right, ive got the new 9 foot 9 weight rod, reel and floating line.
got new flies from saltshack in these forums, off to try it all out!

just realised today, in Ayrshire, most of the shoreline is beach!
i headed down to Dunure as it has rocks etc, arrived when tide was at highest etc.

had a great couple of hours trying out casting with the new flies.
it is harder to get started casting these bigger flies but once the line is out, it actually becomes easier!
also managed my first ever double haul today! yeehhaaa
once I got going, there was no stoppping me.
only thing missing was the fish! hahaha
was great fun though.
there must have been fish about as 200m away from me a cormorant was catching loads.

i had my waders on so I could get out quiet far(not as far my feathered friend), fished in a lovely natural rocky bay.
i didnt have a stripping basket with me but i never had any trouble, no waves today as it was flat calm.
im gonna make one just like the other thread in here shows.
also thoroughly rinsed my gear in fresh water when i got home.

anyway, really enjoyed my first time fly fishing in the sea.
at least i know all my kit works well,until the next time
peace
rusty

I did a couple of seasons at Culzean as a seasonal ranger.

Both summers I saw some mighty big mullet in Segganwell Bay.

Nice to hear you got out Rusty, hopefully that first fish is just around the corner

Chris

__________________
Trout Flies UK Now Live - Quality Trout Flies For Sale

Casting At Shadows - Christmas Island Fly Fishing DVD

Tide at it's highest?
Was this suggested to you specifically for that mark.
I would arrive at Low tide so you can see what ground you are fishing over. Also consider that as the ground is flooded the bass will move over it to feed. I'm not saying you wont catch as it goes out, some marks are very productive during this stage but your probability is a better rate as it pushes.

Well done on getting out. The double haul will improve your fishing no end. As for Fish, well thats a differnt story. I wasted weeks of fishing hours with pathetic flies, bad tides and time. But I've enjoyed the learning curve.

It's actually not difficult to catch "fish" once you figure out the combination and area. Touch wood and everything else thats around

I've equally been bitten by the saltwater bug - as mentioned if you get it something like right you will catch fish. Caught bass and pollock in numbers last year in Devon, more by luck then judgement!

I'm so taken by it though, I too have bought some new kit and intend to get out more this year. Even going to organise a coast trip for me and the boys in my club. Problem is we're based in Sheffield - as far from the sea as it is possible to get in UK!! So has anyone any thoughts on where we might go? I'm sort of thinking Morecombe Bay area, but I'm open to any advice that may be out there. I'm not asking for you guys to suggest your secret hotspots, just ballpark guidence.

hey thanks for the replies everyone, I had a great time.
i couldn't get to the mark at low tide as I only had a few hours spare at the time so when I headed it coincided with high tide etc.
great tip though, next time i'm down that way I'll scout out the area at low tide and check out all the rocks, seaweed , gullies etc.

thanks for the tips about culzean area, jeez, I was only a couple of miles away! i'l keep this in mind for the summer time.

soggey wellie, get some flies from Chris at saltwatershack, they are fantastic quality and a brilliant service provided too.

Chris, your flies are amazing, in the water they look great.
can I ask you another question please?
what is the best way to store these large saltwater flies?
I assume there isn't a flybox suitable? or do u keep them in some sort of wallet type storage?

thanks again everyone and I can't wait until I get out again, the weather is heating up nicely so hopefully the sea fish will be abundant soon.
cheers
rusty

Hi Rusty,
I keep them in plastic wallets - look at the Finsport Wallets.

A cheaper way is just to use the ziplock bags. If you need a few I can send some when I'm back, just let me know.

Make sure you rinse them after every trip. Even though they are tied on stainless hooks, it is still prudent to rinse them when you do the rest of your tackle after each trip

Chris

__________________
Trout Flies UK Now Live - Quality Trout Flies For Sale

Casting At Shadows - Christmas Island Fly Fishing DVD

Little casts for bigger fish enjoy the summer!

__________________
www.probassfisher.com

Jim

Glad to hear that you had a great time..........keep us informed of your adventures. The first fish isn't far away I am sure. But, please, please , please, lets be careful out there. I don't want to pour cold water over your enthusiasm but please make sure that you are wearing a life jacket when wading The sea can be a viscious barsteward, even on a calm day.............go get 'em..........birdsnest

__________________
Fear not if I steal from your side, as of yore, from paradise streams to fish Teifi once more.
BN based in Wolverhampton

very interesting article that!

__________________
Fish are like sex; tons around but I never seem to get any.