The Buzzer
Fishing the buzzer is angling in perhaps its simplest form, but it is also a devastatingly effective way to take trout. Powdermill is one of the best buzzer waters you are likely to fish and this approach can be used right through the season. Powdermill has a muddy bottom which is ideal for bloodworms, midge pupae and then the adult midge.

It is the midge in its pupal form that we as anglers seek to imitate. A good quality floating line is vital. The heart of this system is the leader. It should be as long as you can comfortably manage and appropriate to the depth of water you intend to fish. Ideally you should seek out water not much more than 12 or 15 feet deep. Use fluorocarbon leader material as it is almost invisible in water, knots well and sinks like a stone.

There are many buzzer variations to try, but a good choice would be to use a size 12 black on the point, a size 12 claret on the middle and a size 14 short dressed spider pattern on the top dropper. The most important feature of an imitation midge pupa is the profile. While we can never hope to match the size of the natural pupa, we can at least try to imitate the slim, slightly tapering profile. Straightforward buzzer patterns need only have a body of tying thread a fine silver rib and a small head built up from tying thread. Kamasan hooks type B110s or B100s are ideal. For spider top droppers, use B160s in sizes 12, 14, and 16.

If you watch a good buzzer angler in action you will see that the speed of retrieve is critical to this method. Midge pupae are not free-swimming. They will rise towards the surface slowly as the result of increasing buoyancy or they may descend to the depths. Their movement in the water is subject to wind direction and strength. Consequently we should be trying as closely as possible to imitate these random movements. Casting across the ripple and letting the wind do the rest is a deadly method. Do not be too quick to re-cast as fish will often track the flies all the way round. When your cast is almost fished out, try a few short sharp pulls to induce a take. Remember, your retrieve, if any should be on the slow side of very slow.

When fishing from a boat, anchor bow into the wind and cast from the stern. This allows you to cover all the angles. Put out a shortish line - 15 yards is plenty - and as soon as the flies touch down, give the line a long slow pull to straighten the leader. Watch like a hawk for takes on the drop. They are sometimes difficult to spot and are often only the slightest twitch of the fly line tip.

Another effective method of non-retrieve is the aptly named static retrieve. This involves putting out your line, straightening the leader and just leaving it. If no takes are forthcoming give the fly line a long slow pull to raise the flies in the water and let them sink again. This approach is not only restful but on its day is lethal. Don’t be in any rush, after all you have all day.

BRIAN McCARTER 24/04/07

DIAWL BACH
The DIAWL BACH nymph has featured often in the Powdermill catch book during the 2006 season, even on days when all else failed.

There are quite a few subtle variations of this fly but the various illustrations shown here are typical of the popular patterns. This fly is typical of the small under-dressed midge-type flies that do so well at Powdermill.

There are a number of claims as to who invented this fly but I believe that it was Wyndham Davies (Welsh International) who first developed this fly. For hose who don't know, Diawl Bach is Welsh for Little Devil.

The various methods and tactics which can be adopted using this fly are expounded in great detail on the excellent website: www.flyfishing-flies.com

For those that wish to tie their own original version of the Diawl Bach:


The Typical Dressing
Hook: size 10 but 8 to 14 can be used.
Tail: 15-20 Hackle fibres.
Body: 3 or 4 Peacock Herls.
Rib: Clear Mono, about 5lb.
Hackle: Bunch of fibres, preferably pale ginger.


Our beloved Bailiff (Vic Partridge) will maintain that any very small dark-coloured fly, fished in the correct manner, will tempt feeding trout. The most consistent and therefore most successful method at Powdermill is to use a floating line with a reasonably long leader armed with a small dark fly, such as a Diawl Bach tied to a size 12 or 14 hook, which is retrieved at an extremely slow pace. He maintains that true satisfaction is achieved by tempting a feeding trout into believing that this is what it is actually feeding on rather than just infuriating it with gaudy lures fished on sinking lines.

THE MAYFLY
Despite Powdermill’s reputation as an outstanding Mayfly water with bumper mayfly hatches, 2006 did not produce a mega hatch with trout constantly rising to take the emerging flies. However, as usual, some of the best fish were taken on this fly, including the largest rainbow caught in 2006 which is also the record for the water at 17lb 8oz.

Floating lines are the preferred method at Powdermill (Vic, the Bailiff only owns floating lines which should tell you something).

During the mayfly hatch it is almost heresy to mention the use of anything other than a floating line and a mayfly imitation.