Northern Ireland Trout Angler

puggy · Joined: 27 Jun 2008 Posts: 1

Hey folks, my names David, i'm 21 and have been fishing local rivers (bait, spinning)since i was about 5 or 6.
Recently i have taken up a wee notion of fly fishing and have bought myself a rod and everything needed (i think)

My problem is that "well its not easy at all is it?"

Can anyone give me any hints, tips or advice as to the best way to get started?
I took the rod up to leathemstown reservoir the other night and i personally thought i was making a good attempt at it until alot of we "tubes" came and started yelling etc then that was the confidence shattered. I felt as if they were laughing at me and all because.... well i was in the grass behind me more than the water to be honest.

Basically i would like to know the following:-

Best size of Rod
Best weight of Line
Best type of Fly
Is there anyone who is good at teaching etc

Just basically anything that would help somebody as useless as me haha Laughing

harry_lfc · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 8:15 pm 39 Post subject:

hi a nine foot six rod would be ideal and a 7 to 8 weight would probably be the basic kit it takes a while to get the hang of the casting we've all been there so dont worry as long as you keep practising youll get the hang of it as for flies there is so many different ones you can use at different times of the year a few i would recommend to get would be buzzers, blobs and cormorants they would get you started and you should get a few fish on them
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its not the flies its how u use them

paul · Joined: 02 Jun 2008 Posts: 35 Location: belfast

Hi David.If you've got the basics that harry has suggested i would advise you to visit some of the fisheries listed on the home page,thier all well stocked and well managed and you'll certainly get no aggro.Have a word with the manager he/she will be able to tell you what flies are doing well, they can generally bought on site,hope this helps Smile

Beatnik69 · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 11:41 pm 57 Post subject:

David,

Stevie Munn who posts as Hardy Caster is a qualified instructor so you could drop him a line. If you are hitting the grass behind you a lot it sounds like you are letting the rod drift too far back on the back cast or letting your wrist 'break'.

boynevalleyflyfisher · Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Posts: 17

Hi,
I would suggest that you choose a rod for a 5/6 fly line, this is suitable for lake/resevoir & river fishing for Trout.
It will enable you to fish with flies from size 8 catswhiskers & other lures, right down to tiny size22 midges on the Rivers.
A size 7 fly line is a bit on the heavy side for dryfly fishing on rivers, it makes a splash on the river when it lands.

A good tips is to purchase a tapered leader which is attached to the end of your flyline using a needle knot.
when buying a flyline avoid flylines with a monofilament core, these are prone to coiling & you cannot attatch tapered leaders using a nail knot.
Buy a flyline with a regular core.
Start off wet fly fishing.
I Would you suggest that you give one of your local rivers a try with some wet flies such as small black/silver or olive spiders, pheasant tail's & hares ears flies.
Wet fly fishing simply means that you use a wet fly (which sinks) instead of a dry fly(which floats). This takes a lot of the pressure off casting perfectly!
The fly in this case doesn’t have to land just right on the water because it’s not imitating a live fly.
With wet fly fishing you make a cast downstream at an angle of around 45 Degrees & allow your cast of flies to swing around in the curent, the river dos all the work, you will be able to practice your casting and accuracy.
The only thing to watch for when fishing wetflies is to mend the line, this will help the flies to sink down a couple of inches under the surface. try to prevent the flies skating on top of the water!.
Good luck & tight lines.

You will also catch some fish.
Here are some great wet flies that imitate alot of insects all year round.

As for casting you only need to be able to cast about 2 rod lenghts of line to be able to catch fish on the river. if you can cast this length in a straight line consistently then you are in business!
When you gain confidence you could start fishing dry flies to rising Trout, this is really exciting fishing.

& most of all dont take it all too seriously, because it is very difficult to catch a fish in anger!

hutchy1379 · Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 54 Location: co.antrim

RYt david, my best advice would be a nine footer- i started with a small 8ft6 n now hav a 9ft6er. Basically get a 5/6/7 weight .. dosnt really matter. When the rod is horizontal 2 the ground, move the rod up about 95degrees and take a pause for about a second and a half---- this is so the line straightens out at ur backcast n then smoothley release the rod so it is at a 45 degree angle. This mite sound confusin... sry if it does m8. lol

ChrisDickey · moderator Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 212

puggy, i work at tildarg fishery and beginners get 3 free visits and ther is always sumone on hand to offer hnad with casting and flies etc

pm me sure
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AMC · Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Posts: 180 Location: Larne Co. Antrim

Sound advice from BVFF Cool

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Hell, if i'd a jumped on all the dames i'm supposed to have jumped on, i'd a had no time for fishin!