Who else fly fishes?

[coasty]

I have been a member of net forums dedicated to fly fishing, But have found that they dont really reflect my interest, Most of the people seem only to fish the modern commercial venues,, I like the small river that are rich in wildlife. Just wondered how many fly fisherfolk are on this forum..

[The Black Rabbit]

Originally Posted by coasty

I have been a member of net forums dedicated to fly fishing, But have found that they dont really reflect my interest, Most of the people seem only to fish the modern commercial venues,, I like the small river that are rich in wildlife. Just wondered how many fly fisherfolk are on this forum..

Haven't been up there for a few years now Andy, but we used to put a fly or two down on the pools of the Lyon (in Perthshire) a lot.
Its hardly what you'd call commercial. (unlike the neighbouring Tay of course) because there were no fush in there!
To be fair, there were a few, small trout (brown, naturally, and wonderfully-coloured), which responded well to wet flies more than dry.

I hate to admit it, but very often got frustrated, if I was actually after ma tea, so slipped a nymph OFF the line, and popped a fluorescent lure ON (VERY BAD!), such as an (electric green) "Leprechaun" or a (white, feathery) "Appetiser".
That used to do the trick in the peaty waters!

We also used to take the big rods and go for Salmon on the Lyon. It was tempting to start prawning with salmon - we saw them leapsometimes, the neighbouring ghillie and keeper would say "the river was BOILING with fush (salmon) last week" etc... etc... but we only ever managed to catch one!

I was more interested (or as interested anyway) in the wildlife. We were guaranteed to be the only people fishing a 5 mile stretch of water, which varied alot - slow sulky peaty pools, quick moving tumbling water over rocks etc...

Red Squirrels, the occasional Eagle, Buzzards, Pine Martens, Black Grouse no so far away, allegedly a proper wild cat on the forested hill (never saw that though!), Corncrake in the fields (never saw THEM either - but boy could you hear them!)

It always seemed sunny when we were there. I know. It can't have been!
The night skies were so dark and full of stars.
Wipe away the tears pal, I'm almost done.

Only downside - the midges.
Every silver cloud has grey lining though eh?

The only other places I've game fished regularly are the Chess (rainbow mainly) in Bucks/Herts, and the Dart in Devon, (brownies).
Was going to try and join a reservoir-based Rainbow trout fly fishing club in Walthamstow, but didn't see the point really.
My fishing was ALWAYS wildlife based more than just the fush!

As for now.
Well. I'd struggle. My father always had his split cane rod, but now has retired back to Scotland (Fife) and taken my carbon fibre trout rod with him.
Aw well....


Doug

[m1.carson]

Hi people,

I don't think there's a non commercial inch of river in this area,[Berkshire] that contains trout, had to travel down to Fingle bridge to try for salmon and sea trout, so haven't tried for a few years, 200mile round trip plus day ticket plus rod licence, plus overnight/s lodgings, plus,plus, couldn't justify it to myself let alone her indoors.

Cheers,
Hairy Mary

P.S. I never did try and collect Tupps mixture, sneaking up on a ram with a pair of shears.

[The Black Rabbit]

Originally Posted by m1.carson

Hi people,

I don't think there's a non commercial inch of river in this area,[Berkshire] that contains trout, had to travel down to Fingle bridge to try for salmon and sea trout, so haven't tried for a few years, 200mile round trip plus day ticket plus rod licence, plus overnight/s lodgings, plus,plus, couldn't justify it to myself let alone her indoors.

Cheers,
Hairy Mary

P.S. I never did try and collect Tupps mixture, sneaking up on a ram with a pair of shears.

I did!!!

[epops]

i do but theres not to many places here for me but i adaped it a bit when the mullet are here its not the most simplest way of catching mullet but its good fun also had the odd bass on a fly.

[coasty]

Originally Posted by The Black Rabbit

I did!!!

Surely Doug,,, All you have to do is reach upwards when hiding in the clover,,,,

Andy

[The Black Rabbit]

Didn't think of that Andy.
'Twas a drunken bet. Like most of my youth....

[coasty]

Originally Posted by m1.carson

Hi people,

I don't think there's a non commercial inch of river in this area,[Berkshire] that contains trout, had to travel down to Fingle bridge to try for salmon and sea trout, so haven't tried for a few years, 200mile round trip plus day ticket plus rod licence, plus overnight/s lodgings, plus,plus, couldn't justify it to myself let alone her indoors.

Cheers,
Hairy Mary

P.S. I never did try and collect Tupps mixture, sneaking up on a ram with a pair of shears.

I think nearly every inch of river in England with a trout population is owned by a club, I know of only a couple of places that are free and I aint saying where they are. No what I mean by commercial fisheries are the big muddy holes in the ground stuffed with fish. Even some of the reservoirs are nice enough to fish. But for me you cant beat a small river.


Andy

[muldonach]

Eat your hearts out boys and girls, we have a loch of about 60 acres just half a mile up the road entirely populated by wild fish, can be excellent early on getting more difficult as the season progresses.

Its not free but at a tenner for two rods, which includes the use of the boat it ain't bad value.

looking forward to the end of march!

Cheers
mac

[Bullseye]

I flyfish or ultralight spin on the "topend" of the rivers round here (you can jump across most of them),brownies,sea-trout,chub (caught a record size chub once on ultralight,but just put it back and kept quiet about it,don't want "my" stream invaded by specimen anglers),pike,also on the estuaries for bass and mackeral . Caught a flounder once on fly !.And in Tenerife caught the ugliest fish I've ever seen, on fly in a harbour,all the locals were looking at me as if I was crazy,when I caught the ugly fish they were "mimeing "don't touch it !!!",long thin mottled brown with red eyes, (the fish ,not me !),no idea what it was,but bloody hell was it ugly !

[seamusagleann]

i'm luckier than most,part of my job is to take care of a wee loch, about 2 hectares,that is regularly stocked with rainbows. there are a few wild brownies too ,but are quite shy to the fly. fishing is by any legal means ,spinning and even, if it's your choice, that power bait stuff, but i only fly fish. there's just that certain something when the line glides out and you cover that fish that broke the surface...steady now!!...and your in!!!
nearby there's a river next to a hotel that hosts an amazing ammount of wild brown trout that readily take the fly ,good sport on a summers evening

[ron1863]

Hi Coasty, I used to fly fish some years ago but recently returned to it. Being interested in wildlife and photography makes fishing a great pastime for me, I can get a day on the river, watch wildlife and use the camera all in the same day.
I too much prefer to fish small streams or hill lochs that are rarely visited. I don't even mind not catching anything, it's being there that counts for me.

Ron