Fly Fishing For Chub

Fly fishing for Carp has always been on my list of angling things to do. It has however always been well down on the list, somewhere below my first double figure Rainbow, a 20lb plus Salmon and that elusive first Grayling I never seem to get the time to fish for. I can now however now chalk off the achievement of catching my first Coarse fish on the fly without ever intending to go fly fishing for Chub.

Last night I set out with hope more than expectation to the river Ribble looking for an unsuspecting Sea Trout or more than likely two hours of casting practice. Things got exciting on the second cast of the session when something took my fly with a bump and set off down the river Ribble like a steam train. Within seconds the fish had me on the backing before turning on a sixpence and heading back up stream. My heart was thumping out of my chest and my arm shaking with anticipation of landing the monster Sea Trout that had taken a size 12 Peter Ross fishing fly.

The fight went on for twenty minutes with my quarry zig-zagging the Ribble with the speed of Usain Bolt. I never saw the fish once as I kept the rod held high and a tight line. After what seemed an age the fish began to tire and I begun to reel in whilst backing up to the banks of the Ribble.

Then I saw it.

It certainly wasn’t a Brown Trout, Sea Trout or Salmon. This fish looked like nothing I had learned of whilst growing up in the North Tyne valley. Was it a Chub? Lancastrian anglers have told me of the monster Chub and Barbel that lurk in the depths of the Ribble as she meanders towards Preston. I had not intended to go fly fishing for Chub.

The mystery fish was soon landed and photograph taken before putting it safely back in the river. The fish was as wide as my fist – I estimate a weight of about six pounds. Was it a Carp? My mate told me it was a Carp after texting him a picture. Carp in the Ribble – is he having me on? I had not intended to go fly fishing for Carp either!

Another mate reckons it was a Chub due to the presence of red fins.

I still don’t know and I don’t care.

What I do know is that:

• I had a memorable fly fishing trip.
• I had a great fight for twenty minutes.
• I landed a species I have never caught before.
• I returned a beautiful fish to the river to fight again.
• I have a new angling story to tell the world

What do you think it is?

Check out the bargain deals under the bargain tab. You will find quality fishing rods below other stores costs. The same fishing rod only not the same price. Put your hard earned money that you save towards something else by shopping at John Norris. Salmon and trout rods are offered as are spinning rods and fly fishing rods. Find your favorite brand such as Daiwa, Loop, Partridge, Pflueger, and Shakespeare in the bargain area. Excellent deals also on Greys, Hardy, and Sage rods.

Scoop nets and twist and lock nets that are made well are affordable to capture your big catch of the day.

Find fly selections and lures at a discounted price. When you accidentally lose a fly or lure you won’t be bothered as you saved a bundle. You now know where to shop to find discounted fishing tackle.

Discounted fly reels and spools are found to suit your fishing rod needs. Stock up now while the prices are low.

Many different sizes and types of hooks, a hook sharpener, and a hook eye threader available.

Fly line, sinking line, and floating line is available for the type of fish you are headed to catch on your fishing trip.

You will even find bargains on clothing for your fishing trip. Men and women’s vests, sweaters, waders, trousers, jackets, waistcoats, women’s outfits and men’s outfits. Keep the bug pests away with comfortable hats. You will keep your feet cozy with the wool blend stockings. For easy care all stockings are machine washable. Find water-resistant boots to suit your style.

Enjoy the knowledge of knowing you saved a bundle so you can sit back, relax, and concentrate on your much needed and wanted fishing trip.

 

 

If, like me, you have never won such award you will no doubt go green with envy. Thinking back to a days fly fishing in the last year when your friend ‘got lucky’ and landed one of the three biggest Rainbow Trout in that particular month at that particular venue you will probably put it all down to chance. As the negative thoughts subside you will be filled with a renewed confidence, knowing the fly fishing season is just around the corner and with it the chance to earn what you deserve – A Troutmasters badge.

Hundreds of fly fishing venues across the UK give anglers the chance to win a badge.  If you land a particularly large fish and there is even the slightest chance that it is one of the three biggest at that venue in that month then throwing your hat in to the ring could not be simpler:

• First, weigh your fish straight away. Rainbow Trout have been known to loose body weight relatively quickly when taken from the water so it is always worth the trek or row back to the weighing scales.
• Secondly, track down your fishery owner or someone working at the venue. they will probably advise you if your catch is up to the mark and whether it is worth submitting an entry in to the Troutmasters competition.
• If you are within a fighting chance the proprietor will give you a form. You may well find a Troutmaster entry form on display. Complete the form and get the fishery to validate your catch and counter sign your entry to prove the fish in question really was the weight you said it was.
• Finally, send the Troutmasters form off to Trout Fisherman magazine.

Each month, Trout Fisherman magazine publishes the winners of the Troutmasters competition. Each venue has three monthly winners, all of whom receive the coveted Troutmaster badge and the gift of a fishing fly. Trout Fisherman magazine also publishes the top three winners in the UK, all of whom stand the chance to win excellent prizes consisting of fly fishing tackle from Hardy, Sage and other renowned manufacturers.

Once your friends start to win badges the pressure really is on. Our group of fly fishermen consists of four regular anglers, two of whom now proudly display their Troutmasters Badge on their fishing waistcoat. 2007 could be the year I join them in and succeed in my quest for fly fishing recognition!

 

After considering the ramifications of three blanks on the trot, and the realisation that the August nights cutting in are going to seriously hinder my fly fishing chances for the reminder of the season, I thought about a fly fishing holiday to try and get away from it all whilst chancing my arm at a more exotic quarry.

Searching for fly fishing holiday options provides the angler with a wealth of options to cast a fly in just about any corner of the globe. A fishing holiday abroad could involve freshwater Salmon in Canada or giant saltwater Trevally around Christmas Island. The British fly fishing holiday options for the holiday angler could be equally challenging as I have yet to experience the delights of wild brown trout on a chalk stream, or a hard fighting fresh run on the world famous River Tweed.

After doing research in to a number of options a number of realties became clear about fly fishing holiday’s:

Firstly, the sheer expense of it. If you hire a house boat in Canada, and declare your interest as a keen fly fisherman, you can expect to pay more. This angling tax associated with your fishing holiday isn’t just limited to North America.

Secondly, the lack of detailed information that is essential to enjoy your fly fishing holiday. For example, most websites give little away about local fishing tackle shops, the availability and reliability of a gillie or even weather conditions.

Link Directory

After stocking up with ample supplies of Black Buzzer’s, Cat’s Whiskers, Daddy Longlegs, Orange Fritz, Sedges and Damsel’s I thought I couldn’t fail. I got a few tips from Sport Fishing at FinTalk.com. After all, ninety percent of the successful fly fisherman over the past month seemed to have used one of these patterns with success. Whereas the ten pound monster that I crave may remain elusive I was confident that this colourful portfolio of fly fishing patterns would at the very least return a brace pre venue, and maybe just one bag limit.

The three venues for the week were the two highly regarded Northumberland fly fishing venues of Sweethope Loughs, Langley Dam plus the compact Clay Lane Farm Fishery in Cheshire. Each three trips went in exactly the same way:

Firstly, upon checking the catch returns at each fishery the last few days had proved successful for almost all anglers. Most anglers had got lucky with a Cat’s Whisker retrieved slowly below the surface, a Black Buzzer left static or a Daddy Longlegs with a frequent injection of life.

All three sessions covered the afternoon until dusk fishing sessions. All three sessions had different wind conditions. All three sessions had ideal conditions with a slight ripple on the water and the occasional plentiful rise. In all three instances I tried everything from an Adams to a Zulu fishing fly. In all three occasions anglers around me were pulling in many fish, the best of which was seven pounds plus at Sweethope Loughs. In each of the three occasions I caught nothing.

I am devastated. Over the past week I have spent the equivalent of a whole day thrashing the water. I have travelled hundreds of miles, spent over fifty pounds and caught bugger all. Self doubt has since crept in and I am beginning to wonder what I need to do to catch Rainbow Trout on the fly?

Rather than blame the fishery, as many a fly fisherman is prone to do, I laid the blame firmly at my own soggy feet.

I’ve asked my mates who assure me that my casting, varied retrieves and patterns selection are fine. I Even though of sending an email to Silvey’s Fly Fishing Service. They were no use. Whether out of politeness or a due to a confidence that only a friend can understand when they know they are better than their mate at their favourite pastime, they didn’t give me any help, hope or meanigful advice.

With nowhere else to turn, and an increasing sense of desperation, I turn to you. What are your tips, what can you suggest to turn around the worst barren spell since I first picked up a fly fishing rod twenty years ago?

I woke up this morning eager to visit a fly fishery in Cheshire for the fist time, turning my back on the usual haunts that have left me without a successful fishing trip over the last month or so. Without wanting to be disloyal to the likes of Danebridge Fishery and Marton Heath Trout pools I felt a sense that the grass must be greener on the other side of the fence.

In preparation for this I scanned my Trout Fisherman guide to still waters and firstly called on Clay Lane Farm in expectation that they may be peculiarly experiencing an unusual haul of Rainbow Trout. Despite my eagerness on the phone, the proprietor went out of her way to express the fact that fishing was slow and that I was more than likely to be disappointed. My best chance of a catch was not to spend the day thrashing the water but to wait until the late shift and try my hand at a floodlit session in the evening until 11pm.

The same honesty was in evidence after calling Meadow Fishery. Once more the informative and kind fishery owner instilled some realism in to my blind optimism. Rather than purchasing a day ticket for the remainder of the day I was advised that my best chance of catching Rainbow Trout was to postpone my trip until tomorrow and opt for a three hour session commencing from 7.45am.

In both instances the two fly fisheries opted for honesty and integrity at the expense of a day’s business from a new customer. This attitude to customer service is all to rare and must surely place UK fishery owner’s in a league of their own. The result of the exercise is still a desire to try new waters whilst still maintaining regular visits to my local trout fisheries in Cheshire.

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