Does the fly matter? the CRACKPOT study in evidence based trout fishing. The Collaborative Randomised and Controlled Kennet Piscatorial Options Trail (CRACKPOT) Investigators.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the importance of the type of dry fly (artificial floating fly) in catching trout (brown and rainbow) in an English chalkstream.


METHODS
River Kennet, Berkshire.


METHODS
Five anglers on five separate occasions spent five hours using a randomly allocated fly from a sample of five types.


METHODS
Five anglers of considerable but varying experience, determination, and opinion.


METHODS
Number, weight, and species of trout caught.


RESULTS
One fly (Black Gnat) performed significantly worse than the others. The fly most successful in catching brown trout was the Cinnamon Sedge.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Britton
B J
BJ
John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU.
Evans
J G
JG
Potter
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D004175:Diptera; D006801:Humans; D011998:Recreation; D014337:Trout; D014925:Wit and Humor as Topic