I didnt know which section to post this in but have put it in here as i might not get such a mauling from the "purists".

Thing is i am going to go fishing next week on the river, i will be taking my usual fly fishing gear, but am wondering about the legality of taking my trotting gear and using a fly under a float instead of a baited hook.

Has anyone used tactics such as this on their waters and is it legal or not ?

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http://manchesterfishingfiend.blogspot.com

dont know about its legality but to me it seems like it would be deadly!!!!

It's not going to be 'against the law of the land' unless you're breaking the rules you've tacitly agreed to when you bought your ticket...

Check with the ticket provider... if they say no, then don't do it

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Adam
"Dum vivimus, vivamus."

http://www.adamhughes.net

no rules other than EA byelaws

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http://manchesterfishingfiend.blogspot.com

The use of a float out of season is strictly prohibited under EA byelaws in some regions. Check the byelaws for your area on the EA website first.

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Around the steel no tortur'd worm shall twine,
No blood of living insect stain my line;
Let me, less cruel, cast feather'd hook,
With pliant rod athwart the pebbled brook,
Silent along the mazy margin stray,
And with fur-wrought fly delude the prey

strange rule. i bet strike indicators are allowed though

Never been aware of that one, thought you could use worm out of season under a float for Trout ? Likes been said all a floats for is to indicate a bite ''strike indicator'' would they be banned under the same bylaws??

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I wind about, and in and out,
With here a blossom sailing,
And here and there a lusty trout,
And here and there a grayling,

And here and there a foamy flake
Upon me, as I travel
With many a silvery waterbreak
Above the golden gravel,

And draw them all along, and flow
To join the brimming river,
For men may come and men may go,
But I go on for ever.

-- Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Tony http://timebytheriver.blogspot.com/

this is exactly what ive been wanting to do.im ringing the ea on tue to confirm,fish pimp over a weighted fly on an greys g-lite ultralight rod,i have a tiny river to fish and this will enable me to fish fly rod inexcessable swims,plus im not a very good fly caster and dont have any waders yet.trout here we come,i know that i will have lots of people saying not to fish thinking im using bait! lots of explaning i suppose if i am allowed.

I dont think it will be a problem.

I would imagine the reason no float is stipulated - and it is certainly prohibited in the EA Midlands byelaws, is that it would make it exceptionally difficult to police who was, and was not complying with the rules in the close season. Anyone using a float, correct gape of hook, and worm section could fish all day with impunity regardless of their target species.

If someone is using a fly rod, and has a fly on the end on a river that has trout in it, i think indicator or not you are ok!

__________________
Around the steel no tortur'd worm shall twine,
No blood of living insect stain my line;
Let me, less cruel, cast feather'd hook,
With pliant rod athwart the pebbled brook,
Silent along the mazy margin stray,
And with fur-wrought fly delude the prey