This weeks special offers are as follows:
24 Goldhead Montana for just £6.50
18 Goldhead Fritz – Olive and Blacks – £4.99
18 Daddy Long Legs Mixed Type – £4.99
Also available
Black Horn Sedge down to 29p
Goldhead Black Epoxy down to 29p
Olive Humpy also just 29p
The Humungous trout flies have arrived, great choice of colours on these great goldhead sinkers check them out below
Summer has to be one of the most fruitfull times for fly fishing. evening fishing is most productive. Take a look around the local river activity, there is alwayas a mass of insect life hatching and buzzing with the trout taking advantage and feasting on insects either hatching or unlucky enough to fall into the water. Olives are out at the moment so time to get out the dry olives, or my favorite the Olive F Fly.
The F fly can be used when buzzers are hatching and it fishes in the film as an emerger. The cdc feathers being naturally oily hold the fly in the film and the fish will usually sip them in. Fish the fly static and do not attempt to put any floatant on the fly . The only drawback is that after a fish has been caught the fly must be changed and allowed to dry before using again. When the fish are on it you get through plenty of flies !! In larger sizes the olive version can be very effective during hatches of olives.On the rivers the fly is a good one to try when fish are rising but you are not certain what exactly they want. Experiment with sizes and colours until you find the right combination. Do not allow to drag or else the fly will become water logged although it can still take fish beneath the surface !
Midge flies are also around and I would recommend staying on a smaller hook with the tiny black flies getting results.
Stay in the shade and keep your emails coming letting us know how you are getting on !
Today I’m on a mission
Not an easy one at that
For I aim to catch the biggest fish
And reign supreme at last
I’ve been to see my dealer
Bought the recipe to succeed
It’ cost me next years wages
But things he said I’d need
The day is overcast and ripe
Just like I’m told “you’ll need”
Its perfect conditions by the book
Depending on which one you read
I make my way down to the bank
And glance around for prey
They show off jumping large as life
Today will be my day
For I am armed, You stand no chance
Surrender forthwith ye fish
Prepare to be conquered
And served tonight by dish
I search among my precious flies
And choose the one that will
Catch my prize, my personal trophy
I prepare him for the kill
Out he goes, the perfect angle
Filled with known elation
This lunch supreme, so fake and rich
My breath is held in anticipation
What has gone wrong? My fly comes back
Eaten only by the weeds
I need to choose again.. of course
This fish has greater needs
I rummage through my box of tricks
And pick my secret tool
The one that “fly fish weekly”
Recommend will always fool
Suddenly there is a splash
I watch with total glee
As tonights dinner flaunts its stuff
And dances in front of me
Ahaaa you fool, I’m here for you
Don’t stand so proud just yet
My Mission has just begun
And it’s you I aim to get
Out goes my line, Ohh boy its long
Your reign my friend has past
This will not fail.. I guarantee,
I’m sure this is the cast
But once again this stupid fish
Has failed to take my offing
It takes another leap in jest
By god I believe it’s scoffing
Out goes the bait for one last try
But alas my feelings alter
For I know I have just encountered
The supreme king of the water
I’ve tried to take him from his home
He can laugh at me with rapture
For he is the one that knows
I’m the fisherman for capture
Now listen up you guys out there
I need to get this off my chest!
We know you all like fishing
But us girlies do it best!
I’ve been around for many years
And before you start to moan
Don’t be giving me that drivel
That I need to stay at home
I challenge you to come and see
An expert in the action
I cast a fly like any man
AND I flipping catch um!
I guess you have an issue
And can see from where I’m sitting
You think I should be baking cakes
Or making sweaters knitting
I hope you have the message
If not, then that’s just tough
Let me tell you chauvinist
This girl isn’t giving up!
Winter or cold weather fly fishing is generally done on weighted flies or a sub surface flies. Nymphs and wets presented in this manner will probably get the best results. Weighted nymphs and wets can get down pretty fast if you need to fish at a deep level. Weights can also be added to your line if the flies are tied without beadheads or wire for weight This is not to say that dry flies will not come in useful as you will sometimes see some surface activity. Keep your eyes open to what is going on around you and be prepared to swap flies and do not be despondent if the fly you caught 6 with last weekend is not working today!
Weighted lures especially in the goldheads are a popular fly throughout the winter months, our selection is quite vast and I would suggest you take quite a few different colours if this is your chosen method. Gold head trout flies can be fished on any line, from a full floater to the fastest of sinkers.
Nymph Flies
Nymph flies represent the stage prior to them hatching out on the top as dry flies, this stage is of course underwater and therefore can be a challenge as you will not see the fish rise for the fly as in dry fishing, again using a strike indicator can be helpful, you will need to determine how to recognise a take, when the indicator stops it can be because of an obstruction as all nymph fly fishing is done close to the bottom of the water, it helps if you know the water and how clear it is likely to be in the area you are fishing. Weights on your leader will be required to get the nymph down to the depth where the fish are feeding, not as easy as it sounds!
When fish are feeding on nymphs they will not strike at it as they would a dry fly as it is to the fish an easy bit of lunch floating past so detecting a take is an art that needs practice.
The easiest method for nymph fishing is similar to wet fishing. Cast over the opposite side, let the fly go with the currant until its inline with yourself, keep the line tight and with your rod pointing at the fly. When it settles it will rise with the current as would a natural nymph fly on its way to the surface to hatch. You will generally feel a take using this method. Of course we are assuming here you are river fishing and there are indeed many other methods for nymph fishing and I think practice and determination are important with this method. Ask or watch other anglers. Nymph fishing is not easy!
Dry Flies
Dry trout flies are probably the most traditional, in most fisherman’s eyes, (although wet fishing goes back much further) This method is basically deceiving the trout into believing this is their natural food which they readily eat from the surface. Most fly fisherman say it’s the hardest method as opposed to perhaps lure fishing, but I don’t go with that theory. A simple technique of floating the fly along the surface means you can see exactly where your fly is and usually you will see the fish approaching. Avoid any drag using this method of fishing as it will look unnatural to the trout, just cast upstream and allow the fly to drift with the current, always cast diagonal to avoid scaring away any fish.
Select your dry fly to mimic the insect life around you, matching the hatch is quite easy if you take some time to observe which flies are around and if indeed the trout are rising out of the water to take them. If you do not see the trout rising then it is likely they are feeding subsurface and therefore a different method is required.
Dry flies should be delicate generally winged although there are many without wings.
Use a floatant with the dry fly such as Geherkes Gink, this will keep the fly on the surface and prevent it getting water logged.
Use a light weight line, fish have good eye sight, a smaller rod for dry fly fishing is preferred as you will not really be making long casts
Wet Flies
How to describe a wet fly, well perhaps If we said “aquatic insects that move” So it can represent a dead or dying insect or the struggling nymph subsurface. They are usually quite dark in colour and tied sparse in a simple design. Generally you will fish wet flies close to the bottom so they are designed to sink, a soft hackle will provide the movement. A sinking line is the obvious choice although weights on a floating line can get the same result.
The most popular method with wet fly fishing is on droppers offering 2 or more flies at once, this can be done with ready made fly casts which usually incorporate 2 droppers or by making your own, there is no limit to how many you wish to offer at once although be careful of getting your line tangled. If you use different designs at once it is a good way of finding out what the fish are feeding on that day.
The easiest method of wet fly fishing is to cast opposite side and downstream then follow your cast with the rod pointed towards the fly, you can jerk it slightly to give more movement. Raising the rod tip will offer the wet fly as an emerging insect. There are a lot more complex methods but the aforementioned is a good place to start.
Don’t be afraid to use strike indicators.
Fylde Trout Fishery has a beautiful deep 5 acre lake with clear water. Located in the heart of rural Fylde, yet only 5 minutes from the M55 motorway.
Fylde Trout Fishery was opened in 2009 and is full of hard fighting rainbow trout. The fishery is surrounded by wildlife and has been planted with native trees and hedges to blend in with the surrounding country side.
The trout range from 1.5 pounds to 12 pounds in weight, with some of the fish tagged. If a tagged fish is caught you will win a prize. (Tagged Fish Must Be Returned)
visit the website –flydetroutfishery.co.uk
Can anyone tell me which flies other than daddy long legs to use on reservoirs in September? I have looked about and most seem to be on lures but I thought they were more for winter? Should I be on nymphs? weather seems to be hiding dry flies. Any help appreciated
Thanks
Paul
I said i would be back!!!what have i let myself in for i have entered the wonderful world of river fishing. when i fish still waters i can cast relax and wait. i fish the river the fly goes one way the line goes another and it all seems in the lap of the gods where the current takes the lot. i cant get my leader to sink and my fly is constanly dragged under by the current. any advice anyone i’m determined to catch one of those wily wild brown trout. please help
Directions: Take the A591 Crooklands to Keswick Road from the M6 motorway and after about 16 miles you arrive at Windermere and follow the signs to Bowness and you reach the lake. Access can be gained at various places with public access such as Cockshott Point (near the Glebe in Bowness). Access is available at National Trust and South Lakeland District Council owned land. On the west side access is much more restricted as much is private property so a boat is a big bonus as you can fish the entire lake unhindered.
The lake is 10.5 miles long by about 1 mile wide so a very useful publication to obtain is a lake chart available from the Lake Wardens at Ferry Nab. This gives all the lakes depth contours, shallow shoals, bays etc and is a must to enable you to find fishy areas.
Most anglers start off Trout fishing in March by ‘top lining’ which is trolling a plug, usually a Rapala
Fly fishing can take off in April and is improving as insect life is coming back after vast improvements to control sewerage pollution and nitrates. Good hatches of buzzer are again occurring and often plenty of olives. The lake also gets a genuine Mayfly hatch.
Most fly fishing is sub surface with nymphs, buzzers and tradition wet flies and early morning or evening is the best time with the fly. It usually slows down after June until September and fly fishing is rarely easy but fish are taken each year to 3 or 4lb.
Remember that fishing line degrades so at least once each season safely discard all old leader line and replace it. If you don’t it could cost you the fish of a life time.
Balance your equipment by remembering that a 5 weight rod is for use with small flies and light leaders and that a 9 weight is for lure fishing. If you try using fine leaders on, say, a 9 weight rod you will leave the hook in the fish on the strike as the rod is too powerful for the leader.
If you are killing fish remember to spoon the fish for clues as to what they are eating. By doing this you can put on a suitable imitation and catch plenty of fish.
This is probably the most important aspect of any fishing and particularly for fly fishing. Look around you and see what insects are in the air and water.
That should give you a clue as to which fly to start with. When actually fishing watch the end of your fly line. Any sudden movement, no matter how slight, will be a fish – so strike.
If you wait for a tug you will miss most fish which have taken your fly.
As a rough rule of thumb hold the handle with your thumb on top then – during your cast – keep your elbow tucked in to your side. Do not break the wrist too much or the rod will drift back past where you wanted it to stop and all power of the cast will be lost.
Start the cast with the rod tip close to the water and the line straight. You should have 7 to 10 yards of line beyond the rod to allow the rod to load on the back cast.
Lift the rod steadily until it is at about the 10 o’ clock position and then flick it back briskly, stopping it as the rod butt reaches the 1 o’ clock position. Done correctly the line will travel past you and flex the rod.
Once the line is extended straight behind reverse the back cast by taking the rod briskly to 10 o’ clock, let the line go forward and lower the rod tip towards the water. Take your time in the cast as flailing quickly will get you nowhere.
You will hear a gentle swish if it is done correctly. If you hear a great big whoosh then you have got it all wrong. Do not push with your shoulder on the forward cast thinking it will gain you distance. It will not.
Remember – the rod does the main work and there is no need for multiple false casting to gain good distance.
Most modern line is made out of a form of plasticiser which covers an inner core. There are some lines made in a different way but these tend to be non stretch and are often susceptible to horrific memory problems.
Lines are normally about 30 yards long and shooting heads about 10 to 12 yards long. The normal format is double taper which, as the name suggests, is tapered at both ends and has a long level middle section. In theory it is possible to turn these round when a section gets worn but in reality the end nearest the backing will be lightly coiled after months or years stored on the reel.
The other main type of line is called weight forward. This line has its main weight in the first 10 or 12 yards and only this section is aerialised. Then the rest of the line is shot out on the cast.
This is a very easy line to use as long as you remember to only put the heavy front section in the air. A useful tip is to mark the line where the fatter head begins and this will be your reminder that the optimum amount of line is out for casting.
A lot of fine cracks in a weight forward line in the thin running section means you have been casting with too much line in the air making it hard work for yourself.
Always clean your lines with a special cleaner every 3 or 4 trips to keep them in good condition. You will be rewarded by much easier shooting properties and they will last longer
When fishing with more than one fly you attach a point fly to the end of the leader and tie on droppers.
These are short lengths of nylon which can vary in length from about 4″ to 12″. 8″ is a good starting point bearing in mind each time you change flies you shorten the dropper.
There are several useful knots; you can normally use the Blood Knot or the 3 or 4 turn Water Knot. We prefer the latter as it is easier to tie and seems more reliable. Remember that when using the Water Knot you use the lower section of line for the dropper and cut the top off.
Droppers have a habit of catching around the main leader. One way to reduce this is to stroke the dropper out until it stands at right angles to the leader, then pop a dab of fishing glue over the knot and the very base of the dropper.
Some people who can not master knots put droppers on by tying tiny metal rings to the leader and then tying the droppers to these rings. The disadvantage is that their weight tends to pull the flies quickly out of the fishing zone
SINKANTS
It is vital to continually degrease your leaders as it helps them sink. It also helps get rid of the shine which is very important in bright conditions. There are lots of different products and the ones containing Fullers Earth and detergent seem to work the best.
FLOATANTS
Modern fly lines do not need floatants to float as they contain minute bubbles in their construction.
However when using dry flies you want your flies to float and you will need to put a floatant on them. This is vital in streamy water. Lots of makes are available but our favourite is Gink which lasts for ages from one small application. Do not put too much on, however, as you will often want the fly to sit in rather than on the surface film.
Normally you do not grease a leader but if you want to fish a fly just sub surface it is very useful to do so. In this case lightly grease the leader up to the depth you want the fly to fish at. If you want to be 6″ under the surface do not grease this last bit.
Rods are often broken during assembly, particularly fly rods. To prevent this happening to you hold the rod low with the reel handle uppermost and double the end of the line over.
Pull line up through the rings and then pull about a rod length in a straight line out of tip. If you pull line down from tip it puts an unnatural bend in the tip and can result in breakage.
By keeping the rod low when pulling the line out it will not all fall back to the reel if you accidentally let go of it.
ROD & LINE BALANCE
It is essential that your fly line matches the rod’s optimum casting weight which will be marked on the rod just above the handle. Normally buy a line of the same size.
There are exceptions and if a rod is dual rated and you use a double taper line then use a line of the lower rating. For weight forward line use the higher rating. For shooting heads you can generally go one size above the weight shown.