Fly fishing
salmonidae
Trout 'N' About
Created by Joshua Maitland
T 'N' A
Tackle for Small Streams & Rivers
Tenkara Fly-Fishing
For Tenkara there are varying lengths of rod for certain sizes of rivers you are hoping to fish.
An ideal Rod for a small stream or river of around 10ft-30ft max across would be 11 feet 6:4, this gives the angler enough control, but yet enough of a rod to cast delicately in tight corners and over hanging tree's like most small streams ans spawning creeks have making it excellent habitat for small species of game fish like salmon parr, brown trout, the little wild rainbow's, brooks, cutthroats and golden trout of california . Tenkara fly-fishing is the oldest know art form of fly-fishing and has proven successful for centuries. It was first discovered by the expert mountain stream anglers who fished the uplands of japan for small species of game fish; Yamame, Iwana, Amago, rainbow trout and other native species.
Native Iwana
Native Amago
Native Yamame
Native Golden trout to California
Tackle for medium to larger Rivers
Dry Fly Fishing
For dry-fly fishing, you want a soft action or a through action rod as this allows for a more delicate presentation and when a fish takes ; a gentle strike or when lifting into a fish without taking the fly out of its mouth.Fish will take dry flies very delicately, sipping it in and are often just lip hooked if you strike correctly.
Rods of 8'6" upto 10' being from 3-5 weight with a matching weight of reel are an excellent choice when casting long lines over wary fish in the shallows of summer when rivers are low and fish tend to spook more easily. Rods of this length will allow you to reach the larger, wild fish that tend to hold mid river in the deeper cooler and faster stretches where they have protection from herons and other predators- These Trout and Grayling can be substantially further out on the bigger rivers.
Czech/polish, French Nymphing and Spanish Nymphing
This style of nymphing much like the name suggests was first tried, tested and established in the middle-eastern european countries- Czech Republic, Poland and also france and spanish nymphing is no different. This technique involves the use of long rods from 10' to11' very light rods from 2-4 weight, with matching light reels and lineless flylines composed of a specialist tapered leader with a highly visible on-line indicator. This form of fly-fishing is an exceptionally effective way of catching fish at close range presenting nymphs delicately and drift free making it look very natural drifting down at the same speed of the current. Czech Nymphing is deadly during winter when Grayling thrive and shoal in large groups; because grayling are not easily spooked and with faster water masking any mistakes and noises when wading the long light rods allows one to get close to these fish and present the fly in a very natural state- Thus making it first choice for experts and competition anglers. French nymphing is very similar to the other nymphing techniques using the same equipment; French nymphing is ideal for when the river or stream is low as the method does not use any fly-line making presentation of the flies minimalistic without the need to cast long bellies of line over spooky fish in shallows
Johnathan Barnes On-Stream guide Czech leader
The Nymphing techniques described here are best fished in fast and boiling-like water as this gives the fish very little time to scrutinise the fly so the choice of fly is not exactly compulsory; all that is needed is to get the flies down to the correct depth the fish are holding at and the fish will do the rest!
Many Pro and competition anglers use this very rod for Czech-Nymphing. It is completely designed for Czech Nymphing; being a long and light rod which is perfect for presenting specialist flies at a short distance. I have not used this rod yet but i use the Wychwood River and Stream 10' 3# rod and it has deleivered excellently catching me some lovely Grayling and Trout.
Loch & Reservoir Trout Fishing
Traditional Loch style fishing varies considerably to that of modern loch and reservoir fishing for rainbow trout. Loch fishing for brown and rainbow trout is amongst the most popular style of fly-fishing since the non-native rainbow trout were introduced to UK waters during the 19th century. Loch fishing for wild scottish brown trout can be very hard going but in my opinion the most exciting and enjoyable way to catch them on wild upland hill lochs or lower lying lochs.Here large bushy wet flies such as the traditional and internationally renowned; Kate Mclaren, clan chief bumble, loch ordy, peter ross, black pennel are amongst the dull but very successful flies that work well on wild brown trout. Where as reservoir fishing for stocked rainbow trout has lesser etiquette and can involve the use of gaudy big lures such as blobs, cats whiskers that are launched using heavy grain intermediate and super fast sinking lines. However i do enjoy reservoir fishing for rainbow trout and it also allows the angler to fish year round as the rainbow has no season and can be excellent sport during the winter blues if you havent found the grayling shoals. Loch fishing can be approached using a variety of different rod lengths and weights. Anywhere from 9'6" 6# to 11' 7/8# for large loch fly-fishing from boats. The most popular rod length and for sometime is the 10' 7# rod that seems to just about cover every niche for reservoir and loch style fishing. Coupled with this i recommend a selection of lines from high floating, glass intermediate and fast sinking lines from 3" per second to 6" per second. I recommend traditional wet flies for wild brown trout in the U.K and a selection of lures, buzzers and modern wets for stocked trout fishing. For Boat fishing the same tackle applies but it is definetly worth buying the essential equipment to fish from a boat effectively.
Boat Fishing Equipment
1.Drogue- this can be attached to the boat via clamps or can be tied round the middle of the boats seat. A drogue is basically an underwater parachute which slows the drift of a boat which maxamises the fishing time on one area should it be productive.
2. Anchor- Check the rules and regualtions on the water you are fishing, an anchor can be a vital piece of equipment if there are structures and hotspots that fish hold at when released.
3.Boat Seat- A boat seat and a boat cushion can prevent severe back pain as this keeps your spine supported and in a straight, upright direction- Which allows you to fish comfortably, thus maximising your casts without straining muscles in your uper back.
4.Mini Motor & Battery- When outboard motors are not supplied by a fishery, a portable motor can maximise the range of water you can cover. I recommend a motor from a well established fishing brand between 36-80lb+ thrust. You will need a deep cycle car or leisure battery of the appropriate wattage.
5. Life Jacket- The most essential piece of equipment that may just save your life is a life preserver. Buy a well established brand and ALWAYS check that it can support your weight e.g a 70kg man 70N>, 50Kg women 50N>
Also make sure your life jacket is securely fastened, and i DO NOT encourage waders on a baot but if you do have a tightly fastened wading belt.
Salmon Fly Fishing
As with Salmon fly fishing. Tackle and lines differ tremendously from Trout or grayling fishing. The rods are sizeable- double handed rods of upto 18ft in length are not uncommon when fishing large scottish or Scandanavian rivers. Rods in Trout fishing are fine and may only go to the heaviest weight of a 8# rating Wheras in Salmon fishing- You must be able to cast much further distances with heavier rods to propel heavy grain lines; some exceeding 640+ grains. The heaviest lines you might find could be the equivalent to a 13# line in trout fishing.
Fishing Large Rivers
When fishing large rivers, for big fish I can recommend a few options for you:
~If you are new to salmon fishing but have experience in Trout fly fishing I recommend starting with a 14' 9/10# rod with matching reel with a long bellied spey line of an appropriate rating.Your local tackle merchant should be able to sort you out with an entry level rod for under £200.
If you are a seasoned pro or compitent:
I recommend a rod from 14'8 10/11# to 18ft 12/13 # depending on the River you fish and your casting abliity. With this said, you may wish to pay more for a rod and reel outfit. I can't stress enough the need to have a line upto the task. I personally would recommend Rio. Specifically a Rio Scandi or SKagit fly line shooting head. A shooting head line has lots of weight at the front making it superb for as the name suggests. shootability. Remember to buy a running line with this. you can find Line ratings below:
Salmon Fly Fishing small & Coastal Rivers
When Salmon fishing small rivers or coastal waters for Salmon or Sea Trout. Rods usually do not exceed 13ft in length and go above a 9# weight.
These rods are known as 'switch rods'
I recommend the use of a 12'6 7/8# rod matching reel and a short skagit or switch line. You can also use heavy reservoir trout rods of 10' 7/8# for small highland streams where salmon rarely exceed the 10lb mark.
