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PAPERS: B J Britton, J Grimley Evans, and J M Potter Does the fly matter? The CRACKPOT study in evidence based trout fishing BMJ 1998; 317: 1678-1680 [Abstract] [Full text]

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CRACKPOT Study

P M Willis   (22 December 1998)

CRACKPOT: Data Variations in New England Trout Fisheries

Samuel W Adams   (23 December 1998)

Overly selective feeding

Scott Wilson   (21 January 1999)

THE LOIRE.

Seth O'neill   (25 February 1999)

The fly does matter also in arctic grayling fishing

Markku Hynynen   (1 November 1999)

alternative analysis of Black Gnat

Greg Herring   (22 November 2001)

CRACKPOT Study 22 December 1998
P M Willis Send response to journal: Re: CRACKPOT Study	I was very interested to note the conclusions of the above study published in the BMJ, Volume 317, 19-26 December 1998. Clearly the authors had given meticulous consideration to the analysis of their results but I was a little surprised to see that in an otherwise flawless exposition they appeared to have ignored the experience of another noted Oxford fly fisher, namely J.R.Hartley, as described in his authoritative treatise 'Fly Fishing' published by Stanley Paul & Co. Ltd in 1991. If this is indeed the case may I refer the authors to page 27 where Hartley makes special mention of a number of potent lures including Greenwell's Glory, Lunn's Particular, Blue Winged Olive, Orange Quill and the sedge-fly Caperer. Perhaps the authors could consider including these flies in any extension of the current project. Dr. P.M.Willis Wallingford Oxfordshire
CRACKPOT: Data Variations in New England Trout Fisheries 23 December 1998
Samuel W Adams, Senior Associate Attorney Lane & Mittendorf, LLP Send response to journal: Re: CRACKPOT: Data Variations in New England Trout Fisheries	The members of the Society for Piscatory Ludics and Animated Snarled- line Hilarium ("SPLASH")have reviewed your data with interest. In the interest of science we have reviewed the fishing logs of our dozen members in order to distill the performance characteristics, over the past three years, of the CRACKPOT protocol flies on certain waters of New England. These waters include the Battenkill (in both Vermont and New York States), the Mettowee in Vermont, and the Housatonic in Connecticut. Fishing Log data are subject to errors on the order of + or - 10% owing to scotch stains on the logs or known mendacity of the reporting fisherman. The logs point to a clear advantage on New England waters when the Parachute Adams is used, followed closely by the Gold-Ribbed Hare's Ear. Some standards of deviation away are the other flies of the CRACKPOT protocol, including the silver (aka cinnamon) sedge, which was repeatedly refused by local trout until they were informed that the American term for "sedge" is "midge" after which takes improved somewhat. SPLASH data show that the Black Gnat fairs no better on New England waters, with one angler reporting Brown Trout spitting out the fly derisively. Certain North American flies outperformed the CRACKPOT protocol. Attractors such as the Royal Wulff scored high in the log analysis, but values must be discounted to reflect the fact that some members use only this fly. The CRACKPOT protocol did not include any Caddis, a major North American pattern. Its success rate is also affected by (a) the frequency of caddis hatches on New England streams, (b) the frequent use of caddis patterns, the actual hatch be damned, and (c) the "Curmudgeon Correlative", which demonstrates the high incidence of American anglers over 60 to fish one of a variety of patterns in a single lie until (a) a trout is landed or (b) Hell freezes over. SPLASH is seeking federal funding for its own study of dry fly performance when compared to other types of trout lures and bait. It has been conjectured that the Parachute Adams may outperform corn kernels on a treble hook, but a scientific inquiry is warranted. Our query: did governmental stipends support your liquor cabinet or were lengthy and convoluted explanations of home budget deviations required to be made to the wives of CRACKPOT scientists?
Overly selective feeding 21 January 1999
Scott Wilson, Biology instructor Bel Air Health Magnet High School Send response to journal: Re: Overly selective feeding	It is obvious from your conclusion that the study team, like the Brown Trout mentioned in the study, are being too selective in their search for energy (read "funding" in the researchers' case). Surely something as vital as increasing time available for work merits funding from a much wider range of sources. I would strongly urge the researchers to solicit support from all sources who would benefit from further research. The size difference of the preferred fly used in the study also raises questions about the validity of the conclusion--this "accident" will obviously necessitate a corrected trial to be run. If you need assistance from eager students interested in medical careers, feel more than welcome to contact me. Not only could you get competent help, but you could provide a chance for these eager students AND a sponsor to study abroad, and we could get a look (albeit abridged) at the leisure time of a few of those in the medical field. By providing this experience and training, the likelihood of further funding will certainly increase.
THE LOIRE. 25 February 1999
Seth O'neill, student fly fisher rutland resevoire Send response to journal: Re: THE LOIRE.	I must congratulate the author's on this amazing finding following such sensational research. I have also taken time out to do research.I spent 5 years of my life living in the Loire region of middle france,doing a double blind random control trial into the most favoured wet fly of fish in the river. The results after a chi square test showed the most commomly caught fish to also be a brown trout. HOWEVER, QUITE SENSATIONALLY WE DISCOVERED THE BEST FLY TO BE A MONTANA NYMPH. SO HA! There is, however, one problem with your work. My attention was drawn to it due to a previous respondent.It regards the graet J.R.HARTLY, my DAD. WHY WAS HE NOT INVOLVED? HE IS, AFTER ALL, THE GREATEST FISHERMAN EVER.
The fly does matter also in arctic grayling fishing 1 November 1999
Markku Hynynen Send response to journal: Re: The fly does matter also in arctic grayling fishing	EDITOR - The authors of the CRACKPOT study1 and those of the subsequent letters2,3 have shown that choosing the fly for trout fishing is based on evidence. However, the conclusions stand only for trout, and perhaps for rainbow trout. Also, we do not know, whether the results are reproducible in different circumstances, for instance in arctic waters. We have performed a randomized study to evaluate the importance of the type of fly in catching arctic grayling (Thymallus thymallus). The trial was carried out in July, 1999, on the River Teno ("Deatnu" in Lappish language) 400 km north from the Arctic Circle (70 degrees northern latitude).4 We tested five flies, i.e. Klinkhämer, March Brown Silver, Red Tag, Winnie the Pooh and Zulu, in their ability to catch and attract grayling. Eight anglers tested each fly for 30 minutes in a randomized order. One fly, Klinkhämer, performed better than the two poorest (March Brown and Zulu). With Klinkhämer, more fish was caught as estimated both in number of grayling (7 vs. 1 and 1, respectively; p=0.0584) and in units of weight (2700 g vs. 450 and 350 g, respectively; p<0.0001). Klinkhämer was also better in attracting grayling (caught fish plus those escaped or only bit) (14 vs. 1 and 2; p=0.0073 and p=0.0077, respectively). The two dry flies (Klinkhämer and Winnie the Pooh) attracted grayling more (19 vs. 9, p=not significant) than the three wet flies. Our trial adds evidence for the role of the fly in fishing various species. The results show that the fly does matter also in wild arctic grayling fishing. The best fly in this study, Klinkhämer, both caught and attracted more fish than the two poorest flies. If the fish caught by Klinkhämer (2700 g) had been divided between the anglers, a share of 338 g for each would have been given. It equals a grayling of a reasonable size and enough for a snack. With the poorest performing flies, the catch was too small to share. Our results suggest that, when you head for grayling fishing to the arctic rivers of Lappland in July (the season of "nightless night") and when you plan to spend only half an hour per pool, you should prefer dry flies, at least Klinkhämer. Markku Hynynen, Associate professor in anaesthesiology, Jorvi Hospital, FIN-02740 Espoo, Finland Ilmo Kellokumpu, Associate professor in surgery, Central Hospital of Central Finland, FIN- 40620 Jyväskylä, Finland Juhani Ahonen, Professor in surgery, Surgical Hospital, FIN-00130 Helsinki, Finland On behalf of the KUKSAT* (KUCRAT; Kuusinki Club Randomized Trials) Investigators *"Kuksat" is Finnish and pluralis for a word indicating a Lappish wooden mug. "Kuksa" is a handy multipurpose vessel in the wilds for drinking water, tea, coffee and even for snaps. References 1. Britton BJ, Grimley Evans J, Potter JM. Does the fly matter? The CRACKPOT study in evidence based trout fishing. BMJ 1998; 317: 1678-80. (19-26 December.) 2. Alment A. Study broke hallowed tradition among fly fishers (letter). BMJ 1999; 318: 1356. (15 May.) 3. Adams SW. Trout in trout fisheries in New England have different interests (letter). BMJ 1999; 318: 1356. (15 May.) 4. Hynynen M, Kellokumpu I, Ahonen J. What does the fish taste? (in Finnish). Duodecim 1999; 115 (in press).
alternative analysis of Black Gnat 22 November 2001
Greg Herring, accountant Unioville, Ontario, Canada, L3R 2S7 Send response to journal: Re: alternative analysis of Black Gnat	Dicussion; Whereas the sedge caught the most fish, the largest fish on average fell to the black gnat, and additionally, the gnat caught fish more consitently over time. This pattern was also above the mean in regards to predicted success, which predictions must be based on experience. Conclusion; To consistently catch fish, and catch larger fish, and have an opportunity to fish with confidence, use a black gnat.