Hi Guys

Sat up last writing my review of 2009 in the back of my fly fishing log book Its now a A4 book as i normally end up sticking photo's in it too along with writing up each fly fishing outing (blank or no blank) Great to look back over the years fishing, lesson's learned, top pattern's generally great memories

If you have been thinking about starting one ..............well nows the time ! its amazing how the mind plays tricks on you, days you "think" a certain fly was best ......looking back you see it wasnt !!

Im thinking of recording "more infomation" than last, as each year i find looking back i having unanswered questions ?? At present i record:

Date / Venue / Times / Air temp /wind direction / strength / weather condtions / rod/reel / lines i.e float, Di3 / flies / leader length/set up / water clarity / number of fish killed/ released/ lost / bites and i possible the flys / Also record stomach contents /

I alway carry a pen and paper and note down things during quiet times or during a tea break/lunch .....whilst afloat in my float tube i keep a divers slate in my pocket and note lost fish/ bite etc to just to hard to try a remember ........say 2 or 3 lost fish 10, 15 missed bites etc

If you've been meaning to keep one why not start NOW

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Englander

"Barbless since 2008"

Vision GT Four catapult 9' 6#
Vision GT Four SW 9' 9#
Vision 3 Zone 9' 5#
Vision Cult 9' 3#
Shakespeare Trion 9' 5/6#
Cortland Endurance 9' 6#
Shakespeare Expedition float tube
Vosseler DC3 reel
Okuma Helios 8/9 reel
Greys G series 3/4 reel
Snowbee Geo 3/4 reel

I agree with Englander that a diary or log book is an invaluable aide memoire, but to get the best out of it you have to read it! This way you will build up a store of experience that tells you that the last time you fished at X (3 years ago) in similar conditions, you used AA flies on a BB line with a CC retreive in DD part of the lake and caught ?? fish. You can then attempt to repeat the process. Mostly it works, occasionally it doesn't, but that's all part of the learning process.

. . . FF all.

I have kept them in the past for my sea trout fishing but mainly for posterity rather than reference.

I've found them to be a complete waste of time. No two days are alike and no two seasons are alike. What worked a treat once invariably is useless the next time

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How poor a thing, sometimes I find,
Will captivate a greedy mind - Isaac Walton.

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*****©(

ithink you're probably right, but i'll still br keeping one this year because next winter when the weather's as it has been this last two weeks, i'll be magically transported back to happy days when i browse through it well possibly.....

I keep a pocket sized note book for concise current techniques and successful patterns but I simply lack the discipline for the upkeep of a comprehensive log book. Previous attempts have started well with good intentions but quickly tailed off in to practically nothing.

As my memory falters, I'll probably regret not doing so. I'm already using yellow post-it notes reminding me to take my landing net!

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Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room - President Muffley

I also agree with englander. what i was thinking of was a forum diary, so as everyone can put in there info for there days fishing. as englander says,water temp,air temp,wind direction etc,etc after a little time people would be able to look back at conditions and be able to make an informed choice. Admin hope you take this on if there is enogh people agree or show interest. what do you think forum members ?

---------- Post added at 07:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:43 PM ----------

no one would take it as gospel but it would give people like me an amateur an idea where to start ?

As a Diver we always keep a log book. This is not just a useful tool but also a great reminder of the Dive.

I never kept a fishing log when I was Carp fishing, silly as you have so much time on your hands. I have begun to keep a log of my fly fishing adventures and feel it will be useful in the future.

I am yet to start logging every detail but will be in the future, it's a useful habit to get into.

I have kept a fishing diary since the mid 70s and am very glad that I did.Sometimes it is only a couple of lines, sometimes much more. But it is enough to jog my memory so I can relive good days and bad.Forget all the technical detail- so what if it's a westerly force 3-4 or you are fishing a DT4? Mention it if you learn something new.