Fly Fishing Tips and Smashing my PB of 2023 - Wild Brown Trout Fly Fishing

[@robertalp3878]

Great video and a cracking fish at 22 mins - and yes, it counts!

[@WestCountryAngler]

That’s Robert. I’ve been so used to catching fingerlings on the river that when a fish pulls back it takes me by surprise! Thanks for watching and for commenting

[@ascot1049]

Brilliant day .

[@WestCountryAngler]

It was and I'm hoping it's not the last one like that this year but I fear it might be! Thanks for watching as always

[@graymain]

Nice one Paul. You can fish how ever you like, whatever works for you .

[@WestCountryAngler]

Thanks for watching, that’s exactly what I’ll be doing 😀

[@WestCountryAngler]

Thanks for watching, that’s exactly what I’ll be doing 😀

[@fieldsman3307]

Well done Paul looks as if you had a really good session, no fishing here as rivers still on their bones, Mike

[@WestCountryAngler]

We have been getting enough rain to keep the river just right with levels so we are very fortunate. Fingers crossed you get the rain you need. Thanks for watching as always 🙏

[@thomaspakes907]

Some lovely fish there looks like a decent beat. When putting the rod together rub a little candle wax (cheapos of Amazon do the job) on the male end of the ferrule all round but thin then put the ferrule on at 90 degrees and twist into position when you feel slight tension (not hard though). Makes taking the rod apart after a session easy especially when it cools in the evening and prolongs the life/reduces the chance of damage as well as making sure all stays in position no matter how hard you haul

[@WestCountryAngler]

Thanks Thomas, sorry for the delay in replying. I'll give that a go and thanks for watching

[@markhensel1843]

Thanks - when the video started I was thinking ‘I miss when he used to take us along for a walk to new pools ‘ It was nice to see the environment along your rivers as I’m in Northeastern US and the similarities are interesting ( well we are called 'New England' for a reason I guess) - we do differ in my local streams are steeper gradients with large rocks ( I have to make use of wadding staff . Bug numbers are way down here as well - main action this year is ants and crane-fly patterns. Down side from the pandemic is a lot more people discovered the rivers - some places are really getting hit hard. The fly fisher's curse 'One more cast ... one more ... '.

[@WestCountryAngler]

Hi Mark and thanks for watching and I didn’t realise our rivers were so similar to yours. All I needed was the river to have the right conditions for my videos to get back to normal. I’m also hoping the insect life picks up soon too. Thanks again and thanks for watching 🙏

[@ianmiller865]

still the best fishing channel on here, cheers buddy.

[@WestCountryAngler]

Hi Ian, How can I not smile with a compliment like that! Thanks for watching, I admire your persistence!

[@ianmiller865]

@@WestCountryAngler and as you know i dont even fly fish,lol

[@kensweet6022]

Hi Paul, if you're having some problems with some dry flies not being too buoyant, try applying the smallest amount of mucilin or similar to the fly, then just using a cloth to absorb/remove most of it and then apply the dry fly powder. It works exceptionally well and then the powder will be probably all you'll need for some time before another dose of mucilin. As for the downstream dry fly fishing, so what? The reasoning behind casting "upstream & across" for dry & "downstream & across" for wets has, in my opinion, long been left behind and a downstream cast to a rising trout may only be ill considered if the fly is likely to "drag", and even that can be compensated for. I've been fishing from the age of 5yrs and fly fishing from the age of 20. I'm now just shy of 75yrs and no "purist" will sway my thoughts although they are entitled to continue to fish as they do. I have no problem with that either! As long as there are no fishery rules that restrict you, carry on carrying on. One small tip to avoid those "oops missed it" moments, once your fly hits the water, do not let your eyes stray from that fly until you are about to lift off again! 🎣🎣🎣🎣

[@WestCountryAngler]

Thanks Ken. I really appreciate that. Like you I tend to ignore what may be considered a purists attitude 👍. Concentration can be an issue for me as I do often listen for rises and occasionally thinking of being smug by sending a friend a photo of my catch! Thanks for watching

[@kensweet6022]

@@WestCountryAngler 👍

[@DaviekFlyFishing]

Reckon we're similar anglers mate, good casts , bad casts but still catch enough fish!! Tight Lines, love the videos.

[@WestCountryAngler]

Haha, I like to think I'm the average, I'll never try and teach!

[@williamporter9928]

You are extremely lucky 1. that you can catch the river in good fishing conditions with a fly hatch. 2 that if the fishing was rubbish you’re in a great part of the country. You may consider fitting the top of your net with insulation foam tube to float it for photos etc , also I amazed that you don’t use a wadding staff tight lines

[@WestCountryAngler]

Thanks William. I am very lucky, I know many people have moved so they can be close to the river, I just happened to discover fly fishing and the river was just there for me. As it is so close, if I have the time, I’m there in a few minutes. Then I discover if the conditions are good or it’s a bust. I don’t use a wading staff as I find it gets in the way but I used to use one when I first started on the river. Now I know where the holes are I’m pretty confident in where I’m walking. Sometimes a big stone surprises me though! Thanks for watching

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

I know it's probably a bit obvious but the first piece of advice I would give a begginer is to practice their casting away from the river. Not always easy but the more you can make the casting "second nature " the more your fishing will improve. Nice brownie Paul👍 I would definitely count it, on our streams you have to approach them anyway you can.

[@WestCountryAngler]

Thanks Chris, that’s great advice and something I should definitely try myself 🤦‍♂️🤣

[@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724]

You do alright Paul, we could all improve our fishing ,that's why we keep going isn't it! I was referring to the real beginners I've occasionally taken out, it's always the casting that holds them back. Tight lines, looks a bit cooler this week with, dare I say it, some rain.....