Langley Dam! - (DAMN!)

I woke up this morning eager to get some more fishing under my belt, I checked the weather report and it was due to be cloudy, Perfect! I fancied a local fishery today, So I headed up to Langley Dam with my grandad Tommy!.

As we arrived I noticed a few boats in the water, But nobody was bringing in any fish! We paid our way and tackled up, We found a neat little spot in the first corner you come too, I decided to try a Rainbow Cats Whisker, Earlier on in the season I caught a few brownies on the local River Tyne with wet flies which contained these Rainbow beads, So I swear by them now!

After an hour or two of watching the fish rising and constant casting I finally had a take, And to say I got the freight of my life is an understatement, with fishing on the River Derwent catching small Brown Trout I'm not used to takes this superior!, I had a combined battle of adrenaline and trout, After around 5mins of trying to tire this fish out it got the better of me and spat out my fly! At first I thought the bugger had taken my fly also but It was still on! I was disappointed but it did give me and a lot of the others around me renewed hope.

As the day went on I kept an eye on these two fellows, Unfortunately I didn't have the pleasure of meeting these but I was impressed with how many fish they were catching. Having lost some focus on my fishing and watching everybody else, I decided to begin casting again, There was a lot of rises right in front of me and to the left and right there was 3 of us casting into similar area's trying to get a fish to at least have a sniff at our flies. None of us had any luck, Just as I thought this I had another take! It was a fish of a similar size, Again I failed to land this one, I'm sure why I couldn't land these fish, But then again I am using a 8'6" Orvis Streamline 2   #5, As it says in the name its built for streams, Very hard to "play" the big fish, I have managed before but not with fish anywhere near this size!.

I had a great day out at Langley Dam today and I can see how it is so highly rated, I am sure I will return in the future but for now I am more than happy with sticking to the River!.

I would recommend this fishery to you all, If anybody gets the chance it is a must go. If you are interested in fishing here, Check out: LangleyDam.co.uk there you will find the location, prices, photographs and even tips on what flies are working and which ones are not!

Thank you for reading, Stay tuned for more updates from me.

New Waders, New Tactics and Home Tied Flys!

Hi guys,

Its been a while since I last updated my Blog, I have been out fishing since then but sadly there was nothing to report.

This morning I headed up to Allensford, With new Flies tyed and my new purchase (Sonik SK4 Waders) made me even more eager for a few casts! The weather report suggested it was going to be a Sunny day and I was expecting the place to be really busy with dog walkers and children, Well within there rights of course but they can be a Fishermans nightmare, Throwing in stones and sticks encouraging there dogs to have a swim! But anyway, I made it to the bank side, It was cloudy but it was warm, I could hear a few coughs and smell smoke!, I spotted a fellow Angler, I made my way over and tried to start a conversation, I am the type of man who will speak to anybody for hours on end, Sadly this Angler was not. I got a Hello and then he sharp left.

I headed up to the first pool, I have been practicing my fly tying and I couldn't wait to give my fly a go! It was Olive Hackle with Dark Green dubbing with a hint of sparkle tied onto a #14 hook.

 My first cast! I hooked and landed this little beauty!

After catching this beauty I had a few more casts in this first pool but there was nothing rising.

I decided to try another fly that I tied, Unfortunately I did not take any photo's of that one. Upon casting I seen a Silver glimmer coming up towards my fly, It stopped and glanced up at my fly and turned around! The cheeky git!.

I headed further up stream, Stopping at certain spots for a few casts but there was no movement.

I changed my fly and put back on my Olive Dry Fly on which I caught the first fish on, Placing that gently on the waters surface at the biggest and last pool, I seen the Silver glimmers yet again, But this time the fish went for it, I Hooked and landed another!.

After catching these two I decided to head over to Shotley Bridge as it has been a while since I have been there, Walking over the footbridge near where I parked I glanced over to the right, Downstream and I seen a fish rise but I headed upstream past the Weir.

I found an opening, I tried to gently place my feet into the water without making a splash, This did not happen, The drop was much bigger than what I thought, I slipped and caused a huge splash, Typical.

I waited 10-15mins for the water to settle a little, I thought id have a few casts upstream. Still using my Dark Olive Dry Fly, Out of nowhere a fish came shooting up and grabbed my fly, I striked and hooked, I was overjoyed because iv had a lot of trouble hooking fish recently.

I carried on adventuring further upstream with a surge of confidence in my stride!, Not even the wild overgrowth could slow me down!

A splash broke the silence to my left, I crunched threw the overgrowth marching towards the River, I could still see ripples from the rise, Just as I unhooked my fly from above the handle on my rod I heard another splash, It was in a similar place so I presumed it was the same fish, Gently side casting and roll casting trying my best not to get tangled in a tree, This trout was definatly not interested in what I had to offer, I was outclassed, I tried and tried for around 45mins as it kept rising, teasing me just before I decided to call it a day.

I have had another great morning on the River Derwent, Catching fish on your own tied fly's makes it so much better!, I mentioned in the Title of this post "New Tactics", This is knowledge I learnt from NortheastFlyFisherman, To cut it short the tips are to always cast Upstream if possible and even if fish arnt rising they might if they see your fly, I used these tactics and they worked a treat, I am enjoying my fishing much more using these methods, Its much more fun than sitting around all day waiting for a fish to rise!

Thank you for reading, Keep a close eye for more updates!

 

River Derwent (Allansford + Eddy's Bridge)

Hello guys,

Having been in contact (well pestering the life out of him with my questions!) with a gentlemen who goes by the name of "Northeast Fly Fisherman" known to me now as "Steve!" We decided to meet up on the River as we both hold Season Permits, Check out his website at http://www.northeastflyfisherman.co.uk/ .

Having been informed by Steve, Whilst he was at Allansford that he caught a dozen or so brownies. I decided i'd try my "luck".

Around 8:30am I arrived at Allansford and headed down to the water, I was taking my time and keeping a very close watch on the water to see if I could see any fish rising, I didn't in the first couple of pools but then I got to this one just down from the rapids, I seen one jump right out of the water!.

I struggled to see what he was after so I tied on a Size 14 Grey Duster, I applied a dab of the famous floatant Gink! and began to gently cast, Towards where the fish had risen, I had no luck for the first 30mins, Then I heard another splash, I managed to do one of those casts in which you think "That was a beauty!" landed exactly where I wanted it! I retrieved very slowly and all of a sudden I seen a fish go for my fly, I striked but it was either too late or too early! Either way I couldn't hook the bugger. I had a few more casts and lost abit of faith I headed up to my car feeling disappointed!.  

I decided to head to my beloved Eddys Bridge, I keep on coming back to this spot as it was the place where I caught my first River Derwent "Broonie", Just a small one as you'v seen in previous posts but by hell there fun! I kept my rod set up in my car with the Grey Duster on.

I parked up in a farmers field (With Permission!) And had a steady walk over Eddy's Bridge and turned right down towards the water, There was nettles the size of giants!, And wasps the size of eagles! (slight exaggeration there..) I waded to the other side of the River, It was almost unrecognizable with the heavy overgrowth.

Despite the weather being really hot and the sun gleam my favorite pool never fails to disappoint! I seen 3 or 4 fish rising in the small area but nothing fancied my Grey Duster up here, I sat for ten - fifteen mins to see if they would rise again, having been spooked by my casting, There was the odd rise but nothing special, I recieved a message from the "Northeast Fly Fisherman"  saying he was on his way.

He arrived, We had a introductory chat and decided to head downstream to a few spots Steve knew,  I let him lead the way, After ducking under tree's and adventuring through those "giant nettles" we arrived at our first spot.

I tried a few unsuccessful casts then it was Steve's turn, As you could see it was hard fishing due to the weather and tree's!. We had no luck so far, Hardly even seen a rise but we carried on, Walking further downstream. Despite the overgrowth the walk was fantastic and Steve was sharing some of the great knowledge he was on this river and fly fishing in general.

 We spotted a rise just under the tree to the left there, I made my way into the water doing a few roll casts, Not paying too much attention due to the lost faith, A fish went for my fly but AGAIN I failed to hook, This was becoming a common issue for me as the day went on.

Steve wondered off downstream and I heard a really loud whistle!, I was confused and didn't know where to look? I waited around 10mins untill Steve came back upstream towards me and he said with a grin that he had caught a brownie! nothing special in size but it gave me abit of hope again.

Time was getting on and we decided to have an hour or two back at Allansford on the way home. I am pleased I did!

We headed back to the pools I missed out earlier on in the morning and Steve managed to land a couple! and I of course, missed a couple also.

We seen a few fish jumping further upstream so we continued our pursuit of trout and proceeded to walk upstream, The sun had gone in for the moment but it was still really hot.

We arrived at our last pool of the day and first cast! Steve hooked yet another! bringing his tally to 5 landed for the day.

I was targeting in between the rocks in the middle of the current, Finally I seen and felt a fish! I landed it soon as I could, Very pleased! 

It was a fantastic day and I thank Steve for his advice and showing me some more great spots on this brilliant River. My tally for the day was Missed Takes : 5 and Landed : 1.

Not bad due to the weather!

Take Care and Thank You for reading.

River Derwent (Eddys Bridge)

Having read alot of reviews on this stretch of the River Derwent (Near Derwent Resevoir) And having taken alot of advice off some brilliant friends I have met from fishing I decided to have a blast today!

The weather forecast didnt look too great but upon wakening from my nightshift at 2pm it was a glorious day. I noticed the postman had been with my new 9' Tapered Leaders (5X) and a few new flies! Including the essential! GINK!

Everything was looking good for me today, I had a nice drive up towards the resevoir following directions and my map. I managed to find "Eddys Bridge" the only problem was the parking! I ended up parking near a farmers gate, I didnt think he would mind, But on returning to the car there was a nasty message on my windscreen, But nevertheless I caught up with him and I apologized and what a sound man he was! He told me I can come up and park on his land anytime! Brilliant!

Anyway, I unloaded the truck and headed down the road over the bridge, I turned right through some nettles where you could see others had been, I was following there tracks, ducking under branches, climbing over fences and also slipping on the mud! I wasnt too convinced this was the right place but as I walked past a big bush there it was! A great pool, And as soon as I spotted the pool a fish jumped! 

I tied on a neat little size 14 adams dry fly, I had 10-12 casts (and a dozen tangles also!) But the fish werent interested at all! There was plenty jumping around me! Infact a huge one jumped right out the water, Well I say huge, it was around the 2lb mark lol. I remembered I had purchased some Turn On Strike Indicators from Orvis, So I though id sample a one with a Hares Ear Nympth, I had no luck with this either, I decided to try a few other pools further down stream, passing a couple of other fisherman on my way who had also had "no luck"

I went back to the first pool where I seen the fish jumping, I thought sod it! Ill try a little Olive (Size 14)

 First cast SPLASH! The fish went for it but I missed it!, A few casts later I seen the fish jump for other flies, I tried my best to aim it just past the splash and the line just sped through the air and a perfectly straight line and leader placed on the water, The fly delicately placed exactly where I wished, A split second later! I had a take! I kept hold of my line and striked! I had it! Landed this little beauty! 

This small fish has really made my day!, My first fish on a dry fly up on the picturesque River Derwent! 

Having only spent 3 hours fishing today, I am more than pleased!

Thank you for reading folks, Looking forward to another trip in the next few days!

Naworth Fishery, Brampton (Trip 2)

Hello there!

This morning I woke up at the crack of dawn! Well, 04:30am.. I was wide awake and had no plans so I decided to have another go up at the very highly rated Naworth Fishery and I am pleased I did!

This is the view (LEFT) from the Jetty (RIGHT) in which I spent a good 5hours at!

Up on arrival I have a habit of checking through the latest Catch and Return sheets to see which flies caught the most etc etc.. I studied through these papers and noticed alot was caught on lures! and funny enough.. I have just stocked up on my lures!

Everything was going right for me so far and I couldn't wait to get a few casts in! I threw on my Fishing Vest, Cap, Landing Net and grabbed my rod, It was really busy! well busy for 07:30am anyway.

Since my rod is only 8'6'' I just leave it all set up in my Land Rover, To save setting it up and putting it away on every outing. I checked which Fly I had tied on and It was a beautiful little Lure which was given to me by a Fly Fishermen the last time I was up here! I thought i'd have a few casts to see how it does, I checked my watch it was around 07:40am. I done a few casts to straighten up my line and leader again and then before I know it its 08:00am and I am proud to say! "IV HOOKED ONE!", After a couple of mins of tiring the fish I managed to land it securely! I quickly pulled out my camera with a huge grin in order to take this shot! The first picture wasnt the best as it was wriggling too much! Lovely 2 1/2lb Rainbow Trout! I took my photo's, Admired the fish and then gently released it back into the water! Jobs a good'un!

As I mentioned a kind Fisherman give me one of his lures on the last journey, I managed to get a quick snap of the Fly also in order to remind you and I to order a box full! Absolutely wonderful Lure! Well I would say that though as its my first Rainbow Trout of the season!

 Green sparkly body with a Orange and a hint of Green tail, Also the beads in the middle are multicolored. My favorite Lure by far! And no its not only because I got it free!

It took me another couple of  hours before I landed my next fish, Same jetty, Same Fly, Same fish probably! 

I did managed to hook 3 more Rainbow Trout but they kept winning the battle with my Fly pinging off and the crafty little trout spitting out the flies! But I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the day, As it was unplanned! Hoping for more days like this sometime soon, I will be bringing you some reports on the River Derwent again when I am back from my vacation, I can now proudly announce that I am a member of D.A.A (Derwent Angling Association).

Look forward to meeting a few of you guys up there sometime, Or maybe I already have met you? Anyway, Keep safe and if you have no luck just keep trying! I did and look what happened!

Naworth Fishery, Brampton (Trip 1)

Hello,

As some of you may know i spent the day at Naworth trout fishery which is situated just outside of Brampton, Cumbria.

This was my first time here, I was amazed at the beautiful surroundings!

I ended up at this fishery because a good friend of mine rates it very highly and he kept saying.. "your guaranteed to catch fish up there"

GUESS WHAT! I didnt..

I was there for a total of 8 hours, I seen all weathers, Hail, Rain and then the Sunshine, Also a fair bit of wind but i battled on! the wind won a few of the casting battles which was frustrating then I just paused whilst I waited for the wind to die down for that split second then id cast! I spent an hour or two on this jetty first of all.

I started off by using my only black buzzer as that was the fly which was catching the most according to the fishing reports!

I spent a good couple of hours in this one spot as there was fish jumping, Then to my amazement i seen movement right in front of me, it looked like a 2lb brown trout! its fins came right out of the water and was swimming by me for around 5mins, My heart was racing i kind of panicked ? I gently retrieved my line and dropped the black (and red) buzzer in front of the fish, it wasnt interested?? I tried and tried, This is when I knew it wasnt going to be my day..

Since there was fish jumping i thought to hell with the buzzers! so i tied on a Knotted Midge.. Not even a bite, After 6hours fishing a young farmer turned up with his friend who had never fished before, Brand new rod and everything but they forget split shot, so i went to my truck and got them the pot of split shot, In return I recieved a Strike Indicator and 2 Buzzers (1 red and white  and 1 Black and Green). This young lad went to the spot I had been at for a while, First cast, BOOM! a 9lb Blue Trout..

I was abit peed off to say the least!.. But the swans cheered me up!..
I tied on my new buzzers with the red and white one as a dropper (I had never tied a dropper on before so I created my own knot) I asked the young guy if my knot would be strong enough, he replied "can i pull it?" I let him of course, he then said "yeah that should be strong enough" So he let me have a few casts in his spot, I HOOKED ONE!!!

It felt huge, What a fight, then PING!!! It was off.. GRRRRRR!! My dropper had snapped... Along with everything in life I learn the hard way! And I have learnt a valuable lesson! Always keep to knots which are proven to work!!

I think my problem was that I was fishing with dry flies most of the day, basically a waste of time up there, especially because all my flies are mostly classed as river flies.. I came home feeling annoyed but still pleased with what I have learnt up there, I am really starting to loose a little bit of faith since it has been a few trips since i have caught anything! I am not a quitter so ill keep trying!

Having never used Strike Indicators before I think i may have lost alot of bites also, What a handy tool.. I have ordered a set and also some buzzers! Praying they come in time.

I am heading back up there on Saturday morning, Wish me luck guys!

River Derwent (Trips 2&3)

Hello folks, Still no fish rising up on the River Derwent, I seen one or two jumping but they weren't interested in what i had to offer! I thought i had some tasty flies aswell!

I have been there for a total of 11 hours this weekend and enjoyed every second, met yet another great selection of fishermen, they don't usually arrive till around 5pm (maybe a good idea!)

Below is another few snaps of my trips! In the not so distant future i shall be having look up to a reservoir, That is guaranteed fish! (Well hopefully!)

Take care guys and thank you for your time.