Catching trout isn’t easy, and besides presentation and the way you cast, one of the best ways to catch them is to present them with natural looking and appealing bait. While not surprising, leeches are some of the best bait that you can use, and using them is far easier than you probably imagine. Leeches are incredibly important in a trout’s diet and leech imitations are really a necessary part of any angler’s kit.
2 seasons ago my rod and reel was becoming a bit shabby and had been well used so I decided to shop around for a new bit of kit and seen some great value offers on the Greys GRXi series rods. An angling buddy of mine also used this kit so after a few practice sessions on his I decided to go for it. I ended up with a lot more for my money than I initially realized I would be getting as 3 days after ordering my rod and reel combo, my package arrived.
Knots really can be an angler’s best friend and their worst enemy at the same time. The good news is that knots don’t have to be the reason that you shy away from fishing and you don’t have to invest in a 300 page book of knots in order to perfect this important art form. There really is no reason to know each and every knot, and as long as you focus and perfect the basics you will be more than prepared to start fly fishing on any water you wish.
There are more than a few anglers out there who will tell you that trout are almost impossible to catch. That isn’t necessarily true, but these smart fish can prove to be quite difficult to get a hold of and that is what makes so many fly fishers fall in love with trout fishing. Trout are difficult to catch thanks to their instincts and the never ending suspicion that their tiny brains continuously pump out.
Over the years and many days out fishing for trout I have witnessed some funny and strange mishaps which have resulted in a few tears being shed, sometimes in pain and sometimes laughter, but more often than not, both together.
Gartmorn Dam Fishery is located within the Gartmorn Dam Country Park in Sauchie. It is a large nature reserve popular with walkers, cyclists, sailing enthusiasts and last but not least, fishermen. The water contains both Rainbows and Brown trout but is presently in its 5th year of a Back to Brown campaign, whereby it is gradually returning itself to a brown trout only water as the seasons go by.
Whether you want to admit it or not, the truth is that most trout feeding on dry flies are actually mistaking your bait for emergers. If you find that hard to believe then sit back near a shoreline and carefully watch trout right in the middle of a mayfly or midge hatch.
Steelheads are something special to say the least, and if you have ever hooked into one then you already know that. However, taking one with a fly rod is an experience in and of itself, and is even better when done in the winter months. Steelheads are the biggest challenge and there are many anglers who have confidently stated that they cannot be taken on flies, but that just is not the case.
If you have ever hooked into one, or even dreamt of it, then you already know that speckled trout are one of the most exciting game fish to head after. Unfortunately, there are not many anglers in the world who decide to seek out these exciting trout with their fly fishing gear. Whether it be skepticism or intimidation, there is a seemingly infinite amount of fishers that refuse to believe in the productivity of saltwater fly fishing.
There is often nothing more thrilling than spotting the occasional boil in the water as a large trout surfaces to feed. Going after sighted trout is one the sport’s truly magical moments but learning how to properly position your boat is a necessity for success. If you plan your presentation and your boat’s approach correctly then you can take advantage of a vantage point that gives you an upper hand on the trout.
