news-blog

Upper Tees 17 May 2013

Mon, 20 May 2013 08:19:38 +0100

Guiding with Derick on the Upper Tees
Derick said: "What a great day, everything was perfect from the Bacon Sarnies to the pint of Rivet Catcher at the Langdon Hotel at the end of the day. Knowledge and expertise second to none, banter brilliant, companionship superb not much more to say really other than Cheers Mate"

Horrendeous weather however...........

Thu, 16 May 2013 08:58:35 +0100

Guiding on Monday, a re-arranged day due to the very cold & slow early April we had. A month later and the forecast was not much better apart from a tad warmer but still snow, hail, wind, gale force gusts and rain interspersed with sunny spells ...so the forecast was not great.
Skippy once told me (Stuart Crofts) that some of the days we think are not going to be great actually end up being some of the best days !!....it must be good old fashioned Yorkshire common sense.
Anyway arrived at the river set up and at 11.00am a few Olive Uprights started to hatch and a few fish started moving. All I can say is that in the next 7 hours I have never seen as many Olive Uprights in my life and the trout were keen. getting a drag free drift and any sort of presentation on a wind tightened leader is almost impossible but maybe one presentation out of 20 does the right thing.
We had squalls that were horrendous, hail stones that made us duck for cover then when it dropped to a nice easy Gale with a bit sunshine...up came the Olive Uprights again...FANTASTIC
Alan, who I was guiding had a great day...his company was fantastic especially so when you can imagine the frustration of guiding during a monster hatch and good trout are rising !!....he was patient and concentrated throughout.
The results were a great fishing day on a weather horrendous day.

A few pictures of the day featuring a happy Alan:

a few more crackers on the 'LDO Lifter'

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:29:02 +0100

Blimey...this spring is taking some time to warm up and I'm sure it's because we were so spoilt last year with such a warm early start. In reality the insects never really get going until there are a few leaves on the hedgerows & trees and they are just now showing some greenery up in the frozen north !!.
I managed to squeeze just over an hour this Wednesday on a warm but very windy river in between some appointments with hotels, guest houses & one of my major tackle suppliers.
There was still evidence of snow on the hills and large dark clouds to the North but I remained in sunshine despite gale force southerly winds.

I expected to see a coloured river but was pleasantly surprised when I stopped en-route to check over a bridge (Why do all of us fishermen always stop or slow down and look over bridges?...looked a good level...with just a touch of colour but definitely worth an hour. Waders on rod set up with a 15' leader and Lifter (a dry fly - see earlier Blog for info' & tying details) and to the river.
Looking for Large Dark Olives & March Browns ..absolutely nothing so rolled up a smoke and sat down !!...within 5 minutes saw a LDO in the air...then another two and then some more. I hought I saw a disturbance in some fast water in the corner of my eye....cover it anyway...second pass and the gentlest of rises and Fish On !!.......nice fish too.....after a decent scrap the trout came to hand... a quick picture and released safely back in the river......
well over 50cm and I guess 2.5lb...ish and I'm a happy chap.

Decided to cover some likely water and in the next 10 minutes two more over the 1.5lb mark and a fish I guess to be 2lb hooked momentarily and off. I spent another 40 minutes walking, looking for risers & casting to likely holding areas and apart from a few grayling nothing else stirred despite a few decent flushes of LDO's....by this time the wind had picked up into a full gale blowing across river into my face and I guess the sunshine and wind meant the LDO's were not sticking to the surface and getting in the air really quick. Casting was a bit of a pain too but now and again the wind just eased for a second or two and I could present the dry. By this time the cloud had cleared and the sun was shining ...so bright sunny conditions and a river carrying some snow melt ..I can't really complain.

Went back to the spot I caught the last good fish a couple of weeks ago and took a picture of where it was lying............ tight to the bank under the right hand branch...had to cast into the gap without snagging and drift under the branch ....bet I can't do it in a months time when the leaves are on ?? Felt really pleased with myself to get that one....he definitely felt safe in there....!!!!

It only goes to illustrate that a bit of perseverence and being in the right place at the right time and action can be had.

By the way, made my last appointment of the day 40 minutes early even having squeezed in 1.5 hrs fishing.... Delighted

Eden Beauty

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:24:06 +0100

Despite these challenging spring conditions managed a nice one on Saturday and at 53 cm was very pleased especially on the dry from a really difficult lie under some branches ...it thought it was safe !!....
We just need some warmer weather and the water to warm up to get some more of these on the feed.

Cold, Clear & Challenging but there's still reasons to be cheerful...

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:41:01 +0100

These Easterly winds have been with us for over 3 weeks now and with temperatures just getting above zero and daily snow squalls it is a completely different season to our glorious 21 degree start last year!. We're now into April and there's still snow around !!

Large Dark Olives and Midge are coming off at lunchtime and a few out of season grayling are moving on our rivers East of the Pennines however the trout definitely have their heads down and the odd ones coming to the nymph are in need of some serious spring sustenance. West of the Pennines, its a similar story except the odd trout are willing to pop their nose out the water. Over the border on the Tweed, it's very quiet but I expect this to change over the next few days.

The weather forecast is for Westerly's from this weekend so that can only be good...warmer and I guess a lift in river levels with snow melt and rain!!....could be back end of next week before conditions are good and things really start to warm up to get the hatches going and the trout moving.
Up North we have a saying...."never cast a clout till May is out"...which means never take off a layer of clothing until June!!!
Its not a surprise that the fishing has been a little challenging but despite the poor conditions everyone has had a few fish ...even on dries; although nymphs have definitely been the percentage line of attack.
Give the following pattern a try..The LDO Lifter it's been a great pattern the last two years and seems to be doing the business again in 2013....better still you can fish it blind with confidence when there's nothing rising and it will pull fish up ....
The LDO Lifter...

Hook: TMC 103bl 13/15/17;
Body Thread : Danvilles Yellow;
Tail/Shuck: Turralls Ginger Polywing;
Thorax: Dubbed Hares Ear;
Underwing: Para Post (Dun)
Overwing: Elk
Head: Hares Ear

Bring on some warmth and lets get up and at them..........

Need some Fly Fishing Tackle or Gear ???

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:20:42 +0100

As the new 2013 season kicks off remember If you require any tackle, equipment or fly tying materials or just simply want some impartial advice, please get in touch and let DFF Co help by sourcing the best available and at extremely competitive prices.

Because we are not ...tied to any supplier, we have access to a huge range of fly fishing & fly tying gear, let the DFF Co take the hassle out of searching for what you need. Just get in touch and see what we can do to help.
Remember advice is free
Simples ;-)

http://www.durhamflyfishing.co.uk/contact-us.php

A New Season with new Bio Security responsibilities for all of us !!!!!!!!

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:07:07 +0100

We all seem to travel more to fish different rivers and waters than we ever did before...often to other parts of the UK but also abroad too.
So this is vitally important and illustrates that we anglers are a responsible bunch and take bio security seriously to protect our waters now and for the future.
It's really just common sense and not at all difficult so please everyone let's all do our bit and make sure we prevent the spread of invasive species on our waters ...... CHECK - CLEAN - DRY

Check out our Useful Info' Technical Page for a handy checklist
For more information go to the GB Non Native Species Secretariat
Or for a video featuring Stuart Crofts

Weather meets British Columbia !!

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:59:14 +0100

Last Saturday I was guiding Calvin on the Swale and to say it was a bit cold was an understatement.
Calvin was over from British Columbia visiting family in the area and got in touch at short notice as he fancied a few hours on a Northern spate river chasing grayling. Job sorted....wished I could have sorted the weather though !!....well I guess it was almost home from home!!! and even a nice big smile too.

The futures looking bright....the future is The Durham Fly Fishing Company.... ...

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 10:23:58 +0100

If January and the first week of February is an indication of orders and bookings for the 2013 season...things are looking very bright here at The Durham Fly Fishing Company especially when you can feel that spring is just around the corner.
All guiding and tuition rates have once again been held at 2011 prices which means even better value for all my clients...past present & future.
A taster of new services for 2013...

Wilderness Fly Fishing adventure weekends on river/lake/loch in wild and remote locations across the UK ;
Gourmet fly fishing breaks....the perfect balance of a days fly fishing rounded off with excellent food and really comfortable accommodation;
Drifting for wild brown trout in the spectacular scenic Lake district or even a day fishing for char on the fully equipped DFFCo boat!!
Weekend fly fishing camps...bring your tent and learn fly fishing ...great if you're on a budget as guiding & tuition shared across larger group sizes;
Chasing huge sea trout at night or sedge fishing for big browns into darkness;
Fishing for hard fighting rainbows on the big English reservoirs...Rutland, Grafham, Chew, Bewl or more intimate waters across the UK

and of course all the other services and bespoke packages you know from DFF Co..... the best of instruction, guiding as well as all your tackle requirements....... "exceeding expectations".

Appetite whetted?.....intererested??...make it happen by getting in touch

Stuart

A comfortable troutbum lifestyle....

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 09:13:59 +0100

Fishing is all about learning and now that I'm out and about travelling and fishing here and there I continue to learn.
One of the biggest issues for me this year was sleeping over in the Jeep.

My mate JT tells a good story of kipping in the car which may ring a few bells with those that have tried !!**!!!.

I'm a bit more up market (probably age related neccessity really) and my Jeep is kitted out as a great overnighter however a few things have been improved to achieve a comfortable overnight troutbum lifestyle.

The very best sleeping bag you can get...you can't be too warm so an ex army winter bag does a great job..... you honestly can't be too warm;
self inflating mattresses are useless !!!
a good cushion/pillow;
a portable loo arrangement.... you will quickly discover this for yourself;
an expedition multi-fuel cooker that boils a kettle quickly....ask John & Gibby about my old cooker....20 mins and luke warm tea!!!!
Pot Noodles.....Beef & Tomato with added chilli flakes .....say no more
and a new christmas present for next year ..... a bargain fishing bed chair I found at SportsDirect.com to raise me off the floor and to sleep outdoors on those warm summer nights we might get next year????......

It's a tough old life but comfort is a definite priority........ and I'm alaready getting excited about planned fly fishing adventures in 2013...with COMFORT ;-)