Browns and Brook duns.

Well the Brook duns are out in force and about time to!

I manged to get out on the river for a few hours in the week after a bonkers morning so rang the boss and had the day off and after sorting a load of stuff out i hit the river for a few hours.

I knew one of my mates was on the river that day so i made a quick call and met up with him and his butty. when i met them up around 11.30 the flies started to hatch and the day looked quit promising. Finally we caught sight of the brook duns taking off on the stones as we walked the river. In the  night  we had a fair amount of rain making the river quit cloudy but we knew it would clear over time and i always love fishing the river with a slight colour to it, it can be the best time to look for the larger fish on the move around and with good amounts of brook duns coming down the chances were in are favour :).

As the hatch was well under way the trout started to go nuts and even the grayling got in on the action. Rob and Adrian were having a right ball taking fish left right and centre in a long pool. I held back just watching and spotting fish but my eye was set on something else. I just knew it would’nt be long and i would here that noise that makes the heart jump and the hand shake. GULP!!! 🙂 took me a bit of time to pin point the bugger because there were a few fish rising on the far bank tight. i waited and watched and then i seen the bugger, i watched a brook dun come down and then that spotty nose pocket through the film of the water and that gulp noise and it was the end of the brook dun. I got myself into a good casting position and made the cast. as the fly went down it went all in slow motion and bang fish on,, cracking fight and what a lovely fish to catch.  It was a lovely 4lb 8oz brown 🙂

As the fishing was going nuts i sat there just watching Rob and Adrian catching fish and having  great time, we headed up river just using the dries, was plenty of  bugging water but bit sick of chucking tungsten and with so many fish rising it was just pointless anyway!. Rob and Adrian took many fish  around the 2lb mark.. I didn’t have much time left after that so i had 2 head home to pick my son up from school so the boys followed and all in all it was a wild few hours fishing and was great to see a cracking Brook duns hatch for ones 🙂 Rob below with some of the lovely browns he had!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grayling fishing

Well the trout season has passed and the Grayling are on the menu for me now and the cold weather will be setting in before we know it. Better put the summer gear away ladies and gents and dig the thermals out!

It’s not everyone’s cup of tea standing in freezing waters but i love it and look forward to every trip.

I’ve had a few trips out checking my Local water of the Taff to see if the Grayling are showing sights of shoaling up and checking the spots that have fished well for me every winter… Its been a little hit and miss to be honest and ive had the odd good day finding the odd group of grayling in the 1lb bracket but not really found the bigger fish, but im sure they will make a show soon! I had a hour yesterday just before dark and managed a couple of fine grayling in really good condition.. The method i was using was the braided leader with a pink dog on the dropper and a large peeping caddis on the point.. I was fishing hard on the bottom and as slow as i could, i did lose a few bugs but well worth it catching these below.

The Pink Dog

If you would like 2 see the flies ive been catching on check out the links below, it also tells you how i fish these patterns and what materials are used to tie them, hope you like guys!

I’ll be posting new patterns every week so please subscribe to the email,, The peeping caddis will be next!

http://www.cliff-harvey-angling.co.uk/article/Winter-Pink-Czeck-Nymph-Bromwells-Bug/25

http://www.cliff-harvey-angling.co.uk/article/Winter-Bugs-Hot-Spot-Hares-Ear/27

Airflo Thermolite Fishing Clothing Review

Well this Winter has been nothing but Baltic! Working outdoors as well as fishing most weekends the freezing weather can really take it’s toll.

When I heard that Fishtec were bringing out a new thermal jacket (back last year), I spoke very nicely to Kieron at Fishtec and managed to get hold of one. A large Airflo Thermolite Jacket. I’ve always been one for wearing my fishing clothing, not literally my waders but raincoats and fleeces down the shops or when I go out for a stroll. As you can imagine I often get some weird looks whilst wearing a moss green jacket. This Thermolite jacket looked to be a great garment for socializing as well as fishing.

What Fishtec Say:

New for 2012, this ultra lightweight filled jacket is set to become a firm favourite. A great cut combined with modern materials make it a superb alternative to a fleece and will keep you warm even in the coldest of conditions. Use as an outer layer on mild days or as a mid layer under your shell in extreme conditions.

First of all I was blown away by just how light this jacket is, to pick up a jacket and instantly think you haven’t got anything in your hands is mind blowing. The nylon shell is filled with warm, thermocline material, I think it’s a duck down substitute. The nylon shell provides a splash proof cover which not only keeps you relatively dry in a downpour but if you do get soaked through the jacket still stays warm until you can get changed into dry clothing. I found this out when I went head over heals into the Taff!

After putting the jacket on the warmth it generates is instant, creating a warm and toasty pocket of air around your body. The lightweight design means it can be stored away in a backpack or back pocket of a fishing jacket and used when needed. I particularly like this feature because I walk many miles in a day to get where I want, sometimes the layers need to come off! I’ve also used this jacket for work under my high-vis kit.

This lightweight piece of fishing clothing fits extremely well, its cut has been designed for movement which means casting with or without layers is easy and makes your day on the water more comfortable.

Great as an under layer when it’s really cold!

 

Well here it is! Airflo Hydrotec Softshell Jacket Review

So, I’ve been wearing the Airflo Hydrotec Softshell Fleece for over a month now both to work and whilst out fishing. Trying everything humanly possible to get the best out of it I can. Quite frankly, I can’t fault it.

From the second I opened the jacket I could tell it oses quality. The first thing you notice is the dual colour Soft-shell MemBrain. with the gray shoulders and black body and underarms It certainly looks the part! I like the ‘shower-proof’ capabilities of the jacket as throughout the Spring and Autumn a coat can be an unnecessary addition to you fishing gear. But with this, it keeps you dry and warm. Being able to wear a jacket both fishing and ‘out and about’ is a big plus for me as I get used to wearing some things.

The comfortability it offers me when out walking and/or fishing is second to none with the Mambrain seeming to mould to my casting style and shape.

After putting the jacket on for the first time you definitely see the advantages over others. It’s spacious enough to have a few layers underneath just for that little extra protection from the cold. The cord around the base of the jacket allows you to tighten around your waist to stop any draught and the Velcro straps at he cuffs makes it easy to stop water and wind creeping its way down your arm when casting or handling fish. Something I’d like to do more often.

It seems as if the guys at airflo have thought of every possible way wind could break the barrier. The pockets are sealed with a watertight zip which only under the submersion of water will lapse.

The built in hood with draw strings is a great addition to the jacket, allowing you total protection from the elements. Or from any nagging fishermen you happen to come across. The front of the hood has enough coverage to completely cover the peak of my hat.

The Fast wicking properties of the jacket allows it to dry 3/4 times quicker than other fabrics such as cotton, making it a gem to be out in a shower with. We all know how quick the conditions can change!

To purchase the jacket it will only set you back £50 – Which for a quality piece of kit, isn’t a lot! You could pay 4/5 times more for a name such as Simms.

Overall, I think the jacket is a great addition to my fishing gear and will allow me to get out in the harshest of conditions when others can’t. I am very please with this jacket and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone looking for a top layer.