Gone fishing...

[PADDY]

Gents - Getting the bags packed and I'm heading into the wilds of Scotland for a week to lose myself in some Salmon and Trout (Brown and Rainbow) fly-fishing.
Just need to 'get away from it all' (you know what I mean).
So early mornings and dusk will find me on the water.

Hardy's - http://fly.hardyfishing.com/en-gb/about-us/
The famous Rod and Reel maker is just 20 minutes up the road from me, so will be popping in on my way northwards.

Something very liberating about gettting back to basics and in touch with nature - I find. Having seen some of the lovely photos many of you have posted of areas in Montana; Colorado; Oregon - well...I'm very envious of my American cousins and my 'to do' list of places to visit just seems to endlessly GROW!!

But for now...Scotland it is.

 

[Tomasso]

areas in Montana; Colorado; Oregon - well...I'm very envious of my American cousins and my 'to do' list of places to visit just seems to endlessly GROW!!

Don't forget the Florida Keys.......Oh lordy, that's some good fishin'........

 

[MikePotts]

Have a great time Paddy. I visited Hardy's last time I was in UK and replaced my worn out Barbour. In what area of Scotland will you be staying?, I've spent many a happy holiday up there as a child, but those tiny freshwater hooks and I never got along so my father and I fished deep-sea around Ullapool and Ardmair Bay for skate, tope and conger. Happy Days,


MP

 

[Cricket]

Good luck with your fishing. Mississippi may not be known for her fishin destinations, but there is just something about our family pond, good company, a cooler and some agressive bass to make the weekend just the ticket.

Then there is always the night time catfish setup near the river banks that end the day well.

Please post pics on what is sure to be an amazing adventure.

 

[Renault]

Have Fun Paddy!!!!!!! Catch your limit and then some! ;-) Wifey and I will get back to Scotland someday! What beautiful country!

Renault

 

[LocktownDog]

Oh dear ... I'm jealous again. My rods have been dry all summer so far.

 

[dhermann1]

Paddy: Have you ever read "England Have My Bones", by T.H. White? He wrote it before his King Arthur books. Basically all about fishing in Scotland in 1934 and 35. A lovely book. Maybe something to bring along for your evenings.

 

[Oldsarge]

Paddy,
Damn, man, that's a fine looking avatar! The fish should jump into the boat just to get close to you.

 

[ukali1066]

I didn't know you were an angler Paddy, I have been since I was a kid, course fishing though, not the upper crust fly !

 

[Smithy]

All the best Paddy. Fly fishing is one of my great passions so rather jealous of your visit to that Mecca of the art, Hardy's.

I take it you'll be dry flying at this time of the year up there? What weight rods are you taking? Would love to see some pics of your fishing tackle and hear what flies and patterns you'll be using and get the most success from.

You'll have to pop over to Norway for an expedition when you get a chance, gorgeous trout and salmon waters. Up north where we were living a lot of fellows were using two-handed fly rods for salmon due to the sheer size of them. Well out of my league but marvellous to watch.

And if you ever fancy a trip to fly fishing nirvana, book an airfare to NZ. It is beyond description

 

[wildturkey8]

Love to fly fish. Just went to the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville NC. The fishing was great. We have some pretty good flyfishing in Arkansas as well, The White River. I wish I had taken a camera. Be sure to post pics Paddy, and good luck.

 

[Oldsarge]

I mean to get there, someday. My favorite freshwater fish in all the world is smallmouth bass. Great battlers.

 

[Renault]

Speaking of waxing nostalgic!!!!!!! I haven't fly fished since I was a lad! I loved catching the occassional Rio Grande Perch in the Blanco river back in the day. Also a sub-specie of black bass there the Guadalupe bass too, that were aweful fun! My arthritic shoulders and hands couldn't handle it now. Drats this getting old!!!!

Renault

 

[Oldsarge]

You might give a 'Spey' rod a try. Very long and two-handed, they are reputed to be just the ticket for those with shoulder problems. I have a bit of a missed up rotator cuff and I am giving serious thought to trying one.

 

[Renault]

Thanks for the heads up Sarge! I'll look into one. I'm waaaay out of touch on such things!

Paddy!!!!! I know you ain't back yet, be we are DEFINITELY gonna want a full fishing report when you get back!!!! You lucky dawg!!!!!

Renault

 

[Bob_Fixico]

Fly fishing is a blessed art. I am not that blessed. Recently I have taken my youngest and grands fishing with cane poles, heavy line, floater, and baited hook. Fun is to have them lined up and get them to wait for the prize. Just they have trouble remembering which floater is thiers. When one drops under they all start jerking their lines out of the water at once.

 

[Renault]

Good times catching bluegills and goggle eyes on a cane pole!!!!!

 

[Oldsarge]

There is an exceedingly rarified form of fly fishing (I only know about this from hearsay, mind) that is done with a very long, fine bamboo rod and a leader. No line, no casting, just dabbing the #20 fly on the surface or floating the #18 nymph down the current. I suspect that it will be forever beyond me.

 

[Renault]

That is one of the early 17th and 18th century styles. An old family friend specialized in that when we were all doing 18th century living history! Also made his own catgut leaders with eyeless hooks! he was very good at it. Looked like work to me!!!!!

Renault

 

[Oldsarge]

We've got a guy in the local casting club who does it. The chap has devoted his life to fly fishing in all its myriad manifestations. He's in his mid-seventies and knows more about obscure corners of the sport than anyone.