they’ve got somewhere urgent to be — it’s intense, addictive stuff.
It was a refreshing change of pace from the delicate dance of summer trout fishing, and I’ll absolutely be back out chasing them again soon. There’s something special about connecting with these powerful fish on fly gear — a whole new dimension to river fishing.
⸻
Looking Ahead
All that said, it hasn’t been a bad year overall. The good weather has been welcome — it’s just that good weather doesn’t always mean good fishing. It’s been one of those seasons where time on the water has been more about learning and adapting than catching.
Still, there’s a sense of quiet optimism now. Autumn’s on the horizon, and with it comes cooler water, more consistent hatches, and — fingers crossed — fish that are a little less temperamental.
Here’s hoping the next chapter of the season brings better conditions and more time on the water.
Tight lines until then.
