Personal best so far.

[Mr Steve Parker]

Went to Nick Hart's fishery today,started at about 10.15am.Five mins in took a rainbow about 2lbs,using a Flextex 8/9 4piece 10ft rod with a Airflo 7/9 reel 9 line 6lbs leader plus an olive gold head.I had taken with me a Flextex 7 piece Wilderness travel rod which I thought I would try out for the first time.She is a 8ft 4/5 to which I used a Greys G-Tec 5 reel loaded with 5 line plus 6lbs leader.I tied on a grey/brown dry fly and cast again.Three cast's later another fish on.First time I've used a 4/5 rod bl**dy hell what a fight,took about 5mins to get it in.3lb 2oz.Cast again.Second cast and there it was my personal best 6lbs 12oz and on light gear.I started fly fishing last October with the help of my mate Dave Coles.When I first started I never thought it possible to catch such a fish.So to any one thinking about this sport,GO FOR IT YOU WONT REGRET IT. I went on to catch another two rainbow's of around 2lbs.Dave only got three plus a small browny he let go.

[mickj]

well done I fish a 3wt rod great fun largest rainbow on my small rod just over 6lbs well down into the backing and 10mins to the net

[Mr Steve Parker]

well done I fish a 3wt rod great fun largest rainbow on my small rod just over 6lbs well down into the backing and 10mins to the net

Nice one got me thinking now.Do you always fish that light,I can see why if you do.I hope some one can help me here.How would you explain a new rod, reel and line when you have said,no dear I don't need any more fishing gear.PLEASE HELP Steve.

[mickj]

Hi, No I don't allways fish that light, but great fun some times, if you need a new rod just don't tell them say you have had it for ages. off to patsall park thursday will fish the 3wt from boat will post friday

[ickypimp]

7-9 is a rather vauge AFTM rating for a rod...i am suspecting is is (and no offence intended ) from the cheaper end of the market..

to get the same rod loading using a 7 weight line and a 9 weight line you will need roughly 40 feet more line aerielised when using a 7 weight

people fish lighter for several reasons.. there would be no need to fish the test or the ichen with a 9 weight, you hardly ever cast more than 20 feet, presentation of delicate dry flys to spooky wild brownies works better on lighter tackle, borrow a 5 weight outfit from somoen and try it... it will be a joy to cast, weigh sod all, you can fish for much longer without getting as tired and finally where is the sport in fishing for a 1lb fish on 9 weight tackle designed to cope with 20 lb fish, it is more fun fishing light and having to play a fish rather than going way over gunned and skull draging it in...

[Shropfisher]

7-9 is a rather vauge AFTM rating for a rod...i am suspecting is is (and no offence intended ) from the cheaper end of the market..

to get the same rod loading using a 7 weight line and a 9 weight line you will need roughly 40 feet more line aerielised when using a 7 weight

people fish lighter for several reasons.. there would be no need to fish the test or the ichen with a 9 weight, you hardly ever cast more than 20 feet, presentation of delicate dry flys to spooky wild brownies works better on lighter tackle, borrow a 5 weight outfit from somoen and try it... it will be a joy to cast, weigh sod all, you can fish for much longer without getting as tired and finally where is the sport in fishing for a 1lb fish on 9 weight tackle designed to cope with 20 lb fish, it is more fun fishing light and having to play a fish rather than going way over gunned and skull draging it in...

I believe most people fish up to 9 weights for a few reasons, First, the tackle shop has sold them some thing he wants to clear, second, all the mags say for Resi fishing in high winds use 8 or 9 weight, thirdly, the lower price tackle has too wide a range in the rateing.
I fish a 6 weight as my heaviest, 5 for rivers or small waters,I know some one who fishes Lechlade with a 2 weight, 15lb rainbows on a 2 weight !! ye he gets them in but I think it's over the top in light tackle fishing, These are powefull fish and 4 or 5 should be the min.

I also believe you fish lighter rods as a result of experiance. ( not age or time spent fishing, there is a differrance ) When you start off you don't want to lose fish, and as you get more skilled you learn it's about how you play them not how much brute force you can deliver.

The other side of this is competition fishing, they fish heavier because it's not about playing the fish, it's about hooking, landing and getting a line out for the next fish in the shortest possible time, so light weight rods have little place in the comp circuite.

You even see this trend for light tackle in sea fishing now, It is far more fun.

[Mr Steve Parker]

Result - 6-12 - what a beauty and on a four weight - I used to fish one in the margins at Farmoor for the patrolling fish, but I never got one that big - even a three pounder goes like stink though!

What fishery was it Steve? and any better idea on the fly?!!

All the best and well done again,
Gordon.

Hi mate good to hear from you.Dave the guy I go fly fishing with told me he would class it as a nat,said he would look it up and let me know.Any different I'll pass it on.The fishery is at Exebridge.Exe Valley Fishery TA22 9AY 01398 323 008,owned by Nick Hart,you may have seen him on one of Henry Gilbey's TV shows.They where fishing the river Tone which run's through Taunton.Nick caught all sort's of fish on fly that started my intrested.Most fish I would say average about 2-3lbs.Having said that Dave has taken an 8lb about 7months ago and a 5 1/2 lb 4weeks ago.A 12lb fish was taken 3weeks ago.Ther's some big ones in there.Sorry I'm going on.Cheers Gordon all the very best Steve.

[Mr Steve Parker]

Gordon, Daves just been in touch told me the fly I was using was a brown sedge.All the best Steve.

[Mr Steve Parker]

I believe most people fish up to 9 weights for a few reasons, First, the tackle shop has sold them some thing he wants to clear, second, all the mags say for Resi fishing in high winds use 8 or 9 weight, thirdly, the lower price tackle has too wide a range in the rateing.
I fish a 6 weight as my heaviest, 5 for rivers or small waters,I know some one who fishes Lechlade with a 2 weight, 15lb rainbows on a 2 weight !! ye he gets them in but I think it's over the top in light tackle fishing, These are powefull fish and 4 or 5 should be the min.

I also believe you fish lighter rods as a result of experiance. ( not age or time spent fishing, there is a differrance ) When you start off you don't want to lose fish, and as you get more skilled you learn it's about how you play them not how much brute force you can deliver.

The other side of this is competition fishing, they fish heavier because it's not about playing the fish, it's about hooking, landing and getting a line out for the next fish in the shortest possible time, so light weight rods have little place in the comp circuite.

You even see this trend for light tackle in sea fishing now, It is far more fun.

Hi thanks for your comments.When I started fly fishing last Oct I used as I was told,hence the 8/9 weight rod.I took the travel rod along just to see how it would perform.I was not ready for how much more difficult it would be to cast.After trying to cast it three times I wish I'd never bought the rod but I kept on.Took a while and I found I had to be a lot more gentle when casting.The fish were a very big bonus.Must say I now much prefer the lighter rod. Cheers Steve.

[Mr Steve Parker]

Fantastic - and not only a fantastic fish but on a dry fly!! Halford would be proud! I've never had one over four on a dry and now I'm green! You'll be trying for a while to beat that one!!

A great site for you or anyone else who fancies a dabble in the briny...

http://www.ukswff.co.uk/forum/index.php


all the best,

gordon.

Signed up already Gordon.Good site,cheers mate.