Fly fishing Frequently asked questions / FAQ

No I am afraid not. Whilst my ultimate aim is to get you catching trout on your first day there can never be any guarantee. Even highly experienced anglers like me have blank days although these are thankfully very rare! 

The time of year, weather conditions and other aspects all play an important part in the chance of catching. This is all part and parcel of fishing I am afraid. Like I said I want to maximise your chances of catching so if weather conditions were not favourable i.e very hot and sunny, or strong northerly wind etc I may advice you to cancel. That said 85 – 90% of my customers hook a trout with most landing it. If you are going to become a fly fisherman you will have to get use to "blanking" i.e not catching a fish once in a while.

 Just you! I offer one on one (121) tuition, however if you have a friend or relative that also wants to learn I teach up to a maximum of four people per day / lesson.

 Its £199 for the day including all tackle etc, with a 20 % discount for two or more of you, and / or two or more days booked. Plus the fishery day ticket which you can take two fish home to eat which is £10, plus the Environment agency day rod license which is £6 unless you already have a full years one. For larger groups a special discount will be available.

To book a day you can simply email me or use the contact form, details are HERE. Don't forget to look at my availability calendar first which is HERE. I will then send you a pro forma invoice via email after I have answered any questions you may have, to book simply make payment, and I will then confirm receipt and your booking. You will then get a further email from me 7 days before your booked date with directions to the fishery and things you need to bring (Sunglasses, sun cream etc)

 It is very rare I cancel a days fishing and this is only ever done on safety grounds either due to thunderstorms forecast (10 feet of carbon fly rod in your hand is not a great idea!) or strong winds usually around 25mph +. I will always give you as much warning as possible but the weather forecast is not that accurate more than 3 days ahead. In the event of a cancellation you will be offered the next available date of your choice.

What if you the customer wants to cancel? You can cancel for whatever reason, the weather may be terrible, for example raining very hard, and whilst its safe to fish you may not fancy standing out in it all day (this is supposed to be fun after all) All I ask is you give me as much notice as possible, at least the day before your lesson please. If you do cancel then you can pick another day that's available, there is no extra cost involved at all.

 I highly recommend Exe Valley fly fishing as its a very small water with easy flat access for disabled or some of my more mature customers. As well as Flowers Fly fishing in Dorset which is set in a stunning peaceful location, Flowers is my favourite and recommended fishery.

I also use Hawkridge Reservoir north of Taunton because its not too big, has plenty of good easy to access bank space and is well stocked. In addition I use Wimbleball Trout Fishery North of Tiverton, this is a larger water but well stocked.

I do from time to time use other fisheries like Clatworthy and Sutton Bingham and Wimbleball. Flowers Farm Trout fishery and Exe Valley are my favourites though and highly recommended. 

As I fish these lakes on a weekly basis I have a good idea where the fish will be and what flies should work, therefore maximising your chances of taking a Trout or two home with you.

There is a lodge on site with full toilet facilities, and for those travelling further plenty of great accommodation locally from camping, B&B's and hotels. 

Yes I have £5 Million pounds Public Liability Insurance and £1 Million Pounds Professional Indemnity Insurance

No, everything you need, rods, reel, line, flies, leaders etc is provided by me free of charge including a plastic bag to take home your catch if you want to. If you do have your own fly fishing tackle feel free to bring it along if you want, I am happy to appraise it for you and advise on any changes you should make.

Yes you do. You need a standard "Trout and coarse 2 rod license" You can buy this online and even get a day licence for £6. Buy here direct from the environment agency. In addition you must obey the rules of the fishery, this may include returning all Brown Trout alive, and also any fish over a certain weight for example 6lbs.

Can you teach yourself to fly fish? 

Yes you can as I did,but it will take considerably longer, you are far more likely to pick up bad habits, and the chances are you will get fed up of not catching fish and give up. You will also probably buy the wrong fly fishing tackle as the rod and line need to be matched to each other, and the correct set up for the type of fishing you want, i.e reservoir or small river.

How much do fly fishing lessons cost?

A full days tuition with me on a one to one basis is £199 plus the cost of the fishery day ticket which is £10 for beginners for two fish taken, or £35 for a full day ticket if you want although this allows you up to five fish to take home so is great value. I offer a 20% discount for two or more people booking, or if a single person books 2 days or more.Other trout fisheries prices vary.

Is fly fishing hard to learn?

Fly fishing is an art and a skill, its not the easiest form of fishing but its the most rewarding, once you learn the basics its all about practice, practice practice.There are 6 basic rules that you have to follow when casting, each take a little time to master, but if followed you will be doing an overhead cast within the hour. The more you put into it the better you will become at fly casting and catching game fish such as Trout.

What time of year is best for fly fishing?

It all depends on the fishery in question and the weather, as a general rule March to early June is excellent. July and August can be tough if its hot due to high water temperatures. September, October, November and December can also be excellent. The best months in my opinion are October, November and early December if its nor too cold, as the trout are feeding heavily and putting on weight for the winter months.

Yes of course, I offer a 20% discount for two guests or if a single person books two days fly fishing tuition. Lrger discounts are vailable for more than two customers, Max is four.

Yes I do, either for the full days fly fishing tuition / experience, to include or exclude the fishery day ticket. 

Or I can issue a gift voucher as part of the price, i.e a voucher for £25, £50, £75

My vouchers are ideal for Christmas or Birthday gifts, are valid for a whole 12 months, and are personalised for you.

See fly fishing gift vouchers for more information.

No, sorry even if accompanied by an adult. The minimum age I will teach is 16 accompanied, due to Insurance limitations.However I do know another instructor who will teach children so please contact me and I will put you in touch.

I offer free tackle loan for beginners lessons using very high quality rods, reels and lines, its advisable that you don’t buy your own tackle until you know this sport is for you. However if you do want to buy your own I can put a package together for you online at no cost. Don’t forget second hand tackle can save you a lot of money.

See the shop for a full list of fly fishing tackle click here

As a pointer you will need a 9ft -  10ft fly rod rated 7/8# line weight new price from about £70.

A fly reel suitable for the line, fly reels are really only used to store the line and not for playing a fish (unless the fish is large) so about £25.
A good quality fly line floating 7 or 8 weight, about £40

Backing about £8, (unless your buying a reel with a line already on it) braided loops about £5 some fluorocarbon 6lbs breaking strain £5 and a selection of flys (nymphs, dry flies like sedges, buzzers and lures size 10 to 12) a starter selection will cost you about £40 for about 100 flies. 

A landing net £30 a priest for killing the fish £5 and that’s about it. Oh and a bass bag to keep your fish fresh or just use a cloth bag if you have one.

Ideally you would need a second reel with a sinking line and maybe a second rod so you have both a floating and sinking set up ready to use as conditions dictate. Many tackle shops sell starter kits so the line and backing is already on the reel.

Ok, well you might be able to see the fish feeding near the surface, either a series of boils or even see their heads or backs breaking the surface, or they may be deeper in the water and not visible. Either way we cast our fly out and begin to retrieve it.

You have been casting for an hour or so, thinking about what you are going to have for dinner because at this rate its not going to be Trout, or how nice that pint will taste later. All of a sudden you feel that pull, the line goes heavy! a fish, your in!. You are in a blind panic, you forget everything I have taught you and you might even wet yourself a little bit. You raise the rod up sharply and the hook is set. Your heart is in your mouth, you will be shaking if its your first trout trust me.

Your rod is bent and you begin to play the fish. Holding the rod in your right hand and pulling the line in with your left hand, you must keep the tension on the line to keep the fish hooked but allow the fish to run if it wants or the leader may snap, this is done by allowing line to go out at a controlled rate.

The trout is swimming left to right, all of a sudden it makes a dash for it, you allow the line to slip through your fingers under control. Again enough to keep a bend in the rod but not enough to break you. All of a sudden the trout jumps clear of the water, shaking its head to try and shake the hook. A few more runs like this and the fish is tiring and getting closer to you. Your landing net is at your side, when the fish is ready for the net it will lie on its side and you are able to pull its head clear of the water (see photo) and guide it to the net. Onto the bank, you did it!

You will never tire of this, and even now after 40 years that pull on the line is the best feeling in the world and always gets the adrenaline flowing,they say "the tug is the drug". You can either carefully release the fish or kill it for the table

1. What is fly fishing?
Fly fishing is a method of angling that uses specialized lightweight flies, typically made of feathers, fur, and other materials, to imitate aquatic insects, baitfish, or other prey. It involves casting a nearly weightless fly line, which carries the fly to the target area.

2. What is the difference between fly fishing and regular fishing?
The primary difference is the technique and equipment used. Fly fishing employs a specialized fly rod, reel, and line, with the weight of the line being used to cast the fly. Conventional fishing, on the other hand, typically uses a heavier lure or bait that is cast with the weight of the lure itself.

3. Is fly fishing difficult to learn?
Like any skill, fly fishing has a learning curve, but it can be enjoyed by people of all skill levels. Mastering the casting technique takes practice, but with patience and guidance, beginners can quickly become proficient.

4. What kind of fish can be caught with fly fishing?
Fly fishing can target a wide range of freshwater and saltwater fish species. Common freshwater targets include trout, bass, panfish, and salmon. In saltwater, fly fishing is popular for species like bonefish, tarpon, redfish, and striped bass, among others.

5. Do I need a lot of space to fly fish?
Fly fishing can be done in various environments, including rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and even the ocean. While some situations may require more space for casting, there are techniques and specialized casts, such as roll casting or bow-and-arrow casting, that allow for effective fly presentation in tight spaces.

6. What equipment do I need to start fly fishing?
Basic fly fishing equipment includes a fly rod, reel, fly line, leader, tippet, flies, and accessories like forceps, nets, and a fly box. Additional gear like waders, boots, and polarized sunglasses may be necessary for certain environments.

7. Do I need a fishing license for fly fishing?
Yes, in most jurisdictions, a fishing license is required to engage in fly fishing. Fishing regulations vary by location, so it's important to research and obtain the appropriate fishing license before heading out.

8. Can I practice fly casting without water?
Yes, fly casting can be practiced in open spaces without water. You can practice your casting techniques in your backyard, a local park, or even indoors using a practice fly or a piece of yarn as a substitute for a fly.

Remember, these answers provide a general overview, and specific details may vary depending on your location, target species, and fishing regulations. It's always a good idea to consult local fishing authorities, guides, or experienced anglers for more specific information and guidance.