Heading out for a trip with a few friends in the spring.

Destination undecided as of yet. Two of us medium experience, two novice (using our spare equipment).

I've only ever fished stillwaters (I have 6W rod/reel), but would be keen to try out some river fly fishing on this trip to allow us to visit some of the more beautiful destinations the UK has to offer and maybe learn some new skills while we're at it.

How will my stillwater equipment in river situations? Will it be too cumbersome or do I just need to rivers that are on the larger side?

Any suggestions as to locations would be great also!

Thanks in advance

I'd firstly pick a location that you all want to go to.then narrow it down to rivers.
Wales would be my suggestion.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

Noted. Wales and Scotland were top of our list. Think I'll do some research on Welsh rivers seeing as it's far closer to us.

Look at the Monnow, Usk, Upper Wye and Taff. All of these would be OK with your gear although perhaps a #5 (or even a #4) would be better and there's plenty of information in various threads on this site. A little further afield the Upper Severn and Welsh Dee also offer quite a lot of options.

Apart from that you would be looking at Yorkshire, Derbyshire or Hampshire but a #6 is a little heavy for most rivers in these areas.

You will manage with a 6 weight outfit but will have to look at your fly selection. You'll need wets, nymphs and dries that mostly imitate olives and other ephemerids, Greenwells Glory, Olive Emergers, PTN, Kite's Imperial, Shrimp, March Brown, and Grannom in sizes 12 - 16 should give you a good chance.

Before anyone picks me up, the last three are not ephemerid imitations but are around in the early part of the year.

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“There is no more lovely country than Monmouthshire in early spring. Nowhere do the larks sing quite so passionately, as if somehow inspired by the Welsh themselves. There is a blackbird on every thorn and a cock chaffinch, a twink as they call him there, on every bush...... It moved me profoundly. I had been spared to see another spring, and I thank God for it.”

Oliver Kite
“A Spring Day on the Usk”
A Fisherman’s Diary

What tosh - the Peak District. Much better.

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"The quarry is not the point of the chase, but merely its pretext, and the chase, purportedly a means to an end, is actually the end itself."Pascal 1961

I agree totally Alex

Mick

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"I will give him seven feet of English ground, or as much more as he may be taller than other men"
http://derbyshireonthefly.blogspot.com/

Hi Pace,

SewinBasher, gave you some good advise!! You can use your #6,weight tackle on the rivers, but it's a bit like : Taking a Hammer to crack an Egg.

#4, and #5, would be far more suitable for river fishing, even on the largest of rivers like the Wye - Usk or Dee, Derbyshire offer some excellent fishing, as does Yorkshire, Cumbria and of-course Scotland.

Here in South Wales the fishing is good and there are many venues to choose from : The Taff, The Usk, The Wye, The Monnow, the Severn; and that's just the major river systems, there's also lots of medium sized rivers; and a multitude of stream systems to choose from!

Firstly, I would suggest you choose an area you would like to visit, then ask about the fishing in that area.

Anyhow, where ever you choose? I hope you find some good fishing.

M

South Wales would have my vote as well, The WUF passport scheme means you have access to mile upon mile of brilliant trout and grayling fishing. I think they even have a few ressies on it as well if you fancy the stillwater.

I believe similar schemes run in the peak district now? and possibly in the South West?

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http://eclecticangler.blogspot.com/

Thanks all - plenty to work with there - I'll get to my research!

I'm simply not able to get hold of any lighter equipment, so will perhaps try and find somewhere close to stillwaters as well as a backup.

I'm lucky enough to fish in many parts of the UK every year and I agree with Jim, decide where you want to go then choose your river. SouthWales is excellent.....but so is mid Wales, Devon, Peak District, Yorkshire, the Eden catchment, Durham (Tees, Derwent) etc etc.

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Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans
John Lennon

http://walksandfishes.blogspot.com/