Had my first session at Bake LAkes in Cornwall on Thursday. Even by cornish standards it was an awful day tipped it down > I had a 3 hour lesson and then fished by myself for a few hours I had 5 hits resulting in 3 rainbows total weight 5.5lb>
THe one thing I noticed that was different from coarse fishing was the anglers attitude there friendliness and willingness to help
Anywat im hooked I fished with my own limited kit which was a snowbee 9ft rod and a floating line.
Im keen to grown the kit and was wondering do I need a sinking line for the south west reservoires such as siblyback and should I get a slow or fast intermidiatte line
I am also blessed with having a load of small rivers such as the plym and dart what kit do i need for these or am i tring to run before I can walk

Any help greatfully appreciatted

Sounds like a fine start to the game.

9' is a reasonable size rod for a lot of river fishing - use what you have and find the shortfalls before adding extra kit.

The floating lime will do 90% of the trout fishing you'll ever want.

The first thing I'd add would be an airflo sinking or fast sinking "Polyleader" - quick cheap and easy way to get a little deeper into the lake or river - £3 rather than the £30 for a specialist sink-tip (plus whatever for the extra reel/spool).

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Plusnet/Madasafish > Liars to the internet community

welcome to the forum aldo1
you dont state the weight of your outfiy-may need more for the reservoirs but stck with what youve got and as you gain experience you will suss out what you need for your type of fishing.Never be afraid to ask others for advice-most are happy to help


all the best Nick

Sorry its a 7# set up

The reason im asking questions is i have abirthday coming up and its got to be better than aftershave and socks

THe rivers really are quite small so is a 9ft rod to long and a 7# a bit heavy for wild brownies

If I sound like i know what im talking about i really dont

your kit sounds ok for reservoirs but way too heavy for the streams-wouldnt like to say what you need but hopefully someone on here will have experience of the plym or dart

Nick

Hiya,

Sounds like you got off to a cracking start.

With regards to small rivers my personal preference is to fish quite a short rod such as a 7 foot or even down to 6 foot probably a 2/3 weight or a 3/4 weight.

This allows me to make casts in the the trickier spots where overhanging branches and obstructions make a longer rod difficult.

Lots of this is down to personal preference so if you can try before you buy I would always recommend it.

Have Fun!

Dave.

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Courses & Tuition
www.PeaksFlyFishing.com

My God-took me six outings before I caught my first uk trout so you must be doing something right. I've got four rods of various sizes, but still need casting practise as 90 percent of my fly fishing in my earlier life was small streams in america where one doesn't need long casts so when I visit a stillwater I suffer-unlees I can afford a boat which is seldom.

Agree with you about the priority list for birthday pressies.
I can't comment on your rivers, but if you are looking for something about the same price as a bottle of aftershave, I'd go for a medium sinking intermediate line and a slow sinking polyleader to go on your floating line - this for reservoirs. Unless the fish are gasping in the deeps during hot weather, I wouldn't have thought you would have much need for a sinking line - at least until next winter.
The Pitsford Pirate does a range of very well priced good quality lines - according to members of this forum - and I am sure if you pm him with the details of your rod, he would put you right about what you need.

(for a little pressie, don't forget a priest for all those delicious fish you're going to catch and take home to eat)

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

New to the forumn and fairly new to fly fishing I think I'm about a year ahead of you so I understand your dilemma.

I went bank clearing with my local club, as someone said I asked advice. great bunch of lads they suggested the Fladen Vantage 7ft rod 3-4 wt for small rivers. cheap but a good rod. Plus if you're like me you'll bash into alot of trees so expensive early on isn't a great idea.

I'm buying a line DT3WT from the Pitsford Pirate (also mentioned) he is a top Top bloke and really helpful. he suggested the Grey GS reel, again cheap and cheerful but actually a pretty good reel. It took me a little while to realise your big lake reel wouldn't match a light 7ft rod (its too heavy and ruins the balance) sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs.

My current reading is around the leader. I know to match the rod length at 7ft. Step the line rating down so butt 10lbs - Taper 5lbs - tippet 2lbs. but I haven't got the percentages worked out yet.

Best advice - Join a local club. Bit like a forumn but includes beer.

Hope that helped.

Fladen Vantage = £30 which includes VAT and P&P (No Rod tube)
Grey GS 34 reel = £27.50 which includes VAT and P&P
DT 3wt line = £17.50 total

Reasonable birthday present prices hopefully.