I was 'that' kind of angler who spent years trusting his own ability... trusting ''commercial'' advertising on the next wonder rod to hit the market... the next fly line that would pretty much catch the fish for you blah blah blah blah blah. The next reel that could get you out of bed for fishing just on time... with a cup of tea and a smile. The next foam arsed interactive, UV, illuminous, must buy, wonder fly that would stick no matter the conditions.

I found myself thinking... I just wish I could cast a whole fly line with ease... I wish I could spend my fishing trips enjoying the whole day without my casting ... fly line and rod frustrating the hell out of me.

I took a decision recently that completely changed my whole concept and ability as a trout angler. I booked a session with an instruction from Dagenham in Essex called Trevor Morgan.

I first spoke with Trevor via e-mail and was invited to meet with him to see if he could sort my 'bl**dy' casting out. I went loaded with my usual armoury I would use for most of my stillwater fishing. This included my 'Platinum XD comp special super wonder stick' blah blah blah. My supposedly trouble free 'peach Cortland floater' my multi-line completely interchangeable 'Greys sooper dooper' wonder reel etc etc etc.

Trevor looked at my casting style and technique and began to make a few immediate changes. For Trevor however, just to help and change a few things would have completely insulted his years of professionalism and reputation. Without a hint of commercialism, he suggested I tried his set up which included a rod a 10' 7# made and designed by himself and a two tone floater called 'The Javelin'.

WOW.


After just a few minutes with this set up I was filled with an immense feeling that bought the biggest smile on my face that I could possibly ever remember over years and years of 'do it yourself' fly fishing.

This feeling came from this set up and in particular the Javelin. This was and is the first line I have ever used that flew through the rings with complete and utter ease... was completely supple (even on grass). As a matter of fact... it was even 'slicking up' from a small bit of moisture on the grass. The first line I have used... with little effort... that smacked the back of the reel and landed 'LIKE A BUTTERFLY'. I was so delighted I felt at last Ive found a guy who knows his stuff. An instructor who was not into ripping off all and sundry, a traditional old ****** who just felt the need to 'make fly fishing easy'. An instructor who wanted away from the big sale of the so called conglomerates of fly fishing. Some equipment that absolutely and completely talks for itself. I tried the javelin for a whole session at Grafham on Sunday. Yes... it floated like a cork.. pretty much memory free... and casted a dream.

Due to me being 40 in a few weeks I was lucky enough to have the most amazing wife who, upon return, could see the look on my face... and ordered the most amazing gift for me. A real fishing tool designed by a real angler for a real passionate fly fisherman just like me.

Trevor's set up made such an amazing impression on me I urge anyone who is after a similar experience to try his set up and in particular ''that javelin''. WOW. You will experience a completely new easy way to fly fish.

Don't take my word for it however, take a look yourself Fly fishing Tuition in London. Trevor Morgan FlyFishing, London. English craftsman built fly rods & fly fishing equipment made in the UK.

Thank you Trevor for trying to help me become the fly fisherman I always wanted and tried so hard to be.

Kindest regards,


Vic..............

Reads as if you went for a lesson and received a sales pitch instead.

So far from the truth you would not believe mate.

Hello vic it is good to hear your story on here i think many fisherman including me have in the past have not found peace and contentment in our fly fishing, i have now as catching a trout comes second to enjoying our beautifull countryside, you dont need expensive gear or the latest fad just to enjoy fly fishing, or maybe i am wrong!! others will say their thoughts too on here. i believe your were a good fisherman before but now shown and help by a good instructor as trevor is and so many like him in the uk. if i was starting again i would do same but too old and set ways still bring me joy on the river or lake and meeting other to converse our fishy tales or fly patterns catching. i will soon be casting the first line this season, sarnies and flask ready, binos in bag, hoping a good year to enjoy all. ps hope you enjoy your 40th

Good to hear you're sorted.

Getting the balance right on gear is important.
Spending loads of money on gear is unnecessary - fun but unnecessary.
My main set-up is a 20 year-old Orvis Clearwater eight and a half feet #5, coupled with an equally old Orvis Battenkill reel and a PP line. My lighter setup (new last year) is a seven foot Zhu #4 cane rod, coupled with a £13 Pridex and an old silk line.
If I want a slow days fishing I'll rest the Orvis in favour of my £60 Falcon eight and a half foot cane rod.
These setups are nicely balanced and cast beautifully. They are used on the upper Wye and the Irfon and fit those rivers well. I can't fault the PP line, which is also amazing value, as others on here have frequently said.

Silk lines btw, were a revelation for me. They are limp, lovely to cast, and sit on top of the surface film and not in it. They also last if looked after. My silk line must be 50 years old at least.

__________________
That wouldn't happen with a Pridex

So what are we saying here it must have been the tackle and not your poor technique, it sounds like you needed a casting lesson not a new fly line.

Fly Fishing is like a lot of sports and any instructor worth their salt will tell you, spending good money on a lesson is far better than buying an expensive piece of tackle.

Hi Vic, Don't mean to detract from your revelations as if you're happy with your new gear and enjoying the casting then wonderful. Not being the best caster myself I know how you feel, but I think it still has to do a lot with CONFIDENCE. If you're not confident with the rod, reel, leaders or even the flies you use you won't be very successful. I bought a lovely setup from Cabelas in the USA which makes light work of casting distances-even in strong wind, but it still makes my arm very tired. I have an old beat-up Shakespeare rod which at one time was 8 and a half feet long, but because of a rather eager pike some years ago is now six inches shorter and some while past I had to replace the butt, but that rod has caught more fish and more varieties than any other rod I own and it always inspires confidence in me to Catch fish even if I can't acquire the distances I can with newer rods. I have taken tiny perch, sunfish, crappies, large and smallmouth bass, chubb, carp(even though I wasn't fishing for them-in the USA). Also had brook, brown, cutthroat, rainbow and dolly varden trout on the rod. I feel success in any sport can obviously be helped greatly by the equipment one uses, but mostly if one has CONFIDENCE in their equipment. Thus endeth this lecture..

__________________
The scenery in the Grand Coulee area of eastern Washington was worth the air fare on its own!

Just to clarify, I contacted the relevant person for a lesson as he is an AAPGAI qualified instructor not to buy anything. Nothing was offered to me ... just a go on his set up which I found really top drawer... an honest informed choice that was it... nothing else.

Just felt I needed to clear this up. I would be happy if this assessment helps someone else as it did for me. The post was just a friendly assessment I would hope others may get to enjoy some day.

Best wishes and tight lines,

Hi Vic, Always an excellent idea to get your casting sorted, bad habits and all. Checking the link for the instructor and looking through the rod range. Would I be right in saying you gave £575 for a rod with a Fuji reel seat, worth around £3.00 ?? Seems a lot to pay for something like that.

Best Regards

Stuart

I am trying to delete this post