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Buying Guide

If you are new to Trout Fishing
If you are new to Trout Fishing
If you are new to Saltwater Fishing
If you are new to Salmon Fishing

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For many, trout fishing is a wonderful escape from the hectic routine of everyday life. As if by magic all your worries disappear and all that matters is capturing that elusive trout. Compared with some branches of the sport carp fishing for example relatively little tackle is required. All a trout fisherman needs is a rod, reel and line, a landing net, a pair of polarised glasses, a box of faithful flies, leaders, tippet, priest and a few other small bits and pieces all carried in the pockets of his fishing vest. As fishermen we really look forward to a days fishing, so we do not want it to be spoiled by the vagaries of the weather. A good waterproof, breathable jacket, overtrousers and sensible footwear are valuable pieces of kit. Non-breathable clothing is best avoided where possible as water vapour condenses on the inside causing the wearer to become damp, cold and uncomfortable.

No matter where you choose to do your fishing, safety is essential. Never fish without the use of eye protection; polarised glasses have tinted lenses that can help you spot fish in different light conditions. Life vests are essential for those fishermen who intend to boat fish reservoirs or go wading they are
inexpensive and could well save your life.

Before buying a rod and reel, it is important to have an idea of where you are likely to be fishing. River or stillwater? Boat or bank? The rod length and line weight most suited to the type of fishing you would like to take up depends on the answers to these questions. If you like the idea of fishing a reservoir from a
boat, a 10 #7 fly rod would be ideal, while the bank fisherman would generally
opt for a 9 6" #7. Reservoir anglers often fish three flies at once, known as a team. The #7 line handles this and allows teams of flies or larger singles to be cast effectively. The stillwater fisherman would generally choose a 9 #6 fly rod a 9ft rod being probably the most efficient overhead casting tool. When fishing small stillwaters and reservoirs dont be tempted just to use that big fluffy fly you caught on last time. Speak to the bailiffs and ask what has been hatching, or use a marrow spoon on the first fish you catch to see what its been feeding on, and match the hatch. You will be surprised at how many more fish you catch.

For chalkstreams, a rod between 8 6" and 9 and a #5 line rating is about right, though the smaller rivers in Devon, for example, may only require a 76" #3 outfit as tiny flies are normally used and it may be necessary to wade and cast under a tunnel of trees. In these circumstances a longer rod would not be suitable. Compared to the reservoir and small stillwater fisherman, the river flyfisher will generally be using smaller flies and relying more on close range presentation to fool the trout into taking his artificial.

Although there is no true all-round fly rod that will do everything, for people who plan to fish both small stillwaters and medium-sized rivers, a 9 #6 rod is generally considered a good compromise. However be aware that trying to compromise between two very different disciplines can leave you with a rod which is not suitable for either. If you are unsure speak to a Sportfish advisor who will help you choose the right outfit.

As with any sport, learning good technique at an early stage can be very worthwhile. If you are new to flyfishing or even an experienced angler who feels their casting technique could be improved, its worth spending an hour with a fully qualified casting instructor. For the novice it will certainly reduce the hours of frustration and disillusionment, while for the more experienced angler, new casting techniques can be taught to help reach those seemingly unreachable fish. Tight lines.

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Tips for the saltwater angler embarking on this exciting flyfishing challenge for the first time.

A rapidly growing side to the sport, saltwater flyfishing is accessible, exciting and unpredictable whats more it offers a multitude of hard-fighting species to pursue. Pound for pound, the majority of saltwater fish, both in the UK and abroad, are faster and tougher than their freshwater cousins because the habitat in which they are most often found necessitates this. They are all wild fish and most feed hard and take a fly well. Heavier line rated outfits are required for this calibre of sport, with a good
all-rounder being a fast action 9ft #8 rod, ideally with large rings and an anodised reel seat to avoid salt corrosion. This, coupled with a large capacity reel (200 yards of backing) with a quality drag system holding a saltwater flyline of the relevant density, and you are well on your way to targeting your first of many fly-caught sea fish.

However, given the harsh environment as well as the size of some of the streamer patterns used, we often need to go heavier than a #8 rod to be in with a chance. It is always best to have an advisor to help tailor your outfit to suit the specific requirements for the destination and species in mind. Many UK saltwater flyfishers use a shooting head system to offer easy distance casting with a range of different sink rates to suit various marks and fishing situations. Very often the success is in getting your fly in front of feeding fish very quickly before they pass you by or dive deep and out of sight. When the fishing is visual, the casting may need to be quick, accurate and at the same time delicately presented to have your fly taken. Your trout lines wont last long here; saltwater flylines are of a tougher coating and stiffer core, with tropical lines being specifically designed not to go limp when used in such warm water. They all tend to have a much steeper forward taper to help turn over large flies and are of a weight forward or shooting head design profile.

Being able to cast well will, without doubt, improve your catch rate, so book a lesson with a reputable APGAI-qualified instructor. Learning to double haul will help in all flyfishing situations, but more so when trying to cast a large saltwater fly into a strong headwind. The rewards are worth the effort.

In many situations, especially fishing from rock marks or in the surf, a good stripping basket is essential. With the strong movement of the water around you it is impossible to have any control over your loose line, so to have it lying in coils in a basket is a luxury you will soon find indispensable. Another piece of kit to be thankful for are finger stripping guards. These inexpensive items are a godsend for fingers softened by saltwater to prevent cuts caused by line stripping. Tropical fishermen wear them together with a soft glove to protect the backs of their hands from the constant battering of the sun.

Taking account of your target area, the seabed youre wading over, the likely weather and the possible worst weather scenario, as well as the temperatures, will determine what attire and protective clothing you should be wearing. For cold saltwater, use Gore-Tex waders and wading jacket, and for tropical
fishing it is advisable to stick to long-sleeved shirts and long trousers, preferably of a technical garment using sun protection fabric. And dont forget footwear; the seabed, as beautiful as it is, can be littered with all kinds of undesirable, sharp and stinging creatures. Good flats boots are a must.

As with all areas of flyfishing there is much to learn. The tactics, the tackle, the flies, the species and their characteristics all can be learnt through reading and research. However, above all in saltwater flyfishing (especially when it comes to the larger fish) it is advisable to brush up on knots and rigging. These fish test your tackle to the limit and you will remember every knot that slips as much as you will the fantastic fish you catch. Good luck

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Catching a salmon is the ultimate goal for many anglers and with good casting and the correct tackle, it can be achieved.

Catching that first salmon is a major milestone in any anglers career and one to be relished. The sheer magic of the moment is never forgotten. For some the prize will come easily, but for most it will be a journey of frustration and anxious moments so, when success finally comes, it is all the sweeter.
Starting out with the correct kit and a sound knowledge of casting and techniques will move the goal much closer. All you need then is to be in the right place at the right time and the king of fish will be yours.

For larger rivers, outfits based around 14 or 15 9-10 weight double-handed rods are the correct choice. At first these rods may seem clumsy and unwieldy especially if you are used to trout rods but this is not the case at all. With practice you will find that they offer tremendous line control and delicacy at range though do remember to tape the joints before fishing!

The rod should be matched to a reel capable of holding a salmon line and at least 150m of 30lb breaking strain backing line. A good quality reel is a sound investment; not only will it be a pleasure to own, but it will also allow you to play hard-fighting salmon with confidence. Large arbor reels have the advantage of a faster retrieve and they are kinder to the line in storage. Your choice of line needs to be matched to the time of year as a rule of thumb, the colder the water the deeper you should fish. A line with interchangeable tips that can be matched to water temperature and depth is a good starting point.

Smaller rivers are generally best fished with double-handed rods in the 12 to 13 range matched with 7-9 weight lines. They offer better line control than singlehanded rods and are able to cope with the heavier flies that are sometimes needed. Single-handed rods are useful in low water conditions for delicate presentation of small flies at close range and a 96" or 10 rod in the 6-8 weight range is ideally suited to these tasks.

To do any salmon beat justice, you will need to wade some pools. Wading is a skill you learn with practice and to do this in safety, never venture into the water without an automatic lifejacket and a suitable wading staff. Most anglers use stocking-foot breathable waders matched with felt-soled wading boots. A few strategically placed metal studs will give the best grip on a rocky riverbed. These
lightweight waders are one of the major advances in fishing equipment and are as comfortable to wear as everyday trousers. A breathable wading jacket completes the outfit.

Most beats have pools that can only be covered by speycasting due to high banks and obstructions. Take some lessons with a qualified APGAI instructor and a whole new world of casting opportunities will open up. Speycasting is also far less effort than overhead and will make your fishing much more enjoyable. On rivers with open banks, fish are usually landed by beaching or hand-tailing. Where the banks are steep and overgrown a net can be useful, but be sure it is large enough to accommodate a lively salmon.

Today, much of the salmon fishing in the UK is organised on a catch and release basis. It is essential that stocks are carefully managed so we can be sure these magnificent fish will continue to run our rivers in the future. By returning your catch carefully to the water you will be doing your bit to ensure a bright future for the king of fish.