In reply to Post #14
I struggled with the waders I used last week (instructor supplied) not due to sweating in last weeks moderate heat but due to the water pressure squeezing the life out of my feet to the point of them being numb after a fairly short time.
I'm thinking a separate boot/stocking foot wader but luckily the shop at the res will let you try before you buy as mentioned, they aren't the cheapest things in the world.
Your fishing does sound ideal Keith, around me most of the trout fishing in reservoir based but I'm hoping to be able to get some river fishing in a some point as watching Whitehouse and Mortimer stand knee deep in a chalk stream/river is what got me looking at this style of fishing as a gap filler when I can't spend days/nights on the bank.
I struggled with the waders I used last week (instructor supplied) not due to sweating in last weeks moderate heat but due to the water pressure squeezing the life out of my feet to the point of them being numb after a fairly short time.
I'm thinking a separate boot/stocking foot wader but luckily the shop at the res will let you try before you buy as mentioned, they aren't the cheapest things in the world.
Your fishing does sound ideal Keith, around me most of the trout fishing in reservoir based but I'm hoping to be able to get some river fishing in a some point as watching Whitehouse and Mortimer stand knee deep in a chalk stream/river is what got me looking at this style of fishing as a gap filler when I can't spend days/nights on the bank.
In reply to Post #15
With me not just using them for fishing they would not be practical, I doubt they could take the punishment they would get put through.
I'm with you. TBH, I was looking at it from a POV of using them in my Carp and river fishing, guess I'll have to see. I'm not sure those more expensive pairs will like kneeling on gravel banks but I guess they must be designed to. There was a thread on here a while back about waders for fly somewhere iirc.
@Rob I struggled with the waders I used last week (instructor supplied) not due to sweating in last weeks moderate heat but due to the water pressure squeezing the life out of my feet to the point of them being numb after a fairly short time.
I'm thinking a separate boot/stocking foot wader but luckily the shop at the res will let you try before you buy as mentioned, they aren't the cheapest things in the world.
Interesting, never even thought about that, thank you. I'm a wide fit so very sceptical about buying before trying. I was in conversation with Rich @ Ollyskins about their waders just before xmas. I'd set my mind on a 'off the shelf' pair but know they do individual fit if req. Looks like it might be 2 pairs, or 3
With me not just using them for fishing they would not be practical, I doubt they could take the punishment they would get put through.
I'm with you. TBH, I was looking at it from a POV of using them in my Carp and river fishing, guess I'll have to see. I'm not sure those more expensive pairs will like kneeling on gravel banks but I guess they must be designed to. There was a thread on here a while back about waders for fly somewhere iirc.
@Rob I struggled with the waders I used last week (instructor supplied) not due to sweating in last weeks moderate heat but due to the water pressure squeezing the life out of my feet to the point of them being numb after a fairly short time.
I'm thinking a separate boot/stocking foot wader but luckily the shop at the res will let you try before you buy as mentioned, they aren't the cheapest things in the world.
Interesting, never even thought about that, thank you. I'm a wide fit so very sceptical about buying before trying. I was in conversation with Rich @ Ollyskins about their waders just before xmas. I'd set my mind on a 'off the shelf' pair but know they do individual fit if req. Looks like it might be 2 pairs, or 3
In reply to Post #16
I bought daiwa breathable waist waders with separates.
Good things but I think 2 sizes up would mean my feet don't hurt after a days wearing
I bought daiwa breathable waist waders with separates.
Good things but I think 2 sizes up would mean my feet don't hurt after a days wearing
I grew up in Hants and have fly fished occasionally all my life. Have never really got into Stillwater trout but try and treat myself to a day on a chalk stream once a year which I really love.
The one other facet of fly fishing is tropical sal****er.... Now that is something I would (probably) give up carpfishing for if it were as accessible! I'd put some photos up but they're on my phone rather than links I can share.
On Orvis - I think their rods are really good. I have one Clearwater (#10) and two recons (#8 ) and think they are all fantastic at each price point.
The one other facet of fly fishing is tropical sal****er.... Now that is something I would (probably) give up carpfishing for if it were as accessible! I'd put some photos up but they're on my phone rather than links I can share.
On Orvis - I think their rods are really good. I have one Clearwater (#10) and two recons (#8 ) and think they are all fantastic at each price point.
There's a tie off tomorrow night, 3 way, can't believe how few watch live. T&T have their takes on classics, C on the other hand is the wild card. Even the Mrs enjoys these 😃 often culminating in a wth is that 🤣
In reply to Post #13
I got a #5 Clearwater, an absolute joy to use on the types of wild untouched rivers/brooks I fish.
That's makes 2 of us now
I've been umming and ahhing for near 2 years, then Farlows stopped sending me the 20% off your first order and I thought there goes my chance 
but they sent me one yesterday and I couldn't resist 
What would you say is the minimum normal cast Keith, I heard around 20' on the Trident review, would you agree?
I still like the look of the Hardy NSX SR, 8'6 #4 but I'd have to be properly into fly fishing for my Mrs not to murder me for it...and she's right
I got a #5 Clearwater, an absolute joy to use on the types of wild untouched rivers/brooks I fish.
That's makes 2 of us now
I've been umming and ahhing for near 2 years, then Farlows stopped sending me the 20% off your first order and I thought there goes my chance but they sent me one yesterday and I couldn't resist What would you say is the minimum normal cast Keith, I heard around 20' on the Trident review, would you agree?
I still like the look of the Hardy NSX SR, 8'6 #4 but I'd have to be properly into fly fishing for my Mrs not to murder me for it...and she's right
It's not often I get excited about fishing nowadays but I am now 
I will be mostly having my 1st fly casting lesson next Wednesday with Andy Taylor, so looking forward to it, might be fab weather for it too
I will be mostly having my 1st fly casting lesson next Wednesday with Andy Taylor, so looking forward to it, might be fab weather for it too
In reply to Post #22
Good stuff Vossy
I'm planning a dedicated casting lesson in the next few weeks, I had a day at Rutland a couple of weeks ago (albeit interrupted by work calls, that'll teach me for WFTB) and my casting was ***** so hopefully by having a half day solely on casting it'll tidy up a bit
Good stuff Vossy
I'm planning a dedicated casting lesson in the next few weeks, I had a day at Rutland a couple of weeks ago (albeit interrupted by work calls, that'll teach me for WFTB) and my casting was ***** so hopefully by having a half day solely on casting it'll tidy up a bit
In reply to Post #23
I heard/read (rightly or wrongly) that once you learn bad habits they're quite difficult to shift so though it best not to develope any first
I'm sure the lesson will be a great learn for you too, I hope you have a great time, let us know how you get on.
Can't tell you how hard it's been not to try, my restraint for once has been impeccable.
I heard/read (rightly or wrongly) that once you learn bad habits they're quite difficult to shift so though it best not to develope any first
I'm sure the lesson will be a great learn for you too, I hope you have a great time, let us know how you get on.
Can't tell you how hard it's been not to try, my restraint for once has been impeccable.
In reply to Post #24
You heard rightly. I was taught by a mate. Then I had a proper lesson. It took me a year to get back to where I was before the lesson, but then with a shorter, softer rod and about quarter the effort.
You heard rightly. I was taught by a mate. Then I had a proper lesson. It took me a year to get back to where I was before the lesson, but then with a shorter, softer rod and about quarter the effort.
In reply to Post #25
A year...blimey. It looks a genteel effort to cast, I hope so, it's forecast 26 deg
..at least the lines should be supple. I just hope the lines I picked up with the 2nd hand reel are good, guess I'll find out, they look o.k.
A year...blimey. It looks a genteel effort to cast, I hope so, it's forecast 26 deg
..at least the lines should be supple. I just hope the lines I picked up with the 2nd hand reel are good, guess I'll find out, they look o.k.
In reply to Post #26
It is very graceful, quite effortless, with good technique. My pal put me straight on to false casting with overpowered kit on my first go . I enjoyed it and carried on like that for a few years before a fly coach stopped me and asked if he could show me how to do it properly because he was exhausted just watching me. Have a great day when you go, and take your time.
It is very graceful, quite effortless, with good technique. My pal put me straight on to false casting with overpowered kit on my first go . I enjoyed it and carried on like that for a few years before a fly coach stopped me and asked if he could show me how to do it properly because he was exhausted just watching me. Have a great day when you go, and take your time.
In reply to Post #27
few years before a fly coach stopped me and asked if he could show me how to do it properly because he was exhausted just watching me.
wasn't that good of them
Thanks, I'll try, forecast just changed to 27degc, I'm wondering if it'll be cancelled :-(
few years before a fly coach stopped me and asked if he could show me how to do it properly because he was exhausted just watching me.
wasn't that good of them Thanks, I'll try, forecast just changed to 27degc, I'm wondering if it'll be cancelled :-(
JIC there are a few reading who might be thinking about trying fly fishing, and I'm sure a few who have and think that's familiar.
The lesson went ahead, luckily there was some shade, the wind was a problem at times. Andy was very patient (he needed to be) I think he was a bit surprised when I said I'd not even cast my rod but it quickly became apparent. He was hoping to go through 4 stages of cast, standard over head single, multiple, letting a portion of line out, letting portions of line out on the cast, we only got to stage 3 in the time.
I was:-
bringing the back cast forward too soon, I think that stemmed from me thinking it will hit the ground if I wait to long.
trying to use too much power bringing the back cast forward
not imparting enough power to either forward and back.
clock face....not stopping where I was told to on the casts, power 10-1 stop, I was stopping at 2, Andy told me to stop at 12, problem solved, I needed calibrating
I tried various stances, R or L foot forward, straight on, I kept reverting back to L and I'm right handed. R foot forward did stop me trying to impart too much power, I still need to have a little play with that. Andy said my natural is L foot forward, can I learn to change it, should I try to change it, will not giving it too much welly on the forward come with practice?
I found 2 things very disconcerting and they actually put me off the cast from the moment I lifted the line. Line slap in the rings/rod if the line had slight slack in it, I'm not used to it, in my head I have a instant STOP. I can only compare that to when I Pike or course fish with a back knot, that sound going through the rings always has me on edge. 2nd, the leader kept sinking slightly so it was pulling the piece of wool under before it went airbourne, again with a wierd noise which put me off. We tried the last few casts on grass and they were better with less variance, I think this was because I could cast without 'that' noise.
It's all about timing & rytham, in my head, I'm going to have to practice a lot to get that right and I could also do with some vallium to relax me....lol. Andy said overall I was a 7/8 & at times a 9 for a absolute beginner, On coming home I should be happy with that, but I wasn't, I was quite disheartened. We could see I was learning to rectify errors and I was even doing it in cast, varying speed, but there was no consistancy, there would be a near perfect cast and the next a crumpled heap of leader due to too much power again.
Today is another day and must learn to stop being so hard on myself, it's called the 'art of fly fishing' and I can see why, it takes time to train your brain so something becomes natural and timed well
The lesson went ahead, luckily there was some shade, the wind was a problem at times. Andy was very patient (he needed to be) I think he was a bit surprised when I said I'd not even cast my rod but it quickly became apparent. He was hoping to go through 4 stages of cast, standard over head single, multiple, letting a portion of line out, letting portions of line out on the cast, we only got to stage 3 in the time.
I was:-
bringing the back cast forward too soon, I think that stemmed from me thinking it will hit the ground if I wait to long.
trying to use too much power bringing the back cast forward
not imparting enough power to either forward and back.
clock face....not stopping where I was told to on the casts, power 10-1 stop, I was stopping at 2, Andy told me to stop at 12, problem solved, I needed calibrating
I tried various stances, R or L foot forward, straight on, I kept reverting back to L and I'm right handed. R foot forward did stop me trying to impart too much power, I still need to have a little play with that. Andy said my natural is L foot forward, can I learn to change it, should I try to change it, will not giving it too much welly on the forward come with practice?
I found 2 things very disconcerting and they actually put me off the cast from the moment I lifted the line. Line slap in the rings/rod if the line had slight slack in it, I'm not used to it, in my head I have a instant STOP. I can only compare that to when I Pike or course fish with a back knot, that sound going through the rings always has me on edge. 2nd, the leader kept sinking slightly so it was pulling the piece of wool under before it went airbourne, again with a wierd noise which put me off. We tried the last few casts on grass and they were better with less variance, I think this was because I could cast without 'that' noise.
It's all about timing & rytham, in my head, I'm going to have to practice a lot to get that right and I could also do with some vallium to relax me....lol. Andy said overall I was a 7/8 & at times a 9 for a absolute beginner, On coming home I should be happy with that, but I wasn't, I was quite disheartened. We could see I was learning to rectify errors and I was even doing it in cast, varying speed, but there was no consistancy, there would be a near perfect cast and the next a crumpled heap of leader due to too much power again.
Today is another day and must learn to stop being so hard on myself, it's called the 'art of fly fishing' and I can see why, it takes time to train your brain so something becomes natural and timed well
In reply to Post #29
You got it right at the end there: it just takes time and 7/8 on your first go is high praise.
Can I pass on a tip that helped me? When your timing is getting ragged, turn sideways to the lake and just do single overheads for a while. You will then see and feel how long it takes for the back cast to straighten, and see your clock positions. I still do it when I know I'm not casting well.
I hope you enjoyed your day. Casting is only part of it.
You got it right at the end there: it just takes time and 7/8 on your first go is high praise.
Can I pass on a tip that helped me? When your timing is getting ragged, turn sideways to the lake and just do single overheads for a while. You will then see and feel how long it takes for the back cast to straighten, and see your clock positions. I still do it when I know I'm not casting well.
I hope you enjoyed your day. Casting is only part of it.