Fisherman Mike Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 (edited) Start of one the stocked reservoirs and learn to cast with a weight forward floating 6 or 7, you can always use a leaded nymph or buzzer to sink the leader if you want to fly fish sub surface. Its much more difficult to get a sinking line to float though. If you can learn somewhere where you have a good chance of catching a trout the Euphoria is a natural teacher, If you can cast a waggler or stick float properly you will soon pick up the casting technique. I have done very very well at Blagdon this season in fact but havent had any luck at Chew or Bushey Leaze (Lechlade) Witcombe Waters in Gloucester is a very nice fishery with abundant fly life and is well stocked. Once you have caught a few trout including off the surface and have become proficient then indeed target other species such as pike, perch, summer chub and dace, I have had some incredible sport this year on the Upper Thames with a big Bumble Bee fly for surface Chub and a size 20 Black Gnat for dace, which are lightening fast. Sadly I have to say that a nationally Well known Pike Angler friend of Mine (who I cannot name) was bemoaning only recently the numbers of Pike he has caught in recent years from a mixed fishery with in his words "kin great hooks in them tied up with ladies hat feathers and xmas tree decorations" I dont think (in my opinion) Pike fishing with a fly is ideal but each to its own. If when you have caught the bug, which you undoubtedly will, I will send you a bottle of Moet Et Chandon champagne if you ever manage to catch a barbel on a fly. Good luck you will definately enjoy it. The only other tip I would give you is buy the best rod you can afford, Sadly numerous anglers have been discouraged because they havent had success with inferior tackle and have lost interest because of it. Edited January 4, 2011 by Fisherman Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hushpower Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 No succes with inferior tackle ye right,have been on clay shoots etc ,Mr fancy Pants has got all the topo range kit Musto , O/U Browning etc,missed every clay ,my mate straight off the farm coverd in cow **** 24 outer 25, fancy pants 2 outer 25. why waste huge amounts on a sport if you dont know you are goin to like it? Have been on trout waters my self and ave bagged up with cheap tackle, when Fashion tackle followers ,have blanked. Learn the techniques first be fore you go into the Arms Race with the Joneses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 No succes with inferior tackle ye right,have been on clay shoots etc ,Mr fancy Pants has got all the topo range kit Musto , O/U Browning etc,missed every clay ,my mate straight off the farm coverd in cow **** 24 outer 25, fancy pants 2 outer 25. why waste huge amounts on a sport if you dont know you are goin to like it? Have been on trout waters my self and ave bagged up with cheap tackle, when Fashion tackle followers ,have blanked. Learn the techniques first be fore you go into the Arms Race with the Joneses. I agree to some extent that bad workman blame the tools, but its best to learn the casting technique with a reasonably decent tip action rod than a £20.00 telegraph pole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 I would sort of agree with the comments about the tackle, that is why I think it is important to decide what you are going to fish for - and therefore what weight of rod/line/reel to go for. try before you buy. I have owned and sold a £400 rod and ended up with mid range kit from the likes of Greys which I am much happier with. You don't have to spend a packet, but don't by rubbish either, it's just a waste of money and as Mike says you won't enjoy the experience if you are frustrated by the tackle you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Posted January 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 Its funny but i have always been into my fishing since i was a kid and even managed to get my son interested in the sport. But I have always gone between coarse and sea fishing and believe me i have more then plenty of equipment, im even on the committee of our local fishing club.. But fly fishing really never interested me at all, no idea why not to be honest but for some unknown reason i just seem to like the thought of the idea and to be honest looking forward to giving it ago at some point. All the comments and offers on this topic as really been appreciated, thank you Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 I don't fish any where near as much as I would like to, in fact last year I fished abroad more than I fished at home One thing I will say that isn't immedialty obvious is although you can choose to fish the local put-and-take water, and many do - fly fishing can take you to places that are so scenic you won't even care if you catch anything. You can even fall in some nice water as well, I took this about half an hour before getting a right dunking in that waterfall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillaroo Posted January 5, 2011 Report Share Posted January 5, 2011 No succes with inferior tackle ye right,have been on clay shoots etc ,Mr fancy Pants has got all the topo range kit Musto , O/U Browning etc,missed every clay ,my mate straight off the farm coverd in cow **** 24 outer 25, fancy pants 2 outer 25. why waste huge amounts on a sport if you dont know you are goin to like it? Have been on trout waters my self and ave bagged up with cheap tackle, when Fashion tackle followers ,have blanked. Learn the techniques first be fore you go into the Arms Race with the Joneses. There are those that have just gone out and bought the top of the range gear (because they can) and can't even tie a fly on so in this scenario it's not the kit that makes the difference but I can tell you categorically that some expensive gear will outfish the cheap rubbish that floods the market every year (especially lines and leader), much of which is there to catch the angler NOT the fish. Some of the flies I use would never be commercially sold because your average angler would not believe you can catch on them or that the fish could even see them. I've fished with some of the best and I've never seen any of them use an £8 rod - free maybe from sponsors but not £8!! There's a reason for that and in the same way I doubt many clay shooting golds are won with a good old "Russian Purdey", not that there's anything wrong with them and I'm sure some people get on fine with them. Wonder how many Baikal owners would swap for a top of the range Beretta and how many would say "no chance, I shoot just perfectly with my Baikal"? It's not just about the performance you see. To answer the original post, your best bet before you spend money on any tackle is get hold of a decent instructor down your way such as Martin Cottis (http://www.troutguide.co.uk/) or John Horsey (http://www.johnhorsey.co.uk/). Once you can cast/fish to a reasonable level, go and have a few beers in the Blue Bowl or Seymour Arms in Blagdon and get some info from the locals - not just about Chew but also other venues locally. Also join BRFFA (Martin will tell you more) as you'll find them a great source of info and help. Tight lines and if you're ever near Bewl I'll gladly have a day on the water with you. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Posted January 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Thanks Mike appreciate the info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasper3 Posted January 10, 2011 Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 Most of my fishing is done from a kayak, so when i seen a friend fly-fishing from his kayak sitting down..i wanted to give that a bash, i had done plenty from the lakes and rivers but never sitting down, My friend got me casting from the kayak whilst sitting in a field felt a right plonker but worth every minute my 1st bass was awsome followed by a few pollock..what a great way to fish, of course that was on the sea and not on the grass jasp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamp Beast Posted January 10, 2011 Report Share Posted January 10, 2011 Start of one the stocked reservoirs and learn to cast with a weight forward floating 6 or 7, you can always use a leaded nymph or buzzer to sink the leader if you want to fly fish sub surface. Its much more difficult to get a sinking line to float though. If you can learn somewhere where you have a good chance of catching a trout the Euphoria is a natural teacher, If you can cast a waggler or stick float properly you will soon pick up the casting technique. I have done very very well at Blagdon this season in fact but havent had any luck at Chew or Bushey Leaze (Lechlade) Witcombe Waters in Gloucester is a very nice fishery with abundant fly life and is well stocked. Once you have caught a few trout including off the surface and have become proficient then indeed target other species such as pike, perch, summer chub and dace, I have had some incredible sport this year on the Upper Thames with a big Bumble Bee fly for surface Chub and a size 20 Black Gnat for dace, which are lightening fast. Sadly I have to say that a nationally Well known Pike Angler friend of Mine (who I cannot name) was bemoaning only recently the numbers of Pike he has caught in recent years from a mixed fishery with in his words "kin great hooks in them tied up with ladies hat feathers and xmas tree decorations" I dont think (in my opinion) Pike fishing with a fly is ideal but each to its own. If when you have caught the bug, which you undoubtedly will, I will send you a bottle of Moet Et Chandon champagne if you ever manage to catch a barbel on a fly. Good luck you will definately enjoy it. The only other tip I would give you is buy the best rod you can afford, Sadly numerous anglers have been discouraged because they havent had success with inferior tackle and have lost interest because of it. Id disagree with your last comment; you can get a starter kit (rod,reel,floating line and a few flies) for less than £40 that will give you a good starting point. Ive seen young lads catching double figure fish on basic inexpensive outfits. You can then progresss and upgrade your rod and line thereafter. Just my opinion but have a google and theres some good bargains to be had. As stated, look for a WF7 floating on a compatable rod to learn the basics. Some good vidoes online teaching the basic roll cast; once youve got to grips with that you`ll soon be hooked! Tight Lines! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hushpower Posted January 11, 2011 Report Share Posted January 11, 2011 I agree swamp beast or is that swampy a rod is only ameans to get the line a certain distance,many angling fairs etc have major tackle makers there, an its not worth them loading cheapish rods ,reels on to lorrys to be transported back round the country or to the depo,so normally sunday afternoons about 3ish they slash the prices Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Posted January 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 Well I met up with the Chairman today for my first experience of casting with a fly rod. A Great guy who took the time to show me all the equipment and fully explained to me what i would require to get started. I was then shown how to cast and even had a few casts myself which i found to be very enjoyable, although it got a bit tricky when i started to extend the line At the end of the session I was given my 1st fly rod, and next week i will be purchasing a reel and some line and I will continue to practise my casting over the field. Really appreciate the time you taken to show me the ropes today and the gift of a rod was very unexpected, a true gentlemen. Look forward to catching my first fish on the fly with you, and i feel this is a sport i will enjoy.. Thank You Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 14, 2011 Report Share Posted January 14, 2011 Great news Ian, and well done again to Chairman - top man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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