Saltwater Freshwater Fly fishing

[kiwimarty]

I have just been taken aback on how large those saltwater flies are.
Smoothie, do you make them yourself?

[Old Smoothound]

Perhaps I should give some explanation behind the flies.

All flies shown are tied by my own hand. They are tied on Saltwater hooks some are finished with Epoxy Resin heads with eyes between 2-3 coats, they are as hard as hell and they sink. Bass have sharp teeth don't they.

Fly (1) Heavily leaded plus dumbell eyes. Used on a sinking/ intermediate line near to or dragging bottom. I have caught flounder on the Taw with this fly!

Fly (2) top.. Sadneel Pattern when wet looks like the real thing. Used on a floating / Intermediate line. bottom... Bait fish flies used on a floating/medium sink line, cast out and accross the surf, excellent flies when the Bas are chaing down small bait fish.

Flies(3) top... surtface popper, best used on a floating line and ripped back at speed, they chase it hard when they are on the feed! Or used on a fast sink line and wobbled back sub surface. middle.... Joey Mackeral fly, they just swallow it whole!!

Fly (4) Pollock fly best used on a Medium / heavy sinking line.

In my experience ceratin colours are favoured by different species of fish....
Bass.. Silver, Blue/White, Silver/Blue etc
Pollock.. Orange, Copper, Gold/Silver, Gold.

I hope this has been of interest to you and perhaps u can use the patterns to make your own.

Cheers
"Guru" Smoothie

[kiwimarty]

I can think of nothing finer than tying your own flies then fishing with them.

Have always thought that it would make a very good hobby fly making. Very theraputic too.

There used to be a tackle shop in Babbacombe Torquay that had a whole wall full of tying accessories, all the different colour feathers and fluff and the like. I'm sure there are proper names for all this! Unfortunatly the shop is long gone. Maybe meeting someone like yourself, will introduce me to another extension of our wonderfull passtime, fishing.

Heck, think I sound like ole' Rex himself!!

[Old Smoothound]

Hi Rex....

My fly sizes range from circa 2inches to probably maximum 6 inches, some of my Mackie patterns go a bit longer.

Its a bit like "mathcing the Hatch" on a river, if they are feeding on bait fish then 2-3inches is fine. But if they are chasing sand eels then they could be 3-6 inches... think how long a Joey Mackie is....get the idea?

In bright weather white with silver works for bait fish as the silver tinsel reflects like fish scales do. In low light conditons black is good as the fish see it from below and all they can see is a silouette of the prey.

To be able to turn the fly over before it hits the water, you need a butt leader of 25-30lbs shortish length.

I will post more on this later... have decided to reveal the basic tackle needed etc in a list format, plus some tips and tricks.

Catch you later.

Yibadee Yibada

Cheers
Shaun

[pingu]

kiwi
although not quite your area I know exeter tackle have fly makining gear, never looked too much but why else have peacock and other feathers in a tackle shop?

[fishypaul]

i was on holiday in looe cornwall this summer and there was a guy fly fishing off the rocks there early one morning,what would he be fishing for ?, mullet ? bass ? i dont know,didn't see him catch anything.

[kiwimarty]

Will take a trip to Exeter to have a look.

Cheer's.

[Old Smoothound]

Marty,

Don't go buying any fly tying gear yet mate, not until after the 2nd October. As i will be down for the Devon meet and hopefully be able to advise you on your next big step into the world of Fly fishing...... that is unless I am so busy catching..... like i wasn't yesterday !!! Never mind it gets better from here on in.

But if you read by bit on Saltwater fly fishing i am putting together a basics list for the wannabee fly fisher, plus i will be adding what you need to get started fly tying.

If you want to buy some fly fishing / fly tying gear send me a PM....
Cheers
Shaun

[Old Smoothound]

Originally Posted by fishypaul

i was on holiday in looe cornwall this summer and there was a guy fly fishing off the rocks there early one morning,what would he be fishing for ?, mullet ? bass ? i dont know,didn't see him catch anything.

Probably Bass or Pollock, don't know the area that well so can't be sure.

It wasn't me anyway!!

Cheers
Shaun

[Pross]

Bought my new fly rod and reel for saltwater fly fishing. 9'6" 7-8 wt rod, 7-8 weight large arbor reel, 8 wt wf floating line and some clousers (very similar to your fly # 2). I have tried to get going a couple of times but had probelms with the line coming off the reel so never really got a chance to fish. Is there anywhere reasonably close to the Bristol or Newport areas where I can fly fish for bass or pollack? I was told to just let the fly drift, is this best or is it better to draw the fly back in? Could bring my fly rod on 2 October, may get a mackerel on it if nothing else!