The New fishing Year has started slowly but it is now gathering pace. Christmas, poor weather, projects in the home and the ski season have all conspired to keep me off the rivers for the winter Grayling so I was really looking fwd to this years British Fly Fair.   The BFFI is THE UK…

As another strange fishing year draws to a close, there is a sense of immense irony. In life and nature it’s fair to say that everything balances out eventually so as we had drought conditions in the summer, its only natural that we should have floods in the winter!   This is extremely inconvenient for…

There are a few people who have really influenced the development of fly fishing in recent years and Jan Šiman is, in my opinion, one of them. Many would argue that Czech nymphing isn’t fly fishing but if it requires the use of a fly and correct presentation forms a big part of the technique,…

My friend thinks that fly fishing is “boring” but that’s because he’s never actually tried it. Every day, every encounter, every fish and every river is different so if that’s boring, then “boring be I”!   Two recent examples of fishings unpredictability revolve around Mr Ad Hoogenboezem. Ad was one of a group of four…

Re-reading my last post I concluded a couple of things. Firstly, I should have realised that the popular spots would be busy on the first decent fishing day in weeks. Secondly, everyone has a right to fish the way they prefer, even if it is barbaric and unsporting.   Today, I was reminded exactly why…

Trout and Grayling will eat just about everything that swims in a river at some time in their lives. Part of the fun of fly fishing is trying to work out ‘what’s on the menu’ on the days that you’re on the river. Not all fishermen it seems, are so keen to battle with this…

I’ve been very fortunate over the past few years to spend time with some of my personal fly fishing heroes. I can now add David Southall to that list. Whilst we’ve met several times at gatherings and workshops, we’d never got around to arranging any time on the water together.   At last years BFFI,…

I love working with clients of all abilities but I was particularly excited to receive an email from some experienced fly fishers from Holland recently.   Group leader Peter, was returning to Wales with first time visitors Will, Peter 2 (henceforth known as P2) and Ad, for a five day fishing spree. They thought that…

  I shouldn’t really complain but whilst this summer has been great for the sun worshippers, it’s been a challenge for us fisher folk. Part of the joy of flyfishing is being able to regularly experience the great outdoors. That however, means that you just have to take what mother nature throws at you and…

Adrians birthday weekend celebrations included his first attempt at fly fishing. The previous nights revelry meant that the group was slightly more manageable than a group of beginners/improvers this size might usually be.   Brothers James and Michael had fished with me once before but the river was in flood and the day produced only…