Another New Fly Guy

[sanger]

OK here it is,

I usually classify myself as a light game game fisherman be it yellowtail kings to yellowfin tuna and the like, But as some of you know i've moved over to london for a year or two so im starting to feel the need to wet a line. I have been watching alot of fishing shows over here and carp fishing seems to be the thing to do...... Except i just can't bring myself to do it so the next best thing seems to be to have a go at some of the trout over here on fly. Hopefully targeting some pike at some stage to, but by the time i leave i would love to come home and maybe get into some salt water fly fishing even if its only for salmon orsomething.

Anyway if your still with me id love to know were to start, Obviously ill go into some of the tackle shops over here but id like to have a bit of an idea what to get before i head to the store so i dont get lead up the garden path!!! Ive got a few books but would love to hear from the raiders too!!!

Thanks in advance

Fishlexic

[troutboy]

Hi Fishlexic, great to hear that you have been lured to the dark side . While I am by no means an expert on fishing in the old dart I reckon you couldnt go too far wrong with a 9' 5wt rod and a weight forward floating line to suit. You dont need a fancy big dollar reel for trout, but you should spend up big and buy the best quality flyline you can afford. A good quality line while expensive will definately help your casting and if looked after can last many seasons. Hope this gives you some ideas cheers troutboy

[sanger]

Cheers trout boy!!!!

I still have some reading to do on all the weighting system used in fly fishing, Just bought a couple of books of the web as a starting point!!!

[Jamiel1000]

Trout boy is spot on

4-5 weight rod (medium action is probably best)

quality weight forward floating line

spend some time looking for clues on what flies are best over there as all areas will have their special basics must have flies.

maybe try hooking up on a forum like this one over there for some local information, you might be able to pal up with some pommies for a day out on the water.

cheers

[slinkymalinky]

Hey Fishlexic,

Outfits have already been covered but the other thing you'll need to research carefully is where to fish. It's not like here where you can fish any old bit of water (permission from farmers notwithstanding). A lot of the rivers in the UK have paid fishing rights (and I'm talking tens of thousands of pounds for some water) that allow you to fish only a very specific 'beat' (eg. the left side of the bank from the bridge upstream for 400 yards to the old willow, blah blah blah). Fishing someone else's water is a VERY VERY bad idea.

There are lots of 'put & take' fisheries around though where lakes are regularly stocked with hatchery fish for the public. There are usually fees for fishing them but that's the UK for you. Finding water with wild fish that is accessible and allowable to fish is a big challenge.

I think that's why so many fishos over there chase silly fish like carp, chub, dace and other assorted bait/fertilizer with fins.

Cheers, Slinky

[luderick -angler]

Get in contact with Graham Peplar of vintage tackle or the guys at Scottie Rods (Weavers of London) both know me and can put you on the money there is a very good trout fishery right in the heart of london its a stocked lake my wife would know shes from Southgate failing that try barbel fishing in the rivers immensly popular fish and big and powerful, the guys may rubbish the coarse angling but try it.

PM me if you need specific details for contacts okay.

Cheers

Royce.

[sanger]

Get in contact with Graham Peplar of vintage tackle or the guys at Scottie Rods (Weavers of London) both know me and can put you on the money there is a very good trout fishery right in the heart of london its a stocked lake my wife would know shes from Southgate failing that try barbel fishing in the rivers immensly popular fish and big and powerful, the guys may rubbish the coarse angling but try it.

PM me if you need specific details for contacts okay.

Cheers

Royce.

Thanks heaps Royce, i've just started a new job so unfortunitly the hours i will have to chase some fish have been greatly reduced but on the plus side i will now have some money to buy some new tackle!!!!!!!! The course fishing for pike looks like it could be alot of fun to.... not kings but not to bad either by the looks of it! im currently in to minds wether or not to save my money and do a few charters down in madeira or tenereife and try and get myself my first marlin finally..... Truth be known ill probably do both!!!! either way ill have to do some fishing soon!!!!!!

Thanks again for the help royce!

[russel_pollard]

Hey mate - having spent many a year in London for my sins I feel your pain. There are two main trout options available to you. One - farmed trout, this is going to be your starting point while you are learning and are the easiest to catch. I recoomend the Aylebury estates down toward guildford like Powdermills. They are a touch pricey but stock at 5lb on the rainbows and have browns specifically for dry fly and nymphing. They have a location at Syon Lane which is in Syon park bang in the middle of the city, trout are smaller but it is a good place to work on your action. There is another farm toward Southampton that specialises in big trout name called Dever springs, I hit my PB of a 12.5 Lb rainbow there. Otherwise there are plenty more depending on your price, most are catch and keep to reduce stock contamination. Option 2 is wild trout - but I think stick with the farms until you are ready for the fustration and joy of the chalk streams

As for gear, start with a 6wt. Anything less is a bit whippy when you are still learning and you will need distance over presentation to cover more water. Sage do a good 6wt you can pick up for 160 pounds - the Fli I think, couple with a decent reel like the Orvis battenkill and gelspun backing and you can take on pretty much everything including a head wind. The most important thing is the fly line - get floating, and sinking. You will need the latter to get the fly to fish clutching to the bottom of the resevoirs in the summer afternoons. Buy a spare spool for the reel so it is easy to swap between. Cant go wrong with Cortland 444SL as a line. This whole setup will stand you in good stead for most situations. When you want to start flicking dry flies under overhanging trees or in streams then look to a 4wt

Damsels in green or black are the most deadliest fly and will work most days summer or winter and have account for about 80% of the trout I have caught globally.

Last but not least - get a fishing license. You dont want to go to court for not having one and they do check...oh and some gum boots wont hurt as it is the UK and water and soil = mud, lots of it

Thats all I have off the hip - but enjoy and good luck as the trout fishing is pretty good and makes it a bit more bearable

[troutboy]

I will second the cortland 444sl , great intermediate line. Good luck , hope to see a report in the near future. cheers troutboy

[sanger]

Thats all I have off the hip - but enjoy and good luck as the trout fishing is pretty good and makes it a bit more bearable

Thanks heaps Zuluboy!!!!!!!

If i ever get off my bum and get out there i will be sure to report!!!!!

Seen a few good fishing charters for big cod up in iceland which i have my eye on to!!!!!!