$3.00

Dave Whitlock’s Mouserat was developed for largemouth bass. Amongst categories of bass flies this is known as a slider. As well as working for largemouth, Whitlock’s mouse pattern is effective for pike, chub, and several species of trout and char. The Mouserat is sometimes used in Alaska and Kamchatca for their resident trout and char, though the Moorish mouse, Mr. Hanky, and Mercer’s Lemming are preferred by many anglers.

How to fish:

If you want the mouse to ride high all day don’t forget to treat it with a little floatant before you start fishing.

On flowing water the Mouserat should be cast upstream, upstream and across, or directly across with a downstream mend. One or two anglers will cast down and across at 45° though the behaviour this imparts to the mouse is less natural. The concept being that a small rodent will more frequently swim across or downstream than up. The mouse should be retrieved via a quick strip or pull and pause or, in the latter case, sometimes a slow drift. On ponds, lakes and reservoirs it’s a case of casting, usually to cover and structure, followed by a well judged retrieve. You should try different lengths and speed of pull, and durations of pause. Do this until you find what the fish respond to. You may also require a long pause after the initial presentation. Sometimes a retrieve without pauses, a hand over hand, roly-poly retrieve, is required.

In running water setting the hook will likely prove tricky. Setting the hook should be a ‘considered’ affair. Don’t hit the fish instantly. Pause, if only for a moment, then lift into the fish. It’s a little like hitting a strike to a downstream presentation – something to be felt and learned. Hitting the strike quick usually pulls the fly straight out the fish’s mouth.

With weed Guard or without

Product Code: MOUUTFQ949