Hi Folks,

I'm planning a short midweek jaunt to dartmoor in June to fish the upper reaches of the Dart and it's tributaries. Has anyone fished the Duchy of Cornwall waters and do they have any tips regarding flies and tactics. Any advice would be gratefully recieved.

Cheers

Mick

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"There's only one way of life, and that's your own, that's your own, that's your own" The Levellers.

We've stayed at the Forest Inn, Hexworthy for the last few years, so i've fished the Duchy waters quite a bit. Forget the spiders and heavy nymphs and just use dries and light nymphs fished up stream. I found Eric's Beetle to be my best pattern over the many trips along with small black klinkshammers. The streams are very narrow so a small brook rod is best 6ft and under is just about right. I like to use a pair of Rohans and some hiking boots instead of waders. I'll see if i can find my old map and i'll email you with some of the info.
Rob

For the tribs a six foot rod will be fine but I like a nine footer for the West Dart. I find the extra length helps when fishing the pocket water in the bouldery runs. DrRob's advise to dump the waders is spot on especially for the smaller streams.

Andy

The rocks in the West Dart are deadly slippery.

A few years back there was an article in T&S on Brian Easterbook, the local river guru, who always used a 10' 4/5 weight on the upper Darts.

All the advice is spot on. I find it best to ignor the flats. You might consider sea trout there should be some up there by now since we have had enought rain in May to get them to move up. it ios still flowing well. Good Luck.

Richard

Was the rod not a 3 weight he used?

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[COLOR="Blue"]"A fish seen is a fish nearly caught"[/COLOR]

That Forest Inn. Went a few years ago and stayed in the "clubhouse" (during a change in management - unbeknown to me at that time). Just one of the creepiest places I have been too where livebait was crawling all over the bedding! Hope its better now.

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[COLOR="Blue"]"A fish seen is a fish nearly caught"[/COLOR]