Is it possible to fly fish with trees right behind you?

I'm thinking of trying Leeds Liverpool canal a try next week on the Bradford City AA stretch.


I'll be using a 9' rod with a 8 weight saltwater floating line.

Yes, is the short answer, try casting along the canal, this way you cover the water better than directly across!

Alan

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Alan

I catch pike on my local canals(SUC and Llangollen) very close to the towpath, either casting parallel to, or just walking the towpath towing the lure about 2m behind me. If the trees aren't overhead, then cast parallel to the bank.

What if there are lots of people walking past?

Cannae be so busy that you cant find a time to cast surely ?

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http://urbanflyfisher.com/

Whereabouts do you fish? As I'll be coming over and staying at St'Martins not far from Chirk, so I'm looking for tips....

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Life is like a box of choclates. Ya never know what ya gonna get.

Forrest Gump 1994

You've cracked it then. Do the touristy walks either side of tunnel, or anywhere around St Martin's.
I usually just fish beaded Zonkers and Minkies towing whilst walking with the family. Pinch a swan shot on the line if you need the lure to sink further when towing. Any likely looking spots then just cast to (take the swan shot off if casting). I know the SUC (Shropshire Union Canal) better, and generally know the places to attack at different times of the year. Llangollen canal is generally wherever we are walking, as it is more picturesque I can kid the family into coming out with me. You should get perch at least. The great thing about the Llangollen canal is that it is generally clearer than the SUC, so I think flies work better. On the SUC in the summer and early autumn, a rattling spinner works better in the murky water (boat traffic churning the bottom as its relatively shallow). I ceratinly feel more confident with some 'noise' in the muddier waters. Now though, as the boat traffic eases, the clarity is pretty good during the week.

If you're staying at St Martin's, don't waste an opportunity to get on the Dee. The Maelor waters are a stone throw away and day tickets to be had. Grayling!

As has been said already i would focus on the margins , no need to cast to the other side, cast at an angle just off parallel with the bank. All canals follow a similar template and will have shallow margins then a steep shelf into deeper water. Locating and fishing along the edge of the shelf is probably your best bet.

I lived for 14 years in St'Martins, and have fished pretty the whole area, though that being said, 6 years ago. I visit my parents who still live there each year and generally fish Chirk Fishery or the Dee, but fancied a trip back to my childhood days on the SUC.

I haven't a hire car this time, so excersions will be on a bike, so I think I'll hit the St'Marton locks, as I used to get quite a bit here before.

Though thanks for the tips, I'll sure put them to good use

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Life is like a box of choclates. Ya never know what ya gonna get.

Forrest Gump 1994

Hi Articfoxfly yes it is possible to fish with trees behind you I often have to do this and it can be difficult and very frustrating.
As has been mentioned by the lads above casting along the canal and towing the fly along will work fine but to reach the middle or the other side you must make several rollcasts.
This is the way I do it though I am not sure if it is the right way. Strip some line off the reel then wiggle the rod tip from side to side close to the water this will pull the line through the rod rings into the water forming a series of wiggly loops. (not to much though). Then rollcast this amount out then repeat the procedure till you can reach your target. It is easier with a floating line and a lighter fly.
It is a bit long winded but it has helped me in the past, hope I have descibed it ok.
If anyone knows of a better way I to would be pleased to hear about it.