Worm v Fly

[scottyboy9nro]

I hear a lot about fish being killed when hooked on the worm, and people say this method shud b scrapped due 2 shrinkin stocks, what am wonderin is on a river like the tay, wots the percentage of people who fish the worm compared to fly fishers? a can see it being very low, a just dont understand how some folk go on about the worm like its a parasite when theres people who fish the fly and happily chap a gd amount a salmon a season then go on about the worm like they theirselves are doin no wrong. Surely the amount of people who fish the worm even now when its allowed is nothin compared to the fly chappers.
Am all for conservation now specially in the tay, a would 100% put a fish back if C&R was the done fing, been readin on this forum bout huge numbers a fish bein chapped n no only by foreigners, no doubt u all will know the ones who at fault, a hink they shud look it themselves n fink wot they are doin before slatin the wormers 2 who maybe take 2, 3 a season, please correct me if a wrong

[greenbanks]

Well thought out post Scotty.
In terms of kills I agree that as many as or if not more fish are killed on fly than worm as more,far more are caught on the fly.If you want to put forward conservation measures to conserve stocks then all caught fish should go back where possible,worm caught fish can be hooked deeply causing mortal damage when hook extraction is attempted.As Jock Monteith says a dead fish wont spawn apropos of that I think its commendable that you are happy to go along with conservation measures, even though,i think you have to get your first fly caught fish Scotty.
Its attitudes that need changing and thats easier said than done.
Used to be, in times of plenty mind,the saying "if you always do what you always done you'll always get what you always got" was the rule.Stocks on some systems are critically low and a huge change of mindset is required.
I think the fishtay beats are showing just over 5000 fish for the season yet fishdee is showing a fraction under 5000 fish.There should be a big gap between the two as one is a much,much larger system.I know folks will say that its not a fair comparison as there are a lot taken of the tay trib's but i think the figure aint that great if the main rivers struggling in my humble opinion.

[whippy]

I can't see fishtay or fishspey marketing the world's best salmon angling with worm, fly fishing is marketable.

[greenbanks]

whippy said:

I can't see fishtay or fishspey marketing the world's best salmon angling with worm, fly fishing is marketable.

Not being a tad elitist there Whippy?
Am sure some of our Irish fishermen might disagree with that view,nevertheless in terms of sterling value a fly caught fish is worth more to the value of a beat.You should get to know Minitube on the forum who is a well respected fisher of fly,bait and spinner and is a super guy to converse with.You find guys like him are fishermen first and foremost and get to the levels of expertise in all methods that others only can dream of by years of dedication,study and application in learning their craft.

[scottyboy9nro]

Money talks eh, just because you have a fly rod doesnt make it right 2 kill fish in their droves, a dead fish is a dead fish. A think more than any its some of the fly fishers who need educated!

[midz]

in my local river nearly everyone uses the worm or the spinner as its such a small overgrown river,very rarely do i see anyone fish with the fly.

[scottyboy9nro]

maybe am lookin in wrong places then midz, also agree wiff u springer bout least catch n release friendly way of fishin but why should a b afraid and wary of talkin bout the worm n fishin it on some a these beats when av saw fly fishers catchin and chappin no only fish but coloured fish on the fly. It works both ways, a feel av put in a lot of effort fishin the worm with no rewards yit so a think for fly fishers 2 look down on me for wantin 2 perservere is harsh. I know no one tells u to your face, but anno it gets talked about. I can say that if a do get one on the worm it will most probably drive me 2 fly fishin more. For now a dunno tho cos a havent caught one!

[salmonscotty16lb]

there are some skilled worm fishers out there who pick up there fair share of fish and put most back. i have caught lots of salmon on the worm and put plenty back. i have deep hooked fish on worm but most in scissors or just in mouth. trick is to feel the fish on when it first picks up worm don't drop line or let fish hang its self when you feel first bumps tighten up so hook gets a grip at front not at back.
PS i have probably deep hooked same number of fish on fly as i have worm.

[salmonnut]

salmonscotty16lb said:

there are some skilled worm fishers out there who pick up there fair share of fish and put most back. i have caught lots of salmon on the worm and put plenty back. i have deep hooked fish on worm but most in scissors or just in mouth. trick is to feel the fish on when it first picks up worm don't drop line or let fish hang its self when you feel first bumps tighten up so hook gets a grip at front not at back.
PS i have probably deep hooked same number of fish on fly as i have worm.

I agree totally with the above!
I love fishing the worm, (but do use other methods), Nice soft tip rod,usually an 11.3 flyrod and fixed spool card 155,
Fished properly its magic. The worst offence in worm fishing is giving them line after the take( hey ive done it, result, salmo shityen worms) hit them after the dib dib dib and dont wait for the dob dob dob.
No , i got the order wrong, thats the second.
The worst is loading on a bunch, big weight, launch it out , put the rod down and wait.....................
The worm like all methods, be it fly, bait, or spinning are all river crafts that experienced anglers will master over long periods of practice, if they choose to do so.