Top 5 Tips for a novice?

[pond321]

OK, so I have been Salmon fishing for about a year now. I can spey cast reasonably well (sometimes!) having had a couple of lessons and I have been lucky to fish some great rivers. I am now hopelessly addicted! As I live in the south, my opportunities to fish are limited and hence my learning curve is not as steep as I would like.

I have been fishing for most of my life (coarse, sea, fly etc) so I am OK with general fishing/watercraft skills.

However, I am aware there is a huge wealth of knowledge on this forum, so I would like to ask all the Ghillies/Experts what their top 5 tips for a Salmon fishing novice would be. I am looking for advice that will help increase my catch rate.

Appreciate your thoughts.

Cheers

jon

[juniorspey]

hey pond321, welcome to the sport, here is my top 5!!!
5.ask the locals / ghillies-always a good starting point!
4.be prepared, adaptable and willing to try somthing different!
3.DONT cast beyond your comfort zone, if you do you'll tire yourself out, your cast wont turn over and you wont fish as effectively!
2. the three p's, practice, perseverance and practice!
1. most importantly, keep that fly in the water, and let it fish right round to the side (dangle), the more time its in the water, and the more water you cover, the higher your chances are!!!!
tight lines and enjoy!

[altmor]

Hi Pond321,

Not that I'd class myself as expert (nor a ghillie), however I would say that Juniorspey has the basic top 5 covered pretty well.

Things to work on / consider would also include :

1. Become proficient with casting off both shoulders. This helps with either bank or wind changes.
2. It's not always the expensive takle that makes a better fisher - try different tackle till you find what suits you best.
3. Never tie on your fly untill you've approached and studied the water (and where he's there listen to the ghillie).
4. Regularly check your fly / leader during the day - a turned fly or knotted leader can mean a fishless day.
5. Take one for the pot if you're permitted to do so on the beat you fish, but return the rest - you never know - I might be fishing there tomorrow.

Good luck,

Altmor.

[rpsalmon]

Before I give five points you should remember that the only absolute rule of salmon fishing is that there is no absolute rule of salmon fishing!

1. Keep out of sight of the fish.
2. Don't scare the fish.
3. Before you approach the water, be absolutely sure you know what you are doing and and why you are doing it.
4. There is a difference between fishing and casting, fish your lure appropriately in order to lure the salmon.
5. Remember "depth", "control" and "presentation".

[macd]

in addition to the above suggestions for technique and water craft, above all else fish with confidence. Its a key part of any sport.

'Whether you think you can or think you cant, you are right.'

Henry Ford

[whitetrout]

Don't know if I'm the man to be giving advice but think about these.
- If lucky enough to live on or have a local salmon river, get to know it backwards, IMO local anglers do really well as they can make the most of conditions.
- If travelling to fish certain rivers regularly, get to know the locals! They will be able to give u the shout if it's worth a trip, very very important for spate rivers.
- Fish hard! Concentrate but enjoy, it is a beautiful fish you are after and the rewards are worth the early starts etc.
- Get good quality clothing, base layers, goretex etc. Very important to be comfortable. will increase enjoyment and watertime, & concentration.
- Introduce a friend if possible and if not already fishing with friends, they can really enhance a trip + if looking at the average age of salmon anglers, some new blood won't do any harm!

[acw]

Jon ,
all of the above is good advice,mine is simple do it as often as possible .See you on the Kennet when the seasons over

[salmonking]

As above,,i may add,don't be dismayed or envious of other anglers that are catching fish as that will only work against you,,concentrate on yourself and pick up what you can from others if they are kind enough to offer advice,,not all will be that generous to offer,,and lastly it takes patience and perseverance to get where you want to be,, and your always learning,make sure you have fun doing so.

[jones]

My tips would be in no particular order:
1) start with a short line and gradually increase, same goes for wading. You'll be amazed at the amount of fish that sit close
2) Cast within you limits - to use a golfing analogy better to hit a drive 180yds straight down the middle than smack one 250 yds out of bounds
3)As said before listen to the ghillies advice, and listen again.
4)Put the time in whenever possible - if you fly aint in the water it wont catch
5)Make sure you have balanced tackle that suits you.

Enjoy

Jones

[woodcockandsewin]

In the absence of coming up with anything better than the above, here are some slightly more lateral thoughts.

1...Patience...drink plenty of Guinness..."good things come to he who waits."

2...Flies...try a 4 leafed rabbits foot conehead..."be lucky."

3...Be prepared for all eventualities...Start divorce proceedings NOW..."Be first down the pool."

4...Sell the house and move north, (or west,) next to a river, with a spare room for me...I'm no great fisher but I will buy the first round of Guinness and have a sense of humour of sorts!!!

5...Remember, we spend thousands of pounds on every ounce of fish landed, so if you don't count either side of the equation you won't frighten yourself in to taking up a sensible hobby.

Tightlines

WAS (Wise as Solomon)

[Fruin]

Do not get all caught up in a tackle frenzy.
Do get one good rod, one good (matched) line, a sensible reel, a sensible fly selection.
Find yourself some inexpensive fishing to do most of your practice.
Listen to the advice of anybody you trust.
Enjoy the fishing.

[salmondan]

woodcockandsewin said:

In the absence of coming up with anything better than the above, here are some slightly more lateral thoughts.

1...Patience...drink plenty of Guinness..."good things come to he who waits."

2...Flies...try a 4 leafed rabbits foot conehead..."be lucky."

3...Be prepared for all eventualities...Start divorce proceedings NOW..."Be first down the pool."

4...Sell the house and move north, (or west,) next to a river, with a spare room for me...I'm no great fisher but I will buy the first round of Guinness and have a sense of humour of sorts!!!

5...Remember, we spend thousands of pounds on every ounce of fish landed, so if you don't count either side of the equation you won't frighten yourself in to taking up a sensible hobby.

Tightlines

WAS (Wise as Solomon)

I like that advice, especially number 3 ;D. The only extra thing to this thread I am remotely qualified to offer is this;

Never give up, when you think the whole river is devoid of fish(it isn't), when you are sure you must be doing something wrong (you probably aren't), when you think the gods are taking the piss (they are), when you think it can't get any worse (it can) and when you are sure you've had enough (you haven't), never ever give up.

The only tool I have in my box is optimistic perseverance. I think it's one of the sharpest tools we have.

Dan.

[lomond]

1. Persistence - Fish hard and always be the last to leave the river. Fish into the 'magic hour' (last hour before dark).

2. Confidence - nothing worse than thinking you'll catch nothing, because that's what will happen. Steer clear of guys who moan that 'there's nothing in the river etc...' Talk to and learn from the guys who catch the most fish. Don't listen to the guys who talk a good game and catch sod all !

3. Read as much on salmon fishing (magazines,books etc..) as you can, however form your own opinions.

4. Learn to tie your own flies.

5. Get more casting lessons - Spend your money on this rather than a new rod that you don't need. Few investments pay such rich rewards.

Hope this helps.

[Sloggi]

lomond said:

1. Get more casting lessons - Spend your money on this rather than a new rod that you don't need. Few investments pay such rich rewards.

2. Get more casting lessons - Spend your money on this rather than a new rod that you don't need. Few investments pay such rich rewards.

3. Get more casting lessons - Spend your money on this rather than a new rod that you don't need. Few investments pay such rich rewards.

4. Get more casting lessons - Spend your money on this rather than a new rod that you don't need. Few investments pay such rich rewards.

5. Get more casting lessons - Spend your money on this rather than a new rod that you don't need. Few investments pay such rich rewards.

Oh, and another top tip would be: Get more casting lessons - Spend your money on this rather than a new rod that you don't need. Few investments pay such rich rewards.

Spot on, Lomond

[lomond]

Sloggi, are you a casting instructor ?

Lomond

[lomond]

I would also say that even proficient speycasters should get a lesson from an instructor at the start of each season. This will help iron out any faults and move them up a level. I am guilty of not doing this, but will start doing it.

Lomond

[neptune]

im also a newbie to salmon fishing, saying new i mean ive just taken it up again after many years my first few times were daunting to say the least. cathing banks,trees ME and anything else around the water
now with thanks to locals (relatives & friends dont want to praise to much but they know who they are) i can get the fly where i want most times with better methods allthough no salmon or sea trout yet i had a nice brown trout to take home for the pot.
i dont know if i qualify to give advice yet but i would definetly say listen to others be paitient and most of all enjoy it

[castlikeaghille]

rpsalmon said:

Before I give five points you should remember that the only absolute rule of salmon fishing is that there is no absolute rule of salmon fishing!

As there are, actually, three absolute rules of salmon fishing (which are the most important things any novice salmon angler should learn) then the above statement suggests that the person who pennned it can't be someone who knows much about salmon fishing.

No doubt the writer will address this slight remiss, and list the three absolute rules to prove he is worthy of all the put downs of so many people over the last couple of weeks.

Regards

CLaG

[rpsalmon]

Dear CLAG

Since I've already made my posting on the relevant topic, and you've already highlighted my remark concerning flexibility and adaptability etc, I suggest you go ahead and make whatever remark you already have in mind.

Based upon your previous posts, I expect it to be something of worth.

[Sloggi]

castlikeaghille said:

rpsalmon said:

As there are, actually, three absolute rules of salmon fishing
Regards

CLaG

I know the answer 8-)

1. It's a game of two halves

2. I think, therefore I am

3. Never trust a man with a beard

4&5 Any vaguely appropriate cliche denoting hope