when i was younger maybe around 10 when i was learning to fish i used to go around asking other anglers for tips on what they were using, how to cast e.t.c

now that im just starting up again i feel akward asking other people on advice, is it ok to approach another angler and ask for advice on what there using, what im doing wrong so on so forth,

or is it better to read a few books and get on with it maybe get a few lessons.

( also another quick question, when i put on a new fly line am i best to tie to a pole walk back and stretch it out so it dosent land in a crumpled heap when i cast it out ?)

Casting and what flies/tactics are two separate issues IMO. The former I would leave to an instructor. Asking a random angler you may pick up as many bad casting habits as good ones. This ties in to your last idea about new fly lines - casting in a crumpled heap would be down to casting not the line i would have thought.

As for flies/tactics, I see nothing wrong with a polite enquiry to an angler, and think most would respond as you would hope. It is part of how we all learn, and also part of fishing as a social not entirely solitary activity. You will always get the odd curmudgeon but that's life

A lot of fisheries offer affiliated tuition of some description, or there is bound to be someeone on here wherever you live who can help or point you in the right direction.

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Around the steel no tortur'd worm shall twine,
No blood of living insect stain my line;
Let me, less cruel, cast feather'd hook,
With pliant rod athwart the pebbled brook,
Silent along the mazy margin stray,
And with fur-wrought fly delude the prey

cheers buddy, the two places i fish are at

meadow fishery in mickle trafford, and cheshire fishing beside tatton hall, if anyone goes there ?

looking to get back out tomorrow got a tad bit sun burnt yesterday so staying inside today

In my experience fly fisherman are among the most helpful and accomadating of anglers. They are generally very glad to help and you often end up with quite a lot more than you actually asked for.

There is an Instructor at Meadow Fishery and a casting pool, get yourself a lesson, it will be well worthit.

Caddisman

Don't be shy Reaper! As FF has said, the vast majority of fly fishermen are more than willing to help a novice and you'll often find that the better the angler, the more willing he is.

Occasionally you'll find a pillock who thinks it's big and clever to 'keep things under wraps', but that's usually a sign of an unenlightened angler. There are no secrets in fly fishing - everything has been done before in one form or another and the key to getting better is to gather information/knowledge, put it to the test yourself and thereby gain experience in what works for you.

Good luck
Matt

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The sun pushed dark spokes of melt and sparkle
Across the fields of hoar. And the river steamed -
Flint-olive.


http://northcountryangler.blogspot.com

In my short experience I can categorically confirm that to be true.

Never be afraid of asking advice, if im catching and others arnt i will go up to them and have a chat to see if i can help them out , even giving them fliesalso advice is the key to catching in unkown waters.99% of anglers will give advice freely, the odd selfish one wont , but who cares about them

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If in doubt, get the montys out

Intelligence is relative to your environment

I'm also new to fly fishing and I'd strongly advise you to have some casting tuition,I had a lesson before my first fishing trip and things went well for a couple of weeks and then I started to pick up bad habits,probably by watching other anglers casting.I had another couple of hours tuition a fortnight ago and I've had three pleasurable outings since,when your casting feels good it makes the fishing enjoyable even when the fish are not cooperating.On your other point,I would'nt hesitate to ask another angler for advice,I've met some really friendly people on the bank over the last couple of months.Don't forget to tell every angler you speak to that your a newcomer to fly fishing,I've had twice as many flies given to me than I've bought.

Matt's spot on - actually if the angler who's catching is yours truly I've probably already told you what's working for me as I could never stop chatting! I often shout it out involuntarily as soon as I hook up! It's probably shock.
GD

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We come from dust; we return to dust. I'm going to fish