Fly Fishing for Beginners - What I Use for Fly Fishing UK Rivers

I'm often asked what fly fishing tackle I use so here is a run through of my rods, reels, boots, waders, flies, everything!
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Recommended Dry Fly Floatant
www.dryflypowder.com
Rods:
Shakespeare Agility 2 Fly Rod 10ft #3
Shakespeare Agility 2 Rise Fly Rod 6ft #3
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/ westcountryangler
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www.westcountryangler.co.uk
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#flyfishinguk #flyfishing #flyfishingforbeginners

[@frogsgottalent1106]

Great in-depth brief on your gear. Thanks very much.

[@WestCountryAngler]

Thanks for watching, really appreciate your comment

[@moonmonkey9595]

What a great video just subscribed my friend look forward to seeing more vids from you now

[@lyndoncook4508]

excellent video 👍 what a refreshing change to the usual tackletart nonsense where only Sage, Orvis blah blah will do, love it

[@WestCountryAngler]

Thanks Lyndon. Not many of us can spend that amount of money on gear and I’m likely to break my kit as I don’t fish manicured rivers 😉. Thanks for watching

[@alexcoomes6326]

i very much enjoyed seeing what you take fishing, I think we could all take a long hard look at what we take fishing an leave a great deal of the contents of our tackle bags at home - less is more!

[@WestCountryAngler]

Thanks Alex. You’re right, thanks for watching and I really appreciate you commenting

[@brianreed1451]

good to see you again always good easy watching

[@WestCountryAngler]

Thanks Brian

[@petersmith6974]

22 days to go 👍🏻. I’m ready for another season,the river once again has changed over winter. A new river each year to explore 👍🏻.

[@1dowsey]

Just starting out and this was so helpful thank you

[@WestCountryAngler]

Hi Dave. Thanks for watching and the subscription. I’ll be doing a lot more fly fishing videos this year and I’m really pleased I could help you. Thanks for the comment

[@richardgarbett1633]

Hi Paul, Great vlog and many thanks for the kind words mate. 🙂

[@WestCountryAngler]

Thanks for watching Richard and you deserve the credit. You tie great flies!

[@stuartgreig2256]

Good video and lovely pup 👍

[@WestCountryAngler]

Thanks Stuart and thank you for watching 😀

[@markjoyce2127]

I was wondering whether to get a 10ft 3 wt shakespeare agility 2 when I came across your video. Delighted to hear its a good rod that won't cost a fortune. Great video for the flyfisher that can't spend a fortune on gear like most of us 😀 👍

[@WestCountryAngler]

It's a great rod but I'd also recommend the maxcatch rods, I think they are all made from the same blanks. You're right though, there is no need to spend a lot of money to enjoy fly fishing. Thanks for watching

[@nigelfairburn7554]

Enjoyed your kit overview. I've caught trout on the River Itchen on guest tickets with fifty quid rods and I think one rod a Rovex was even cheaper on my fist outing. The fifty quid rod challenge 👍🏻

[@WestCountryAngler]

Thanks for watching Nigel. If I was a better fly fisherman then a better rod might make a difference, but as an average caster at best, no rod is going to improve my casting.

[@laurieharper1526]

Enjoyed the video. Climbing the walls not being able to get out in the lovely Spring weather. Had a trip to the Usk planned which has had to be cancelled :-(. I've got those same waders and from Diver Dave. Very pleased with them. Loopy Leaders on eBay do decent and cheap furled leaders. I have several in varying lengths/weights. For bargain powder floatant, try fletching powder from archery suppliers (it's used to waterproof the feathers of arrow flights). Much lower price than stuff sold as fly floatant and does the same job. I find clear nail varnish is good for patching cracks in fly lines. Great little dog you have there.

[@WestCountryAngler]

Thanks Laurie! Really appreciate those suggestions, and thanks for watching my video 👍😀

[@alanmasters4171]

Thanks for the info. Bought myself a 7 foot 4wt Agility rise, and ordered a pair of waders off of diver Dave. Looking for some boots now. Thanks for all your video's, enjoy them all.

[@WestCountryAngler]

You’ll love the rod for the money and Diver Dave does great work. With boots I tend to accept they will fail. We put them through so much I’d rather use cheaper boots but a lot would disagree with me. But it’s fun buying new kit!

[@laurieharper1526]

Orvis Access wading boots are being sold off at around half price at the moment. Just got a pair. Not the cheapest, but nice boots and very comfortable - a bit roomier than others (I have wide feet, so find some a bit cramped).

[@proskipper1]

Enjoyed the video glad you're staying safe - can't wait to get back on the moor - gonna give a furled leader a go next time (Have P.M you on FB) CheersTim G

[@WestCountryAngler]

Thanks Tim. I saw your message and I’ll reply in a moment 👍. Thanks for watching. The furled leader definitely helped when there is a breeze and I’m only using a few feet of fly line

[@joshlinford450]

Hi Paul, I’m from Somerset aswell I go pike fishing and also fly fishing with my grandad, next time your on the river in langport is it possible for me and you to meet up and go fishing for the day, I’m at my grandads at the moment in langport on the river side next to the bridge on the bridge from langport to Muchelney, I love your videos keep up the good work

[@Burnersforvanlife]

Aching to get back out. On the look out for a good pair of chest waders. My local river holds a good head of brownies, biggest 4.5lb. IME only 5'6" so need to trial fit. A nightmare with the imprisonment

[@WestCountryAngler]

That is one of the issues with waders, finding a stockist which has the ones you like to try on. And of course, right now nowhere is open! Fingers crossed we will have a season to fish this year!

[@marklamude2355]

Thanks for the film very good. i am currently transitioning from ultra light lure gear ( 7'3" rod and 2500 reel) fishing 5cm minnows and mepps 1 spinners, into a brook/small river fly set up. The main reason being that my west country angling passport is very limited for lure and spinning, my other main river is the Lyn (which im sure you will know) can you help with set up? i will be fishing the same venues, but the fly will open up lots more water for me without the baliff shouting at me for lure fishing lol i was thinking 7' 3# what is your opinion? Many thanks and kind regards, Mark.

[@WestCountryAngler]

Hi Mark. I’ve not fished the Lyn. The Exe is maybe 25 foot wide at the widest so the 10ft is good but if the Lyn is narrower or overgrown the 7ft would be good. Thanks for watching 👍

[@BUSHCRAFTTOOLS]

Such a cute dog

[@WestCountryAngler]

Cheers Dustin. He’s going to be more popular than me I think 😀

[@peteredwards9147]

Hi, good video, great content, you didn't mention what size flies you use. Being mainly a reservoir lure angler you put my fly boxes to shame, but each to their own. Good luck and enjoy what your doing.

[@WestCountryAngler]

Thanks Peter. My flies are usually 14/16 occasionally 12. I try to go out with just the one so I have less to carry. Thanks for watching and for the comment

[@ianmiller865]

happydays your back....looks beautiful where you live is that north or south devon but dont worry am not a nutter,lol.

[@WestCountryAngler]

It’s mid Devon so close with both guesses! Well after this video I’ve no idea what content I can put up next. Thanks for watching though Ian 👍

[@fieldsman3307]

hi, watched this and wondered if you ever use a 4wt line for the extra bit of throw

[@WestCountryAngler]

Hi. No. I’ve always used the line rated for the rod. I don’t have to cast far on my rivers so distance hasn’t been a problem

[@willmaynard9016]

If you're obsessed with dry fly fishing, you should give Tenkara fishing a shot Paul. Have a look at Tenkara in focus on KZbin. Paul Gaskell from the Wild Trout Trust runs the channel with John Pearson who is also a very adept fisherman. It's a great channel and all I really do now adays. Plus it's minimal for when you're travelling distances. Love the channel mate.... And the new pup.

[@WestCountryAngler]

Thanks Willie. I’ll take a look at it. I’ve never really looked into Tenkara. Thanks for the idea and thanks for watching 😀

[@chrisedwards9103]

Hi good video. What weight of line do you use on you 3weight rods

[@WestCountryAngler]

Thanks Chris. I use a 3 weight WF line

[@marklamude2355]

Yeah and The Hound is awesome by the way, dont let him slip into bad habits like my dog, but to be fair ive got a mental jack russel, not ideal for fishing the rivers lol

[@michaelknowles2888]

i have w 7 rod can i use 6 or 5 line on this rod pleas meny thanks michael ps nice channel

[@WestCountryAngler]

Hi. You can use lighter or heavier lines, it’s just what feels right for you and if the line is heavy enough to load the rod. If it’s too light you won’t get sufficient forward momentum. Thanks for watching

[@fieldsman3307]

hi, just in time for new season I found a super little bits bag, not to big and just right with shoulder strap....ex polish army olive green gas mask bag from Centre of Britain Army Surplus on ebay, cost £7.30 and couldn't be better

[@WestCountryAngler]

Some find a bag gets in the way but I prefer it to a vest. That’s a bargain! 👍

[@Kevin-rh5li]

I am a coarse angler of 60 years and have decided to take up fly fishing and this video has been very helpful, a question what is a tippet ? thanks in advance

[@WestCountryAngler]

Hi Kevin. The tippet is a length of mono that’s links the fly to the leader. You can replace the tippet rather than keep trimming your leader as they get kinked and shorten when you can get your fly. Hope that helps

[@Kevin-rh5li]

@@WestCountryAngler OK yes that makes sense thanks for the reply now to watch your videos.

[@ascot1049]

Brilliant, glad you got a dog..

[@WestCountryAngler]

Thank you. He is brilliant and can’t wait to see him when I’m on the river