Friars Carse July Course

Arrived at the hotel early afternoon in anticiparion for the quests of the July Fly Fishing & Tying Course, car unloaded, banner set up and a quick walk along the river.

Course attendees duly Doronwy & David arrived with their respective partners Jane & Gail followed by Pat Stevens who was looking after the fly tying side of things.

Introductions & evening meal over & Pat was soon demonstrating some tying techniques.

After a hearty Friars Carse breakfast it was onto the lawn to just run through the casts that we were likely to use, overhead, single & double speys & snaps. After a break for lunch it was down to the river to practise what we had been through in the morning session and to look at some sunk line work at the request of Doronwy.

Following dinner it was back out to the river as, cooler temperatures and less sun on the water we were hoping for some reward, We fished Marsdens & the Island Pool and it wasn’t long before I could see a bend in Doronwys rod, it turned out to be his first ever sea trout, small but perfect in every way. Quickly unhooked, photographed and safely back to grow even bigger – a nice end to the first day with both having had a great first day.

Both David & Doronwy opted to stick with the double handed rod and work on their presentation whilst fishing through with a constant change of flies, this time we spent most of the day fishing the top section of the beat from the Farm Pool through the Riding Stone right down to the House Pool without any luck but the casting was certainly improving. Pat also fished in the morning and manged some nice grayling & trout all falling to small dry flies. Due to very warm weather we retired to the hotel mid-afternoon to do some more fly tying ably instructed by Pat, Doronwy tied his first ever salmon fly which would get a swim after dinner

Wednesday, and it was time to recap on any casting issues before a last chance to fish, this time it was Davids turn to get a bend in his rod, a beautiful marked parr took his small double Willie Gunn, shame it wasn’t mum or dad but there is always next time.

Check out the Hotels website www.friarscarse.co.uk or www.cheshireflyfishing.co.uk for more information on the remaining courses for 2018 along with dates and information for our 2019 courses.

Snook, Trout & Grouper

Had a couple of trips out with Capt.Chad Gamble of Hook & Ladder Charters, first trip was cut very short due to the heavy rain storm that blew up but myself & Mrs G still managed a few of these fellas. Yesterdays trip was completely different - no rain what so ever, was accompanied by Alan from Scotland and we had a great time catching snook, trout, gag grouper and even had a couple of shots at some tarpon, sadly we couldn't get the red fish to eat but there is always next time.

#AnnaMariaIsland #GAIA #GameAnglingInstructorsAssociation #OrvisUK #Orvisendorsedguide

Bean Point Ladyfish

A break in the weather and there was chance to cast the fly rod and see if I could find any snook patrolling the shoreline, sadly no but there was plenty of action from the guys plus 2 rather large dolphins that casually cruised over the sandbar, just a joy to watch. https://youtu.be/RcqDruVnvEQ

https://youtu.be/RcqDruVnvEQ

Always Worth A Cast

Dismal evening tonight but was still worth going out for a couple of hours to blow the cobwebs off. A few of these feisty Ladyfish put in an appearance along with a pod of dolphins that washing far better than I was, beautiful sight to see, lets hope there is more to come over the next 3 weeks.




https://youtu.be/FtTgGpG-Wjs

Spring Salmon Fishing on the River Tay

Up on the River Tay last week, here is a little of the action.





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSZXZG2Wph4&t=32s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSZXZG2Wph4&t=32s



Don't forget for more photos and fishing course information (limited spaces still available for July) visit us on our Facebook page Cheshire Fly Fish or web site www.cheshireflyfishing.co.uk or follow us on Twitter.

Tight Lines

Salmon Fishing On River Nith

Spent Tuesday to Friday this week chasing salmon on the River Nith back up at Friars Carse. Set up was an Orvis Clearwater 14' 9# and a Hydros SL reel loaded with a an Orvis Hydros Spey Line with a fast sink poly leader and short tippet ending in my go to pattern for the last 3 years a gold Willie Gunn.

River was dropping back very slowly and had just a touch of colour but just right for the fly.

Started at top of the beat on the Farm Pool, quiet a tight run to start then opens out, a good solid pull resulted in a nice fat dish just a slight hint of colour on its back, it looked really clean BUT if my measurements are correct it was 33 inches long which would have put it at about 15.5lb and it just didn't feel this heavy, so I'm putting it down as a very well mended Kelt just to be on the safe side. Had another strong pull in this pool but didn't stay on.

Riding Stone produced nothing same with the Island but Policemans came up with the goods, same set up but this time a good fish of around 13lb.

River continued to drop over the next few days with a few fish seen throughout the beat. Last couple of hours on the Island Pool before I headed for home produced a thumping take only for the fish to sit there and just keep shaking his head before finally spitting the hook, shame it appeared to be a big fish, but still there is always next time - well 10 days time actually.

 #FriarsCarseCountryHouseHotel #CheshireFlyFishing #OrvisUk #Orvisendorsedguide #OrvisBakewell #OrvisTarporley #Getwild #Chasingsilver #mylifeoutdoors

For more photos and fishing course information visit us on our Facebook page Cheshire Fly Fish or web site www.cheshireflyfishing.co.uk or follow us on Twitter