Gammarus

It's grayling time and the Gammarus imitations are on the menu. I'll be tying some of these at this weekend's IFISH show:

~Dave

Some River Fly Box goodies available:

As we approach the winter, I have a few offers / last minute sessions available -partly due to cancellations (and partly because we are not a million miles from the festive season!)

If you're interested in booking any of the following, please email me here

Or call me: 07711432055

Sunday 24th November - 4 hour casting lesson (morning) - now only £75 (usually £90)

Sunday 8th December - 4 hours casting lesson (morning) - now only £75 (usually £90)

Sunday 15th December - 4 hours casting lesson (morning) - now only £75 (usually £90)


I also have some fly selections available - some cancelled orders (hence a very low price!) and also some boxes I have from preparation for the IFISH show at the end of the month:

60 River Dry Flies in threader box -  - NOW SOLD

12 Mayfly dries - in plastic partitioned box - usually £30 - now just £25 posted
(2 sets available)

Grayling Bug selection (12 flies) - in plastic partitioned box - usually £30 - now just £25 posted
 (2 sets available)

 CDC Dries (12 flies) - in plastic partitioned box - usually £30 - now just £20 posted
(2 sets available)


~Dave

Peak condition and another record.

Another record set then for temperatures? I have heard that October should hit the books for being one of the warmest on record - and that has had a significant impact on the fishing. By the start of November I have usually started my grayling fishing with real enthusiasm. But my nearest rivers remain low and, whilst the chalkstreams are but a stone's throw away, it just doesn't feel right - when the temperatures remain upwards of 15 degrees.

Cased-caddis aplenty

In the last week or so, the winds have been strengthening and the rain has been falling - and colouring up the river. Prospects are good and there are plenty of cased caddis providing a food reserve throughout the winter months. Despite tricky weather and river conditions, I have still been able to deliver some casting lessons and even a little bit of guided fishing - but on stillwaters, chasing rainbows. And it is here that the fish have remained active in the upper layer - clearly hungry and on the look out for late season food.

A solid rainbow ~ the dry fly continues to tempt

It has been more like summer- stalking big rainbows in the shallows - because that is where they are hanging out. So it has been crunchers and mini-lures in the top 12" of water... and even some dry fly action.

3lb 12oz of out of season brownie...

... heading back

3lb 8oz of fighting fit rainbow

So, whilst I am in the midst of completing plenty of tying, I am secretly looking forward to the temperatures bottoming out - and the lady of the stream finding some buddies to shoal up with. I will hopefully be reporting back with news of a few 'big-girls' in the net. As I write, the rain is falling - and hopefully giving the rivers a much needed boost.

~Dave

Food for thought

The bi-annual AAPGAI open day is always a good event. Not only does it encourage wannabe instructors to meet and experience what AAPGAI is all about, it allows its commited members to get together, chat, cast and catch up. I always exit these weekends inspired and more motivated than ever. The open day also follows an intense week of assessing those people who have chosen to put themselves through these gruelling examinations.

I had the pleasure of being part of the demonstration team this year. I am already looking forward to March's event in Cockermouth.

If you want to know more about AAPGAI, check out the AAPGAI website here.

The weather is set to turn this weekend and there is a hefty storm forecast for the beginning of the week. Fingers crossed I can get on the river and do some teaching this weekend before turns too unsettled.

~Dave

Partridge Midge Supreme #20, 22 & 24

The new Partridge Midge Supreme is now available and, when samples arrived, it was time to put the grayling bugs on hold and get on with replenishing the fly boxes for next season. My midge and terresterial fly box gets an airing from pretty much April through the October; but especially after Mayfly have shown themselves and the warmer months start and the fish need to be more opportunistic in their meal choices. They have taken a battering this year, so getting some tried and tested patterns onto these new irons was top of the agenda.

This is a sharp, well formed little customer, stronger in the wire than many of the other sub-20 hooks available. The standard wire and forged round bend with the large gape make it ideal for tying small CDC Beetle and ant patterns.

These are available in size 20, 22 and 24. I'll be using them at the IFISH show later in November if you'd like to check them out.

~Dave

Onwards and upwards

It's the last weekend of the 2013 trout season and it was obligatory to fish the same river I started my season. Where as we began on April the 1st with a cold, biting wind and snow, we finished it with a drop in temperatures and a deluge of rain. With the river rising around us and colour creeping in thanks to the farmland run off, there was a feeling of limited time. French leaders and a methodical approach soon saw the first fish come bouncing in. Whilst there was nothing large, it's always nice to connect with healthy, wild fish before they begin their spawning campaign.

So onto the grayling now and plenty of casting and tying shows coming up.

I hope the 2013 trout season has served you well.

~Dave

Blue Winged Olive Hatch in Bosnia with Paul Procter