distances, then no indicator, long-line
nymphing and swinging flies, and to
dry/dropper and finally just dry. On a
few occasions, I had a client take a fish on
every technique and the day was a huge
success. What this approach achieved
was equipping the angler with as many
options as possible, since different days
may require different tactics and tech-
niques, even on the same stretch of water.It became more about learning to catch
fish than actually catching fish on the
day. My advice to any person new to the
sport is to spend time on the water with
a guide or experienced angler and learn
first-hand.STILLWATER CANDY:
CDC DRAGON
Owen Bruce has visited Highland
Lodge with us on a number of occasions,
and his CDC Dragon has accounted for
some special fish. On our last visit, he
took an 11^1 / 2 lb trophy with one of his
red-eye versions. Owen combines CDC
and squirrel fur in a dubbing loop to
complete the main body of the dragon.
Sili Legs, large eyes (standard black plas-
tic bead chain or the red glass beads) and
a raffia wing case complete the pattern.
CDC has air-trapping qualities and a lot
of movement, which gives you a neutral-
buoyancy fly that is very translucent.72 | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2019 | TCFF
Left: Jean Malan with a hog of 12^1 / 2 lb.“IT IS EASY TO GAUGE DEPTH BY SIMPLY TYING KNOTS
INTO YOUR ANCHOR ROPE EVERY METRE.”