Fly fishing reviews and fly fishing information for the fly fisherman
Fly fishing for Carp has always been on my list of angling things to do. It has however always been well down on the list, somewhere below my first double figure Rainbow, a 20lb plus Salmon and that elusive first Grayling I never seem to get the time to fish for. I can now however now chalk off the achievement of catching my first Coarse fish on the fly without ever intending to go fly fishing for Chub.
Carsington Reservoir is regular stocked with Rainbow Trout to complement the fine native Brown Trout that are abundant. This water is massive, with more than 700 acres of water to fish. This can seem like looking for a needle in a haystack, although this isn’t the case. Get yourself a boat for the day and head for the spot known to locals as ‘Brown Ale Bay’. This is one of the many places favoured by Brown Trout which often respond well to traditional wet and dry fly patterns.
Carsington Reservoir in Derbyshire is one of the most challenging stillwater trout fisheries in the country, particularly in inclement weather. Remember this before setting off in the boat for a ‘mini cruise’ around this exceptionally beautiful venue. The weather can change quickly, leaving many an angler wondering why they left their waterproof’s on the back seat of the car.
The size of this fishery means that a variety of patterns can be successful all year round. If pushed to take only five fishing flies with me when Fly fishing in Derbyshire at Carsington Reservoir I would opt for the Black Buzzer, Orange Fritz, Damsel, Montana and Dawson’s Olive.
Esthwaite Masterline Fishery in Cumbria is a haven for the imitative angler, with regular abundant hatches of natural flies such as the Buzzer. On warmer days and when the fish are to be found well beneath the surface try a slowly retrieved Cat’s Whiskers for success.
When fly fishing in Cumbria at Esthwaite Masterline I make a beeline for the area known to Cumbrian fly fishing anglers as ‘Grubhole’. Flies such as Hare’s Ear Nymphs, Diawl Bach’s and Boobies often do well here.