Zander on the fly

[NSW77]

Has anyone fished for zander on the fly? I’ve never caught one but I’m going to an aw ressie this week to attempt it, problem is I haven’t got much of a clue. If anyone can help me out with pointers I’d appreciate it. Cheers.

[paintman]

Often worth asking the staff what's working.
I've fly fished two AW waters for pike but not for zander & only one of the two holds them.

There's a few youtube AW clips for Grafham so might be worth a look. Couple of random starters:

[NSW77]

I watched these last night thanks. I do believe there’s zander in both of the larger reservoirs though, think they’re more numerous and smaller in the bigger water. Cheers.

[paintman]

Rutland & Grafham then.

FWIW when I was after the pike at Rutland on a fly I usually headed up towards the top of the arms.

I think the issue there for zander in the main bowl with a fly is going to be the depth & getting the fly to stay down even with a Hi-D/Di although the videos do discuss that.

Years back there were some that specialised for big browns by drifting the arms with lead core flylines paid out behind the boat & a rudder so they were pretty much on the bottom.
Friend used to do it occasionally & I borrowed one of his lines & had a day out with him. Caught some perch & that was it!
Not tried it since.

Advice I had from someone who fishes it regularly for zander with jigs is to drop to the bottom, lift it just off the bottom then leave it alone - to the extent of keeping the rod tip still even if the boat is rocking with the waves.

Might be worth a read, albeit it's jigging: https://rutlandwaterflyfishing.co.uk/za ... and-water/

[NSW77]

Well I went today and was unsuccessful! Flat calm and sunny didn’t make it easy. Sounder stated 7 miles travelled today and not a single shoal of fish found. Think I was fishing in water too deep 20-30ft for the first 6-7 hours. I did actually try that technique with lifting the rod just off bottom. Towards the end of the day I drifted (if you can call it that)into the shallows and to my amazement found the zander and some huge perch in the amazingly clear water. They were only in 9-10 ft of water and didn’t seem put of by a boat over the top of them, a zander even followed my fly to within an inch but sadly didn’t bite. Anyway I will read that link and try again another day. Cheers.

[paintman]

Not ideal conditions.
Better luck next time.