The Fly Fishing - And Now All Types of Fishing Thread!
Discussion
One Amp Andy said:
Thanks guys. Dicky, too late! They have been bought 
. I get what you're saying though. Onwards to boxes upon boxes of flies.... Gentlemen, over to you....
Edited to add, I bought a Greys GX1000 for the 7' , feel slightly daft now but it looked nice.... I know, I know.....
You'll enjoy it does look stunning . I get what you're saying though. Onwards to boxes upon boxes of flies.... Gentlemen, over to you....Edited to add, I bought a Greys GX1000 for the 7' , feel slightly daft now but it looked nice.... I know, I know.....
I've just bought this minter that's a simple fix for old times sake............
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Garcia-Mitchell-710-Aut...
From memory I think I still have the case for my old one in the attic - don't need a case though as my rods are always set up ready to go in the garage.
............just found the instruction manual and parts list too...........
https://mitchellreels.ourboard.org/forum/viewtopic...
https://mitchellreels.ourboard.org/forum/viewtopic...
pequod said:
And that is why I enjoy fly fishing on small rivers and streams. If I wanted to pull a bagful of commercially produced fish from a lake, there are plenty of opportunities and, in the main, are easy to catch but the art of reading a river and learning the habitat and habits of wild fish, and attempting to imitate their current food source, is where it's at for me. Sometimes you are lucky to fish a beat with a willing adversary who will play along and rise to your fly, be persuaded to come to the net without too much stress, smile for a picture, and happily rejoin the river with nothing more than a slight interruption to his/her daily routine.
Anyhow, enough of the whimsical nonsense, what flies are we recommending for Andy to get his mitts on? Not sure what is hatching up there in the NW?
Anything bar a big fat Booby lure, double hauled out of site from a platform, on fast sinking line and stripped back in as fast as possible to get it back out there ...... that was hard work typing let alone doing Anyhow, enough of the whimsical nonsense, what flies are we recommending for Andy to get his mitts on? Not sure what is hatching up there in the NW?
nigelpugh7 said:
Just watching him working the river, Up and down the reach, then diving when he spotted his prey, makes your day worth while.
At one point I was sat still on the bank, and he ( could be a she, I’m not that talented as a twitcher ! ) came right up by me as I ate my cheese and pickle sandwich watching the water and how it moves on the Ebbs and flows of the currents.
He watched me watching him for a while, and I felt a strange connection, like he accepted me being there, as I wasn’t a threat, noisy or challenging him and his place, it was a very good karma moment, almost like we were at one, and connected too.
The really funny thing was the other anglers, who all seemed to be happy to just fish close to where they had parked their cars, one of them even asked if they were allowed to park in the field.
Of course I told them they could not, but when I said it was great to see the Kingfisher, of 5 of them , only 1 other had seen the Kingfisher.
I found it quite profound, i wonder , is it possible to be more connected to nature by being more in the moment?
Now I’m really fascinated.
And yes my little friend was much more capable than I will ever be!
Again beautiful pic and prose - you are Jack Hargreaves and I claim my five pounds At one point I was sat still on the bank, and he ( could be a she, I’m not that talented as a twitcher ! ) came right up by me as I ate my cheese and pickle sandwich watching the water and how it moves on the Ebbs and flows of the currents.
He watched me watching him for a while, and I felt a strange connection, like he accepted me being there, as I wasn’t a threat, noisy or challenging him and his place, it was a very good karma moment, almost like we were at one, and connected too.
The really funny thing was the other anglers, who all seemed to be happy to just fish close to where they had parked their cars, one of them even asked if they were allowed to park in the field.
Of course I told them they could not, but when I said it was great to see the Kingfisher, of 5 of them , only 1 other had seen the Kingfisher.
I found it quite profound, i wonder , is it possible to be more connected to nature by being more in the moment?
Now I’m really fascinated.
And yes my little friend was much more capable than I will ever be!
nigelpugh7 said:
dickymint said:
That photo reminds me I rarely take a landing net with me as it's a pain in the backside snagging on the brambles etc. when stalking. That and barbless hooks has lost me a fair number of fish though 
So I always take my landing net with me, as I literately hate seeing people haul a poor fish out of the the water on a line suspended 6 feet above the ground, really makes me mad to see it.My best investment ever, was my Greys fly fishing vest, which has as great big netted patch pitch pouch in the back that takes my folding landing net with ease.
I’m a big believer in visualisation reality, in that if you can see something happening In your minds eye, and have all the components of that image, it will happen as you visualised it.
It really works try it.
If you want to know how I changed my life and career I will bore you with that story and journey too!
I use barbless hooks and play them to my legs in the water. if they're to small a quick flick whilst still in the water and they're gone. If they're pan size then a firm grip then given their "last rights" by my priest and bagged. If I catch two (one for me and one for Wifey) then that's it for the day and head home.
Basically I don't fish for sport, I fish for supper and the shear enjoyment of the surroundings. Catch and release is not my thing as you can do more harm to a fish with a landing net than a quick flick in the water from a barbless hook. Which is why I just can't get my head around course fishing - banging them all in a keep net for hours, then weighing them at the end! What's all that about
nigelpugh7 said:
So one small problem I noticed yesterday, and it’s mostly down to my age and eyesight, is a problem I have tying knots.
Yesterday I decided I would like to be able to see into the water a bit better, so thought I would try out my Oakley Polarised sunglasses.
And this is where my problem starts.
I am near sighted, but need glasses for distance, so when driving a car etc.
My eyesight is almost perfect close up, so for most work like tying knots have no issues, I just take my glasses off.
But to use my polarised sunglasses I need to put contact lenses in, and them my close up work vision sufferers.
Especially when tying the fly onto the clear line at the fly end, I could hardly see a thing.
My optician had me try varifocal contact lenses, but I just couldn’t get on with them.
I think one of those know tying tools that grabs the line might help for that situation.
But I suppose the best solution is to just get a pair of new glasses that are Polarised!
Just wondered if any of you had another solution to the age old ( literally! ) eyesight issues.
Had exactly the same problem. Tried all the work arounds but finally bit the bullet and ordered Oakley prescription glasses. Not cheap - I’ll dig out where I got them from. It was all done online.Yesterday I decided I would like to be able to see into the water a bit better, so thought I would try out my Oakley Polarised sunglasses.
And this is where my problem starts.
I am near sighted, but need glasses for distance, so when driving a car etc.
My eyesight is almost perfect close up, so for most work like tying knots have no issues, I just take my glasses off.
But to use my polarised sunglasses I need to put contact lenses in, and them my close up work vision sufferers.
Especially when tying the fly onto the clear line at the fly end, I could hardly see a thing.
My optician had me try varifocal contact lenses, but I just couldn’t get on with them.
I think one of those know tying tools that grabs the line might help for that situation.
But I suppose the best solution is to just get a pair of new glasses that are Polarised!
Just wondered if any of you had another solution to the age old ( literally! ) eyesight issues.
nigelpugh7 said:
dickymint said:
Had exactly the same problem. Tried all the work arounds but finally bit the bullet and ordered Oakley prescription glasses. Not cheap - I’ll dig out where I got them from. It was all done online.
I still think it will be the best option for me.My own optician does my Oakley prescription sunglasses for me, as you say not cheap, but they are always great quality.
Oakley Frogskins Prescription Sunglasses Polished Clear (Oakley lenses) 9013 - OAKLEY POLARISED 24K Iridium
Size:
One Size
PD:
Let Extreme eyewear measure it (See Info)
Vision (£60.00):
Oakley Varifocal Lenses
1 £338.00
Oakley Tee (L) California Blue
Type:
Free Item
1 £0.00
Subtotal: £338.00
Shipping: £3.00 via Standard Delivery
Payment method: PayPal
Total: £341.00
Bonefish Blues said:
Chist he's still going on...
ETA @Coppice
What I don't think people appreciate is how much light even the lightest glasses block. Reference here:
https://www.hobiepolarized.com/lens-colors
If very dark water, then it's an issue, no matter what, but I'd be tempted to try a pair of sunrise/similar yellow tints which allow max transmission (but still not much, in absolute terms), whilst also retaining the benefits of polarisation.
The bane of lives in saltwater is an overcast sky, but the lens colour I wear (called Sightmaster by Hobie, a yellow with a slight green) can cut through like no other lens I've ever tried, so much so that a Guide blagged a pair off me because he'd never seen the like. Still, cheaper than a tip!
24K Iridium yellow here.....ETA @Coppice
What I don't think people appreciate is how much light even the lightest glasses block. Reference here:
https://www.hobiepolarized.com/lens-colors
If very dark water, then it's an issue, no matter what, but I'd be tempted to try a pair of sunrise/similar yellow tints which allow max transmission (but still not much, in absolute terms), whilst also retaining the benefits of polarisation.
The bane of lives in saltwater is an overcast sky, but the lens colour I wear (called Sightmaster by Hobie, a yellow with a slight green) can cut through like no other lens I've ever tried, so much so that a Guide blagged a pair off me because he'd never seen the like. Still, cheaper than a tip!
And there’s no way I fitting side shields
Bonefish Blues said:
Never mind that, what's the weight of the reel - I remember them as being weighty old lumps, I think!
Concept's still good though:
https://www.farlows.co.uk/vivarelli-fly-reel.html?...
They certainly are heavy by comparison. But my memory of an aching arm was when I was trying to double haul a lead cored super fast sinking line on a reservoir Concept's still good though:
https://www.farlows.co.uk/vivarelli-fly-reel.html?...
............... those days are long gone.I watched (flicked through) an hour long video on Youtube the other night. I'll post it up later but this "redneck" uses one on some impressive sized Salmon. Shows some good close up bits of how this reel can be used.
nigelpugh7 said:
dickymint said:
Vintage Garcia 710 automatic reel arrived today......
This is getting on for 50 years old and in mint condition. Advertised as “spool stuck” Took me all of 2 minutes to sort...
Even the line looks new, wonder what weight it is.
It does look nice though!,This is getting on for 50 years old and in mint condition. Advertised as “spool stuck” Took me all of 2 minutes to sort...
Even the line looks new, wonder what weight it is.
I still have my original Abu 501 coarse reel back from when I was a lad, before Garcia bought them.
It still works so beautifully, such a great design .
nigelpugh7 said:
dickymint said:
If we're going away from fly fishing (not a problem for me) as far as Abu classics are concerned I may be able to trump your 501 closed face with what i think is Abus most iconic reel - means a trip to my attic so i'll let you guess what it maybe for now .... Bonefish may know being more into sea fishing?
Sorry i did not mean to take this thread away from Fly Fishing.Just got distracted, which i do easily, like now for instance I’m responding here when i should be working on a tender bid that has to be in by 09:00 this morning!!
Doh..
pequod said:
All looks great Andy. 
Now for the first practice casts to get the 'feel' of them all and how accurately you can place the fly.
Enjoy!
First job will be knot tying practice and getting the line onto reels - whether you need backing line, how much and type. Then leader to line and line to tippet.Now for the first practice casts to get the 'feel' of them all and how accurately you can place the fly.
Enjoy!
Lovely kit there Andy
Most of my flies are tied by Jean Williams the owner of Sweets Fishing Tackle in Usk..............
https://www.nickfc.com/sweets-of-usk
It's like stepping back in time. She's a wonderful person but don't expect to just nip in, buy a handful of flies and leave - God She can talk
https://www.nickfc.com/sweets-of-usk
It's like stepping back in time. She's a wonderful person but don't expect to just nip in, buy a handful of flies and leave - God She can talk
Edited by dickymint on Sunday 5th July 11:34
RichB said:
Is there such a thing as a decent rod for someone getting into it, or would one need 2 or 3 rods depending on what waters you intend to fish?
9'6" medium action 5/6 weight will be usable on all but small streams. Absolutely no need to get more than one rod until you discover where you are likely to fish. Until you learn the basics of casting you'll confuse yourself with multiple rods and setups. Fly fishing is only complicated if you make it so.pequod said:
dickymint said:
9'6" medium action 5/6 weight will be usable on all but small streams. Absolutely no need to get more than one rod until you discover where you are likely to fish. Until you learn the basics of casting you'll confuse yourself with multiple rods and setups. Fly fishing is only complicated if you make it so.
Quite so. I remember a lesson well learned from an old experienced fly fisherman when I suggested I needed a shorter rod to fish small brooks. He took my 9' rod and removed the butt end and then taught me how to cast with the remaining 7', without reel, under overhanging trees!!Still bought a 7' 3 weight though, with another reel!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2eeszkQoIk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH6i0QJLtiw
Edited by dickymint on Sunday 5th July 18:10
coppice said:
I am more relaxed about them . I loathe overstocked holes in the ground but many carp waters are lovely . I am privileged to fish a lovely syndicate water, with clear water , luxuriant weed and superb birdlife -and some big carp. And tbh I'm not sure that many other species would thrive very well in a shallow water like Lake Silverstone which is likely to experience very high water temperatures in summer , given its location .
Don't know the area/venue but just a thought - is their a monastery nearby? Monks/gentry used to keep them for food so maybe this is an historical thing Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff