Does the fly matter? the CRACKPOT study in evidence based trout fishing. The Collaborative Randomised and Controlled Kennet Piscatorial Options Trail (CRACKPOT) Investigators.

Abstract

To investigate the importance of the type of dry fly (artificial floating fly) in catching trout (brown and rainbow) in an English chalkstream. River Kennet, Berkshire. Five anglers on five separate occasions spent five hours using a randomly allocated fly from a sample of five types. Five anglers of considerable but varying experience, determination, and opinion. Number, weight, and species of trout caught. One fly (Black Gnat) performed significantly worse than the others. The fly most successful in catching brown trout was the Cinnamon Sedge. The possible prolongation of doctors' leisure time consequent on the use of unproductive trout flies has resource implications for the NHS. Urgent funding of a definitive, large multiriver trial is needed.