hi all in quite new to fly fishing and fish a reservoir was wondering if anybody pre ties there teams before they go out? if so what sort of teams do you make up for wet flies? i normaly fish 3 flies,and 2 dry flies? the reservoir is not very deep the about 15 ft, just thought id ask the more experienced fly fishers and ideas would be a big help

many thanks graeme

Hi Graeme, welcome to the forums.

Personally I don't pre-tie leaders up in advance. I won't know for sure what flies I'm going to start with until I see the water. Then I make my choice, much the same as you, 3 wets, or 2 dries. Making leaders up beforehand serves little purpose in my opinion.

Yes you can tie up casts with flies on and keep in a fly wallet, but to be honest its easier to set up and change the flies as you go.
Rewinding casts and putting them away makes for kinks and tangles.
Just my view.
Mike

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I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,9 bean rows will I have there and a hive for the honey bee.

I carry some made up casts Graeme. Always found it hard to find the best thing to store them till I bought a specific box for the job from orvis, not cheap but very good.. Tried pipe insulation, envelopes, those plastic disc things etc.. But all had faults.

I use them for when I fish a short session and time is precious. Big tangle and just swap over, job done in 5 mins. and to save a perfectly good leader at the end of the day. If fishing for the day I make up new leaders on the go.

Where do you fish by ythe way? One of my local ressies is only 14' or so on average.

Cheers,
MArk

Graeme

As you gain experience you will work out teams that suit your style of fishing. It may well take a year or two so don't get too hung up on it. Keep a diary and record everything for at least three seasons. Weather conditions, temperature, wind direction, lines used, flies used, locations fished, fish caught. Eventually a pattern will emerge that will inform your fishing for the rest of your career. Remember "If you don't write it down, it never happened" because human memory is a very fragile thing.

Don't forget to check the returns book if there is one on your water. It's a good source of information, but just be aware that anglers are not always as truthful as you might wish. Pinch of salt is a good watchword.

Finally, watch what other anglers are doing, where and how. Ask them what length of leader they are using because this is often more important than fly choice as it affects the depth the fly is fishing at.

Above all, don't expect instant success. One fish that you have worked for and have planned how to catch is worth a lot as a beginner. Sooner or later it will all come together and you will develop a game plan that works for you. Then your catch rate will climb very rapidly and you'll start looking for other ways to catch your fish.

hi thanks for the replys , i fish cameron reservoir in fife this is only my second season there my first season i caught 12 i know that aint much but only managed up about 15 times, i think thats not bad as iv never had any casting leasons but might this year just to see if i can improve, so far this season iv caught 5 and manged to beat my pb from last season which was a 3 pound rainbow, iv caught a 3 pound 6 rainbow and a 3 pound 2 brown trout up to now this season had 1 on a snatcher and the rest on diawl bachs

Sounds like a good start to me. My first season I caught nowt.

So can't claim to be experienced with catching fish, but I do have lots of experience with spitting chips while trying to unravel a pre-tied leader, and getting frustrated tying them up waterside while a fish swims past my feet. My prefered solution is to make up leaders in advance. At least I have them if I want them. If I don't, I can make up leaders at the waterside but it takes longer.

My prefered storage method is to use one of those plastic leader winder thingies as a template, but to cut out that shape in stiffish, solid cardboard. That way, no matter how long the droppers are, I can tie my flies on at home and still hook the dropper flies on somewhere. The pipe idea is attractive but I'd find it a bit bulky. Not really got room in my bag next to the kitchen sink.

On fly selection, I'll just tie wets on one, nymphs on another, buzzers on another etc. They may not fit what I want to do on the day but it's a starting point.

Neil

thanks again for the reply i normaly have 2 or 3 leaders tied up also all at 15 ft in length with 5 ft between my flies for wets and other sub surface fishing and my leaders for drys are 12 ft with 6 ft between them does that sound ok? another quick question what sort of leader is best nylon or flurocarbon? iv caught on both of them the reservoir is quite coloured just wondering if one is better than the other any feedback would be great
thanks graeme

Nothing wrong with having pre tied casts. Yo do not have to have flies on them though. I do on occasion depending where & when I am fishing. Certainly saves time at the river bank. I use a Wheatley leather cast holder with Hills Carriers & a selection of three & two dropper casts in various BS & some dry fly ones as well.
Tight Lines

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"The Future's Bright The Future's Wet Fly"