Fly fishing basics

[billy bennett]

Did this addition for the "OTHER SITE" (see my signature for a big clue which one lol)

While I am sitting WORKING at my computer it might be an idea to let anyone thinking of buying a beginners outfit into what are the pro's and cons and pitfalls to look out for.
Most of you will jump straight onto E BAY and type in fly rods, MISTAKE, unless you know what you are looking for its a minefield. as I have explained to Daz caughtnowt firstly you need to know what action the rod is, SOFT or FIRM, A tip action rod will cast further but a through action is more forgiving of mistakes, And tends to suit a novice better, that's all well and good BUT you don't stay a novice for very long and soon you start wishing you had bought a firmer rod in the beginning. Next is the weight, on the internet you can't hold the rod or flick it or gage the weight, some of the big rod makers for sea fishing like Diawa or Shimano make perfectly good beach rods but the fly rods are far too heavy, might only be a couple of ounces but when you consider you are holding and casting the rod all day none stop, it doesn't take long for your arm to give up the ghost.( I always take 2 rods, 1 for constant casting and 1 for fishing static to give my arm a rest) You will find you will eventually find a rod that suits you and stick with it for the rest of your fly fishing days but when you are starting out you can't tell any of this from a picture on ebay.
Next is what length you want, the average being 9 foot, But I find a 10 foot gives me those few extra yds on my cast so I stick with that. what casting weight to pick is also down to choice, the average for still waters is 6/7# but again I chose 8# as it gives a slightly longer cast but is better when the wind is blowing in your face as the slightly heavier line cuts through the wind easier.
Reels are a bit of an enigma to be honest, they have only 1 function, to hold the line when a home or when moving around the lake, as soon as you start fishing you strip the line you are using from the reel and throw it on the floor, even when playing a fish you do it by holding and pulling the line through the bottom eye of the rod, and again throwing it back on the floor. very seldom do you fight a fish using the reel and that's only when the fish takes off and takes all the line you have out with it, The only 2 things to keep in mind when picking a reel is the weight of it, the lighter the better (to keep the strain off your arm) and the size, a large diameter reel ends up leaving fewer coils in the fly line as its not too tightly wound around the larger diameter spool. apart from that any reel will work.
Line. this is where scrimping is a mistake, Cheap lines are exactly that CHEAP. you see them on ebay for £5. if you buy one you will regret it the fist time you use it, it comes off the reel in coils and sits on the water in coils, all your casting power is absorbed by the coils and when you strike at a fish all you are doing is straightening up the coils. a decent line is worth its weight in gold, casts further and lays straight on the water without sinking, in the zone between the cheap and expensive lines are thousands of options each with its own pro's and con's, You pays your money and take's your choice.
All the above is from my own experience as I tip toed through this mine field when I first set out with a fly rod in my hand, other people might have a different story to tell, but at least now you know what to look for and why.

[Jammygit]

As it happens you are not the first one to mention that, it seems that some disillusioned beach lads are wanting to give it a go, and it has been suggested that we have a casting sesh for beginners followed by a fishing sesh. If I hear any more I will let you all know.

Sounds a fantastic idea , put me down for that now where did I put my cats whiskers , blobs and egg flies

[sharpey]

Aaaagggghhhhh...!!!!

[billy bennett]

Great article Billy. Very explanatory. I sense a fluff chucking meet coming on..!!!

I am at the moment putting tentative feelers out about organising a fly fishing meet,(On the "OTHER SITE") and gaging what the interest is, I know some hard core sea lads would not be interested, but I think a few would take up the offer, It has been suggested its held at Stocks because its a large water and Ben has guaranteed to give a stocky to anyone who fails to catch on the day.
When I get some feedback I will let you know, Would anyone on here be interested in a coaching/ then fishing day in the summer. Tackle for those that are interested but don't own tackle can either be borrowed or hired for a day from Ben.

[billy bennett]

Ok I have just spoken to Ben at stocks, he will do a 5 hour fishing ticket for £14 and allow each angler to take 1 fish home, he told me the guarantee only covers full day tickets, if you require tackle that you can't beg steal or borrow it will cost you £4 for the day. I have also arranged for a couple of hours tuition time for teaching casting etc free prior to the start of your 5 hrs, That means casting the line with NO flies tied to it. so now we need to agree when its the best time to do it, anyone suggest dates, also we need to get an idea of who is interested so can you put your names down and whether you are a novice or not, This may come to nothing if nobody puts their name down but at least I tried. EDIT. if only a few want to give it a go we could go to Barnsfold instead it will cost the same but is a lot nearer.
ANOTHER EDIT spoken to Frank at Barnsfold and his ticket consists of 4 hrs and 1 fish for £13 BUT when I get an idea of numbers we can come to a better deal, the only drawback is he does not run a tackle hire so its down to borrowing gear if you don't have your own. let me know what venue you prefare. Barnsfold is good because there are no trees behind you
Billy bennett/ experienced-- Barnsfold gets my vote as its nearer and more will attend, also has a clubhouse with a male and female toilet and a kettle for making tea/coffee

[grandadruss]

Good work billy.
Put me down,any date,any venue is fine.
Cheers

[billy bennett]

Will do Russ, at the moment its looking like Barnsfold on a sunday, if that's ok with you lads

[billy bennett]

Ok the meet is being arranged for Sunday 13th July, starting the casting lessons at 10.00 for a couple of hours and starting fishing from 12.00. if you don't need the casting part you can just arrive before 12.00 to start fishing. I have done this because I know a lot of you lads can already cast and to be honest you don't need to be sitting waiting for the casting to finish, also there is nothing to stop anyone buying a longer ticket if you fancy making a day of it, an all day ticket is £24 and you can take 4 fish, I might end up doing this myself. Sporting tickets are £19 all day from dusk till dawn( or vice versa)
EDIT
I have just been informed its the World Cup Final on the 13th, so the date might have to be changed to the following Sunday, watch this space
ANOTHER EDIT
It turns out the final is not until 20.00 in the evening so will stick with the date might simply move it to a bit earlier time ie start at 08.00 for casting, fishing from 10.00 till 14.00/15.00 giving the football fans amongst you time to jump a plane to Rio and see the kick off live.
YET ANOTHER EDIT LOL
This is the final decision, We are meeting up at 08.00, some are getting a 4 hr ticket some a 6 hr ticket so they can get off to watch the match, I am getting a full day ticket and staying till 21.00 along with anyone else who fancies making a day of it. Does that suit you Russ?

[billy bennett]

The green algae is playing havoc with the fishing at the moment, went for a few hours on Saturday and the water was covered in it, had a few bites but never connected, the fish were on the surface but not feeding and when lee hooked one it was lethargic and "Came in like a dab"
I think they may have been gasping for oxygen, The left hand lake is clear of algae so will give that a go tomorrow I think.

[Dangerousden]

Brilliant report Billy..... some useful tips in there for me