Olive Larvae: Curse, plague or blessing?

Those tiny (1cm long) pale washed out olive larvae are back again in profusion at Pitsford this summer. Last year (2009) they were widespread throughout the summer at Pitsford in the Main Basin area. They managed to cause a lot of frustration to some anglers as the trout went feeding hard on them, often exclusively so, and sometimes became very difficult to catch!

So you need a selection of tactics to deal with this feeding pattern for the summer period or else you may look forward to some potentially blank sessions.

Usually there is no need to spoon the trout once caught as they are literally stuffed to the gills with these small larvae, which is reminiscent of daphnia feeding trout.

If the trout are at depth one tactic I have had some success with is the washing line technique on an Intermediate line. A couple of small, no bigger than a size 12, green nymphs or green based Diawl Bachs on the droppers with an orange based booby on the point seems to do the trick.

A fairly brisk figure of eight retrieve seems to be in order for this to work. This tactic resulted in this 3lb 8oz good conditioned trout and a 1lb perch in a limit bag recently for me so this definitely does work.

Alternatively if the trout are high in the water a small size 14 emerging green nymph on a short dropper sandwiched between two dry flies usually does the trick.

Pitsford is gin clear once again this summer despite the regular pumping of fresh water in from Duston Mill on the River Nene. If the sun comes out it is possible to see the bottom in 15 - 20 foot of water. So rest assured the trout can see your flies. If you get no pulls to the orange booby try more subtle colours like an olive booby. If that does not work get on the floating line pronto.

The same tactics apply at Rutland also as I have already spooned fish there this summer that have been feeding on these tiny larvae.

Tight lines on your next trip to the oggin!