Sometimes it can be quite daunting starting out with any new hobby as you often don’t know where to start. But when it comes to fly fishing there are many aspects to consider. You’ve seen the programmes on TV, watched the other anglers at the river/lake and fancy giving it a go! But what fly fishing kit do you need? What fly fishing clothing do you need? And the flies? There are so very many to choose from! Then factor in famous fly fishing ‘bravado’ (which can be a little nerve-racking to some) because every fly angler is an expert and only their flies are the best! Put this lot together and you’ve a recipe for a potentially over-whelming situation for a beginner. So what do you do? Fortunately there are plenty of avenues open to you. The first one being the fact that despite the bravado mentioned earlier, there is a wealth of incredibly kind and generous fly anglers out there who are desperate to share their hobby with a beginner and will do so with gusto. So tap your fly fishing friends or relatives for some tips. To avoid getting into any self taught bad habits, it is [...]
Fly Fishing
Inspirational fly fishing story
This kind and inspirational Essential Fly customer shared this wonderful story with us and has given us permission to share it with you. These are her exact words – we hope you enjoy it. Im a single parent with one little boy, I cant do many sporting activities with him so at 41 years of age I learnt to fish and Ive never looked back Ive had some very very memorable days, not always because the fish were big or even just because they were beautifull but for a selection of other reasons. The one I will never forget until the day I pop my clogs goes like this. It wasnt just a day it took me months to prepare for this one. Small child, minimal fishing experience but loved it, 10 tears old watching Matt Hayes on telly catching big trout on the fly. Says to his mother “Id really love to do that Mum it looks awesome” (fatal words) Took him for a couple of casting lessons, took him fly fishing, easy to catch lakes and he’s started catching, take him to harder to catch lakes – and he starts catching, make him fish the Brennig- he catches, [...]
Yet Another Invader of Our Fly Fishing Rivers
Again fly fishermen are being asked to look for another invader of our fly fishing rivers. We have had the cray fish which has been decimated by the American signal crayfish, more recently Dikerogammarus villosus a visious shrimp which often kills its prey and leaves it uneaten was found in Grafham Water now we have Chinese Mitten Crabs! These have been around for a while, they have been found in the Yorkshire Region at Castleford in 1948 yet they are now spreading and while fly fishing we are being asked to watch out for these invaders and report them for monitoring. The Full Press Release has stated: Become a nature detective and record the invasion of the alien Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) in rivers of England and Wales. Scientists from a number of UK research institutes, including London’s Natural History Museum are calling for the public to become nature detectives this autumn to better understand the full extent of the Chinese mitten crab invasion and the threat these crustaceans pose to our rivers and waterways. Anglers, waterway workers, boating enthusiasts and other nature lovers to identify and record any sightings of the alien species via an online survey. The [...]
Salmon – an understanding of different types of salmon for our fly fishing knowledge
What is a Salmon? The Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is an anadromous migratory fish found in the temperate and arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Unlike the Pacific salmon that have complex and varied life histories that vary widely within and between species, the Atlantic Salmon have very similar life histories and are capable of surviving spawning and re-migrate to return again. Pacific salmon migrate from freshwater to the sea at different ages. Pink and Chum Salmon migrate at any time from one week to a month, Chinooks from 12 to 16 months, Coho Salmon from 12 to 24 months and Sockeye from 12 to 36 months. What does anadromous mean? The Atlantic salmon is referred to as being anadromous because of its habit of migrating from the sea into fresh waters to spawn. This is the exact opposite of the common eel which leaves fresh waters to spawn in the Sargasso Sea, and is therefore called catadromous. Is there just one species of salmon? When we speak of “salmon” we are referring to either Atlantic salmon or Pacific salmon. There is only one species of Atlantic salmon: Salmo salar. There are six species of Pacific salmon: pink (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), [...]
Tip – an easy way to learn or practice your casting technique!
Tip – an easy way to learn or practice your casting technique! On a sunny day, practice your fly casting in the bright sun. Stand in such a way that you can see your own shadow (ie the sun is to the side of you). Then start casting and watch your shadow. Whilst this may not be an ideal way, it means you can study your casting on your own if you don’t have a teacher/buddy to help. Of course, if you really want to check your casting thoroughly set up a video camera!
Fly Fishing Tip – How to use a wading staff
A wading staff is a very important part of a fly anglers equipment. Safety is of course very important! But when you are in fast moving water, as well as safety, a wading staff gives you an extra piece of confidence and reassurance. Just pass the loop over your wrist so that if you need to use that hand in a hurry you are not going to lose your staff! Importantly however is to remember never to lift your wading staff up until you have both feet firmly planted. A wading staff gives you a third leg and you should always be sure that 2 of those 3 legs are solidly planted at all times. If you can, use a wading staff in the upstream hand to give you maximum benefit and support!
New Buzzer Fly Fishing Mobile App Released
We have today released our mobile app for Android phones to help you with Buzzer / Chironomid Fly Fishing. The app is downloadable from the Android Marketplace directly on your mobile phone. With details on midges life-cycle,different types of buzzer flies a variety of buzzer rigs and how to fish them plus other tips and techniques. The Mobile Fly Fishing App is available for purchase for just £2.99 and includes a special 15% discount voucher for your next puchase so you should end up with the Application costing nothing if you use the voucher wisely! This is the first dedicated App for buzzer fishing we have released and have more in the pipeline. We are intending for our apps to be released for both iPhone and Android markets.
Fly Fishing Sunglasses – HD Video Recorder & Camera Sunglasses
Essential Fly Fishing Video / Camera Polaroid Sunglasses Review Sun glasses are essential for fishermen, both for keeping out the sun, helping focus on a fly, seeing the trout / salmon below the water rise and take our fly and most importantly to protect eyes from flying hooks!I remember watching one of my wife’s TV programmes about hospitals and seeing a fisherman get a arsley bomb (lead wight) embedded in his eye and have always taken real care, after all it is more of a dangerous hobby that we realise at times. Fly fishing sunglasses are the most essential gear for fishermen, they should be purchased before we even purchase a rod and line for protection. Ok I must confess, fishing and computers are a passion. Both loved, drive me to distraction, frustrate and excite me so when I first saw these fly fishing sunglasses with a difference – fly fishing polaroid video sunglasses I really got excited. Polaroid lenses, with a HD video camera 1280 x 720, audio recording and digital camera build into the fly fishing sunglasses frame, lightweight these fly fishing sunglasses are suitable for men and women.When I first saw the camera on these I was [...]
