The Fly Fishing Thread
Discussion
One Amp Andy said:
Thanks for the advice, confirmed what I thought! I'm quite experienced with coarse fishing, but look upon fly fishing as a dark art I would probably be crap at.
No you wont be crap at it you already fish. Take a few lessons or find a mate that has a fly rod and either with him or on your own (after a watching loads of Youtube vids) find a field to practice on. It's a bit like golf you all of a sudden hit that perfect shot and your away.One Amp Andy said:
Great thread, and some lovely photos Nigel. I've not been fishing for years, and have never tried fly fishing. Would it be a good idea to get some 'training' before buying the kit? Or just hammer Youtube videos and hope for the best?
Cheers Andy, just wanted to try and capture the beauty of the nature, they are only my iPhone photos, I was traveling light yesterday, but next time will also have my Olympus OMD in my fishing bag too.I’ve never had any official training for fly fishing. But I am thinking of getting some.
For me the best investment has been a couple of getting started fly fishing books, here’s the one that had become my go to guide.
It’s taught me a lot about casting, and improving my casting techniques. But also understanding the way trout feed and at what time of day, which of course then dictates the type of fly they are likely to take.
I’ve never actually thought about YouTube, maybe I should take a look.
dickymint said:
I would not advise learning on a river unless you're with somebody else that can loan you a rod and line or use theirs (if you can afford training then fair enough though). Most people learn to fly fish on a pond or reservoir first. River fishing is a different animal that (usually) needs shorter rods and lighter lines and certainly a different approach and technique.
It’s true that I started out fly fishing on lakes, and only recently progressed to rivers. I was lucky that my dads equipment that I inherited when he passed away included a good selection of rods and reels.
Yesterday I took my lovely greys 9ft rod with me, mostly just because I really like it and can cast well with it, but I realised where I was heading is smaller river, so took a 7ft rod with me too, which turned out to be perfect.
I still love my greys rod with the Shimano reel,though, it just feels so right in the hand!
dickymint said:
No you wont be crap at it you already fish. Take a few lessons or find a mate that has a fly rod and either with him or on your own (after a watching loads of Youtube vids) find a field to practice on. It's a bit like golf you all of a sudden hit that perfect shot and your away.
I'll probably take a few lessons first then. I don't know anyone who has a fly rod, so I'll probably get some tackle after I've done them. There are some instructors not a million miles from me on the AAPGAI list ( thanks for that BB). It'll be good to learn a new skill, quite excited.One Amp Andy said:
I'll probably take a few lessons first then. I don't know anyone who has a fly rod, so I'll probably get some tackle after I've done them. There are some instructors not a million miles from me on the AAPGAI list ( thanks for that BB). It'll be good to learn a new skill, quite excited.
I don’t know where you are based Andy, but as I’m midlands based I was recommend to use Stephen.His web site is here, and he does one to one coaching on the Derbyshire Wye, which is not far for me so will make a nice day out!
https://midlands-flyfishing.co.uk/blog/
And of course when they are all open again, I foresee a nice day followed by a pie and a pint in a nice little local pub too.
nigelpugh7 said:
Cheers Andy, just wanted to try and capture the beauty of the nature, they are only my iPhone photos, I was traveling light yesterday, but next time will also have my Olympus OMD in my fishing bag too.
I’ve never had any official training for fly fishing. But I am thinking of getting some.
For me the best investment has been a couple of getting started fly fishing books, here’s the one that had become my go to guide.
It’s taught me a lot about casting, and improving my casting techniques. But also understanding the way trout feed and at what time of day, which of course then dictates the type of fly they are likely to take.
I’ve never actually thought about YouTube, maybe I should take a look.
You captured it perfectly in my opinion! In fact the photos have made me sort through my tackle in the garage loft. Making a few rigs up, and off to the fishery tomorrow morning for a bit.I’ve never had any official training for fly fishing. But I am thinking of getting some.
For me the best investment has been a couple of getting started fly fishing books, here’s the one that had become my go to guide.
It’s taught me a lot about casting, and improving my casting techniques. But also understanding the way trout feed and at what time of day, which of course then dictates the type of fly they are likely to take.
I’ve never actually thought about YouTube, maybe I should take a look.
Book ordered also!
One Amp Andy said:
Thanks for the advice, confirmed what I thought! I'm quite experienced with coarse fishing, but look upon fly fishing as a dark art I would probably be crap at.
You should be able to feel a rod loading and correctly time releasing it then, which gets you much of the way there. Shouldn't need more than one session with an instructor to get you started, you may then want to have more if there are specific things you need. Usually, people seek extra tuition because they just want to cast further, because they are fishing reservoirs, but if you get into fishing small streams it's all accuracy and no distance and also perhaps techniques like this to deal with lack of space.I know my distance casting is only really "ok", compared with some of the people you see on the reservoirs who can really put a line out, but it suffices, and these days I seldom really need it. If I needed the distance I'm sure I could polish up a fair bit with some tuition.
One Amp Andy said:
I'll probably take a few lessons first then. I don't know anyone who has a fly rod, so I'll probably get some tackle after I've done them. There are some instructors not a million miles from me on the AAPGAI list ( thanks for that BB). It'll be good to learn a new skill, quite excited.
The single best book on the subject (IMHO) is Ed Jaworowski's:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cast-Theories-Application...
It kind of helps to go into a lesson understanding the mechanics of this mullarky, I think.
One Amp Andy said:
You captured it perfectly in my opinion! In fact the photos have made me sort through my tackle in the garage loft. Making a few rigs up, and off to the fishery tomorrow morning for a bit.
Book ordered also!
Ah excellent, glad I could help a bit.Book ordered also!
I find that as I get older I do prefer a good book, it’s also a bit of nostalgia too, as my dad had many books in his bookshelf in his lounge, always say next to his prized pipe and lighter, it gave all the books a wonderful smell too.
I studied those books for hours as a lad, and found yesterday that so much of what I had learnt from them, re how to read a stream from it’s eddy’s, currents and pools, all came back to me, think my dad knew that too, probably much wiser than I ever knew!
Bonefish Blues said:
The single best book on the subject (IMHO) is Ed Jaworowski's:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cast-Theories-Application...
It kind of helps to go into a lesson understanding the mechanics of this mullarky, I think.
Just ordered that too. Thanks.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cast-Theories-Application...
It kind of helps to go into a lesson understanding the mechanics of this mullarky, I think.
Right then, I seem to have contracted spend-itis within the last few hours looking at tackle for my new career as a crap fly fisherman...
Any guidance on tackle? Stuff I really should get vs. crap? Cost isn't an issue. BUT, I realise, as with many things, it will ultimately be my own 'skill' that catches the fish, not the amount spent on tackle.
My books are arriving tomorrow apparently, woo!
Any guidance on tackle? Stuff I really should get vs. crap? Cost isn't an issue. BUT, I realise, as with many things, it will ultimately be my own 'skill' that catches the fish, not the amount spent on tackle.
My books are arriving tomorrow apparently, woo!
otolith said:
You should be able to feel a rod loading and correctly time releasing it then, which gets you much of the way there. Shouldn't need more than one session with an instructor to get you started, you may then want to have more if there are specific things you need. Usually, people seek extra tuition because they just want to cast further, because they are fishing reservoirs, but if you get into fishing small streams it's all accuracy and no distance and also perhaps techniques like this to deal with lack of space.
I know my distance casting is only really "ok", compared with some of the people you see on the reservoirs who can really put a line out, but it suffices, and these days I seldom really need it. If I needed the distance I'm sure I could polish up a fair bit with some tuition.
Apologies, Otolith, I missed your post. Yes, I know what you mean about rod loading, as you say I have that feel already. I suppose it is the accuracy and the techniques that, from a coarse angler, look very technical/ downright hard!I know my distance casting is only really "ok", compared with some of the people you see on the reservoirs who can really put a line out, but it suffices, and these days I seldom really need it. If I needed the distance I'm sure I could polish up a fair bit with some tuition.
One Amp Andy said:
Right then, I seem to have contracted spend-itis within the last few hours looking at tackle for my new career as a crap fly fisherman...
Any guidance on tackle? Stuff I really should get vs. crap? Cost isn't an issue. BUT, I realise, as with many things, it will ultimately be my own 'skill' that catches the fish, not the amount spent on tackle.
My books are arriving tomorrow apparently, woo!
I was lucky with equipment , as I had my dads stuff, but it was over 30 years old, so I felt I needed something newer too.Any guidance on tackle? Stuff I really should get vs. crap? Cost isn't an issue. BUT, I realise, as with many things, it will ultimately be my own 'skill' that catches the fish, not the amount spent on tackle.
My books are arriving tomorrow apparently, woo!
I got lucky when someone local on the Lotus Seven club had bought some quite expensive gear, so a Greys Rod, and a Shimano feel and other bits, which all came at a great price. ( it’s the ones I shared pictures of earlier!)
So have a look around on the local stuff first to see if someone else had dropped a load of cash, but it wasn’t for them and are looking to get rid.
But as with all things you could get an outfit for less than £100 which would be perfectly acceptable, or you could go for a full Hardy setup and splash over £3000.
I would say probably avoid the really cheap tat stuff on wish and places like that.
I’ve always had good reliability from my Shimano Bike Gear, so once I got one reel, I felt like another was needed, so just got this one yesterday.
Edited by nigelpugh7 on Friday 26th June 17:53
One Amp Andy said:
Apologies, Otolith, I missed your post. Yes, I know what you mean about rod loading, as you say I have that feel already. I suppose it is the accuracy and the techniques that, from a coarse angler, look very technical/ downright hard!
I'd say that it's different rather than harder, to be honest. And you have to keep in mind that the reason trout fisheries tend to be fly only is that trout are the most stupid greedy bloody things known to man, and if you float fished it with maggots you'd empty the place 
It's basically freelining small artificial baits with a heavy line. There are slightly different technical skills to cast and play fish on fly tackle, but a lot of it has direct analogues in coarse methods. Fishing a nymph (insect larvae imitation) you will often be watching the end of the fly line, or a second, floating fly, or a blob of floating putty on the line. It's like float fishing. Fishing a dry fly is like floater fishing for carp. A slow retrieve of a team of buzzers needs you to feel for bites and watch the angle of the fly line into the water. Stripping a fry imitation is just like spinning. It's all the same sort of stuff with slightly different gear.
If I was looking at a rod to buy new again, I would probably choose something like this.
https://www.garryevans.co.uk/hardy-demon-smuggler-...
The whole stealth and small package really appeals to me, and it would fit nicely in the Caterham too, so I could enjoy a drive around the Derbyshire dales and then some fishing too!
https://www.garryevans.co.uk/hardy-demon-smuggler-...
The whole stealth and small package really appeals to me, and it would fit nicely in the Caterham too, so I could enjoy a drive around the Derbyshire dales and then some fishing too!
No technical advice but - plug alert - my two angling autobiographies/grumpy old man rambling have had a decent readership A Dream Of Jewelled Fishes(2007 ) and The Glorious Uncertainty (2012 ) . No financial benefit to me as out of print , and nearly all pre owned copies .
I coarse fished from 5 until 23 , and have fly and coarse fished for the next ...err,, 44 years and still adore it. Fly fishing on a river will often enable you to learn more about fish (trout and coarse ) behaviour and habitat than years of bait fishing (which can be very bit as skilful as fly but is about laying a trap rather than hunting )
I coarse fished from 5 until 23 , and have fly and coarse fished for the next ...err,, 44 years and still adore it. Fly fishing on a river will often enable you to learn more about fish (trout and coarse ) behaviour and habitat than years of bait fishing (which can be very bit as skilful as fly but is about laying a trap rather than hunting )
otolith said:
I'd say that it's different rather than harder, to be honest. And you have to keep in mind that the reason trout fisheries tend to be fly only is that trout are the most stupid greedy bloody things known to man, and if you float fished it with maggots you'd empty the place
It's basically freelining small artificial baits with a heavy line. There are slightly different technical skills to cast and play fish on fly tackle, but a lot of it has direct analogues in coarse methods. Fishing a nymph (insect larvae imitation) you will often be watching the end of the fly line, or a second, floating fly, or a blob of floating putty on the line. It's like float fishing. Fishing a dry fly is like floater fishing for carp. A slow retrieve of a team of buzzers needs you to feel for bites and watch the angle of the fly line into the water. Stripping a fry imitation is just like spinning. It's all the same sort of stuff with slightly different gear.
Excellent description, thankyou.It's basically freelining small artificial baits with a heavy line. There are slightly different technical skills to cast and play fish on fly tackle, but a lot of it has direct analogues in coarse methods. Fishing a nymph (insect larvae imitation) you will often be watching the end of the fly line, or a second, floating fly, or a blob of floating putty on the line. It's like float fishing. Fishing a dry fly is like floater fishing for carp. A slow retrieve of a team of buzzers needs you to feel for bites and watch the angle of the fly line into the water. Stripping a fry imitation is just like spinning. It's all the same sort of stuff with slightly different gear.
Re trout stupidity , it depends on your trout really as some do indeed conform to the description, but not all. ,And so what. all fishing involves restricting the effiicacy of technique as if we really want them,, a big net or a grenade works best of all . Or so I believe -no personal experience ! .
I am lucky enough to fish on one river with big ( 3- 5lbs and more ) wild browns which are unbelievably picky on fly choice , spooky as hell and pull your arm off if you hook them . Canny fights too - they dive into every obstruction they can , like chub on speed . And although we can trot with bait for graying in winter . I have caught far , far more big trout on fly .
The other branch of the sport , which has much in common with fly fishing , is light lure fishing for perch (drop shot, jigs etc ) . I cover miles of canal and river in winter doing this , and just like fly fishing , your first cast into a pool or swim has the highest chance of success .
This is a local beck where I fish with a 6ft-6in 3 weight . You'd never guess from its size , but I've had wild brown trout to over 2lbs from here .
I am lucky enough to fish on one river with big ( 3- 5lbs and more ) wild browns which are unbelievably picky on fly choice , spooky as hell and pull your arm off if you hook them . Canny fights too - they dive into every obstruction they can , like chub on speed . And although we can trot with bait for graying in winter . I have caught far , far more big trout on fly .
The other branch of the sport , which has much in common with fly fishing , is light lure fishing for perch (drop shot, jigs etc ) . I cover miles of canal and river in winter doing this , and just like fly fishing , your first cast into a pool or swim has the highest chance of success .
This is a local beck where I fish with a 6ft-6in 3 weight . You'd never guess from its size , but I've had wild brown trout to over 2lbs from here .
Edited by coppice on Friday 26th June 18:12
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