Salmon Novice

[fluffforfun]

Right, I have the rod, the reel, the floater, the poly leaders, now what I need is loads of advice! I can't say where I'll be fishing (except for July in Northumberland - see my other thread).

Speycasting - although not living in an typical salmon area (Herts/Beds!) , I can get lessons from an instructor at my local trout lake. I live opposite a the rec, so now the evenings are lighter I will be whipping (hopefully not!) the turf and causing the groundsman to have nightmares.

Tippets for salmon. I'm more than likely going to be fishing first in summer, so was thinking about airflo flurocarbon as I currently use it for trout. What weights will I need?

Flies - what flies, sizes and weights would you recommend for doubles/singles for year round fishing including those that could double up for sea trout.

I would like to tie them myself (I already tie my own trout flies), so can anybody recommend a hook/material stockist without extortionate P&P and what type of hooks to tie on?

I have Peter Gathercole's fly tying bible which has a few patterns - Ally's Shrimp, Silver Rat, Blue Charm, Stoats Tail, Munroe Killer, The Garry, Curry's Red Shrimp. What book would be a good investment for other salmon flies?

Lastly (for now!), are migratory licences available on a weekly basis?

[rennie]

Eh up flufforfun,tippets-don't get stuck in a rut get 10,12,15lb breaking strains the lower and clearer the water the smaller the fly and the lighter the nylon you should fish.Fly sizes for summer 14 to 6 in doubles and a few tubes up to 2" in plastic and 1 1/2" in aluminum.Thing is you could get low water or a spate the key is to be prepared.
If you are going to tie yourself silver stoat is a must have in all sizes inc. tubes,for the tubes gold bodied Willie gunn and Garry dog ,for doubles cascade is a must and a red Allys(for the Tyne and northumbrian rivers its deadly),Munro killer too and standard Allys.For a banker a Temple dog on 1/2" and 1" tubes and a couple of collie dogs up to 5" wing.
For materials Ellis slater is the bloke his address will be in Trout and Salmon classifieds he wont sell you short and its all good gear,partridge hooks are the best if catch and release isn't an issue go for x2b trebles if it is or you just want doubles stick to the standard Salmon double.As far as a book goes check the internet and look for some books on Hair Wing Salmon flies by Chris Mann,huge amounts of reference there.As far as a rod licence get the year one then you have an excuse to go more than once. Cheers and tight lines Pedro.

[fluffforfun]

Hey Pedro, thanks for the advice.

The more reading up I do, the more confusing it gats. Much better to hear from someone like yourself with experience to cut through the cr*p!

The advice on hooks is welcome. I keep seeing posts and advice about wilsons, low water P's and Q's. What are the differences between these?

[rennie]

Dude,simply its the Partridge code-P is the standard double Salmon hook-Wilson's are lighter in the wire but bigger for the same size shank wise-Q are the low water hook lighter in the wire still but again getting bigger.
Its rubbish I know,buy a hook for low water when you need a smaller fly and size for size it gets bigger.I suggested the standard double so you don't get confused(which you now are)the important thing when fly tying is Proportion,a size 8 should be smaller than a size 6 when tying the same fly etc. etc.(the same applies for single hooks too and trebles and tubes).Thing to do is pick a hook and stick with it.Ellis Slater sells Sprite doubles they are a good hook,if you aren't sure what you need/want ring him and ask for advice.Oh forgot if you intend to fish tubes you will want different hooks again partridge are the dogs,x1b in trebles or salar tube doubles both very good. Pedro.

[fluffforfun]

Thanks Pedro, that sorts it out for me. I intend only fishing doubles initially although I might buy a tube or 2 as suggested incase of heavy or deep water.

What is the etiquette for weighting your fly? Is it allowable to add shot to a leader to get it down ? My 10' poly leader (xfast sink) should cope in most situations, but there will always be that very deep pool or fast running water where a little extra weight at the business end is needed.

[rennie]

Brass/copper tubes are what you want or a sinking line,poly-leaders are fine remember to use a shorter cast 4ft to 6ft at most when you want to get to depth.If you want to weight your cast to get your fly down, fine just check its allowed where you are fishing,it can be a little awkward to cast but it shows you are thinking about what you should be doing,Success is just around the corner,cheers Pedro.

[dro1d]

I know this is an old thread, but I am amazed at the complexity of the responses you have received. I am going to the Spey for 3 days next week, only ever fished for troat before, and not for that long! I'm studying videos of the casting technique - I reckon if I can crack that in 3 days it will be a job well done. Fish a bonus. Interested that you are in Beds - where do you fish?

[fluffforfun]

dro1d said:

I know this is an old thread, but I am amazed at the complexity of the responses you have received. I am going to the Spey for 3 days next week, only ever fished for troat before, and not for that long! I'm studying videos of the casting technique - I reckon if I can crack that in 3 days it will be a job well done. Fish a bonus. Interested that you are in Beds - where do you fish?

I fish all over the place, but typically Grafham and Rutland, Manor Farm, Clavering Lakes. I only fish for trout too, which is why all the questions ! Like you want to concentrate on casting, but the more I can do to give myself the chance of a fish (especially in high summer) the better

How did you get on on the Spey? Any trips since?