Anna Maria Island - September 2015

Back on the lovely island of Anna Maria for the next 3 weeks, I'm sure fishing will come into it somewhere, well maybe a least some part of each day.

Small shoals of bait fish were passing along the Gulf beach so out with the cast net to get a few as back up to the fly.

Ladyfish were in the mood and took the fly and bait well, nothing very big but a good start to the holiday, strangely Gulf Whiting came to hand with a few nice size ones, but all were returned to fight another day.


The action suddenly changed to the searing runs that indicated to me that these fish were the speedy toothy Spanish Mackerel, managed to keep hold of 3 with numerous others throwing the hook or biting through 25lb fluorocarbon, sadly on my part the biggest fell to my wife, still there's always another day.

Low Water On The River Ribble

Out with Danny up on the River Ribble in Lancashire yesterday, river was very low and in desperate need of some fresh water but we were there so we gave it a go.

Started just below Mitton Bridge and checked out and worked on a few casts that would come in handy during the day. Given how warm it was was surprised that there was no hatch at all.

Fished alot of the water all the way down to the junction with the Hodder seeing very few fish, it was strange.
Worked our way further down and saw a couple of salmon in the first deep pool but they were not our quarry today, it was the brownies we were looking for.


The second pool along just before the run off into the next looked promising as there was quite a few fish showing and some of them were a decent size, more than likely sea trout.

Fished hard through this one and Danny managed one very quick sharp pull to a Snipe and Purple spider but nothing else and yet the fish continued to show, very frustrating indeed.


Still a nice day on the river in good company.

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Quick Outing

Couple of hours at my local stillwater the other night, levels dropping and weed is a problem as you can see from some of the photos.
Hundreds of Canada Geese making a right mess of the banks, plenty of hand and fly line washing when I got home.

Managed to get a few offers to a small pheasant tail nymph before a fish hit it hard and was firmly hooked, after a few strong runs it was safely brought to the net.

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Day On The Ribble

Weekend saw me out with a client on the River Ribble in Lancashire  using the Ribble Catchment Conservation Trust Angling Passport scheme, a great idea that puts anglers onto sections of water at very reasonable costs and certainly a great way for a newcomer to the sport to find if it really is for them.

It was his first session on a river and we needed to brush up on a few techniques before we started to look for fish.

The river was extremely low and in desperate need for rain but probably ideal for a beginner as he could see where fish would hold once the river was up as well as where it would be safe to wade if needed. We started out at Mitton Bridge and slowly throughout the day worked our way down past the junction with the River Hodder and beyond. Some good sized fish were holding in the gulleys of the rock bed just above the junction with the Hodder but they were really shy and very easily spooked but we had a go for them anyway. There was sparse hatches throughout the morning and then very little at all in the afternoon. Nymphs, klinks drys and spiders were all tried and eventually he managed to get a couple of spiders to be accepted  by trout, parr and even a small chub.

Lovely day on the river with good company.

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Anglers Curse

A couple of hours at one of the club waters last night, was amazed to see some large Mayflies coming off, but the fish just weren't interested in either the dry or nymph.



Then the Anglers Curse put in its appearance.

Tight Lines if you're out there this weekend

Hard Work Pays Off

Back over at Danebridge Fishery at Wincle near Maccesfield fishing  for a few hours with Oliver.
His enthusiasm is unbelievable despite his limited casting ability he always gives it his best shot and again today he got his reward. The fishing was hard even though there were a lot of fish rising they were just not playing but after a couple of quick offers he managed to get one to stick - well done Oliver.

Out on the river this weekend with a client, let's hope the fish are in the mood and the weather stays fine.

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Anna Maria Island - Update 4

Snook have still be hard to get on the bite, despite numerous follows they've still been turning off at the last minute even though I've been stood at least a couple of yards up the beach. I even resorted to trying spin baits as well as small jigs and DOA shrimp patterns.

At least the jacks put in there usual appearance to give some welcome sport even if it wasn't to the fly rod.







Interesting watching what I think was a mobular ray surfing in on the back of the waves and nearly
 beaching itself before turning back into the surf (very short video clip on FB page)

Tight lines till next time




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AMI Update 3

Not a lot to report, with Memorial weekend visitors its been difficult to safely cast a fly until they have left for home or the restaurants.

Snook of the beach continue to be the target as they are cruising the skinny water beach side of the surf but no matter what I throw at them up to now they are refusing to take despite the numerous follows, only for them to turn off at the last minute.

Tarpon continue to roll on past but most are out of casting range. Hopefully things will change over the next few days, its a good job that the ladyfish and jacks keep putting in an appearance to keep the spirits up, especially today after 3 trips to the beach two ended up in a complete soaking and with the threat of lighting a definite time to stop. Third trip after the last of the rain had passed resulted in no fish but a beautiful sunset - time to sit back and soak it in.

Tight Lines

Anna Maria Part 1 & a bit

Fishing is never easy but with the surroundings that you are in you should just soak it all up.

Snook off the beach have been really finicky, fishing the skinny water early and late and casting to targeted fish has continued to see fish turn to chase the fly only to turn off at the last minute, it's so frustrating, but as I said above there's so much to see.

Thursday spent the afternoon out on the water with Capt Chad Gamble of Hook and Ladder Charters on one of our twice yearly trips. This trip is not mainly about fishing its really about a mini memorial to our daughter Rachel, the fishing takes a back seat, but does happen.

When we fished we tried various spots in the Sarasota Bay area looking to target Redfish and trout, it took us a while but we managed to find them in the feeding mood in the area of Buttonwood Harbour.

Some nice size fish came in as well as a good few under the slot size. We also managed to get cut off numerous times after a hook up, that we can only put down to Blue Fish.
Even spotted a sea turtle as well as the dolphins before it was time to head back to the dock.


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AMI Update

 

Last couple of days has been quiet on the fishing front, the few fish that have been coming to hand have mainly been Ladyfish and small skip jacks.

What's been interesting is that there appear to be a good few Cobia cruising the shoreline albeit some of them are well out of casting range with a fly but you never know one may come close enough and kindly grab the fly and another first will be in the bag.

Spent a good few hours chasing the snook that are patrolling the surf line early morning and as the sun goes down, had about 4 follows only for them to turn off at the last minute. Maybe it's got something to do with the clear water, will try a longer leader set up
tomorrow.
Tarpon fishers are still out there but not in a s great a number and I've only seen a couple of fish today all well out.

Tight Lines

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Anna Maria Island May 2015 Part 1

Well back on the island again, it will be fun to find out what the fishing holds in store on this trip.

Walked the beach this morning and the amount of boats out fishing for the 'silver kings' was lots mostly were positioned around Bean Point on the drop off to the deeper water of Tampa Bay, I saw one hook up, not sure if he managed to land it but it looked a good fish.



 After getting most of the shopping in, well at least for a few days I called in at AMI Outfitters on Pine Avenue to say hi to the owners, grabbed a few items them headed off to the beach to try my luck now most people had left for the evening.

Various lures tried before I managed to get a couple of hook ups from lady fish and a few skip jacks, what was interesting in the couple of hours that I was there I saw at least half a dozen Tarpon roll by, one of them all be it small was no more than about 20 yards off the beach, it would be nice to think that they are going to stay like this whilst I'm here, but I doubt it. Let's see what tomorrow brings.

Tight Lines

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Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining or 2

At long last have managed to get back on the Upper Tay beat behind Taymouth Castle. Vehicle access has been restricted for quite a few years now with ongoing work on the castle and golf course, but managed to get permission as to drive in as long as I was out by 5pm so a good result saving a long walk.

Picked up permit from the Kenmore Hotel and what a bargain £35 with 9 named pools over the length of the beat and fishing available from both banks, although some places are hard to get to.


I'd decided that I was going to fish the Chinese Pool hard with the fly as its a nice long run where

there used to be some nice holding lies. The river had risen over the last couple of days which hopefully will have encouraged fish to push on up the river.

Set up was a Guideline LPXE 14', 8/9# matched with a Hardy Mach 55 sink tip and a silver bodied shrimp style fly.

Started at the head of the pool and was down to just about half way when there was a solid take about a rod length out, net was too far away so after a brief fight a lovely bar of silver weighing approx. 7.5lbs was tailed photographed, measured and safely released.

A welcome 'wee dram' to celebrate the success and it was back to where I'd finished to cover the rest of the pool. Just at the gauge marker there was a solid take in the middle of the river as the fly swung over the large rock and the fight was on again, this one was a lot more powerful and the first run had me into the backing, after a sustained fight where the fish came into the shallows only to bore out into the deeper water again, it was safely in the net, (which actually broke at this point, the frame snapped)good job the fish was safely inside. Again a quick measure, photo and another safe release of a beautiful Tay springer weighing in at 14lbs still with sea lice on so it travelled hard from the sea.

No more salmon after this but one very greedy brown trout that hammered into the fly. It's a long time since I've seen the brown trout here on the Tay having an absolute feeding bonanza, everywhere you looked there was fish rising.

Tight lines to all.

Don't forget to check out Friars Carse web site for fishing course information on the River Nith.

Spent Friday afternoon up at local club water, still a bit early for any decent fly life as its quite high up but there must have been something hatching as I saw my first of this years house martins winging there way over the water always a nice sight to see.

Saturday and it was a meet up day with colleagues from North West Fly Fishing Academy and a days brief introduction to newcomers into whats involved in becoming a fly fishing instructor with GAIA.

Session was held at Marton Heath Fishery in Cheshire and was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended, just looking forward to the next one. Luckily the weather held out for us, I'm just glad it wasn't Sunday - awful weather.

Back out teaching again later this week then hopefully I'll get a few hours in myself.

Tight Lines

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Busy Few Weeks

The last few weeks have been busy with fishing and teaching, great to introduce someone new into this great sport.

Up on the River Nith for 3 days staying once again at Friars Carse Hotel. River was very clear and slowly dropping the Riding Stone was just starting to show so the river was at a decent height.

Three of us fished and all started with salmon outfits and we fished until just after lunch then as a small hatch came on we quickly switched to the single handed rods we carried with us to have some sport with the grayling & trout. Between us we managed to catch quite a few but nothing huge. Back to the salmon rods for the last hour of light just in case and fresh fish had pushed into the pools just before dark, but we saw or touched nothing.

Next day was similar but in tactics only I spent a couple of hours working on some single handed casts in preparation for a possible assessment in the future. I hadn't missed much as Mat & Ray both had seen or contacted nothing. The afternoon saw me start with the single handed rod following Mat down from the Riding Stone and after a few casts was met with a very solid resistance as a very nice grayling had grabbed the fly. it turned out to be my personal best coming in at just
over 48cm, lovely fish and in excellent condition.

Friday saw Mat & myself head of to fish the lower beat of Buccleuch Estates at Drumlanrig Castle where we fished at the closing few days of the season in 2014. Interesting to see the water at different heights as it can give you a better indication of the likely lies. We were back on double handed rods and started from the Carronfoot Pool and was both really expecting to get an offer with each cast, but nothing. Then down to Quarry Pool, again it just looked so fishy and it was at the very end of the tail that Mat had a couple of quick pulls followed by a much stronger one and a fish was on, not a big one but a fish no the less. All nicely under control until the last minute when it threw the hook, the air was a little bit blue at this point but it gave us hope. We fished all the way down to the Virgin Pool at the bottom of the beat with just a couple of offers in the Doctors Pool but nothing else was solid.
A lovely days fishing and a stretch of water that I'll be back to fish again

This week saw a couple of teaching days over at Curleys Fishery, one a complete beginner and the other gent was just getting back into fly fishing and wanted to refresh and learn a few new casts, both did really well despite the weather on the first day. Curleys had a stocking whilst I was there and they put in some really nice fish which at the time of writing this report have already been putting an appearance in. If your in the area why not give it a go.

Tight Lines to all.

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First Course of 2015 & The Opening of The Salmon Season on The Nith

The course was scheduled to be a joint effort between myself Ian Griffin and Wendy Gibson (flies by Wendy) but sadly before the event Wendys husband passed away and then she herself was taken ill (get well soon Wendy) so at the last minute fly tyer Paul Griffin (no we're not related) filled the gap and did a splendid job.


Sunday Paul spent the whole of the day with one of the course attendees going through different tying techniques, This was continued after dinner with each fly throwing up a different skill to be learnt.

Monday and it was out on the hotel lawn working through different casts with both single and double handed rods. Break for lunch then down to the river to put into practice some of the techniques we'd worked on whilst having a fish. The weather had turned really nasty with everything being thrown at us - hail, sleet, snow rain and strong winds. The sad thing is the river had risen quite a lot over night and was coloured but we tried to make the best of it. A quick recap on a couple of casts on the lawn before retiring to the bar for a quick drink before dinner, then it was back to the fly tying.

Tuesday weather wise was pretty much the same although luckily not much rain had fallen overnight so the river had stayed about the same level, we really could have done with about a foot off it and clearing to give us our best shot at a fish, still we had plenty of casts to work on.

Had a good session on snap casts & snake roll with the double & single handed rods, given the conditions  I felt that they will come in handy. Late welcoming and warming lunch of sandwiches and a bowl of freshly made chips then it was back out onto the river but sadly the conditions worsened and it was time to head back to the shelter of the hotel. Still we tried.

Wednesday saw the opening of the salmon season on the Nith and as I was there it would have been rude not to have cast a line, so Trevor & I toasted the season with a drop of the hard stuff and started fishing
down from the Riding Stones on a river that was slowly dropping and clearing. I only had a short time as I had just heard that my father in law had passed away so it was time to pack up and head back south.

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Friars Carse Grayling Competition 2015

Nick Brown the General Manager at the Hotel and myself and the late Ray Gibson organised a Grayling Competition for last Sunday, nothing too serious. We opened it up this year as any legal method to help encourage as many anglers as we could and were delighted to have had 12 anglers taking part.

River Nith Trust were very keen to see what condition the grayling where in, so arranged for scale sample kits to be available for those anglers wishing to take their own, with these then being taken back and analyzed to see the growth rates, age etc. of the fish. As soon as I have this data back from them I'll post it on here, I'm sure it will make interesting reading.

A few of the anglers also fished the water on the Saturday and managed around 20 nice fish, but Sunday was the day that was to count. It was nice to see that the split between bait and fly was straight down the middle, top rod in the bait fishers came in with 14 fish whilst the top fly rod had 9 both great efforts. A total of 41 fish were caught with the best around the mid 40 cm mark.



Everyone had a good time despite the very cold conditions. Prizes for those lucky few as well as for those not so fortunate to catch.


Dates already set for the 2016 competition - 21st February, put it in your diary.

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