Coarse fishermen turns to the fly - what do i need for fly fishing in Oxford area?

[Oat]

I'm in oxford and just fish the Thames at the moment, mainly spinning as i like to keep busy and moving. Now moving on to fly fishing for trout initially then want to try for pike on the fly eventually.

I know nothing about fly fishing such as rigs, lines, fly types and selection. I have had a lesson on fly casting which went well. As i'm in oxford i will mainly be fishing lakes i guess but there are a few small rivers in the vacinity for trout. I have a 9 foot Daiwa senor fly (line rating #5 - 7) and a Leeda rimfly reel i bought years ago and have never used. I don't if thats any good...
What rod(s) do i need? (length, line rating)
What line(s) do i need? (double taper or weight forward, sinking or floating, weight)
Where can i find out about different flies and rigs and when to use what etc etc? I know thats a big question but some basic knowledge would be a start.

Thanks in advance for your help

[madcaravanner]

Originally Posted by Oat

I'm in oxford and just fish the Thames at the moment, mainly spinning as i like to keep busy and moving. Now moving on to fly fishing for trout initially then want to try for pike on the fly eventually.

I know nothing about fly fishing such as rigs, lines, fly types and selection. I have had a lesson on fly casting which went well. As i'm in oxford i will mainly be fishing lakes i guess but there are a few small rivers in the vacinity for trout. I have a 9 foot Daiwa senor fly (line rating #5 - 7) and a Leeda rimfly reel i bought years ago and have never used. I don't if thats any good...
What rod(s) do i need? (length, line rating)
What line(s) do i need? (double taper or weight forward, sinking or floating, weight)
Where can i find out about different flies and rigs and when to use what etc etc? I know thats a big question but some basic knowledge would be a start.

Thanks in advance for your help

You ain't kidding

For a start find somewhere local where you can fish for trout
The Sensor rod and rimfly reel are fine (similar to my short rod kit)

To start with get a floating double taper fly linethat matches the rod weighting and some sinking leaders ask the shop to show you how to attach them. If it's a good shop they should do no trouble.

Then before you go fishing tie a bunch of fluff to the end of the leader and practice over a lawn so the line lands in a straightish line

then go to the ponds and ask the shop for a selection of flies that have been catching and if they do lessons (be prepared flies ain't cheap and neither are lessons)
You may find it best to watch other do it first and observe technique

Oh Yes fly fishing is done with the arm not the wrist keep the wrist fixed on casting makes it a lot easier to get distance


Anyway once you've got the hang of it ou will notice what lengths of rod folk are using for what type of trout fishing and you can build up your stock accordingly to your area (my area needs a nine foot stalking rod and a 13 foot reservoir rod )
then you'll gradually get into tying your own flies to customise yourbox and multiply the best patterns it can get addictive


but the any fishing is

[Oat]

Thanks! I'll be following that advice!

I'm sure there are many but can you recommend a good book for a beginner? Lots of pics and simple explanations of flies, rigs, lines?

[rodmeister]

Madcaravanner
Where on earth do you fish if you need a 13 foot fly rod to fish for trout.
I have never needed any rod longer than ten foot #8 on any water in the UK

Regards
Paul

[madcaravanner]

Try thinking Reservoir
remember up here in the wild and wooly vest area of Derbyshire are ******* great one stuffed full of BIG trout

[rodmeister]

Madcaravanner
I still think a salmon rod is overkill for even bloody great trout.
I have fished Rutland,Chew etc and never needed more than a 10ft rod.
Regards
Paul

[madcaravanner]

Originally Posted by rodmeister

Madcaravanner
I still think a salmon rod is overkill for even bloody great trout.
I have fished Rutland,Chew etc and never needed more than a 10ft rod.
Regards
Paul

No Paul you got it wrong
it's a single handed Reservoir Fly rod that takes a 7-9 fly line and I use a Rim fly with a shooting head and a good length of backing on it

[carping on]

first off you will need all the gear and find a good lake or resovoir with lots of trout and maybe salmon in

You wil need a fly fishing rod and some trount flies although some fly fishing lakes will rent out this equipmrnt if you have never fly fished in your life.


if you like it go ahead and buy the equipment from an anling shop and after a while you will love it

hope i helped