Hi everyone,
This is my first season fly-fishing. As an introduction to the sport I've been on the four-day beginner's course at the Arundell Arms. I live very close to the hotel and have done all my fishing on their wider parts of the Tamar which are more forgiving to someone who's casting skills can be 'wayward'! Because I only know the beat system of the Arundell Arms I'm not sure how fishing is organised in other areas; my research on the internet shows that day tickets can be bought but there is no mention of a beat system, does that mean rivers work along the lines of course fishing where several people can be fishing in close proximity? I'm hoping to spend sometime in the Yorkshire Dales area in the next few weeks and would like to do some fishing up there. Although I'm thoroughly enjoying the steep learning curve I'm on my confidence isn't up to others seeing my flailing arms etc!
Could someone suggest somewhere that operates a beat system in the Dales area? If that's not possible, and I have to fish rivers in close proximity to others, could someone point me in the right direction for finding the etiquette for fishing nearby to others.
Cheers,
Mike

Hi Mike and welcome to the forum. I'm not aware of anywhere here in Yorkshire operating the kind of beat system you refer to, such as that found on some of the chalk streams or the beats of the Tamar you mention. But fear not! Firstly not a single person you'll ever meet on the riverbank didn't start off from the same place you are now. We all remember it well no matter how much we try to forget the arm flailing is wrong but all part of the learning curve- just get in there and don't worry what anyone else thinks- practice makes perfect and I obviously just need a lot more practice

Having said all that there's a million places here in Yorkshire where perhaps you'll never see another sole all day. If you drop me a pm with roughly where you're staying I'll try to point you in the direction of such a place. In the event you do bump into someone else the etiquete is quite simple- just stay as far away from him as you can without spoiling you're own fishing, assuming he does the same- problem sorted

CJ

Thanks CJ, PM sent