Try fly fishing for mackerel it’s a blast.

Skot McCall

Late summer is a fantastic time here in Norway often the light summer breeze blows across the open rocky coast. This is the best sign that the mackerel season is underway. My father and I had an idea to test our salt water fishing skills and the chance to catch a mackerel could not be missed.

Mackerel is not just a beautiful fish but is one of the healthiest sources of omega oil in the seas. Mackerel are a schooling fish when the first one arrives on the coast thousands if not millions follow. The problem when fishing with lure or bait it is no real challenge in landing one.  I had the desire to try something new so armed with my fly road my father and I took up the challenge!

                                                                                                                                

 

 

 

 

 

Where to find the best fish?

The best place to find your prey is at the back of out going or ingoing currents or in between small islands or around headlands. The west coast of Norway is filled with such spots. We found ourselves on the outer islands west from my base of Bergen. After some discussion my father decided to follow my advice and try his hand at salt-water fly fishing. This started a father son challenge that was the mother of all battles.

My pleasure was indescribable when the first cast produced a hard fighting fish but to my utter disappointment it was a Pollack. The time it took me to release the fish cost me a victory. He had proved he was still the old master. (As the photo shows). This led to the pattern of the day. We waited for the schools to swim by and simply cast into the pack, and 25% of the time we hooked up.

 

                                                                                           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment needs.

Choosing a rod is an inexpensive adventure. Simply put, any trout rod will do. I used my 5-6 AMF  vangen trout rod. This is the exact same rod I take to the mountain which fishing for trout.

Knowing what fly to use is always a challenge so I sought advice from one of my local fishing tackle shops, (as you should always do when in need of information) Their suggestion was to try two forms of fly. Imitation or irritation,

Imitation forms of flies are generally silver based and look more like Christmas tree decorations. Simply put think like a hunting mackerel and you will find that size 14 hooks work best. As for coloration blue bodies with a thin silver flash and a white underside is the perfect combination. Or the other great choice in this group is epoxy body flies. I have always found these to be successful when fishing the salt water. They have a habit of fooling any sea creature into biting them.

Irritation is with out doubt the most popular form of salt-water fly among the Netfish.no crew. It is fished behind the school or cast in the middle of a feeding pack. How it works is that the bright colours of the fly stand out among the constant silver and blue flashers of herring. The tip is to forget all the rules and try the loudest and ugliest fly you can lay your hands on. I have found the red is the best colour to begin with.

With out doubt this is a great way to spend your afternoon. After all is there a better way to pass a sunny day that sitting on the rocks watching the beauty that the North Sea has to offer?

There is one important point to remember and that is to always wash you equipment after a day on the coast. We all know that salt water is a killer.

Skot suggests this Ocean Deceiver would be a very good fly for mackerel.