Hi all,

I'm new here, only took up fly fishing last year so am definately in the beginner/early novice stage of my journey. I had a few lessons last year, and a few outings to a localish stocked fishery, and a little bit of fishing on a small river in Scotland. In all that I managed to land one 2/3lb rainbow -hey, but that's okay.

I went yesterday for my first outing of the year to a stocked stillwater and once again drew a blank...hey, but that's okay too...As there was only one fish drawn out in the time I was there. But I did come away feeling frustrated.

What I'm after is what to do next...
I've decided I need to take a couple more lessons...
I found a thread posted recently by mark b `This week I be mostly reading' with a couple of books mention that sound about right for me (I've ordered what I can including the one mentioned by chelsea123).

But I need some idea on the next steps. My experience to date has been with wet and dry flies -which yesterday proved useless. I know there are numerous techniques and skills that I won't have heard of let alone began to dabble with. So where do I begin? Totally confused...I know I need more ideas to try out (and begin to practice) nymphs? Buzzers?

Thanks in advance for any advice offered -it will be greatly received. And, apologies for the similarity to probably every other opening post posted by a newbie

Thanks
Baz

Who was it that took you for your lessons. By the sound of it you have had a few so I would have thought that you would have been taught techniques and giving a lot of advice. When fishing waters it is always good to ask fellow anglers what they are using and ask for help. There are many good guys and gals here that will be along to help you.

This can be a very daunting when first starting up. Don't try to learn too much at one time. Best thing to do is ask the guys where you are fishing what works well. Different waters have different characteristics, so tactics and flies can be different.

Don't forget depth, and retrieve, very important.

There are a number of nymphs you should not be without.

1. Hares Ear (gold head also)
2. Pheasant tail Nymph (gold head also)
3. Diawl Bach
4. Damsel - some may call this a mini lure

As for buzzers, there are varying different types. Again, best thing to do is ask where you fish. You won't go wrong with quill buzzers in various colours e.g. Black, Red, Green.

Above all, you need to feel confident in the fly you are fishing, good luck.

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

Welcome to forum chesscar,and hey don't go dragging me into this.Only joking,the book you ordered will help you a great deal as it covers most if not all the questions you just asked

Neil

Your already decided on the best rout to get lessons,after that its a learning curve and don't be afraid to ask questions

Thanks for the advice so far. I've spoken to Andrew at taffbargoedflies.co.uk (as advised by tafftastic, who pm ed me)he's going to make me up a selection of (essential) stillwater flies -hopefully they'll have in the ones mentioned by Eddie -if not, will invest.
Am sure the books will help a great deal too.

Mind-boggling

Baz

Baz,

Fly fishing is easy - it must be because if I can do it anyone can.

One of the best things you can do is to keep a fishing diary. In it you can note not only the places you fish, but the weather conditions, wind speed and direction, fish caught, missed or lost, where and what on. Surprisingly quickly you will find a pattern begins to emerge and this helps to build your knowledge base.

At present, and like all beginners, you don't know your a*se from your elbow if you'll pardon the expression, but like the late Richard Walker once said, "observation plus thought equals fish". Observe, think and put it into practice and the fish will follow.

For beginners just the act of casting and getting those flies out there on the water requires thought and application, but if you work at it you will suddenly realise that you are no longer thinking about casting, but are just doing it. THAT is the step change and is when you begin to think more about catching. Your mind is on HOW you are fishing those flies rather than on getting them out there. Then you'll begin to develop a game plan of how to tackle a particular venue.

Practice and persist. We've all been there and it'll come good for you as it has for everyone else.

as Eddie says ask other people.If the fishing lodge is manned ask there .Ask other anglers,especially the ones that are catching-most people are only too glad to help.There information will be relevant to that water on that day.Books etc are a great source of theory but at first it is hard to know what to apply and when with this knowledge


hope this helps Nick

Where are you fishing, Baz?

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

Hi Baz, i know it can be a bit frustrating but keep at it.As some of the previous replies have said OBSERVATION is key,when you get to the water just take 15 or 20minutes just looking around the water and in it for any bug life and fish movement.I know a lot of beginners that try to run before they can walk.If you see fish breaking the surface try useing emergers or dry fly,if you cant see any fish movement try buzzers,nymphs and lures with the nymphs and lures use the count down method by that i mean cast out count to 10 then retrieve and try a slow retrieve,then stop start retrieve and a fast one just mix it up if you dont get any intrest doing that when you cast again count to 15 then start your retrieve yo get the picture.As for fly choice just ask the guys in the lodge and they will tell what type of fly has been catching the owners of fisheries are normally very helpfull,they want you to catch fish because they would like you to return,also is there anybody you can go with that has been fishing for a while so he can put you rightI have tried to simplify it a bit and i hope it helps,might help if you got a basic book on entamology just to give you an idea on what bugs are around.Fly fishing is a great sport and it is not to difficult a lot of people try to complicate it,just get out there and enjoy,i have been doing it on and of for nearly 40 years and i am still learning.

Hi Baz

I'm new at this game too, having been fishing since January and slowly getting better, as has been said above, don't be afraid of asking what people are using - something else I picked up quickly was to actually watch people fishing who are catching a few and copy their retreaval rates, types of flies etc. This hasn't always been possible as I only use a floating line at the minute, but where possible has helped me catch fish.
If you can see fish topping and taking of the surface, then using a fly that floats and seing the take is a great way of fishing, it is very exciting seeing the take too!!

Where abouts in Cheshire are you? where have you been fishing?