Fly fishing day

Would there be any interest in organising a close season fly fishing day with tuition for beginners and perhaps the possibility of fishing for (still water) pike as well as trout?

I've had a brief word with Brian at Haliford Mere trout fishery near Shepperton http://www.hallifordmere.co.uk/flyfishing.asp He gave me the following approximate/provisional costs:

ticket - £15
tackle hire - £10
tuition - circa £20 per head, depending upon numbers that want it.

To keep costs down It is possible that between us we could get away without an instructor, although I think professional casting instruction is well worth the cost for first timers. I have a couple of spare sets of tackle too and we might be able to rustle up one or two more sets.

Obviously the aim would be to get this in during the close season - say the latter part of May or early June (aka "duffers fortnight"). Could be a weekend although if an instructor were required they tend to be booked up well in advance, so a midweek afternoon session is more likely. However by early June "dusk" isn't til about 10pm, which could still allow about 4 hours for those fishing after work.

Do post up here if interested and with your preference/requirement for weekend/midweek pm, tackle hire, tuition.

When I have approximate numbers I can come back with firmer costings and some dates.

Would be interested Pike wise Paul ,Are they a viable target there??

Steve Appleford wrote:

Would be interested Pike wise Paul ,Are they a viable target there??

Apparently so: http://www.flyforums.co.uk/fly-fishing-other-species/227326-fly-piking-haliford-mere.html

BTW Do you think they've got their spawning/close season dates right?

They certainly go over 20 lbs in there. A couple of years ago Walton PAC had a couple of days on there by special arrangement I think smaller pike are moved into the main lake but the big girls are put back.

It's unusual enough to find a (mainly) catch and release trout fishery, let alone one where pike are put back.

And one near London where you don't have to go to the EC for bail out funds before buying a ticket.

Yep sold i am in then ...will see if i can convince Rusty to come ,re spawning varies water to water even river sections ...Spoke to a guy just before close who said the section above the weir we were fishing they had already started but i had a few that day that hadn`t ...as a guide there dates are about right though.
I have a spare 10# rod and reel but no line if that helps anyone ,is it a deep margin venue?? clear water?? nothing beats seeing em come and flare gills as thety engulf it Steve.

With the people I mentioned the idea to at the AGM and who seemed seemed interested in the idea, you & Rusty would take it up to half a dozen which is the maximum number an instructor would handle.
Presumably having your own tackle you (& Rusty?) wouldn't require tuition?

Paul Snell wrote:

With the people I mentioned the idea to at the AGM and who seemed seemed interested in the idea, you & Rusty would take it up to half a dozen which is the maximum number an instructor would handle.
Presumably having your own tackle you (& Rusty?) wouldn't require tuition?

Paul whilst no expert i can cast passibly not sure about Rusty with the heavier gear but he has fly fished before so guessing he would be ok ,will speak to him over the weekend and get back to you then ,is it only open to TAC members?? as a couple of other mates may be interested if that helps numbers>?? working Friday will speak to them saturday and see Steve.

The more the merrier I reckon., although they may not be too keen about a big group booking over a weekend.

The main limiting factor is that the instructor's maximum is half a dozen, but we might not need one anyhow.

Yes I'd like to go if that's ok (Rusty here), it's ages since I've fished a venue like that. Bit concerned about the funeral services they offer , do many people fall in then?

My casting is not good but I just about get away with it.

Another couple of mates are up for it to subject to date Paul ,Rusty Anderoo says the restraunt there is quite good you will be pleased to hear ...Steve walker is keen to .
If any others off here want to try i have a spare 5/6# outfit they can borrow for the trooot .

Count me in chaps, absolute novice so be gentle

David Harvey wrote:

Count me in chaps, absolute novice so be gentle

Don`t worry Dave you ain`t seen our casting yet

Great, looks like we should be able to get a half a dozen or so which is what I was hoping for.

I'll try and sort a few details out tomorrow, if Brian's at work, otherwise it'll have to wait til next weekend as I'm away in deepest Devon otter-spotting (and perhaps finding the odd suicidal little brownie).

Steve Appleford wrote:

David Harvey wrote:

Count me in chaps, absolute novice so be gentle

Don`t worry Dave you ain`t seen our casting yet

Don't worry - there are loads of little nooks & crannies to hide away from public gaze (and catch lost of foliage!)

Date dependant I would be up for this.

Fished at Haliford mere this morning for the first time, Really enjoyed it down there very friendly and helpfull, even had some help with casting and other hints and tips from Terry, their Instructor.

Still Blanked though , my mate had one small rainbow ,the regulars said it had been fairly tough going.

Paul I am still up for this depending on dates.

maybe a bit early for fly fishing for trout at the moment?i would wait a bit longer for the natural flies hatching,but stockies should take anything

Now you riverfly-trained lads can tell a caddis from a mayfly I thought better bump this, mayflies should be hatching soon?