Watch, Practice, Fish

Monday it was an APGAI lesson with a couple of colleagues over with our mentor at Curleys Fishery. We've been working together for some time now and it really makes a difference having someone to watch whats going on with the casts.

Wednesday morning saw me having a GAIC Double Handed lesson, I must be mad trying to do them both at the same time, but decision time is fast looming on this one and if I'm not quite ready then I'll wait a little while longer. In the afternoon I gave a lesson to a chap who wanted to recap on his roll cast & overhead cast & add a bit extra distance, good session.

Thursday I shadowed my mentor on a Double Handed lesson that he was giving to one of his clients, helped out on a few of the casts. Interesting to see how everyone reacts to different learning techniques.

Friday, and I was off to the River Ribble for another session with the Double handed rod. Again this was with one of my mentors clients who so it was a little bit more learning and involvement for me.

Sunday saw me head north of the border into Dumfries for a couple of days salmon fishing. Stayed at Friars Carse Country House Hotel on the banks of the River Nith. weather wasn't too bad on the drive up but snow was alraedy lying on the hills surrounding the hotel, still the river looked in fine form, slightly low but running clear.

Monday morning and how things had changed overnight, the river was up about 2 foot and running a nice chocolate colour all down to the snow melt from the day before, just what I didn't want. I tried the fly without any luck and reverted to the spinner, had 2 lovely big brown trout slash at it just as I was lifting off so no fish to the rod. I did manage to see a couple of salmon moving in Marsdens & Royal Cast pools.

Tuesday, things were improving the colour was going and the river was dropping back nicely so hopes were high, fished the bottom of the beat first, seeing the odd salmon in Marsdens, no pulls though just another short take from a brownie in the slack water by the bank. Top of the beat got the attention in the afternoon but no luck, still that's fishing. The company of an extremely experienced instructor/guide for the evening meal in the hotel was very interesting, I couldn't really have planned it better.

Wednesday, just time for a quick cast before heading off to see some Red Kites and then the journey home. Even though no fish were caught its been nice to be out on the river and just have the noise of the water, buzzards and oyster catchers calling, Oh and the roar of the engines of the RAF Hawk jets flying low overhead

It's been a mixed last ten days but really enjoyable.

If your out there fishing this week Tight Lines

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Quieter Week

Sunday morning, Platt Fields session more practice with the double handed rod. Left hand up top is getting better but still needs work to get it right, but that's what practice is for.

Observed and assisted in a lesson with my mentor on Monday at Curleys Fishery as part of my further development, good session, the client was pleased. Manged to get an hour double handed practice in which was good.

Tuesday was back at Poynton Pool need to get as much in before it closes next week.

Thursday saw me take a trip to Dane Bridge Fishery for a couple of hours. Cold blustery conditions with an easterly wind, managed to catch 3 nice rainbows and 1 blue, best about 4.5lb.

Friday up to local club water, thick fog on the way over the tops and cold and very windy. Casting was very interesting. Stuck it out for a few hours without so much as a pull, but I suppose you wouldn't expect anything else in conditions like these.

Saturday I took a trip to the open day at Fly Only, very nice set up. Lots of fly tying going on as well as the chance to test some rods out and glean some tips from the other instructors that were there. Well worth the trip despite the awful weather


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Tight lines

Casting & Fishing

What a week it's been for variety, started last Sunday back on Platt Fields, Fallowfield with MCC and helped out with single and double handed techniques with a few people. Managed to get some time to practice myself, still working hard on left hand on top.

Monday saw me meet up with some colleagues over in Derbyshire for a APGAI single handed session with a local instructor. Went through the syllabus and identified a few things to work on. Really good session and valuable information gained from it. Good day with good company.
New book arrived, 'Flycasting Skills for Beginner & Expert' hopefully it will make some of the casts easier to follow.


Tuesday back to the double handed rod for a couple of hours at local lake, Poynton Pool. Need to make as much use of this as possible before it closes for the coarse close season. think I'll contact Stockport Federation and see if they have any objections to me carrying on practicing there seeing as I've no hook on, if not I'll have to find somewhere else. Left hand up is getting better, mustn't rush the cast and it will come.

 Wednesday, decided to have a few hours fishing at local fishery in Wincle, Cheshire. Small well stocked lake with some big fish in, haven't been there for a few years but as i only had a few hours thought I'd give it a go. A few fish moving and those being caught seemed to be hard on the bottom. Managed to hook into a nice fish just before I left only to loose it at the net, that's one that lives to fight another day

Thursday  morning grabbed 3 hours pike fishing on Poynton Pool. Managed to find some areas that were free of ice. Nice bright day though, but no fish. Still it's always worth a cast. Had a good chat with a chap whose off up to the Spey in April, said he may be down for some practice himself.

Friday, off to local club water, bit different than a couple of weeks ago though there is still the odd bit of snow still around. Only 4 anglers on so plenty of bank to go at. Managed a small rainbow on the flats off the far point not very deep either. Fished all the way down to the barn without any further success, just managed to spook a couple of feeding fish in about a foot of water, must be more careful next time. Back at the front bay manged a further two fish on olive nymphs before I called it a day.

Overall a very enjoyable & varied week.
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Tight lines