Out in the cold.

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What, was that famous line from Apocalypse Now? I love the smell of anti-freeze and petrol fumes first thing in the morning. Something like that! He must of been coming grayling fishing on a barmy December morning with us. Most 'normal' people would be watching Christmas telly or better still, still tucked up in bed. Derrick and my self had opted for a days fishing before we headed off back home for Christmas. This was our version of the office party. I can only guess someone forgot to put the heating on. We were fishing up on the rive Exe in Somerset. It was nice to be back on my old stomping ground, and to where I first lived when I moved down to here.

After a drive through the snow, and getting stuck at roadworks we didn't arrive until pretty late in the morning. But with the freezing temperature, there was no real rush to get there too early. I had spent the previous evening tying a batch of heavy nymphs to dredge the bottom to see if we could move any fish. We have both had decent grayling from the stretch we were fishing in the past. The area doesn't tend to hold big numbers of grayling, but they do tend to be a decent stamp of fish. I have had them to 17" in the past, and Derrick had a few around that size earlier in the autumn. I just hope they were up for it today!

The type of heavy weight nymphs that would hopefully stir the fish up.

After setting up and a quick natter to the farmer, it wasn't long before we were in the river and fishing the first run of the day. The level was quite low and crystal clear. I opted for a five weight and nymph taper fly line. Unlike pinging a small dry fly out, when it comes to casting weighted flies that are wrapped in lead or tungsten, turn over is the crux of the cast. Due to the speed of the flow, fishing style was short lining (Czech nymph style), holding the flies as close to the bottom as possible. Hopefully we would pass a few of these flies amongst a shoal of grayling and it would start to warm things up a bit.

Unfortunately the run didn't produce any fish! It wasn't a great surprise. We didn''t spot any fish moving, but it is always worth running a team of flies through it all the same. It was down to Derrick to warm things up with a brew, then we were off up stream to try a fresh area.

Dek firing the first brew of the day up.

After a quick warm up in the sub zero temperature, we made our way upstream and fished a good looking stretch that has boded well in the past. Again it looked empty, and again the flies proved it. There was nothing wrong with the tactics. We fished hard, the fish were either shoaled up somewhere else or not switched on.

Still trying to tease something out.

By midday we still hadn't seen, spooked or hooked into a fish. Not to worry, Derrick was still singing away like a lune. All I could hear was cheesy Christmas songs coming from down stream! No wonder the fish were off the boil! It was good to see a couple of small olives hatching. The air temperature must of been about -5 degrees, but they were happy to emerge and fly off. It didn't temp me to dip into my dry fly box and run a dry over the area. But it goes to show what kind of conditions flies will hatch in.

'Father Jones' keeping cheerie with Christmas songs!!!!!!

It didn't take long before another flurry of snow blew down the Exe valley. Hoods up we continued to search for fish, (after another brew).

Another fine brew. But what goes in, must come out! Brrrrrrrrrr.

We walked and fished for a further mile until the weather got a bit too much. Not for us to stand in the freezing water, or have ice cold wind burning your face, but for the journey back. Derrick had to travel back over the moors and I had got a 60 mile drive back to West Devon. So as a sensible option, we decided to stay out and carried on fishing.

A chilly River Exe as we move upstream.

By dusk things were drawing to an end. We were wet, cold, and knackered. Derrick decided we should take the high path and see if we could spot any fish. So after scrambling and slipping up and down a series of high banks we looked over into the river. I managed to slip down a 30 foot bank, and couldn't be bothered to scramble back up it. So I just got back into the river and guided a few nymphs down the run. Each cast was getting harder and harder as the guides on the rods froze solid. It was a case of dip the rod, make a cast, dip the rod, make a cast. In my last blog I mentioned about cleaning lines to reduce friction.When the rod rings are froze solid it doesn't matter how clean the line is. It still goes no where. Combine this with three weighted nymphs and the thing can seem to have a mind of its own.

Sums the day up really! Cold and icey.

All in all, a tough day. But as office parties go, this was a good one! A few fish wouldn't have gone a miss, but hey, that's fishing. I would just like to thank Derrick for my present. A season ticket on DAA waters. So this isn't the last time I'll be soaking a few flies in this river. I'll be back in new year. I hope Dek appreciated his bag of m&m's as much as I did my gift. Cheers bud. Have a nice trip back to Wales.

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Tis the season to be jolley.

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I'm not sure who invented Christmas, but you would of thought they would of dropped it in during the summer when it's warm and sunny. Looking at the predicted forecast, snow is on the way! That's great for the kids and those who like a white Christmas, but as Ba-humbug it means an interruption to the week and with snow on the way, probably a slow journey up the motorway!

It has been good to spend some time with the Sage TCX, and would like to thank Jim for the new Rio 'wind cutter' line to put through it. Just in the nick of time, the last one was on it's last legs! The next resort would of been to get the glue and sandpaper out and try to give it a quick makeover. But the guides on my rod would of paid the price for that. As beneficial as practicing is, casting, especially grass casting soon burns through your gear. It's easy to tell people to keep lines clean and slick, but we all get lazy from time to time or forget to do it. The next thing you know, it sounds and feels like your are casting piano wire. Apart from the damage it can do, it hampers your casting no end. The same applies when out fishing. Dirt, grime and grit from the bank side and water sticks to the coating of line and will also cause a few problems. As well as limiting the distance due to extra friction, it will also start to sink the line. This can be alright if your want to get the tip down slightly when buzzer or nymph fishing, but when you need it to float it can be a pain. This can be frustrating especially when fishing a dry fly, as it can keep dragging the fly under as it starts to sink. Apart from cleaning the line to remove any dirt off it, one tip is to apply a layer of gink or muslin to the tip of line to aid flotation.

It doesn't take too much to keep a fly line in good order. As well as keeping it performing well, it will save you money in the long run. If you look after a line, you should get a couple of seasons of hard fishing out of it. When using them on grass whilst practasing, they can be shot within a few months. So it can sometimes pay to have a practice line and a fishing line. I often use Rio cleaning pads and 'Agent X' fly dressing for the job. It is surprising the amount of grime that comes off a fly line, and it soon brings your line back to life. Just a drop of warm soapy water, and pull the line through the pads a few times and the line is clean. Then with a squirt of the 'Agent X' onto a clean cloth and a few runs up and down the line and it's back to slick.

It's not a major chore to keep lines clean and running smooth.

Whilst walking back from a casting session yesterday, it was brilliant to see a few Salmon resting in the park pool. They were the first that I have seen here, and speaking to a few of the local anglers, the first in a few years that have come this far up stream. Unfortunately I came across a dead fish, but at least it had done what it had traveled all this way to do.

I'm no Salmon expert, but I think this one may have died from boredom!

Salmon aren't my first choice as a species to catch. But they still pull my string when one latches onto a fly. I was once called a Neanderthal in a fishing mag, because I said I would rather catch a 40lb pike than a 40lb Salmon! I suppose in the wrong hands Salmon fishing can become snobby. Certainly not with the guys who I know and fish with, but there has always been an element of hora Henry about it. Give me a British home grown pike any day. But that's the beauty of fishing, everyone to their own. Saying that, when I meet up with the guys who have come back from Scotland, Russia and Norway, and see some of the fish that they have been bent into, you kind of wish you had caught it!

Remember 'Spot the Ball?'

I'm sorry about the grainy images, but there wasn't much light at the time. But in the photo above there is a decent sized Salmon resting at the edge of the main flow. It took a guides eye to spot it as I walked past. I managed to get a quick pic before I spooked it and it blasted off upstream. On returning to the river the next day, all of the fish had gone. I'm not sure where to, but they weren't in the same pool as the evening before. Even the dead one had gone! The bank sides are very steep at this point and I would of thought a fox would of had trouble getting it out and back up the bank. Maybe an old bear came down from the moors? Or was it the beast of Dartmoor? Worse still, and in fact probable, it will be in someones freezer ready for a Christmas treat! Give me a tin of tuna any day.

I would just like to take this opportunity to wish all of our friends and customers a 'Happy Christmas, and a top New Year'. We will be out fishing leading up to the big day, so just in case I don't get time. 'Have a good un!'

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Getting layered.......

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Poking my head out of the door was enough to confirm that it is now time to bring out the winter clothing. Just like the rest of the country, Devon has just been battered by some of the worst weather in years. So they say! Admittedly it was a bit windy, with some horizontal rain thrown in just to spoil the day. But living next to Dartmoor, it always seems to rain and the wind is often howling off the tops of the tors. So if you want to stay comfortable in such conditions, it pays to protect yourself adequately. Gone are the days when you would have to climb into a mound of thick clothes, and increase your shoe size with about four pairs of socks just to stay warm. Combine all this an inadequate waterproof jacket and you were still usually set up for a damp, cold day.

At Adventure fly fishing UK we spend a fair amount of time in the elements. Experience of getting wet and cold over the years has now thankfully come to an end. There is an old saying, that says "there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing". This is true. As long as you are protected from the weather, then there is no problem. There is nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable whilst trying to enjoy your fly fishing. Fishing clothing has taken quite a long time to catch up compared to that of walkers and climbers. Specialist clothing has been around for years to cater for bad weather ramblers. But for many years anglers would trundle around in cumbersome clothing.

Modern fly fishing clothing is now perfect for all conditions.

Dependant on the weather and the time of year will usual dictate what I will wear to keep me comfortable whilst fishing or guiding. Starting with under layers, or base layers as they are commonly know, these are the items that keep the skin dry and help to keep a steady body temperature. The more you work, the harder the base layers work to keep you dry. Unlike wearing a basic cotton t-shirt that will hold the moisture and chill the body down when you take a breather, most base layers are made from synthetic fibres that wick moisture and dry quickly. This means that after a bit of hard fishing or wading you will still be comfortable and dry on the inside. When things get really nippy, then I will often wear base layer bottoms under my fishing trousers or waders.

Not a pile of washing..... but various base layers and socks to keep me comfortable.


There are two sorts of base layers. Thermal and cool. As the name suggests one type is best worn in cooler weather and the other when it is warm. Thermal base layers are constructed using marino-wool or synthetic thermal fibres. The best out of the two in my opinion is marino-wool. Not only is it warm and comfortable, but marino wool is one of the only natural fibres that allows quick moisture transfer, and retains warmth. During the warmer months then I tend to use coolmax fabrics to help regulate body temperature. Again there is nothing worse than hiking up a stream with sweat dripping off you. Apart from becoming a fly magnet, when the air temperature drops, so does your body temperature. This is where the base layer will help to keep you comfortable.

One important item that is often overlooked are socks. Socks are your comfort. Its quite common for people to buy a decent pair of wading or walking boots and then forget about wearing decent socks. Boots on the whole aren't usually all that comfortable until they are broken in or knackered. But by changing the insoles in the boots to a quality pair like 'superfeet' and wear a decent pair of hiking socks and the miles will feel far less on your feet. Decent socks aren't cheap. They can cost anything from £10-£20 a pair. But well worth the money when your when you five miles down river and you have to make the same journey back.

General fly fishing clothing comes in two ranges. Practical and affordable, or high quality and expensive. A lot may think it is mainly a sales ploy by putting a certain brand logo on a jacket, waders or trousers that is causing the increased price. In reality a lot of the extra money has gone into r&d of the fabrics and it performance. This will be the testing of breath ability of the fabrics, durability, new waterproofing coatings, mixed fabrics and higher breathable membranes. Waterproof jackets have come on leaps and bounds over the years. The key to a decent jacket is it's breath ability. Everyone has heard of Gore-Tex, and associates this with quality. Along with this comes its price tag. One fault with cheaper jackets, and trousers is the lack of breath ability. So as you become more active, the harder the garment has to work to eliminate the moisture from inside, and pass it to the outside of the jacket where it evaporates. If the membrane can't keep up with the pace, then it becomes damp inside, and you become chilled. I'm not saying you must buy a jacket or trousers that uses a Gore-Tex membrane, or it won't do the job. In fact I tend to waterproof clothing that doesn't use a Gore membrane. Over the years, it has been developed to be more breathable and and works even faster. This is ideal for when we are yomping over the moors or tackling the steep coastal paths, as we build up a bit of steam up in search of fish.

Left: Gore-Tex membrane.

Center: Inner lining.
Right: Outer face fabric.

One major factor to maintaining all breathable, waterproof clothing is to make sure it is kept as clean as possible. Not so much to look well kept, but to make sure that the performance of the clothing is still working. Things like dirt, sweat and fish slime and saltwater all take their toll. If the clothing is dirty, then it won't allow the moisture to evaporate from inside the garment. One other problem is when the clothing starts to 'wet-out'. This is when the water doesn't bead off anymore and looks like it it soaking through the fabric. It shouldn't get past the internal membrane, but with the inner moisture getting trapped it often feels like the clothing is leaking. Time for a wash and tumble dry! Always use the proper stuff for cleaning. The best are Grangers or Nik Wax. These are a pure soap, that will clean the garments, but not strip it of the DWR (Durable, water repellent) coating that is either washed into the fabric or sprayed onto the face of it during manufacture. It is always best followed with a tumble dry to activate the water repellent coating again. If it still continues to wet-out after washing, then it simply needs reproofing. Either a wash in or a spray should be applied to help it shed water again. Simple! If I can do it, anybody can.

The main outer layers that take the battering and keep you protected.

Colour of clothing is entirely personal. Nowadays most of my kit is quite subtle in colour which i feel helps when fly fishing the small Devon stream and rivers. Often close up to our quarry, I feel more comfortable blended into the surroundings. On bigger waters and rivers I don't really think it makes a great deal of difference. Awesome Salmon angler and AAPGAI instructor Jim Fearn can often be found wearing an orange wading jacket. Most anglers could only dream about the amount of fish he catches each season, and if a bright orange wading jacket was putting the fish off a bit, I would love to see how he would do wearing green!

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BFFI 09.

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Well, it was that time of year again. Another drive out of Devon and back to my home town of Newcastle to the British fly fair. For anyone who is interested in fly fishing and particular fly tying this is the show to go and visit. I always like it because there's also the added bonus of visiting family and friends whilst I am in the area. After a laborious journey up the M5 and onto the M6, Friday afternoon travel is always the same. I don't know why I do it, but I always seem to get caught up in it. Perhaps leaving too late never helps. Six hours later, I arrived in Newcastle, fresh, relaxed and ready for it! Or was it tired, stressed and ready for a kip! It was good of my brother to put me up at short notice, and arranged for a few of the guys to crash over instead of driving back home.

The following morning after to speaking to a few of the AAPGAI lads who were making their way down from Cumbria, I arrived at Trentham and first things first, hunted down the burger van for a fresh brew of overpriced coffee and a soggy bacon bap. Twelve pound lighter (not in weight), it wasn't long before I met up with Tony, Lee and Jim, and a few rods were set up. Even though it is primarily a fly tying show, AAPGAI always has a good presence and it was good to meet up with some old and new faces. Not only is it good to catch up with the guys and have a laugh, but with every meet and casting session, there is always a progression in ideas and new tackle to try. One new product that was impressing a lot of people was the new 'I' line. A short-headed line, that seemed ideal for all casting and fishing purposes. If you havn't yet come across one, it's well worth a try.

AAPGAI- Jim Williams, Lee Cummings, and Tony Riley catching up.

Like usual, the AAPGAI demo's were first class. They varied from roll casting with a twist, to specialist river techniques. It was nice to see a few familiar faces in the crowd, both from Stoke and also a few that I have got to know from here in Devon and Cornwall.

Gary Coxon and Lee Cummings- AAPGAI demo.

Back inside, some of the world's leading fly tyers were pulling off their magic. Paul Little was once again on form, and was tying some of the nicest flies that you will ever come across. You could hear the same old sentence from around the hall, "well mine are fishing flies, that I tie". Usually meaning, mmmm, wish mine were that neat! It was good to see Mr T at the show. Not Mr T from the A-Team, but Toby from Funky Products. A good friend from down in Somerset, and who's fly tying materials I have been using with good results for my pike fly fishing and saltwater fly fishing for the past few years. Damn, does this mean the secret is now out! He has a top range of materials for all types of flies and fishing.

Toby Merigan, showing his new 'Funky-Products' range.

Over the two days, the show was a success. Everyone seemed to be enjoying all of the demo's and tying displays. There were plenty of full bags knocking around at the show, so the stands inside must have been doing well. I came back home laden with new materials, and ideas. So I can see a few more 'Chewed Up' pike flies coming out of the vice. Talking of pike, it has been a week since last having a crack at a few, so I think it's time to get out and get a bend in the rod! For those who are interested, 'Adventure fly fishing UK', will be running a few Pike on the Fly taster days, for those looking to get into the sport or wanting to progress. Please get in touch regarding dates and bookings.

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Blown off!

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I don't know what it is when the clocks go back in the autumn, but it seems to take me ages to get used to it. Everything seems to change quickly, and you have to get everything crammed in before it goes dark. We have still been busy at aff-UK with the fishing and casting as usual. But with the closed season here, it has been nice to put something back. We met up with a group of volunteers from the Okment Trust to help with a bit of bank work and to help tidy up the river. It amazes me, that even in the most stunning areas, how mindless some people are to throw crap into our rivers. It is the kind of thing that we would often come across in our inner city canals, not two miles up on the moors! I hate to admit that the EA weren't all that helpful in our quest to get it removed. They more or less told us we would have to clean it out ourselves. Mmmmm. I'll remember that when it's time to buy my next EA rod licence!

Its surprising what you find. We were missing the shopping trolley though.

When we were done it was really rewarding to see the difference that was made, and I certainly felt it the next day. Not bad for a morning's work. One sofa, a dingy, half a bath and two trees were pulled out from one of the pools. The Okment Trust have been working hard for a number of years to make sure that the rivers in the area are well maintained and it is something that I hope to get involved with more and more. It was nice to see a few sea-trout and odd salmon holding at West bridge in the centre of town. I have spoken to people who say that the salmon sometimes run right up as far as the dam if the water allows it. But this is the highest that I have seen them since living here.

Speaking to Tim at the Arundel and the winter casting sessions will be starting up again after the British fly fair. These are always a good do, and it's always nice to meet up with the guys and see what they have been getting up to throughout the season. It was brilliant news to hear that Derek has passed his AAPGAI assessment. He has worked hard for months to hit the level that was required, and on effort alone would be worth the badge. I'm sure Dek will be coming along on a few of those casting days. Even if it's only for one of Tim's winter brews.

DJ still grinning like a Cheshire cat after passing his AAPGAI assessment.


It was nice of him to phone and thank me for the bit of help I gave him. Even nicer was the offer of a days fishing at Chew Valley. Like usual I didn't take much persuading and I was soon sitting behind the vice tying a few more patterns to take. We originally opted to go on Thursday whilst the weather was settled, mild and would of made a good fishing day. But due to prior engagements we couldn't go until the following Sunday. Typically by Sunday the weather had deteriorated and it was blowing a gale, lashing down with rain and it looked like a tough day was on the cards. But that's pike fishing. It can be a tough game at times. But it's all about taking the rough with the smooth, and rough was the word!


Nevertheless we met up and made the drive up the M5 and arrived at Chew in time for tea and toast. Looking out of the lodge window we could see the waves washing over the landing stages and the boats had been pulled up onto the bank. Not a good sign! So it was no real surprise when the guy in the office told us that we couldn't go out and have a do for them. We were gutted. I was well up for it, but could only watch as the waves rolled down the lake and the gale force wind was bending the trees in half. For safety reasons he was right, but as fly fishers we thought if we can still make a cast into the wind, we could still catch a fish. But he was having non of it.





Come in boat number 46, your about to sink!

There was no way we were coming home empty handed. Well, not if we could help it anyway. So we changed plans and headed off to a water that was new to us. Not far from Chew Valley is Cheddar Reservoir. Not a particular nice looking water, but what the hell pike swim in it. So we tackled up and made our way up the embankment to the valve tower. As soon as my head popped over the brow, I was nearly blown off my feet. Things were just a breezy on here, but unlike Chew there was no shelter from it. The wind just kept coming and coming, and getting stronger throughout the day. It was a case of head down and digging your heels in- and that was just getting to the waters edge!

Trying not to get blown back over the wall.

Talk about hard casting. It doesn't matter how much you fish or practice your casting, there are some days that still have you over. It was more of a case of making sure the flies didn't get blow back and hit us. I didn't fancy the prospect of a 4/0 pike hook been blow back at thirty miles an hour and hitting me in the face. It was easy to get the line to pop through the wind, but as soon as it hit the fly, it stopped it dead in its tracks. There are few ways to make it a bit more easier to get the fly out. Shorten your leader to as short as you can get it, downsize the size of fly, and then figure out the best type of cast to fire it through the wind. Each cast was usually different due to the constant squalling wind that blew around us. Sometimes it was a side cast, others times angles of trajectory were altered. Fly lines were also changed to help it cut through the wind, and sometimes the fly was simply crashed at the waters surface. Not pretty, but it was what was needed to do the job. We tried to take advantage of the wind as much as possible, allowing the wind to carry out as much line as possible, and hopefully carry the fly out with it. But sometimes it's just too windy to make efficiant fishing possible.

Derek down sizing leader and fly, ready for another go.

All in all, the end result was pretty predictable. We didn't manage to hook into anything, or see anything moving. But as long as the fly was somewhere in the water, then there was a chance. As the day went, it was well worth the effort by having a look at a new water. I'm sure we will have another run up to Cheddar for another go at the concrete bowl. There are big pike present, and I'm sure if the conditions were a bit more kind then we would of seen or hooked into something. Next time, they are ours!

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What's next?

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Well, that's the end of the brown trout season for us for another year. All in all, it's been a very successful season. We have had plenty of high and lows like most seasons bring. Good fish landed and lost. Good company and guests who have enjoyed their experiences with us. Fingers crossed for another top season next year. So what now? Well the trout seem to know that they are safe again! Typically, as a few of us went out for a cast last night the river was bubbling with fish. Where were they when we wanted them? They were rising and grabbing the bits of wool as we were casting. The week before, they wouldn't even look at anything unless it resembled an actual fly!


There is still plenty of good fishing ahead of us, and this is my time of the year, so I can't wait. Gone are the lazy day's of summer, now it's time to pull the hood up, face the weather and give it your all. Looking out of the window, autumn is defiantly here. Wind, rain and a drop in air temperature. Bit like summer then! We've got a few days planned for the coming week. I'm off up the M5 to meet up with good mate Toby from ' Funky fly tying products' to see what the grayling are up to in his local rivers. I think he said we were going to fish river Tone in Somerset. I've not fished it before so it will make a nice change. Talking with him on the phone, he tells me that fly selection is pretty much the same as on the rest of the graying rivers down here. So I will take the usual selection of dries, spiders, and bugs.




A few bugs which will hopefully get chomped in the river Tone........




...... or better still a few dries, if they want to rise!


I ought to get around to tying a few more flies really, some of the boxes are looking a bit thin after the trout season. I have just received a good selection of Varivas hooks, so there is no excuse really. The British fly fair is only round the corner as well. So I think I will make the trip back home and spend the weekend at the show. It's good to go and catch up with mates and see what's going on in the world of quality fly tying. Jim, Lee and Tony will be making the trip down, so I'm sure there will be a bit of casting going on. AAPGAI usually have a good presence at the show, so for anyone who is interested in this kind of thing, or is new to the sport it is defiantly worth a visit.

Well worth the trip to visit the show!


At the moment we are planning a few new 'adventures' for next year. We are thinking along the lines of the Three Peaks Challenge, where you climb the three highest mountains in the UK. First is the drive up to Scotland to climb Ben Nevis, then to England to climb Scafell Pike, then over to Wales to finish off with Snowdon. But instead of climbing mountains, we are thinking of fish. I'm sure it's been done before. But just thinking aloud, perhaps a salmon in Scotland, a brown trout or pike from England, then a sewin (sea trout) from Wales. We might even finish off back in Devon or Cornwall with a bass from the coast and a BBQ on the beach for tea. Like the original three peaks challenge it will be a non-stop journey, driving and fishing, and aiming to finish in a certain time. Or is that trying to be a bit ambitious? I suppose a bit of planning will be needed. Making sure we have enough munchies for the trip will be critical! It would be nice to think that we could do this event for charity. So I will get my thinking cap on, and see if anybody would be interested in sponsoring us and how we could arrange it.

From here in Scotland..........

.....to here in Cornwall, fishing all the way!

Along similar lines, I think there will be a few grand slams thrown in from time to time. Again nothing new, but were thinking of a few twists. One of the aims in mind is to fish various locations throughout the SW in a day and catch coarse, game and saltwater fish on the fly. At the moment we are working out routes, rivers, still water locations, tide times, and the species of fish which we would like to target. I've got my fish in mind, but a couple of the other guys have got their own ideas to make it more interesting and challenging. I hope they don't come back with a 'one' fly rule! Saying that, I'm pretty confident that we could catch a few fish using the same fly. Certainly bass, pike and pearch would hit the same fly, and if we opted to fish a still water for trout, maybe we could tempt a big brown on the same pattern. But when it comes to catching the river fish, then things would be a bit more tricky. I've never caught a grayling or wild river brown on a size 2/0 bait fish fly before. You never know! But I've got a hunch!

I will keep you updated with the events and dates, just in case anybody wishes to join us on our 'fishing bum's road trip', or fancy the challange of the grand slam. I can see it turning into a Natinal lampoons fishing trip! But that's the fun of it.

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Two's company!

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Well, this decent weather is a turn up for the books. My brothers thought the same and asked if they could pop down for the weekend. I was hoping to travel up to Bristol to fish one of the lakes up there for the day and chill out. But unfortunately it didn't quite come off, so I was stuck holding the baby. Two of them! It's always good to catch up with them from time to time. They often find an excuse to pop down when the weather is grim up North and shining down here! Usually to chill out and go fishing. I had booked the week free anyway, so we decided to head down to Looe for some sea fishing. I don't know what it is about Looe, but I love it. It reminds me of the old Jaws movies. It has that 'old salty sea-dog' atmosphere, that gets inta ya blood me arty. See what I mean. I nearly turned into a pirate just talking about it.

'Babysitting the kid brothers for the weekend' Gav & Baz.

I don't admit to been the best sea angler in the world. I spend half the day fighting sea gulls, and un doing knots. But I get a kick out of it. Baz does quite a lot of it off the coast of Anglesey (so he says), so this brought on a bit of brotherly rivalry. Gav was also up for it, so I could see there was a bit of a comp coming on. They always like to try and show me up, and try to catch more fish than me. They think it's clever. But I just wait until they mop all the small things up, and then I go in and finish it off with a brute! I wish! They are both pretty good at fishing in their own right. Baz talks about it, and Gav drinks to it. So it was going to be interesting........

We spent the first day hanging around Polpero (Nr Looe). We decided to hire a boat and do a bit of fly fishing off the rocks. There were a few bass patrolling around, but we were mainly catching small sized Pollock that were tucked away near the rocks and hiding amongst the sea weed. Baz and Gav opted to spin for them. Gav at the time was casting away his big rubber shad when he had the first hit, but pulled out. Baz have given him a rusty hook, that was blunt. 'Good lad'. I saw him smirk. I managed to pull into a nice bass on a white Clouser, and after a bit of a tussle and some surface slapping it was in. Where's the photo? They refused to take one! They were too busy seeing who could do the most skims with a stone. That's brotherly love for you. The next bass that I had hooked ripped off into the sea weed and thrashed around until it came free. Checking the hook point when I pulled the fly in, it looked like it had been dragged across a rock and chipped the point off it. Er, or had it been pinged with a pair of pliers? Where was Baz at the time! Saying that probably hooking into clumps of sea weed and making out they were fish.

Polpero rocks entertaining us with its Pollocks.

As the sun began to draw in at the end of a top day, I fancied showing them a nice piece of beach, and hopefully if we had got the tide right catch a few fish. We walked a couple of miles along the Polpero to Looe coastal path and dropped down one of the rocky crags to get us onto a stunning beach. The sun was just dropping and we could see the signs of fish moving in the distance. Always a good sign, and been the kind of guy I am, I went down to make the first few shots. As if! My brothers would of lynched me. We sent Gav down for the first attempt , and his cast was just falling shy of the commotion. So Baz stepped up to the hocky and made a few similar cast. 20 minuets later and the fish were closer in and Baz kept thrashing away until the had, had enough, (and the fish were bored). I just sat back and watched the lack of action. That'll teach them for not taking any photo's (maybe I should of given them a decent fly).

Sitting back and watching the lack of action!! Kids for you!

Stunning sun set over Looe rocks

The following morning we had booked to go out on a wreck fishing trip. We more or less had the boat to ourselves, apart from a couple on their honeymoon! Conger fishing. How romantic!! Saying that, it's probably the kind of thing that I would end up doing. So it was obvious that their day was going to be spoilt. We lifted Baz's boxes of tackle into the boat, and Gav just threw his pack of crisps onto the deck. Baz was busy talking to the skipper about the different methods and baits. Up or down tiding, rubby-dubby mixes and weather forecasts. The new couple were more interested in each other, Gav was nearly asleep, and I was more concerned about the size of the boat!

Phew! I thought it was the blue one. Like the famous saying goes"I think were going to need a bigger boat".

Baz tackling up before we'd even set off!

I think the agenda for the day was to start off by catching the bait, probably mackerel, then travel out a bit further over the reef. Mackerel always seem to want to give themselves up easily. Its unfair the justice we give them when we jig for them when bait fishing. It's a totally different fish when it's hooked onto the end of a 5 weight fly rod. But nevertheless, we wanted quite a few for the day's fishing ahead. So sport was out of the question. We just 'jigged' and winched.

Heading around the famous 'Banjo Pier'

The sea was quite gentle, thank God, Baz and Gav had queasy stomachs from the night before. I wouldn't of minded a bit of swell, just to get things going for them. We headed out for about 8 miles before we dropped anchor, and got into the first tangle of the day! Trust it to be Gav! Not a clue. But completely chilled with the event. We managed to 'wind in' a good number of mackerel. Some were a nice size too. Baz thought he was the daddy, because he had a three'er. Until Gav landed a full string of fish. I think it was about 6.

Gav and his prize catch! Poor lad.

When the heavy artillery came out. and the baits were lowered to the depths of the reef, then the comp was on. Gav had caught all the bait that we needed. So it was my turn to blow Baz out of the water and the day would be sorted. Gav took an early lead with a scrappy 'doggie'. The first rule in the book was, who ever caught the first dog fish had buy tea when we got back onto shore, or is it dry land? Anyway, the fish and chips were on him. Baz massif, hooked into a decent conger, and the strain on his face was showing it. I though his head was going to explode!Ah, it fell off. He was gutted. He must of pulled it up a good 150' before it spat the hook. There were a few nice fish landed. Gav caught a stunning Cuckoo wrasse, and Baz caught the best tan of the day. Shame there were no pics of their fish. Funny that. But at least I had the last laugh and landed the biggest conger of the trip. Not huge, but it did me.

Cheers Boys!! Better luck next time.

After a good weekend catching up with them, and taking them down to the coast for a bit of reef and saltwater fly fishing, it's always nice to drop them back at the train station. I can get on with a bit of gentle fly fishing again now.

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