£599.00
I haven't posted on this blog for a while, but I've been catching a lot of trout!
When I started this blog I was definitely a complete beginner. Looking back over the last couple of months during which I've caught my limit most times I've been out, I suppose now I would have to say that I've progressed beyond that, although I'm a long way from being an 'expert'.
Mostly competent would probably be a fair description of my current abilities, I've sorted out the casting now, maybe I'm still a little heavy handed, but distance is no longer an issue, and where I fish, the stocked rainbows and browns don't seem to mind the odd splash when I don't get the timing quite right.
I've mostly fished at Blakewell and Bratton fisheries, both near Barnstaple, and generally I've found that the fish at these waters have wanted a fairly big white fly most of the time - size 10 or 8, with plenty of dressing and a bead head to take the fly below the surface.
I've caught on both floating and intermediate lines with similar flies on the hook, sometimes just under the surface, and sometimes deep depending on where the majority of the fish are on the day.
The most successful patterns for me over the last couple of months have been the Cats Whisker, Nomad and Damsel, all weighted and all mostly white in colour.
Wily browns and naturalised rainbows on other waters may want more imitative patterns; small nymphs like the Diawl Bach, but where I fish, big, weighted and white seems to work best and these days I make sure I have plenty in my fly box.
I buy most of my flies from eBay and have found that most sellers supply good quality flies at very reasonable prices. Here are some links if you want to take a look: