Phil from Rawtenstall asks...
Hi Martin
I have just has my first season 2006 flyfishing and what a sport!
I have tried a few of the fisheries locally and the odd river, and I am wondering if I would benefit from joining a club?
Would this open more water up to me as well as the wisdom and experience of the other anglers?
Martin's advice...
Dear Phil,
Yes, you would certainly benefit from joining a club, it will give you the chance of fishing more waters, also the chance to meet with fellow fly fishers.
I see you live in the Rawtenstall area. A good club to join would be Prince Albert AS they have many game fishing waters that cater for trout sea trout and salmon.
On June 10th they have an open day on the River Ribble at Ribchester. Why not come along? It's all free and open to everyone. There will be casting demos, teach-ins, talks and discussions. You will get to meet the committee and many of its members.
I will be in attendance so come along for a chat.
Kind regards,
Martin
----
Rose asks...
Martin
I heard you talking about ladies fly fishing courses on your programme. I didn't hear enough at the time but am really interested.
Any details you can give me will be really appreciated.
Rose
Martin's advice...
Dear Rose
Thank you for your e-mail - its nice to know that you would like to try fly fishing.
I feel this section of the sport is perfect for the ladies, as there are no creepy crawlies. Its just fur, flosses, feathers and silks tied up on a hook.
In the United States fly fishing is very popular with ladies. I have done several seminars over there.
Mr Frank Casson of Barnsfold Water gives fly casting lessons - telephone 01995 61583 for more information.
I usually organise a days fly fishing for listeners of BBC Radio Lancashire each year, usually in late April early May. Its all free.
The Lancashire branch of the Salmon and Trout Association also organise fly fishing for ladies.
Please write for further information to:
Mrs. Linda Martin
Honorary Secretary
The Salmon and Trout Association
(Lancashire Branch)
Little Beck
Eaves Hall Lane
West Bradford
Clitheroe
BB7 3JG
If I can be of further help please e-mail me at martin@flyfishing.plus.com
Kind regards,
Martin
----
Howard from Hoghton asks...
Martin,
Having been a coarse fisherman for a long as I can remember I have now taken up fly fishing.
The problem is that in the dry fly months I have had plenty of fish rise to the fly but even with a delay I am not connecting on the strike.
Should I reduce the length of my leader and risk having no rises or can you suggest anything else?
Regards,
Howard
Martin's advice...
Howard
It's a difficult question to answer not being at the waterside with you, when no doubt I could answer the question quite quickly.
Its a process of elimination though I don't feel the leader is the problem. As the fly disappears when taken by the fish. You can do one of several things. Watch the fly line where it meets the leader then tighten as it moves.When I was a young man which is more years ago than I care to remember.
Some anglers often said "God Save The King" or counted up to five. When tightening into a hoped for fish. Raise the rod slightly, not upright at forty five degrees or more.
Its quite easy to pull the fly from the mouth of the fish. None of these things are the complete answer.
As I see the fly disappear I tighten and then usually say "Yes" knowing the fish would be hooked. I don't deliberately pause before tightening, it just happens.
You are more than welcome to spend some time with me when I might be able to see what the problem is. Though I doubt if you are doing anything wrong. Feel free to e-mail me with any more questions at martin@flyfishing.plus.com
Kindest regards,
Martin
----
Chris from Massachusetts asks...
Hi Martin,
If you could only use one fly for Striped Bass fishing off the Northeast coast of the U.S. what would it be and why?
Chris, Watertown, Massachusetts
Martin's advice...
Dear Chris
What an interesting question!
Striper bass on the east coast of the United States are certainly an exciting and fashionable fish to catch either on lure, flies or bait.
I much prefer fly fishing though if the winds are to strong then I am more than happy to fish with a spinning rod.
Its interesting to note that many English anglers are switching from the Bahamas and the bonefish to the stripers of the eastern seaboard.
There are many patterns of flies that will entice a strike from a striper, its hard to name just one fly pattern. I would choose two fly patterns, a Lefty Kreh Deceiver and Bob Clouser deep minnow.
Depending on what bait the stripers are feeding on, you will have to choose a colour combination that will imitate the bait fish. Chartreuse and white is certainly an excellent colour combination. I would suggest half a dozen different colour combinations in both patterns in hook sizes 1/0's and 2/0's.
The reason for choosing these two patterns are they have a proven pedigree. As previously stated there are many patterns that stripers eat but these two certainly work. Bob Popovics surf candy is another good pattern but for starters stick with Clouser and Kreh's Deceiver. I have fished Cape Cod in Massachusetts with Andrew Cummings. I have also fished the area around the lower Connecticut river and Eastern Long Island Sound with Dixon Merkt - both are excellent guides.
What you do need when fishing for stripers on the east coast is a good quality rod that will cast tight loops. I would suggest a nine weight Thomas and Thomas Horizon or SC model I use both and cannot fault them.
What I like are the good size stripping guides.
If I can be of further help please write again.
Kindest regards,
Martin
- Catch Martin James' At the Waters Edge on BBC Radio Lancashire on Thursdays at 7.30pm and Saturdays at 6.00am - or via 'Listen Again' online. Each show is available for seven days.
