Only a day or so away from the Brown Trout Season now.
This starts on the 15th March at least for those of us fortunate to reside in the North West. Yorkshire rivers only open up on the 1st April.
The end of March and on into April see the first hatches of meaningful insects particularly the Large Dark Olive and Grannom and then as the air warms up even more we get all the other species of olives and sedges. Every year these hatched vary a lot from sparse to frequent and numerous. Let's hope for a good showing this year to get the trout looking up and picking insects off the surface.
Welcome
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Saturday, 25 February 2012
February lessons
Great lesson this morning with Phil Ratcliffe, who is training to take his APGAI certificate. Doing really well and should be confident in his test which he is taking in April up in Scotland.
Tomorrow looking forward to having all my trainees on the river for some roll and spey casting tuition. We get some serious work done in these session but we certainly have a laugh as well!
Not long now till the "real" season gets underway - already seeing rising fish at Curley's responding to the warmer temperatures bringing on a good buzzer hatch.
Still time to get your casting in order and to tie some grannom and large dark olive patterns for the River.
Tomorrow looking forward to having all my trainees on the river for some roll and spey casting tuition. We get some serious work done in these session but we certainly have a laugh as well!
Not long now till the "real" season gets underway - already seeing rising fish at Curley's responding to the warmer temperatures bringing on a good buzzer hatch.
Still time to get your casting in order and to tie some grannom and large dark olive patterns for the River.
Saturday, 18 February 2012
February fishing
I was on the river on Thursday with 3 clients for some Grayling fishing. Typical February river and weather conditions - neither very pleasant but an enjoyable day nonetheless and some "Ladies" caught to boot.
Nymphing was the order of the day and all the fish falling to a copper beaded hare's ear.
The conditions deteriorated during the afternoon and put a halt to any signs of a hatch - still early days yet but good to get the waders wet again. Can't wait for the first signs of the Large Dark Olives and Grannoms - this is when Spring time fishing really gets underway, for me anyway.
Again it's typical reservoir stuff for the time of year - lures doing most of the damage but surprisingly at Curley's, not very deep, only about 4ft or 5ft.
A few lessons going on as people get their casting in order for the new season.
Nymphing was the order of the day and all the fish falling to a copper beaded hare's ear.
The conditions deteriorated during the afternoon and put a halt to any signs of a hatch - still early days yet but good to get the waders wet again. Can't wait for the first signs of the Large Dark Olives and Grannoms - this is when Spring time fishing really gets underway, for me anyway.
Again it's typical reservoir stuff for the time of year - lures doing most of the damage but surprisingly at Curley's, not very deep, only about 4ft or 5ft.
A few lessons going on as people get their casting in order for the new season.
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Tenkara
Lots of talk about a "new" river fishing technique where you don't use any fly line but use a very long leader! French nymphing, Spanish Nymphing, Leader in Hand etc. etc.
I am sure all of this so called "innovation" by the competition boys is just their way of circumnavigating the comp rules. The same thing happened with the invention of the coiled indicator - a simple way of using an indicator that was allowable under the rules of comp fishing!!!
Well, this "leader in hand" concept is not new it's been around for centuries.
Look here for the history of Tenkara and what it's all about.
This technique has really taken hold in the States and is rapidly developing a new breed of followers in Britain. Personally I find it really interesting and can't wait to try it out on our rivers.
Other sources of info
Tenkara Talk
UK Tenkara Forum
Tenkara Bum
I am sure all of this so called "innovation" by the competition boys is just their way of circumnavigating the comp rules. The same thing happened with the invention of the coiled indicator - a simple way of using an indicator that was allowable under the rules of comp fishing!!!
Well, this "leader in hand" concept is not new it's been around for centuries.
Look here for the history of Tenkara and what it's all about.
This technique has really taken hold in the States and is rapidly developing a new breed of followers in Britain. Personally I find it really interesting and can't wait to try it out on our rivers.
Other sources of info
Tenkara Talk
UK Tenkara Forum
Tenkara Bum
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Lessons
Back to completing my lessons now we have some better weather. All stillwater lessons for the remainder of this week and next up to now but then back to the river for Spey casting and some grayling fishing.
THE TACKLE SHOP AT CURLEY'S NOW FULLY OPEN AND STOCKED WITH ALMOST EVERYTHING FOR THE STILLWATER/RESERVOIR FLY FISHER.
Monday, 23 January 2012
Today's lesson
Had a great lesson today with John, one of the guys training to become a qualified Instructor.
He did very well in spite of the testing conditions and remains on schedule to take his assessment in the Autumn.
It is hard to avoid all the cr*p that's on the web these days by self promoted "experts" in every field imaginable - but here is one from a true expert and friend of mine Gwilym Hughes
Click here for his latest You tube offering
He did very well in spite of the testing conditions and remains on schedule to take his assessment in the Autumn.
It is hard to avoid all the cr*p that's on the web these days by self promoted "experts" in every field imaginable - but here is one from a true expert and friend of mine Gwilym Hughes
Click here for his latest You tube offering
Thursday, 19 January 2012
Bad weather stops play!
Unlike the England Cricket team out in Dubia basking in glorious sunshine and struggling against Pakistan, the life of a fly fishing instructor in England and in Winter is a different proposition altogether.
I have had to re-arrange quite a few lessons due to the strength of the prevailing wind.
Normally even if it is a bit too windy at Curley's we can go over the road onto Ridgmont Park and find a good bit of shelter but with no leaves on the trees even this option no longer works. Spring can't come quick enough!
On the fishing front Curley's continues to fish very well in spite of the conditions and am about to put some orders in for new stock for the tackle shop, although it's got everything required by the stillwater/reservoir fly fisher already: Rods, Reels, Lines, Leaders, Flies, Bags, Nets and accessories. Come along and have a look around.
I have had to re-arrange quite a few lessons due to the strength of the prevailing wind.
Normally even if it is a bit too windy at Curley's we can go over the road onto Ridgmont Park and find a good bit of shelter but with no leaves on the trees even this option no longer works. Spring can't come quick enough!
On the fishing front Curley's continues to fish very well in spite of the conditions and am about to put some orders in for new stock for the tackle shop, although it's got everything required by the stillwater/reservoir fly fisher already: Rods, Reels, Lines, Leaders, Flies, Bags, Nets and accessories. Come along and have a look around.
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Back in the Swing of things
All back to normal (ish) now after Xmas. Lesson bookings are coming in for beginners, intermediates and river sessions all very welcome.
Just get in touch if you want a session getting your casting into shape for the Spring.
Curley's is fishing extremely well at present - good rod averages and big fish to boot. Annual memberships now available.
The shop at Curley's will be open and fully stocked for this weekend so if you are at a loose end come along have a fish and a look around.
Just get in touch if you want a session getting your casting into shape for the Spring.
Curley's is fishing extremely well at present - good rod averages and big fish to boot. Annual memberships now available.
The shop at Curley's will be open and fully stocked for this weekend so if you are at a loose end come along have a fish and a look around.
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