Red Eye Flights

I spent two days stalking a fish called a Red Eye on the Yangtze River, Chongqing, Sichuan Province, China.  A member of the carp family, it has a long, slim, silvery body, dark back and vivid red eyes.  It is similar in appearance to a Dace or a Chub.

Valued as food in China, this shy species rarely takes a spinner or bait. These fish seldom venture very far from the margins, inhabiting

shallow bays and reed beds.  During my trip, the weather was mild, but Red Eye actually thrive in hot conditions.  Summer is the peak season. Active fish up to four pounds can be caught using dry flies.

These omnivores feed on insects and even leaves which they pluck off branches.

I caught Red Eye using a foam beetle, a very long leader and a light 3-weight rod.  Takes were sudden, demanding a rapid strike.  If hooked, your prize might dive into the grass and get stuck; therefore, play Red Eye strongly. Aim to drop your fly into tight spaces within the beds of grass. 

Get the fly to land first before the fly line by stopping the rod higher than usual and not shooting line.   Leave the fly for a few seconds, then retrieve in short twitches. 

Keep on the move. Wade carefully in the shallows close to the bank. Fish ‘blind’ by just making casts into likely spots. Wear polarised sunglasses.

Like some of our UK course fish, the Red Eye is underrated but offers great sport.