River Nith

3 days fishing on the River Nith in Dumfrieshire on the Friars Carse Hotel beat. Arrived Monday to find that the river was still running low and the hoped for rain hadn’t arrived, still fisherman are always optimistic. Target species’ were salmon, sea & brown trout.

Mat at Royal Cast

Fishing this time with me were Mat & Ray. Ray started the fishing off whilst I showed Mat the top section of the beat which was new to him, had first cast with double handed rod in the Royal Cast pool, nice deep pool and well shaded from the sun, no luck there so moved down to the Shank pool which looked promising, both of us fished it through twice without any luck though we did see a couple of salmon move at the tail of the pool. Plenty of smaller fish were feeding on the hatches.

After having a good luck from the path at the Forest Pool we decided to leave that till later and fish through the Riding Stone towards the House Pool. 

Then onto Marsdens, Island, Policemans & finally Fyfes Hole, no luck in any of these we only saw a couple of decent fish boil down the whole of the beat.

Ray at Riding Stone

Mats grayling at the Island

Tuesday & Wednesday were pretty much the same but late on Tuesday we started to see more & more sea trout and salmon crashing in the pools. At the end of the Ledges just before Marsdens  we spotted a shoal of sea trout crossing the gravel bar into the deep water. It was really frustrating to see more and more fish and not managing to hook up. The nearest we came was when Mat lifted into a fish at the tail of Marsdens and it took off straight into the snag just off the Island. Ray was also broken off twice on the single handed rod.

Due to the lack of water we also spent some time with the single handed rods and here at least we managed a good few fish from most of the pools and runs mainly browns with the odd nice grayling amongst them. Given the number and quality of these hard fighting fish it certainly bodes well for the future of the Nith. 

Here’s hoping the river will be at a better height to allow more fish into the system for when I’m next back.

Tight Lines to all those who are out there fishing this coming week.

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Plenty Of Casting

Another quiet week, out practicing on my own Monday & Tuesday in quite windy conditions which all comes in handy.

Wednesday saw me over at Curleys for a session with Chris and our mentor Mike Roden. Good session, a few things to work on and keep sharp. Next session is on the River Ribble at Mitton as long as the rains not too hard and prolonged to push the height up.

Over with the lads from Manchester Casting Club at the night time, good to catch up with Chris again. Did some work on my spey casts, another good session I feel.

Thursday and it was over to Wincle for a couple of hours, managed to get a couple of offers to small nymphs.

Saturday nipped over to Stockport Fly Fishing shop as they had an Open Day sale on. Managed to keep the wallet firmly closed and in my pocket, even after I tried out the new Sage 5# Method fly rod, combined with a Rio Perception fly line ----- very nice. May have to have another go with it.

Waders should be back this week, all I need now is a new pair of boots, it's time I treated myself to some.

Tight Lines to all those who are out there fishing this coming week.

Visit us on our Facebook page Cheshire Fly Fish or web site www.cheshireflyfishing.co.uk.

Quiet Week

Quiet week overall so not much to report I'm afraid.

Wednesday session with Manchester Casting Club was cancelled due to the inconsiderate rain, still managed to get some practice in on my own and seeing the benefits.

Waders sent of to 'Diver Dave' in Aberdeen for a leak test (I know they leak) and a repair hopefully they'll be back soon and as good as new.


Friday afternoon went out to local still water, weather warm and very sunny, far from good fishing conditions. Had to leave about 7 pm so probably missed the best time but at least I managed to wet a line. No fish to report and very few showing.


Nice to see the red deer on the hill and the mass of butterflies on the thistles at the far end of the lake.


Today saw me meet up with some other instructors for a few hours casting and sharing ideas on different teaching methods and techniques. Good to catch up and share ideas.

Tight Lines to all those who are out there fishing this coming week.

Visit us on our Facebook page Cheshire Fly Fish or web site www.cheshireflyfishing.co.uk.