Salmon fly lines

[johnmac]

Im going to go with an Oracle IV Shakespeare DH fly rod , unfortunaely out of stock until March .... but i can wait! Anyway its a 10/11 line rating.

Does anyone on the site have this rod and if so what line(s) do they use and are they any good??

Also whats the rule for Double tapered and weight forward lines?? and spey lines? should you go for the higher weight or the lower one?

Thanks all, John.

[macsalmo]

Hi John,
I know this is not an answer to your question but........
I noticed you come from near Blairgowrie and wondered if you fish the Isla ?
Have you ever fished at Islabank or Couper Grange John ?

Regards,

Macsalmo

[johnmac]

Im afraid i haven't fished either Islabank or Coupar Grange..... although i know a few that have. I only fish the River Ericht from the Bridge at Blairgowrie... to where it joins the Isla at Coupar Granges beat. I've only fished for trout... with the exception of a few occasions when i have spinned for Salmon.

Coupar Grange has quite a good reputation from what i have heard, as for Isla Bank i dont know. Coupar Grange is a nice bit of river.... and fish to tend to get held up there quite well in the Summer months waiting for a bit more water to push on up the river Ericht (so i can have a crack at them!)

The best months for this reason are the summer ones..... i believe that a lot of fish were held up on the stretch last year as a large spate shifted a gravel bar and acted as a natural barrier when the rivers dropped

So far this year there were 3 Springers taken in January ( a fisrt for January i believe?).... with a further 2 on the 4th of February. I spoke to a baillif yesterday who said that there were another 4 taken in the last few days. The Ericht also had three Springers on the opening day in January, the biggest 12lb i think? so early results look good! If you like Sea Trout then they have suddenly put in an appearance in the last 2years after a 5 odd year absense?? dont ask me why?

I enclose a link for the Coupar grange beat, and the river Isla online levels! enjoy!
www.coupargrange.co.uk/page8/page8.html
www.sepa.org.uk/cfxlite6/temp/CFT0208_12542635B75.png

[macsalmo]

Thanxs for that John,
We are going to try Islabank at the end of April, I will let you know how we get on or you are welcome to join us.
I beleive the river is fairly slow around there, not classic fly water although we catch Salmon on the fly in slow water down on the Annan.
Thanxs for the links aswell, this will really help.

Regards,

Macsalmo

[johnmac]

there are quit a few slow stretches round there its true.... but it does fish fairly well. Once you get by March there are pretty much always fish around...its just a case of trying to hook one! Good luck im sure you will enjoy it! let me know when you are up and might come for a look round! john.

[sewin]

I have a 15' Oracle IV and I used a 10/11 DT Cortland on it last season and I have a Bloke 10/11 to add to that for this season. The Cortland was absolutely fine and did all that I needed however I would not call myself an expert salmon caster by any means.

[johnmac]

thanks for the info Sewin..... iv'e never cast a double handed rod yet! so your more of an expert than me!

[macsalmo]

Thanks John, If you PM me your phone no. I'll give you a call when we are up your way.

Macsalmo

[johnmac]

Thanks for the info Mr Ritchie! just notice it today! I will hopefully have my rod by March 1st! then im off! and i will be in touch macsalmo!

[salmonfly]

johnmac said:

Thanks for the info Mr Ritchie! just notice it today!

Graham that is a sign of respect.

[johnmac]

I was raised to always refer to my peers as Mr... unless they tell me otherwise! haha

[kercock]

The Coupar Grange beat has a fair mixture broken and flat type water on it,so fair they have had probably the most springers so far this season in the T ay catchment area with the exception of Waulkmill who had eight today !They do get a fair percentage of their catch on the fly,the flying C does very well and the copper toby gets a goodly number and the rapala gets its share. The Ghillie ,John, really knows his stuff,is mad keen for his guests to get a fish,or two,he surely is something else.........A great character. Keener than mustard ! The beat at Islabank lends itself to spinning although you guys with plenty experience on fly fishing slow glides will certainly get your share of that, it is no doubt on the same river as Coupar Grange but in a different world. Last year the people who leased the beat spent loadsa dosh on building unusual shaped croys,everyone in the area is curious to see whether they work ! To be fair though it is reported they had their first springer of the year recently but I also heard that it was one of last years springers ! I don't like the fact that the people who have leased Islabank don't tell people that Coupar Angus angling club have the opposite bank and try to gather as much Kudos from Coupar Grange as possible,not nice.

[johnmac]

thanks for the info kercock! Is Coupar Grange part of the Coupar Angus Angling club then?? didnt know that!

[zeolite]

Aye Johnnie is a character! he was wandering around with a hard hat zero hood on in Feb. Minus the zero hood. Kept his head warm though.
Coupar grange is not part of the CAAC. Kercock's description of the beat is spot on. it is a beat that will pay off the angler who is prepared to try different techniques. my only fish was on the Flying C though.
Will be out again on the 3rd March. I will be fly rodless after the Royal mail's effort but johnnie has said he will fix me up with something.

[kercock]

The Islabank beat has CAAC on the left bank, I will drop off a rod for you with Johnnie to make sure you are OK if you wish.Ask Johnnie to ring to ring Dennis and I will fix it.

[zeolite]

That is a very generous offer kercock. Thank You
I will ring Johnnie on the 28th to see what he has arranged. I don't get off this lump of rust until late on the 27th.

[kercock]

I just spoke to johnnie.I'm still laughing,another fish for him today,we got one too . If I get a chance I will pop over to say hello when you are there.

[macsalmo]

I was let down badly by Coupar Grange this season. Promised 3 days for 3 rods in April/ May then forgot about, hence no availability no fishing so I thought Islabank was a good alternative.

[johnmac]

Zeolite! i see that you also had a problem with Royal Mail's rod delivery service?? I got a rod sent from Dumfries two weeks ago..... should have been three piece..... but arrived in six! they said it wasn't their fault....how i dont know!....but fortunately the guy who sent me the rod paid me a refund in advance of Royal mail settling his claim! Kercock was also kind enough to offer me the lend of a rod ..... but i should have one coming any day from Turriftackle! So a big thanks to all for their help and generosity! John.

[zeolite]

John...I saw your posts and sympathised.
My rod had only 60 miles to go to Wishaw!
Ah well. It was insured but they will drag their feet to pay out no doubt. A B+W Norway will be my first aquisition once I get that.