Hey all, ventured to Swanswater for the first time today and I am hooked! (Sorry, I couldn't resist! )

Was out with my dad for four hours and as I am new to flyfishing (well since I was a kid) I have been going to Wellsfield for the last few outings. There was a comp there today so we decided to try somewhere else as it would have been busy.

Despite the hurricane conditions my dad and I caught three between us. Two blues and a rainbow totalling 10lbs. God these things fight! There were a lot of fish caught that we saw and we did lose a couple ourselves.

The guy at the reception was brilliant and advised us what flies to use and where about to fish and he was spot on.

I will definitely be going back (hopefully tuesday or wednesday!) and I have to say IMO it is better than Wellsfield.

Anyone agree/disagree??

Not been on Swanswater for a few years now but i found the fishing on it to be top class anytime i was there.As for Wellsfield anyone i`ve spoke to about it has advised me to give it a miss.Have you fished Burnhouse Ally?A few of us from the site were on it last Sunday,fished very well.Some of us are going back on 29th for another day on it. Andy

No never been to Burnhouse but it is on my list of places to try. Probably won't be returning to Wellsfield to be honest. Fishing is better at Swanswater and the prices are the same.

Not going to manage the 29th unfortunately as have to work next week but hopefully another time.

Cheers Andy.

I must admit im not a huge fan of Swanie, yes very nice place, nice fish, but all the "peg hogging" id forgotton Fished it a month back (first time since for months)

Also i find it to have alot "less" natural food than Wellsfield and being shallower at the margins with far less bugs and critters the fish seem further out.

If you look at you feet at Wellsfield you will see pond weed (many types) snails (many types) caddis tubes crawling along,"tons" of sticklebacks, all manner of water boatman, water flees, to name a few im always amazed how much natural food.

I often find the fish at Wellsfield right in at the edge (all the feed there) plus its deeper.

I can normally take my limit, or at least get the chance ( i.e missed bites) so im happy.

But each to his own (Glad you had a good time) i dont fish one place all the time its nice to pop to others places Have you tried the one near Braco ? very nice

For hard fighting fish get your self over to Gartmorn dam next season, the two hardest fights i had in 2008 from a 1.6lb and a 2lb Gartmorn Rainbows the first fought like a fish three times its size the later ....... my boat buddy was convinced id hooked into something over 6lb
Cant explain why they fight so hard there

Englander

__________________
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

That's a fair point about the food etc, that is something I did notice about Wellsfield. Also what you say about it being deeper I noticed too. I did get snagged a couple of times at Swanie. Maybe I am too quick to discount it?!!

Cheers

You fishing a sinker ??

I only ever use a floater at Wellsfield, even in -5 oC, took 5 before lunch one day , every one else was on sinkers and really struggled

Englander

__________________
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 was using a floating line (all I have) and fishing a green damsel thingy that was sinking. When I was there others were on sinking or intermediate (the place was half frozen at the time) and there was not a lot getting caught.

Think I am going to go to Wellsfield tomorrow with my dad to show him the place as he has never been.