for my new year resolution im going to learn to fly fish...ive dabbled in course fishing with a 4m rig pole when i was younger! any tips or websites on how to start up as a beginner!?

i would seriously consider some professional tuition. there may be adverts in trout fisherman magazine or search on the net.

go on you tube, type in ''fly fishing lessons'

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tight+lines+fly+casting&aq=3 the video in 4 parts is the best one. Hes from tight lines on Sky, I learnt alot from it. Good luck!

Birkdale, good on you!

I am in my second full season fly fishing and can get a line out, but would definitely recommend a lesson or two just to get the basics. I can recommend one or two people if you like?

I would be happy to explain the basics to you based on what I've learnt so far; fire away with questions!

I would also recommend joining flyforums.co.uk, there's a wealth of information there.

Books wise I would recommend matching the hatch by peter lapsey, and one by Nick Hart (i'll look when I get home).

try bakewell fly fishing shop 01629813531 he does 1 on 1 lessons and is verry good mate he can meet u at barlow trout ponds

Get a decent Fly Rod else you'll just get frustrated

Just go and do it.....i wanted to learn to fly fish so i just bought a cheap set up and went to the lake and just practiced. I probably looked a right numpty to start with but i got there in the end :)

Nothing will beat learning your self try casting with a short line with no fly on,say on a field also if you have sky there are some great programs on there

for my new year resolution im going to learn to fly fish...ive dabbled in course fishing with a 4m rig pole when i was younger! any tips or websites on how to start up as a beginner!?

I'm in the same BOAT as you, I used to fly fish 30 years ago but was only a learner - Once you can cast a fly it's a cheap hobby I think, (ladybower res. all day £12.00) I don't fancy the idea of paying someone to teach me (not working) so will have a go on my own. What I was thinking is joining up, and to go somewhere together, I don't have transport but I'm willing to go half's on fuel cost. It really depends if you want to see me act the fool or for me to see you do the same - lol - before you even think about it I must say I'm a "Victor Meldrew" type bloke (in other words - an old fart) If you don't have transport, we could at least catch a bus somewhere. I think it's great with a mate, but don't really fancy it on my own. I used to go with a mate down Ogmore south wales and I wouldn't see or talk to him for 3 - 4 hours, but it was great having a drink after and bragging about what you lost.
Just bought a Rod - Yesterday a "Black Shimano 628 composite Fly Fishing rod 9'9") you fly fishermen out there please " is it any good"? Did I pay to much for it? No not saying, don't wan't to look like a complete plonker, What's it worth?

I'm in the same BOAT as you, I used to fly fish 30 years ago but was only a learner - Once you can cast a fly it's a cheap hobby I think, (ladybower res. all day £12.00) I don't fancy the idea of paying someone to teach me (not working) so will have a go on my own. What I was thinking is joining up, and to go somewhere together, I don't have transport but I'm willing to go half's on fuel cost. It really depends if you want to see me act the fool or for me to see you do the same - lol - before you even think about it I must say I'm a "Victor Meldrew" type bloke (in other words - an old fart) If you don't have transport, we could at least catch a bus somewhere. I think it's great with a mate, but don't really fancy it on my own. I used to go with a mate down Ogmore south wales and I wouldn't see or talk to him for 3 - 4 hours, but it was great having a drink after and bragging about what you lost.
Just bought a Rod - Yesterday a "Black Shimano 628 composite Fly Fishing rod 9'9") you fly fishermen out there please " is it any good"? Did I pay to much for it? No not saying, don't wan't to look like a complete plonker, What's it worth?


What weight did you get ? Remember a fly rod is designed to cast a certain weight line. If you don't match them up you're in trouble

What weight did you get ? Remember a fly rod is designed to cast a certain weight line. If you don't match them up you're in trouble

The rod is marked at 6-8, I'm hoping to get away with using a number 6 forward weighted Wet line as it's the only one I have at the moment.

The rod is marked at 6-8, I'm hoping to get away with using a number 6 forward weighted Wet line as it's the only one I have at the moment.

With rods that are rated for multiple lines, I'd always recommend going to the higher end of the range as it will help to load the rod better and aid with casting and gaining distance.

I'd say have a crack with the #6 as you may be ok. But I reckon you'll be pleasantly surprised if, after using the #6, you use a heavier line, at how much more natural it feels. A balanced set up it key.

I wouldn't worry too much about what make rod you got, the length and rating are more improtant at this stage. And from what you've said the one you've got is good for medium to large stillwaters so you're spot on for ladybower (although I reckon the price might have gone up since it was 12 quid?).

In terms of casting, as a beginner myself, the best pointers I've been given are:

1 - don't neglect to give it some stick on the back cast (I never put enough power into it for some reason, it does help)
2 - stop the back cast sooner than you think
3 - 'flick' it foward, stopping your arm at the 10 oclock position and following the line down to the water
4 - cast with you elbow, not your wrist.

I'm getting better distance and better presentation every time I go. Stick at it!

Right on Oddgit.

Keep a stiff wrist and stop at 2 o'clock and 10 o'clock positions

Good luck and fork out for that heavier line as soon as you can.

Are you permitted to use lures, like say Hildebrandt spinners, on Ladybower?

the person who taught me to cast told me to imagine i had my back to a 12ft wall and i had to ensure the line went over this imaginary wall on the back cast. funnily enough it worked!

Thanks for the advice, I'll try and remember it all, Will get another Spool and a heavier line on the weekend. Floater or sinker for somewhere like Ladybower?

LOL now you're getting to the serious questions. I suggest you ask the fish that one.

Thanks for the advice, I'll try and remember it all, Will get another Spool and a heavier line on the weekend. Floater or sinker for somewhere like Ladybower?

Now it's warming up you'd only need a floater. You can get deeper by using weighted flies and longer leaders.

When it starts getting cold again, get an intermediate or a sinker.

the person who taught me to cast told me to imagine i had my back to a 12ft wall and i had to ensure the line went over this imaginary wall on the back cast. funnily enough it worked!

I'll try that!

Are you permitted to use lures, like say Hildebrandt spinners, on Ladybower?

No ladybower is fly only at the minute. Although you can get some pretty big and fancy lures for fly casting, you'd have a job getting a hildebrandt out there!

Scout dike, that's a different story, you can use lures there.

Thanks for all your help, sorry It fell on deaf ears, well not on deaf ears, but I went over the local fields and had a few casts then felt the twing in my back - It reminded me that if my back does GO! i'm on the floor, not a good thing on a fast flowing river. I can swim very well (at 16 I could swim over two mile) but still scared of drowning, there is no way I could swim, if my back went. So It's up for sale. before I put it on the "For sale" forum can anyone tell me what it might be worth second Fly/Hand.

"Black Shimano 628 composite Fly Fishing rod 9'9" - rod states - Fly 39968CL XL - 6-8 Might as well throw in the Reel (not litrally) A Discontinued BFR RIMFLY 75 Complete with a #6 forward weighted Sinker line (I can see that the spool only is worth £5.00 at least that's the asking price, but others are asking £7.00) On reel but you might want to check the connection to the backing Ha! Ha! So is It worth owt? please let me know, I paid £ 3,000.00 for the lot and hope to make a profit - Ha Ha! Oh! I got one of those Cotton bags for the rod as well.
A good Idea of what it's worth is all I'm after, I will take a average estimate of it's worth. as a price to ask on the other site - Thanks

If desperate to give me your estimate of what it's worth - 07891767518 - or -0114 2438841 - A quick respose is and will be looked on with favour.

if you felt a twinge in your back your casting action is wrong. if your not confident, invest in a lightweight back brace to support it.

if you felt a twinge in your back your casting action is wrong. if your not confident, invest in a lightweight back brace to support it.

I love this mate, If I cant' afford a £ 7 .00 pike fly, how can i get a back brace, (real ones - over £100.00 )

been put off by the price of everything, £32.00 for a line, and that's the cheap end according to the net the dearest I found was asking near £500.00 for a 35 meter bit of plastic. My op, state Mine, said " cheap sport" I think I'll have to revise that. - Pike fly - £2.5 + £2.5 = £5.oo, the nearest I could gt here in GB was £7.00 + postage.
Any way It's up for sale. £35.00 including Reel and Line

I think that a lot of people do not know just how good the river don is for fly fishing,i fish the don all the time i have at least 5/8 fish a day.But every so often you will have a red letter day,think the most i have ever had out of the don in one day is 36 trout and greyling.the greyling sport on the don is unbeatable.I have fished some of the southern chalk streams and not had has many greyling,the dry fly fishing is great too.Fly fishing is a great hobbie if you have plenty of time on your hands,because you can get into tieing you own flies,nothing beats catching a trout on a dry fly that you have tied your self.Alot of people will make it out has though this is hard to do but nothing can be further from the truth.in you are not into tieing your own flies then billy clarks just of uniteds ground is the best selection i have found in sheffield.hylell morgan is the way i learnt to fly fish just by watching these dvds i learnt a hell of alot from them there on the sky channel discovery shed...good luck hope it goes well and tight line................................mick

I love this mate, If I cant' afford a £ 7 .00 pike fly, how can i get a back brace, (real ones - over £100.00 )

been put off by the price of everything, £32.00 for a line, and that's the cheap end according to the net the dearest I found was asking near £500.00 for a 35 meter bit of plastic. My op, state Mine, said " cheap sport" I think I'll have to revise that. - Pike fly - £2.5 + £2.5 = £5.oo, the nearest I could gt here in GB was £7.00 + postage.
Any way It's up for sale. £35.00 including Reel and Line

You didn't mention anything before about flly fishing for pike.

It may be that your current rod (6 - 8 ) is a bit light for pike. It's a common opinion that pike require a rod with a bit more back-bone, with a 9wt or 10wt thought a reasonable minimum. That said I've known people say they cope well with an 8wt. (this is a debate all on its own!)

There are much cheaper places to find tackle. £7 for a pike fly is taking the michael. They should be averaging a couple of quid. £4 for the really good/big ones. Billy clarke and the fly fishing shop in bakewell have a selection all averaging £2.

Lines are again an oddity - you can spend anywhere from a fiver to £100 on a line depending on the brand and application. £500?! frankly you are looking in the wrong place or at something wholly different to what you need.

A good way of getting everything you need is to pick up one of the magazines and in there, there will be a page promoting a beginners outfit - it's got a rod a reel with 2 spools, a floating and intermediate fly line, a bag, a net, tippet material, a pair of scissors, a good selection of flies. Essentially everything you need for around £70. And the rod is a shakespeare odyssey which is a well respected rod.

My opinion? If you want an instant, reasonably cheap outfit, get one of them.

Bottom line, fly fishing isn't cheap. There are ways you can make it cheaper by shopping savvy, but to actually go fishing can be quite pricey and there will always be costs associated with the hobby.

I never paid that for my fly line were will do a bit of looking at where mine was from and get back to you,try the fishing tackle shop in skegness inglemells,i will tie you some pike flys,just let me know when you are going.for dry flys and knmphs billy clarks has the best selection but defo try the above tacle shop for line etc...mick let me know when you need them i get em to you.......

I never paid that for my fly line were will do a bit of looking at where mine was from and get back to you,try the fishing tackle shop in skegness inglemells,i will tie you some pike flys,just let me know when you are going.for dry flys and knmphs billy clarks has the best selection but defo try the above tacle shop for line etc...mick let me know when you need them i get em to you.......I bought a shakespeare rod rod there billy clarks lovely rod it was 40 quid i have had carp on it with artificial dog biscuit these come realy cheap and are great far better than pike fly fishing.Even a chopped down boiley on a hair is great had carp to 25 lb on a fly rod for trout of a couple of pound love it i will help where i can mate............................

I love this mate, If I cant' afford a £ 7 .00 pike fly, how can i get a back brace, (real ones - over £100.00 )

been put off by the price of everything, £32.00 for a line, and that's the cheap end according to the net the dearest I found was asking near £500.00 for a 35 meter bit of plastic. My op, state Mine, said " cheap sport" I think I'll have to revise that. - Pike fly - £2.5 + £2.5 = £5.oo, the nearest I could gt here in GB was £7.00 + postage.
Any way It's up for sale. £35.00 including Reel and Line

Very interesting thread, don't give up hope yet Aardvark, looks like there's a few folks on here willing to help. :)

I'd love to get back into fly fishing. Only did it for a couple of seasons with a seasoned fisherman as my guide. I really enjoyed it.