Hi All, I'm new to the froum and also to fly fishing.

I have fished about 3-4 times and am just about getting to grips with my casting and is coming along quite well. I had my first catch on a fly the other night at my local still water so was chuffed to have finally not blanked

The problem i'm having is knowing what fly to select for what occation/situation etc. The other night my success was down to being told to use a small red buzzer or bloodworm as that was all the fish were taking. I want to try and develop my own knowlege of the different flies, when they should be used and also how the act in the water so that i can attempt to mimic them whilst fishing. At the moment its total trial and error (which I understand it often is) but i would like to know that I am mimicking the fly i am using correctly at the very least.

Is there a good resource that any of you know of to help me understand the world of flies and bugs! either a book or website

any help or advise is much appreciated! Thanks taking to time to read (i didnt mean to write so much, just got carried away :S )

Welcome to the forum.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

'The Longest Silence' by Thomas McGuane,possibly the best piece of angling literature I've ever read and definitely the best written.

Welcome to the forum. I have found "Match the Hatch by Pat O'Reilly to be really useful.

Eddie

I agree with Eddie O'Neill that Pat O'Reilly's book is first class and I have a copy in my bookcase, but the book is perhaps slightly biased towards river fishing.

Have a look at this thread which suggests some good books for the beginner or improver at stillwater trout fishing...

For someone new..

Also, Pages 60 to 90 of Charles Jardine's "Small Water Trout Fishing" contain a very good description and analysis of the diet of trout in UK lakes.

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"In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." - German proverb
JH based near Southampton

You beat me to it.
De-mystifies fly choice exceptionally well.

Andy

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GAIC Single Handed Casting Instructor

http://www.andygreyfishing.com/

try out - the popular magazines from wh smiths

trout fisherman
total flyfisherman

they always have good tips/info for all levels

thanks for all your help guys. I have found loads of books online but it is always usefull to have recomendations from people who have benefited from reading them and with so many to choose from I need all the help i can get.

much appreciated

Another book with extensive coverage of river and still water insects is: "Waterside guide" by John Goddard

If you wanted to have a more general read about flyfishing, I'd recommend "The Trout and the Fly" by Goddard and Clarke.

GF

Regarding magazines I find Trout and Salmon best,Trout Fisherman is too commercially orientated for me i.e stockie bashing whereas T&S concernes the more eloquent and traditional side.But it's personal preference really so look around and see what you like.