Hello All,

Right, I'm a complete novice, never even picked up a fly rod, never even cast an artificial fly and never fished a beat (whatever that or they are...)

I mainly fish rivers for Barbel, Chub and similar fish,(Bristol Avon at work,Trent bak home in East yorkshire)...

However last year I bought my first pin and can honest say trotting is the best ever, especially when knee deep in the flow and a barbel takes the bait...

I'm now wanting to expand my pin fishing and start fly fishing, mainly on natural waters and especially rivers, stocked pools don't really do it for me (commercial fisheries are the devils work).

I work in Somerset,and live in East Yorkshire (I'm in the forces and get home plenty for either area's)...

Also Exmoor, Dartmoor and Dorset are all quiet accessible and I'm lead to believe there is some super water to fish,hell even wales is an 1-1.5hrs away, but I'm not sure what licenses/permits I'd need never mind a rod, pin and whatever else the fly fisherman requires....

Now not wanting to sound arrogant, I earn decent money so can afford some good equipment and permits (in fact I'd rather invest in good kit now, rather than upgrading in a year or so,I won't lose the bug,it will only grow)...

Along with my coarse river fishing for Barbel, its going to be something I'll really be into, so if anyone can give me help or pointers on any of the above thanks in advance, I'm one step closer to popping my fly-cherry (and about time too)....

Andy

Hi Andy, new myself to the game. From one beginner to another, with reference to spending your hard earned money I would advise spending a portion of it on instruction. You obviously know your onions with regards to coarse fishing(hope I spelt coarse right or there will be uproar). River craft no doubt will be spot on. Similar principles in all fishing I guess. Beware though mate,fly fishing is highly addictive. You may even find yourself alone in a field,with no water in sight. Just casting for the fun of it.

Good luck with it all, no doubt someone with more experience will recommend some kit for you.

Live long and prosper

Sean

Definitely invest in good flycasting instruction (it is cheap relative to the cost of the kit and means you can actually use it much more quickly). The casting qualification to look for in your instructor is the AAPGAI (check the magazines and also google for database of instructors by region).

If cost is not a big deal - then go for two rods; a long (10ft) Greys Streamflex for a number 4 line for nymphing and wetfly (and dry fly too) on rivers without tons of tree cover. Also get a shorter 8 and a half to 9 foot rod for dry fly and smaller/more overgrown streams (probably a number 4 again is a good compromise).

Match them with floating lines (I prefer drab colours, because even though against the pure sky all lines are black, when you fish beneath dark shaded vegetation, the fluorescent colours show up).

Take advantage of the passport schemes on the Dart and westcountry rivers (Angling 2000). These provide totally wild fishing and also fund the conservation of the rivers that are included in the schemes. There are more of these schemes springing up around the country: Wild Trout Fishing

To put you on the right track with approaches I could plug my own DVD (Introduction to river fly fishing: Spiders Plus - Online shopping - Your chosen fly Details. DVD -) and I would also recommend booking JT (on the forum and Welcome to John Tyzack Fly Fishing) for a day or two of guiding/instruction. John is also an AAPGAI qualified casting coach.

Do also help to ensure that you have wild trout and grayling to actually fish for by supporting the Wild Trout Trust (this also plugs you into a great community of wild trout anglers). Wild Trout Trust.

The annual mag is a great read too (probably contains about 4 or 5 issues-worth of articles compared to the monthly mainstream magazines).

Good luck with your ventures into flyfishing

Paul

If you are a Yorkshire lad and want to learn how to cast from one of the best then look up Carl Hutchinson... the man is a genius... it is not cheap but they are skills that will stay with you forever...

__________________

Andy,
I would strongly endorse finding a local coach. The money spent will prevent bad habits starting, provide good contacts and local fishing knowledge, whilst acceleratiing the learning of a new skill. Angling Development Board registered coaches can be located by going to the ADB web page, clicking on 'Find a Coach' and selecting your area.

Good Luck,
gsflyfishing
GS Fly Fishing - Fly Fishing Tuition in Yorkshire

You must be a WAFU?

Take the advice already given and invest in some good tuition.

Good luck from an ex Grubber...