Hello all

A little help please. I'm just about to - well this weekend make my first foray into course flyfishing.

In the first instance I was going try my local canal - the caldon in staffordshire.

And then perhaps onto the Churnet.

I am assuming that I will cast to features in the canal (weeds, inflows etc). And fish it as one would fish stillwater - slow figure of eight etc.

But the river - I keep on reading about downstream tactics - I am only used to fishing upstream - does it have to be downstream?

Alex

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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

Hi Alex, seems like you and a few others have decided to wait till now to try for coarse fish...bad move
It gets really hard to get coarse fish in winter on a fly (apart from the predators-pike/perch). It is far better to learn when they are easier in summer but if you must then read this thread as I do get some success from certain brooks....
Through the winer tactics
All the best
Dee

Dave

I think it's because we are moving off trout!

Which is perhaps a shame - but you never know.

Thanks for the tips.

Alex

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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

Hi Alex as sb Dave said it will be tough, this is a hard time of year for the fly but not impossible.
Look for features especialy bridges and boats, also look for deep water as this may be a degree or so warmer depending on weather conditions. In the summer fish are more active and spread about in the water but in the winter they shoal up tight, and I mean tight!
Water clarity is important the clearer the better though I have caught fish in only 12 inches af clarity. Use lighter leaders and tippets and fish deep, and keep moving from swim to swim. Perch and pike are your best bet though a roach or two may put in an appearence. Location is everything find out were the coarsefishers are catching from and go for the most productive areas. Let us know how you do

I am quite confused with some of the statements here. I really look forwards to winter fishing for chub here in the Netherlands (canals) as they move from colder deeper water to shallower warmer water. Roach are available but not as active. Perhaps as SB points out that rivers are colder hence fishing is tough as opposed to canals. The flies as pointed out in the link should serve you well & figure of 8 retrevies (& slower if possible) in the canal should yeild fish.

Hi Alex.

You should catch Grayling from the Churnett on the good old fashion "Down and Across" method. Try a couple of flies on your leader. Have a weighted fly on the point and a Spider pattern on your dropper. May I suggest a Gold head Nymph and a Black and Peacock Spider combo. The theory is that by casting downstream the fish will move to the fly from its lie, take the fly and then move back. It will give you a very visual indication of a take.

Just cast across the stream at a 45 degree angle and follow the flies down (and across)the stream with your rod tip. If it looks like a take, lift your rod. If you're lucky a fish will pull your line tight. Try the usual swims and be prepared for a shock. You might hook into a Chubb.

I agree with the others about your timing on the canal. You might get a Perch or two on a Dog Knobbler (Jack Pike are fond of a D. K. too). Look for all the populr features. Overhanging trees/bushes. Reed beds and any inflows/bays/moored boats you might find. The "Downstream" end of a set of locks usualy has slightly deeper water due to the scouring effect of the lock being opened.

I fish the Cauldon Canal near to Leek and I've found that the water clarity is not good throughout the year. Although if we have a few nights of frost it tends to clear a bit.

Just a word of warning regarding boat owners. They can get very irate if your fly hit their craft (if they're at home) with your fly no matter how small your fly is. Please, please dont cast close to power cables. These can be hidden behind the towpath in a field. Look before you cast. It can be fatal if you don't.

My "Stock in trade" is a 9ft #4 rod. I find it'll tend to keep my cast away from the tackle hungry bushes.

Hope this helps.
Ernie.

PFFA Membership Secretary

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May the fluff be with you

Too right...some of them go completely nuts and most boat dwellers are already a bit strange...to say the least!
Hit their boat and stand well back...fireworks
Dee