Flies

[gravell86]

Hi guys just another newbie looking for advice.
Ive just started out fly fishing and have myself sorted with gear. Me and my friends go to the local trout fisheries and resevoirs most weekends float fishing but hear fly fishing is the way forward! My first fly fishing session will be this weekend and the guys at the trout fishery said theyll teach us the basics free of charge.

Basically i would like any advice you could give such as little pearls of wisdom you wish youd been told from day 1?. Also could anyone point me in the right direction of the better types of fly to use in which part of the season in lakes or resevoir fishing?

Any help will be greatly appreciated remember we all started out once upon a time! Thanks Anthony

[Ron Clay]

My first bit of advice would be to get some casting lessons. I'm assuming you have never cast a fly line before here. You will find that casting a fly is totally different from casting a bait or lure in that you are actually casting the line, not the fly.

For still water fishing you will need some buzzer imitations as well lures such as Viva, Cormorant or Cat's Whisker. Your casting instructor should give you the right advise based on the water you are going to fish. Don't forget damsels as well.

[Dan77]

Agree with the above...

Your biggest hurdle will be learning to cast! You will find it hard to enjoy your first time but persistance will pay off in the end. Catching a fit Trout on a well presented fly is a great feeling and something which must be experienced. You may catch this weekend as stockies tend to be very forgiving compared to a wild brownie on a river. If you have access to a longish lawn/garden I would spend an hour as often as you can practicing your casting.

Re. flies
I tend to be a purist when it comes to flies, I use imitation flies like small buzzers or nymphs. I tend to keep away from the lures and only use them as a last resort (they DO catch well on trout waters). Cats whisker or an Olive Damsel are usually always winners, and a black one to represent a tadpole maybe.

Best tip...talk to the locals/regulars about fly selection on the water your fishing. Although generally, the types of flies on the water for the time of year are similar on most waters, every water is different when it comes to habitat, ie. water ph, weed varieties, surrounding trees/shrubs. Some flies suit it and have a better hatch and are more abundant.

Tight lines

[Pleccy]

I agree with Ron and Dan77, learning how to cast properly is paramount and it is vital that you learn how to control the speed of the line and the shape of the loops. However presentation rather than distance should be the first consideration as a beginner.

The best patterns to use will depend on certain factors as outlined above and don't always take things for granted, even a small change in the weather can knock a particular hatch right over the head.

For example September is usually prime time for Daddy long legs, however changeable weather in my area ensured that hatches were few and far between, and whenever they did occur the flies hatched in very small numbers.

The likes of Black, Orange, Olive and Pink buzzers, Damsel nymphs, Bibios, PTN's, Diawl bachs and Crunchers are good starting points where small, subsurface patterns are concerned. A few dries such as Black spiders, CDC's, Daddy long legs, Hoppers, Sedges and Grey dusters should also be added to the list. On some waters smaller flies are best and where a particular fly is favoured, changing to something different will often ensure catches on pressured venues.

In the way of lures Cats whiskers, Orange and Black fritz and small Pink and Yellow boobies are good. However I rarely fish lures nowadays so I can't ultimately comment on the effectiveness on each pattern.

[flydog]

hi , after mastering the art of casting a fly line, which is rewarding in itself, check the water for anything rising and try and match them, failing that enjoy going through box and try the lot, good hunting.

[gravell86]

Hi again lads,
Thanks for the help so far! I went up on saturday with a friend and it turned into just practicing our casting where i caught nothing but grass, my own rod and my face twice Good fun still. I went back up today alone to try some more and after lots of help and tips from all the lads there i started to get the hang of it! No one seemed to be catching today.... Except me!!!!! My second time out fly fishing and i caught a 4lb rainbow using the pink bloodworm that i was told was catching well today! It was a beauty and ive got the picture of it printed out and on my wall with the bloodworm stuck through the paper!! im well proud of myself

Thanks again for the tips lads and please keep em coming if youve got anything to add!

[Fish8myfly]

great stuff, cracking fish! keep at it m8.

Ali