Hi, Taking up fly fishing - used to be a match angler but due to the shear amount of time that it takes up conflicting with family commitments I am having to reconsider. I dabbled in fly fishing as a teenager but haven't cast a line now for 20 years so I am approaching it as a complete beginner.

I live a stones throw away from Pitsford so this will be my chosen local fishery, i realise how daunting somewhere as big as Pitsford can be for a beginner but the whole point of this exercise is to spend as much time on the bank as poss given the limitations of family life. Booking beginners course this week.

I tend to throw myself into my hobbies and become slightly obsessive so excuse my pending torrent of questions that will be posted on this site, I know that it must get tiresome for the 'old hats' amongst you but any information would truly be appreciated, so thanks in advance.

Firstly i need to purchase a rod and reel £200 budget, I have done a bit of research and think that I need a 9'6 rod #7 for bank fishing reservoirs? As for reels, I think that the availability of spare spools is probably a selling point to me at this point, what do you think?

Cheers

Chris White.

Welcome to the Forum.Chris

Jim

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

hello i am sure there will be a forum member near you to meet at pitsford and have a fish before buying anything first so then you buy what you realy need. and get some good advice too. with that in mind many on here sell nice gear, and good lines. good luck

hi chris welcome to ehe forum

Another welcome, Chris.

Trouble with giving advice on tackle is that it is such a personal matter. Whilst I will leave it for more experienced members to advise you in detail, £200 should get you some decent entry level gear.
I would say that IMHO a reel is largely a line storage device and you don't need to spend a fortune on it.
People on this forum seem to rate the lines sold by Pitsford Pirate and Bario. You'll get a decent line at a sensible (good) price. And you'll get some impartial advice from them if you need it.

__________________
"Take not out your 'ounds on a werry windy day" Surtees.

Welcome to the forum

Thanks chaps, the thing that is most appealing to me is how little gear is needed compared to match fishing and that you can literally be fishing within minutes of arriving insead of almost an hour which is what it can take when match style course fishing. Also in match fishing you get so focused on what you are doing you can miss out on the surrounding wildlife, landscape etc.
Really looking forward to it. The wife and kids can tag along on a summers day, less than ideal i know but it will keep the peace.

Cheers.

Another good thing about being a match fisherman is that you won't **** about playing the trout for longer than necessary, but bring it in without fuss, unhook and release quickly. Trout take enough pressure as it is.
Good fishing

__________________
"Take not out your 'ounds on a werry windy day" Surtees.

Welcome to the forum Chris, you'll find all the information and advice you need on here.

__________________
Eddie
"We look to Scotland for all our ideas of civilisation."
Voltaire

Try and get yourself along to Pitsford water tackle shop and have a feel of a few rods and reels, they don't have a huge selection but will give you some ideas.

Lots of rods and reels out there within budget, however please consider all the sundries you will need also, this sport aint cheap but it helps to be frugal, try before you buy and always make comparisons, search out the best deals, price matching etc.

Contact Grommit (Ian Woods) on here for good tackle advice, prices and service, he won't rip you off.

A 9.5ft #7 sounds about right though.

The Pirate.

__________________
Sonik Sports Team Pitsford Pirates - No pressure, just pleasure! Pip pip!

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/trade-cla...e-bonanza.html

http://www.soniksports.com/

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/fly-lines...unkistbob.html