Earlier this year we asked 13-year-old Dylan Mcrobert’s what he loves most about fly fishing and why more people should take it up. Inspired by Dylan, we have received an influx of stories from fellow junior fly anglers about their journey into the sport. Here’s what 14-year-olds, Lewis and Dan had to say…
May 2023 Update
“My dad started me fishing on the pier at Blyth catching lots of little fish. It is this that got me interested in fishing. My dad asked if I would like to try fly fishing. I didn’t have a clue what that was.
“We bought a Shakespeare Sigma rod and reel and started practicing on the field behind the house. After a few lessons from my dad we went to Thrunton Long Crag Trout Fishery in Northumberland and it was here I caught my first trout on the fly. After a few trips to Thrunton we joined the Northumberland Anglers Federation and fished at Papahaugh on the Coquet catching wild brown trout. I loved being on the river and even if I was not catching fish, I enjoyed seeing the wildlife around us that my dad pointed out.
“After lockdown my dad spotted on social media that someone was organising a parent and child day on the Tweed. This was organised by Les Routledge, with the help from guides off the Tyne and others keen on helping kids get fishing. This was my first time with a salmon fly rod and I really enjoyed it.
“I won an invite to fish on the Dee with Martin Robson. I didn’t catch a salmon but I loved spey casting and shortly after that Les Routledge invited me as his guest on the river Tyne. We were fishing on the Bend Pool on the south Tyne when I got the shock of my life - I hooked my first Salmon! Unfortunately, after it jumped a few times, it got off. Les and my dad said it was about 15lb. I was now determined to catch a salmon and pestered my dad to keep taking me fishing.
“Hexham Angling Club were encouraging junior members and my dad got a membership for me. Then in October, three months after first picking up a salmon rod I hooked and landed my first salmon and it was on the Bend Pool where I lost a salmon one month earlier. I caught it on a shanka shrimp that Kevin Shanks had tied for me the week before. This fish won me the club trophy for the heaviest salmon caught by a junior at 12lb.
“I have fished for and caught brownies on the River Derwent, grayling on the Till, sea trout on the Tyne but my love is still trying to catch salmon. I have had a lot of support from Grant Harris, Kevin Shanks, Dave and Kevin Murray and my dad. I have joined the North East Fly Casting Club so I can improve my single and double handed casting and would like to catch a sea trout at night next.”
November 2023 Update
“My last trip out for salmon was a little different to any of my previous tips. I broke my thumb two weeks prior playing football, I still had the support on and it was super uncomfortable to fish for any length of time. However, Sunday 22nd October had been pre-planned months in advance and getting the date in the diary wasn’t easy due to the nature of the guests working commitments."
“Our guests for the day included two of Newcastle Falcons Rugby first team players, Kiran Macdonald and Adam Radwan. Unfortunately, Adam had to pull out due to an injury he sustained in a midweek match before our planned date, but Kiran made it!"
“Even though he is an experienced angler, it was only Kiran's second time using a double-handed rod. I spent the day helping Kiran learn how to spey cast, first on the grass where we had parked and then joining him in the river. Unfortunately, the salmon and sea trout had not read the script and didn’t oblige however, Kiran was very complimentary of my teaching and this gave me great confidence as one day I’d love to become an instructor. I was approached by Gaia as they want to do a mentorship with me and I can try for their qualifications when I turn 18."
“I fished right up to the end of the English salmon season and I’m currently waiting (for what seems like forever) for river levels to drop to try for the grayling on the Derwent"
Dan Hogg
You can view Dan’s YouYube Channel at: youtube.com/@fatherandsonflyfishing
Earlier this year we asked 13-year-old Dylan Mcrobert’s what he loves most about fly fishing and why more people should take it up. Inspired by Dylan, we have received an influx of stories from fellow junior fly anglers about their journey into the sport. Here’s what 14-year-olds, Lewis and Dan had to say…
“My name is Lewis Harte Porter or just Lewis Porter as I am known by most! I am 14 years old and have been fishing for 5 years now and fly tying for 3 years. I started off spinning for trout at a local stillwater when I was 9 and saw other guys at the lake fly fishing and I was mesmerised by it and how it all worked.
“That Christmas I got my first fly rod and I haven’t looked back since! My first fish on the fly was a rainbow trout. I then quickly advanced on to wild brown fishing wet flies and just fell in love with it. I bought my first fly tying vice after fly fishing for just 2 years and I started off tying simple trout patterns which then quickly advanced onto salmon and I am now a well-recognised junior fly tier.
“After a year or so of fly fishing I was introduced to a small group called Frog Cic (lead by Damien Devine and Joseph Owens) who really brought me on in terms of my casting, presentation and competition fishing. After a year with them and countless friendly competitions I am now part of the ITFFA Irish Youth Team and will be soon competing in the 4 Nations in Wales. I am also part of the TAFI Ulster Youth Team and have won the junior all Ireland river and lake competition.
“I also love fishing for salmon on my local River Mourne. I caught my first ever salmon in June 2021 - it was a lovely fish weighing near 12lbs. I caught my second salmon not long after that. I will continue to competition fly fish and hopefully make it to the World Championships in the future. I would like to thank my coaches for all of their help and support. Thanks for reading!”
Lewis Porter
