One of the huge benefits of being involved with The Fly Shop is not just being able to help give fellow fly fishermen new ammo to target fish, I also get to fish with the patterns of the other guys in the design team. Russ and Gazza, Arden, Alec and Wayne all have contributed some totally awesome flies that are always developing with new materials and ideas. You have the benefit of all these patterns being tried and tested before being put...
Since launching the fly shop and guiding one question I get asked a lot is why so many lines and what would you class as essential. The first is a floating line this is a must have. I use the Loop Opti still water in a WF7. This line is mainly used for dry fly or bung fishing. It loads the rod very fast and is great for covering moving fish fast. It also turns the bung and flies over very...
Llyn Brenig reservoir is located in Wales, in the heart of the Denbigh Moors, at a height of 1200 feet. Construction began in 1973 and was completed in 1976. It has a capacity of 60 million m³ and was first filled in 1979. With a surface area of around 920 acres, it is the fourth largest lake in Wales and has a perimeter of some 9 miles. Llyn Brenig Lake is now recognised as one of the best fisheries in...
NYMPHING FOR DOLLAGHAN After some long awaited rain, the rivers got a much needed freshen up and more importantly a rise to help the migratory fish travel up the system. Near where I live I am fortunate to have both salmon and a unique strain of brown trout called Dollaghan that run up the rivers from Lough Neagh. These large trout spend most of the year feeding in Lough Neagh before returning to their rivers to spawn. These potamodromous fish start...
Russ had been eagerly waiting for the first day out with the rest of the lads who I fish with in the Welsh Hawks. Although the forecast wasn’t great for our first day out on Clywedog with rain most of the day and a moderate breeze but I wanted to try out some of the new Superflo tip lines from Airflo.
To say the last few months have been tough without fly fishing as you all know would be an understatement so when the opportunity arose for a day out on Lake of Menteith it was a no brainer.
Sean Hanlon takes a boat out for the first time after lock down on Rutland water. A tough start finding the method but once dialed in a great a days fishing using hare's ear nymphs and boobies.
After a long lock down, it was great to finally get out fishing again. I received a call from good friend Mike Williams and asked if I fancied a short evening session at Wal Goch Trout Fishery. The fishery is only a short distance from my office so what better than after a long day, a few hours fishing.
One question I get asked a lot throughout the season when fishing from a drifting boat is how I manage to spot fish rising so well and be able to see my dry flies. There are lots of tips that help, spending time on the water and honing your peripheral vision is a big help. Once you get used to seeing any movement on the water you will be amazed how fast your fish spotting skills improve. When looking for...
Wullie and I we were fortunate enough to get a boat on what is annually one of the hottest seats in the house for the start of the trout season in Scotland. An opening day boat on The Lake of Menteith. Great catching up with friends and the usual banter of the overwintered waist lines Lol. The Lake of Menteith at the end of each season stocks heavily, usually with large fish in the 3/5lb range and for me that’s the target on...
