Fly Fishing Forums - Blogs http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/ Fly fishing forums - covering fly fishing and fly tying for salmon, trout, grayling, saltwater and coarse species en Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:48:05 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.flyforums.co.uk/images/misc/rss.jpg Fly Fishing Forums - Blogs http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/ fly patterns for lake of menteith http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/blastie/254-fly-patterns-lake-menteith.html Sat, 04 Feb 2012 08:03:41 GMT i,m fishing the lake alot this year and i,m looking for some patterns so i can get tying them cheers :) i,m fishing the lake alot this year and i,m looking for some patterns so i can get tying them cheers :) ]]> blastie http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/blastie/254-fly-patterns-lake-menteith.html Fishin hat http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/tonio1962/253-fishin-hat.html Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:13:30 GMT ---Quote (Originally by Acid House)--- Looking for a new fishing hat to kick off the new season; Suggestions welcome........ :omg: ---End...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Acid House View Post
Looking for a new fishing hat to kick off the new season;

Suggestions welcome........ :omg:
Tillers are hard to beat. Unlike an egg. ]]> tonio1962 http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/tonio1962/253-fishin-hat.html i love this freeeking fishery http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/joshstewart1/252-i-love-freeeking-fishery.html Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:50:53 GMT so yeah just messing about in the water today put a hand line with a polly ball and weight caught the fish :L it was 5 lbs 6 ounce :L these fish are... so yeah just messing about in the water today put a hand line with a polly ball and weight caught the fish :L it was 5 lbs 6 ounce :L these fish are great there taking any thing that comes along ]]> joshstewart1 http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/joshstewart1/252-i-love-freeeking-fishery.html a bit about me http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/snowy/251-bit-about-me.html Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:32:36 GMT hi all a long time ago I used too live in Jamestown about 1958 I learnt too swim in the leven and fish my first road was a 9ft garden cane some line... hi all a long time ago I used too live in Jamestown about 1958 I learnt too swim in the leven and fish my first road was a 9ft garden cane some line a cork float yes you guest by now I am still fishing but mostly for course fish in Norfolk where I live now been in Norwich since 1968 when we left Glasgow I Am coming up to helensburgh in June it is my first trip back since 1970 I just wondered if aney members used to go to the school in Jamestown around 1958 looking on Google map I see the old railway bridge is still there I will be looking round all my old haunts ttfn snowy. ]]> snowy http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/snowy/251-bit-about-me.html 15-01-2012: Stenhouse Reservoir http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/garyj/250-15-01-2012-stenhouse-reservoir.html Sun, 22 Jan 2012 08:49:59 GMT Arriving at 8am to be met with a semi-frozen loch and a temperature of around 1deg, no wind and clear skies; not ideal for boating! A few fish were... Arriving at 8am to be met with a semi-frozen loch and a temperature of around 1deg, no wind and clear skies; not ideal for boating!
A few fish were rising so I started with a floater and a few dries to no avail.
Switched to a DI3 with nymphs on bob and top dropper and a gold shuggie on the point, missed one take.
Down to a green/black fritz on the point an a black/green holo cormorant on the dropper, landed a nice 3lber (on the fritz). Steady fast retrieve with a 10sec count to get the flies down.
Thinking I was snagged, I straightened the rod out only for something big to take of like a train and break me, loosing my point fly.
Landed another three on a green/black nomad, then was snapped again on the cormorant.
Missed a couple more then finished around 1:15pm. ]]> garyj http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/garyj/250-15-01-2012-stenhouse-reservoir.html Reflections on a favourite water..... http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/coquet_trout/249-reflections-favourite-water.html Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:15:32 GMT I know a place where time stands still. Like everything around us, it changes with the ongoing march of the seasons each year, yet in most ways it... I know a place where time stands still. Like everything around us, it changes with the ongoing march of the seasons each year, yet in most ways it remains constant. The lake in question is a relatively new acquaintance, after an initial introduction we spent most of last year getting to know each other. I realise that it has become one of my favourite waters....

read more at my blog, click on the link below;

The Coquet Trout ]]> coquet_trout http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/coquet_trout/249-reflections-favourite-water.html need buisness in snyppes http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/joshstewart1/248-need-buisness-snyppes.html Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:55:11 GMT Snyppes dam hasnt got alot of funds so we are depending on you to come up we guarentee a warm welcome and lots of action on the water especially in... Snyppes dam hasnt got alot of funds so we are depending on you to come up we guarentee a warm welcome and lots of action on the water especially in the warmer months scince september i have caught 103 rainbow trout in the water on the fly the bait works just as good so please if you come up it would be to your benifit so snyppes dam neilston you can buy flies for £1 each hire rods and touition is availible KEEP SNYPPES BEAUTIFULL ]]> joshstewart1 http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/joshstewart1/248-need-buisness-snyppes.html sinking line is floating !!!!!!!!!!! http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/lee-catmail/247-sinking-line-floating.html Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:11:53 GMT i have purchased a dt medium sink 6# that spends half its time floating has any one any addvice on how to make it sink many thanks lee:mad: i have purchased a dt medium sink 6# that spends half its time floating has any one any addvice on how to make it sink many thanks lee:mad: ]]> lee catmail http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/lee-catmail/247-sinking-line-floating.html Meeting Paddy http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/marazion-midge/246-meeting-paddy.html Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:21:07 GMT Meeting Paddy Well I was back in Ireland at the old man’s house, and along with us Terry a long-time friend of the family. We had some good craic... Meeting Paddy
Well I was back in Ireland at the old man’s house, and along with us Terry a long-time friend of the family.
We had some good craic on the 500 mile drive from Cornwall bets flying on the first salmon and the heaviest, and me bragging as up until this point I was the only one who had caught salmon on the fly, even though my father had caught more than I am ever likely too.
Anyway the day after arriving Terry was off down the Bonet but the water just wasn’t right and the old fella knowing this wasn’t too worried, and me and him started to do some work on the house, and started planning a day on the Drowse river as we worked away, and some fishing on Lough Melvin.
Next couple of days saw bright dry weather and not much hope of a fish, but weekend was looming and our Irish neighbour was up for me and Terry going to the Blue Devon to watch the all-Ireland football semi-finals.
Well Sunday was here no fish as yet but this was the day for the football so off to the pub.
In them days the Guinness was like cream and took 10 minutes to pour a pint scraping the head off and leaving it settle.
Anyway after a few pints and goes at predicting the score on the sweep we were mixing well with the locals, one being Paddy who lived down near Lough Gill beside the Isle of Innisfree, and we got to talking about fishing and one thing and another! and it came to pass that paddy had a boat that he would love for us to use.
Must mention Mary Kate Paddy’s wife, a woman who loves to speak her mind! I remember one day in the Devon having a pint and MK sitting back in the corner, who should walk in but Joe Crown supporting his new moustache. “What do you think of it Mary Kate?” asked Joe, without a thought or blink came MK’S reply “I’ve often peed through better Joe” and the pub erupted into laughter.
Anyway back to the fishing, next day after the football we were feeling a bit worse for wear but the old fella hearing about Paddy and the boat was all for taking a trip down to lough Gill and a trip in the boat, so after a late breakfast we set off for Innisfree.
It was about 11.30 when we pulled up outside Paddy’s house and he was having trouble with his T20 tractor, this being right up my father’s street as he was a diesel fitter in his younger days, Well he went over fiddled around asked for a few spanners and within 25 minutes the tractor was purring like a kitten, and from that moment on we and the Gaffney family have been friends of the highest regard.
After the mechanics Paddy took us down to the pier where his boat was and got the oars from the gig shed and set about telling us where to fish, you will row out around the point and out there you will see a white rock cliff, just up from there is the mouth to the Bonet! What you need to do is row around there in figure of eights, you should get fish. At this I ask how many have you had then this year paddy? Never caught a salmon in my life came his reply, but that’s where you will get them!
Well muggings here was put on the oars and I stroked out to the white rock, My father and Terry were not waiting they had there trolling lures out within 15yards of the sure both desperate for a fish, and we didn’t have to wait long my father rod bent over, “ now you hitched the bottom” I said, as his rod bent over in the rod holder, “Oh no son I’m in and it’s a big-un” My heart sunk a fiver was about to be lost, FIRST DARN SALMON! But somehow this fish wasn’t playing like a salmon, and it wasn’t, but what a fearsome head came from the depths a pike and about 15lbs of mussel pushing them flesh munching teeth at us.
After releasing the pike I carried on rowing and rowing for 3 or 4 hours and my dad was having a field day on pike, and perch, on his killer as he called it. I had 1 pike and a perch and terry a pike but that killer was truly that because every two or three minutes it seemed father was playing a fish, I claimed it was unfair as my rod was just stuck in the rest, but in truth it was that bloody killer lure, and when my dad lost it fighting some monster we never even got to see his luck was no better than ours.
I often still go down to Lough Gill and fish the same spot by the white rock, not rowing now just letting the 4hp Yamaha do the work, but like Paddy I’m still to catch from that area, but you nearly always see a salmon leaping there.
If I am using the fly rod on Lough Gill there are some good drifts on the lake my favourite being down and in behind the Innisfree island, but a lot of anglers prefer to fish Parks castle side, but with all the Irish lough’s there are lots of tucked in bays and islands to hunt out and fish around.
I’m not sure where you would get a boat or ghillie to fish the Lough but there is a tackle shop in Sligo town that should be able to help.
I must comment now about the bets that were placed on the first day of our journey, My father had the first fish, we were sat no more than 8ft apart worm fishing the falls where the two roads meet on the Bonet, next thing his rod bent over and he was playing a 8lb bar of silver which he landed, and that was the fiver for first fish! I had a couple of coloured fish that had to go back, and hooked into a big fresh fish on the Drowse on a big silver spoon that I just paid 2.50 punts for up at the lodge, well the fish took off down over the falls just below the four masters bridge and busted me up so lost fish and lost spoon, so that 8pounder the old man had was now worth £20 for first fish and heaviest, how I wish I hadn’t laughed when my father lost the lure on lough Gill because he was laughing now.
The journey continues to this day and it seems every new day on the loughs brings another story, and now my grandson has taken my dear dads place in the boat and on the river I just hope he will have the fond memories that me and my dad shared before he passed away.
So in the words of many an Irishman “Keep it country”
And from a Cornishman “see you dreckly”
Mike Parkyn ]]> MARAZION MIDGE http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/marazion-midge/246-meeting-paddy.html Daunting loughs of Ireland http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/marazion-midge/245-daunting-loughs-ireland.html Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:00:50 GMT Daunting loughs of Ireland Lough Melvin My father had bought a cottage on the bank of the river Bonet in Ireland in 1990 and it was my first trip... Daunting loughs of Ireland
Lough Melvin
My father had bought a cottage on the bank of the river Bonet in Ireland in 1990 and it was my first trip over and ventured out for a look at the lough’s I’d heard so much about.
Being an angler who was only used to small rivers, Stillwater’s or 200 acre stocked reservoirs at most; it came as a daunting shock to see the vast expanse of water facing me! As I looked up across Lough Melvin from the shore of Garrison in Co Fermanagh.

Where would one start where would one fish?
Well sitting down next to an old fellow whose face seemed craggy and smoke stained, perhaps by the many nights sat by a Smokey peat fire I enquired “do you fish the lough”
Pondering for a bit before replying, sort of like he was trying to get a feel for me or my accent (Cornish) he started his reply.
“To be sure I’ve not fished it this year or the year before but before that but in 1972 I was a regular fisherman” My quick thoughts were cricky you can pick um, but pushed a little more! Any places I could fish from the bank?
“aye be-jeezus why wouldn’t there be” If you go back the road here, he gestured towards the road to Rossinver, go past the fishery and take the first right and then turn up to the church yard, follow the path down to the lake and fish away.
I asked “where do I get a permit”? “To be sure, No permits or licence needed there just fish away” came his reply.
Well after some more idle chat I set off for the church yard, and a bit of fishing.
I followed the path down past the ruins of the old church thinking that apart from it falling into ruin and a few more graves not much had changed here for a few hundred years, then I emerged from the trees onto a small beach like area with a small river to my left, ‘Splash’ before I had got to the water’s edge a salmon leapt and crashed back onto and then under the water, “my god, I’m in heaven”
I tackled up and fished my team of wets, and took a few beautifully coloured browns up to just over a pound, I looked at my watch and couldn’t believe 7 hours had passed as it seemed like only half an hour since that first salmon had leapt, although there were 20 to 30 more sightings of salmon since I’d been there.

Meeting Bernie
Three days later I was back to the “church” as I decided to call it and fishing away when a chap in a boat pulled up and walked over for a chat, I’m Bernie he said! live up the road on the way up to Breffney.
I hope you don’t mind me fishing here I said, To be sure fish away lad! came his reply and if you want you’re welcome to share my boat, which over time I did on many occasions and his local knowledge was priceless and his stories even more so.
Well from that first day 20+ years ago I have always had a love for Melvin, not only for the fishing but for the sights.
Today you can hire a boat from Sean McGuire at Melvin Tackle and even have him ghillie for you, drift the main lake or many bays and areas spread over the loughs 8mile length. Take a bit of food and pull up on an island and boil up the Kelly kettle and unwind from the hustle of everyday life.
Or if the boat isn’t your thing just walk down to a little bit of heaven and fish away on the bay past the old ruined church.
In my first days fishing the lough I used traditional flies the same that I was using back home like Green Peters, Butchers, Invicta’s and Zulu’s and these will and do still work to this day, But having spent many hours fishing the lough I now have a full armoury of Duck flies,
Dabblers, sedges and mayfly patterns, with a few secret ones thrown in.
If you decide to visit The Emerald Isle (Ireland) and fish one of her many loughs be sure to ask an old local, and you won’t go far wrong.
And things have changed with the peace process, no more road blocks and check points, as there were then, just drive and enjoy the sights.
Mike Parkyn ]]> MARAZION MIDGE http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/marazion-midge/245-daunting-loughs-ireland.html Fly fishing flies supply http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/elburgonflytyers/244-fly-fishing-flies-supply.html Thu, 29 Dec 2011 06:21:57 GMT Hello Anglers, Ill supply you with fly fishing flies at the best prices and premium quality, You can visit our online fly shop at... Hello Anglers,

Ill supply you with fly fishing flies at the best prices and premium quality,

You can visit our online fly shop at [url]http://www.elburgonfliessupply.com[/url], You can also e-mail us on [email]francis@elburgonfliessupply.com[/email]

I wish you the best as you buy your flies,
God bless you,
Regards,
Francis , ]]> elburgonflytyers http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/elburgonflytyers/244-fly-fishing-flies-supply.html Planning Ideal Salmon Fishing Trips: Where to Go http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/jdroos/243-planning-ideal-salmon-fishing-trips-where-go.html Sun, 25 Dec 2011 19:37:29 GMT If you’re like me, right now you’re probably sitting next to a crackling fire with friends and family, sipping hot chocolate and perfectly content to... If you’re like me, right now you’re probably sitting next to a crackling fire with friends and family, sipping hot chocolate and perfectly content to be in the warmth of good relationships and the indoors. But as much as I love these things, we all know that soon enough these cozy times will come to an end for the year. Spring will have sprung. We’ll put away our gloves, hats and thick quilts to enjoy the outdoors once again. Our thoughts will turn to jogging, golf, camping, fishing trips and all things summer. Planning ahead for enjoyable moments never hurts, so why not think about how you’re going to make that next fishing trip a great memory for you and those friends and family you’re with right now?

Good salmon fishing trips take good planning. At first glance, you may think that most fishing outfits are the same. After all, if they’re charging you that much money, they should deliver the goods, right? Unfortunately, not all fishing outfits are created equal. I’ve read several “horror” stories where the client pays out thousands of dollars, only to return home empty-handed. So how do you make sure you don’t become one of these horror stories, and in turn increase your chances of wild success?
An essential key to successful salmon fishing is going where the salmon are. Due to a large amount of publicity, most people these days associate good salmon fishing with Alaska. However, after some research, it’s come to my attention that this may not actually be the ideal place to go for fishing vacations. The salmon returns have not been as consistent as what they once were. Yes, the Yukon River has had decent fishing, but the rest of the state has struggled to have the success it was once known for, due to commercial over-fishing.

So where are the fish? You may ask. Well I’m glad you did. Some of the most consistent catches have been reported from the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. Why? Fish go where the food is… and the Vancouver Island area is like a salmon’s all-you-can-eat buffet. Notable items on the menu include needle fish, herring and squid. This area is rife with them. As long as there is something to eat, the fish will be there.

And boy, are they there. To give you some perspective, this past year, there was an estimated 100,000 Chinook salmon run in the Yukon River in Alaska (and only 50,000 in the ever popular Kenai). In contrast, the Columbia River had a count of 700,000 (and this is just one of several rivers connected to the Vancouver Island area). You can do the math.
There are a few other major reasons why the salmon fishing is so consistent in the Vancouver Island area. First, the fishing is good from June to mid-September. You don’t have to make a panicked call to cram a fishing trip into a two week window. This is because there are several rivers which are supplied by the area. The other major success factor lies in the weather conditions. Certain areas on the island are sheltered from the wind and rain that other areas receive, so it allows for fishermen to be out more. More time out equals more time catching fish.

When you combine all these factors, it’s no wonder there’s such consistent success in the Vancouver Island area!

As if it needs to be said, I’d highly recommend looking into it. It’s kind of a no-brainer, if you ask me. That is, unless you’re not a big fan of being out on the water with a cool summer breeze in your hair, reeling in tons of hard-fighting fish. If you’re not, then forget about what I say and we’ll be back to square one.
If you are a fan of catching lots of fish and happen to take my advice, you’re now one step closer to having one of your best fishing trips planned out. Armed with this information, it’s pretty simple to start looking around the Vancouver Island area for the companies that can give you the best bang for your buck. Yes, there will be a whole lot more you’ll need to do to make this successful. But the fact is, once you know where you want to go, the planning becomes much easier. You can start with the end in mind!

With this first step out of the way, you can go back to your crackling fire, steaming hot chocolate and stimulating conversation; all the while knowing that your summer plans are taking shape. You can even let your friends and family in on the plot. Who knows, it may turn into a last minute Christmas present for that certain someone you know is dying to go salmon fishing!

Here’s to a great Christmas and New Year!
J.D. Roos
Salmon Fishing the World
Salmonfishingnow.com ]]> jdroos http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/jdroos/243-planning-ideal-salmon-fishing-trips-where-go.html Stenhouse fishery http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/fabsmart/242-stenhouse-fishery.html Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:54:36 GMT visited Stenhouse fishery today for a couple of hours on what was to say the least a cold winters day. upon arrival there was no one fishing probably... visited Stenhouse fishery today for a couple of hours on what was to say the least a cold winters day. upon arrival there was no one fishing probably because it was so cold never the less i gave it whirl. I set up with my usual a floating line with a team of three flies on a 6lb leader with a Fab on the point a mini cat on the middle dropper and a bloodworm on the top dropper.

I opted for the boat and ventured up the top end of the loch where i saw a couple of fish moving. I had just dropped my flies into the water only for a trout to come up and grab the fab without me paying any attention it was off as quick as it was on. About ten minutes later i connected with a fish that took off like a steam train and was in perfect condition, superb quality fish of about 2lbs after that i had another couple of knocks to the fab and eventually i connected only this time it took the cat on the dropper yet again it took of like a steam train honestly these are some of the best fighting fish i have seen and caught the only fish i can compare them too are the fish at Rutland and the lake of mentieth.
Overall i had 2 fish dropped 2 and a couple of pulls all within a couple of hours.
This is a promising little water full of potential as its under new management now they offer a wide and varied range of tickets to suit all and is stocked every week depending on what has came out during the week(weekly stocking average is around 100 fish rainbows, blues, and tigers, and the odd brownie plus residents. 2lbs + all fully finned ). They are open all year now but are closing on a Monday Tuesday and wedensday.
I can only suggest get along and give it a try for yourself.:thumbs: ]]> fabsmart http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/fabsmart/242-stenhouse-fishery.html Whinney Loch,Coldingham http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/santarouge/241-whinney-loch-coldingham.html Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:15:13 GMT Hi there folks,well just reflecting on another great day at whinney. Total catch was 9 rainbows to the bank one of which was 7lbs +. It was a rather... Hi there folks,well just reflecting on another great day at whinney. Total catch was 9 rainbows to the bank one of which was 7lbs +.
It was a rather blustery and cold day bright to start of with then clouding over in the afternoon.
4 hours is just not enough when you get quality sport like this,thanks for reading :thumbs: ]]> santarouge http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/santarouge/241-whinney-loch-coldingham.html Stenhouse Fishery http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/fabsmart/240-stenhouse-fishery.html Wed, 30 Nov 2011 18:42:41 GMT Any 1 been to stenhouse recently was gona try and get there monday weather permitting os course. Any 1 been to stenhouse recently was gona try and get there monday weather permitting os course. ]]> fabsmart http://www.flyforums.co.uk/blogs/fabsmart/240-stenhouse-fishery.html