The Durham Fly Fishing Company NEWS BLOG

 

Stuart Wardle Durham Fly Fishing Bio:


Stuart Wardle A fanatical fly fisherman and licensed coach who has been lucky to have fished with some great fishermen in many fantastic places around the world. The North of England and Scottish Borders are very special places and have some beautiful and fantastic waters to fly fish. I'm still learning the craft after more than 40years and I hope the flyfishing journey will never end. Fly Fishing Bio: 1967 first perch on a worm 1999 England International; 2002 CEFF Chairman 2006 Team England Rivers Manager; 2010 Commonwealth Team Silver Medal (Wales) 2011 Started The Durham Fly Fishing Company; 2012 Commonwealth Team Silver Medal (Tasmania); 2012 Appointed Head Coach to the Angling Trust/ADB Talent Pathway Programme; 2014 Commonwealth Team Silver Medal (England); 2014 Launch of www.flyfishingvideoguide.com 2016 Commonwealth Team Member in Canada 2018 Commonwealth Team Member in Northern Ireland

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PRESENTATION: Success in low and clear rivers

May 24, 2015

This is a story about a real guiding day with a regular client Kelvin.
He had been out with me a good few times and I have to say his fly fishing has improved so much in a year that he is now a very decent fly fisher and able to catch a good few trout & grayling on the rivers. With the river levels being so low and clear and very little hatching during the day I suggested he may wish to re-arrange however all credit to him, he wanted to use this as an opportunity to really develop his skills and tactics to handle such situations. Great... although for a Guide this provides some trepidation as we like to make sure our clients have a great day and with that ...catch a few fish. When it’s going to be tough it does make the job more difficult however, this needs to be viewed in context. One fish on a difficult day will often require a lot more application, effort and skill than 20 fish on an easy day...and perhaps therefore, a greater reward?.

The Plan

I have a fishing mantra that is simple (the best things usually are?) and needs to be considered in sequence....

1. Location,

2. Presentation,

3. Fly selection

Following a chat with Kelvin we both agreed that this day was going to concentrate on Location & Presentation and use a wide range of tactics and techniques to help us manage the conditions and ensure we fish in the right location and with the right presentation(s).

 

The Location

Trout & Grayling need Oxygen food and safety to simply survive and water of course!!  Rivers and lakes have varying degrees of each and the best locations (prime lies) are those that have all of them in abundance.  In low clear water and bright sunshine all of these areas change so therefore we have to think like a fish. Which areas can provide the 3 essential items of habitat?

Faster runs and pocket water provide the much needed oxygen in low water as well as good cover for the fish. Surprisingly fish will hold in what seems on the surface as really fast white water because under the surface there are areas of quiet water cushioned from the flow which provides a good environment for trout. Often a good number of trout are in such locations due to the conditions dictating nowhere else suitable.

 

The Presentation

Faster water and pockets require a different approach with duo/trio or double nymphing tactics being the preferred options. The trick is to avoid surface drag pulling your flies out of the deeper holes by the fast surface currents and therefore a French leader or zero fly line approach will be preferable and enable you to have greater control and presentation. In both techniques the weighted nymph(s) need to sink into the deeper parts of the flow and often the lift is the key to takes. Fish it quickly with a tuck cast to get the nymphs in and down then lift out again repeatedly. It’s amazing how many fish come just as you lift out !!.  The more effective you are with repeat presentations into the various currents and pockets will increase your percentage chances of success. The Big dry can often pull up a few fish in this type of water too.

 The Flies

I don't get too hung up and worried about the flies !!!!...a large dry that floats high (not semi submerged) will do the trick Sedge patterns Stimulators, Klinkhammers etc are all successful but make sure it floats high and can be seen. The addition of some colour to the wing can assist in being able to track the fly.

Nymphs....what would we do without pheasant tail or hares ear nymphs ??.. Fitted with tungsten beads in sizes and various colours and with hot spots provide a simple but effective range of nymphs that will cover most situations. The addition of CdC or soft hackles creates intrinsic movement in the nymph that can be deadly. In the summer caddis pupa are often on the menu and so a green or tan caddis representation can be very effective , especially in the fast water.

Don’t forget that jigs and jig back nymphs are extremely dense ( i.e. heavy compared to size) and are proven to  be very effective. In reality there are thousands of flies that will work very well and confidence is key. Try to keep it simple and use the mantra: Size (and of course density), Shape and Colour  in that order to build up a selection that covers the majority of situations.

Taking account of the conditions, we had a very successful day with a good number of trout and grayling coming to the methods outlined but in particular it was finding the right water that held fish and not spending too much time on water that didn’t !!. Always be prepared to change and adapt to the changing environment. In the late afternoon we also found a shaded run containing rising fish. A change over to dries in sizes #18/20/22 and a fine tippet proved the downfall for most of them in the foam line. Size of fly and tippet was critical and an F Fly in hares ear or black usually does the trick when fish are on what we technically call black sh!te   !!!!

 

 Just remember I’m just at the end of the telephone or an email  contact us   if you need help or advice and of course a session on the water is always the best way to learn and develop your watercraft and techniques. I can’t wait for my next session with Kelvin just to see how well his river skills continue to develop.
 

Great start ... now ready for March Browns and LDO's and a buffet in Ashington !!

April 1, 2015
The 2015 Trout season got off to a great start on 15 March with this stunning beauty on the dry ...check out those orange fins


Managed another 5 on the wet nymph set up.. Next visit different river brought another 6 to hand but not a trout caught...all grayling!!. Hatches were "slight" but better than non existent and I had the feeling that the hatches are better some days than others but at least the fish were looking up. A few days Guiding,Coaching, Casting and CPD training last week and tom...
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www.flyfishingvideoguide.com - The Launch of Project X

December 19, 2014
The BIG Launch of .......



Well, after months and months of work today sees the formal launch of my new and exciting membership website www.flyfishingvideoguide.com 

I am personally really excited to be part of this project which originally came about from a discussion with a good friend of mine Stephen who suggested utilising my fly fishing knowledge and skills to provide an online video fly fishing resource.
Of course being shy and quiet,  I initially said no way!! but with a little arm twistin...
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The Core Components of Fishing Success

October 11, 2014
A presentation I gave this week to the Members of Halifax Fly Fishers was on this very subject.

So what is success?  
What makes you happy?
Do you know what success looks and feels like for you?

Sometimes we anglers are continually in search fro the Holy Grail ...the best fly , the best leader,the best rod and reel and maybe perhaps the answer is already right there in front of you.

OK I know I'm being a bit philosophical but hey why not if it makes me happy? 

The presentation also includes some...
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Presentation – Success in low and clear rivers

August 19, 2014

This week I have been guiding Kelvin. He has been out with me a good few times and I have to say his fly fishing has improved so much in a year that he is now a very decent fly fisher and able to catch a good few trout & grayling on the rivers.
With the river levels being so low and clear and very little hatching during the day I suggested he may wish to re-arrange however all credit to him, he wanted to use this as an opportunity to really develop his skills and tactics to handle such situat...


Continue reading...
 

Commonwealth 2014 Video & Brochure Launch

July 13, 2014
If you get a chance check out the video complied by Wilderness TV and Snowbee UK of the 2014 Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships in Devon England.
You can check me out at 8.44 and 43.50 via my front page or at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-VICwVEoBQ

Why not download a copy of my new brochure which includes a free Handy River Hatch Chart ...DFF CO Brochure

Testing out my new outdoor Banner


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Busy... Busy... Busy.... Thankyou and a new brochure launch

June 25, 2014
First of all sorry for the lack of news and updates, the heading tells the story and since April I have been busy Guiding and providing tuition to lots of clients and the feedback from everyone is fantastic. Thank you so much I must be doing something right. 
If you are interested in regular updates, please check out my Facebook page and even better send me a request and lets be friends. 
As a member of the Coaching Team for the Angling Trust Talent Pathway another 5 young talented anglers secu...
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....a good day

April 6, 2014
Some days are just better than others,they may not start that way but end up being better than anticipated.
yesterday was just one of those days. The rivers and the fishing have been typically spring like... not quite on form?
So with the weather taking a turn for the better, the dreadful sea fret/fog and easterlies deciding to bugger off for a change.
I was out and about early on the river trying a few bits I have not fished for a good few years.
Yes a bit of a higher risk strategy however if y...
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In the footsteps of Walbran

March 18, 2014


On 12 March I had the chance to fish the beautiful West Tanfield Club waters on the Ure as part of a grayling brood stock programme. To say I was honoured is an understatement as it's a piece of water that has so much history but is also one ...of those "dead mans shoes" sections of river.
To be able to fish in Walbran's footsteps was an absolute privilege and also to get a few of his beloved grayling was a bonus.
More info on Max Walbran and a brief glimpse...
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The must have fly ....... "The Lifter"

February 19, 2014
The Mk1 Lifter Dressing:
Hook: TMC 103bl 13/15/17;

Body Thread : Danvilles 6-0 Yellow;
Tail/Shuck: Turralls Ginger Polywing;
Thorax: Dubbed Hares Ear;
Underwing: Para Post Yarn (Dun)
Overwing: Elk
Head: Dubbed Hares Ear

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Stuart Wardle Fly Fishing Guide

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