Marks Blog

I’ve just returned from an awesome weekend at the Tweed Fair, held at Kelso. Ok, the journey was a bit of a gruelling slog, some 1200-mile round trip but it was well worth the effort. It was really good to meet up with some good mates from AAPGAI and display some of the top-end tackle that we distribute. The journey was made easier with the company of good friend Karl Humpries, who is always up for a joke and a laugh. The big cream cake he brought with him also helped make the journey more bearable.

I picked Karl up mid-way through the journey up to Scotland from Newcastle-under-Lyme, my hometown before moving down to Devon. This is where I first met Karl, who took me under his wing, showing me the skills of ‘proper’ fly casting, fishing and even employed me to help him run a fishery. So it’s always good to meet up and chat about the old days, and listen to stories of what’s been going on since my move.

We arrived at Kelso by mid-afternoon on the Friday and met up with a few of the guys who had been there since the previous day. Our job for the weekend was to support “Gamefish of Edinburgh” and help with the AAPGAI casting clinic. We took up an assortment of tackle including Scott rods, Nautilus and Abel reels, Clear Creek products, and fly lines etc. By late afternoon the stand was ready for the opening of the show, so we decided to blow a few cobwebs away and go outside to the rest of the guys who were busy casting away and chilling-out after a busy days teaching.

It wasn’t long before I had a rod in my hand, and was casting away with some of the sweetest casters, and best instructors around. It doesn’t matter how good you think you are, or how much you practice, you always come away from these events, fired up with enthusiasm and that little bit wiser. The thing that I love about meeting up with the guys is the lack of egos. Everyone was out for the same thing. To enjoy the casting and have a laugh.

After been blown away by some stunning casting, we all made our way back to the digs and started to get ready for a night out. The accommodation was top notch. We shared a group of cottages situated not far from the show. It was like a rehab centre for fly-casting addicts. And it wasn’t long before a rod was pulled out again, and we all hit the grass outside the digs casting away whilst we waited for a couple of the guys to finish getting ready.

Finally we were all ready and the rod was confiscated or we would have been there all night. We headed off into Kelso, and had a good night of feeding and drinking. The topic of conversation was varied, but it always came back around to fishing, casting, and teaching. To me, AAPGAI is the ultimate fly fishing organisation around. There are a growing number of younger guys coming through, all of which are awesome. So it was good to meet some of the northern guys who I had heard about, and spend some time getting to know them.

The following morning we were woken by the smell of a fry-up sizzling away. It didn’t take long to get us stirring, and as I walked across the courtyard to the dining room, I bumped into Paul Proctor and T-bone who had been out for an early morning run. Sorry, I meant cast! By 9am we were at the show and the crowds began to enter the main building. It was good to see that there was a lot of interest in all of the stands. Ours been particular busy. It was a good turnout of people, all showing their support for the show. The AAPGAI casting clinic was full to the brim, and alongside running the stand I nipped out to help out with the tuition. By 5pm I was knackered. These events soon take it out of you, explaining and demonstrating the equipment for eight hours solid. Grabbing a brew and grabbing my rod and went out with Jim Fearn and Karl to have a bit of a wind down and crank a few loops. No suprise that everybody else was doing the same.

That night was similar to the previous, but on returning back to the cottages (2am), a few of us decided to go and have a cast in the dark! Using the streetlights in the distance it was possible to make out the loops, and it certainly helps to sharpen your timing. Illtyd came out to join us, and it was interesting to listen to the tips he gave us. Anyone who knows anything about sea-trout fishing will know that Illtyd Griffiths is one of the most successful sea-trout anglers in the country. Mr Nocturnal. So it’s always a pleasure to watch and listen to the advice he gave us. By 4am most of us were ready to get our heads down. I popped over to see a few of the guys before retiring and noticed that Lee was busy studying his laptop. Looking over his shoulder, he was busy analysing ultra slow casting footage. I should of known! Another hour later I’m still talking to him and watching the screen until my eyelids began to shut.

Oh well, a couple of hours in the pit and then back to the show. Sunday was even busier than the Saturday. And with the Spey casting finals been held Karl was asked to help oversee the event. So we were all busy. The show began to wind down around 4pm and we were all ready. Nearly finished I thought. All’s we had to do now was pull the stand down, pack all the things away into the truck, make our way out of the show ground, and then make the 600mile drive back down to Devon. I did a Bailey blow, as Pete would call it ( a sigh). I would call it the sound of a dying man!

We were on the road by 6pm and decided to stop off at the chip shop en-route. Pulling into the lay-by outside we were greeted by a couple of the lads. Lee and T-bone were also feeling peckish. Karl treated us to fish and chips with curry sauce. Top man! The weather coming back down was torrential. I hadn’t driven in rain like that for a long time. Never one to miss a goodnights sleep in my own bed, we persevered until reaching Newcastle-under-Lyme where I dropped Karl back off at home. I couldn’t go on any further. So I spent the night crashing on my mums sofa with the cat. So much for my own bed!

Footnote. Sorry for the delay in the blog. Its been manic here since returning so I’ve only just been able to get it over the command module- (Pete’s laptop). With the school running flat out with tuition and guiding, and the Yak Shack getting busy, we’re in for a good summer.

Jax and myself have just have just returned from a fulfilling teaching session. We were invited to help out at one of the Casting For Recovery retreats held in the SW. It was the first one to be held in the region and was a great pleasure to take part in. For those who haven’t heard of CFR, it is a charity organisation that was originally started in the US to help females who are recovering from breast cancer. It was discovered that the motions of fly-casting are one of the best means of exercise for females who are recovering from the illness. Along with this, there are also the other benefits that fishing can bring. Fresh air, relaxation and of course the camaraderie between the ladies. Many of whom I am sure will become good friends.

The venue for the event was The Arundell Arms Hotel in Devon. There were ten ladies invited to the weekend retreat and were all recovering from breast cancer. I was a little nervous at first. Not about the teaching, but about how I approached things. After all, my usual teaching/guiding approach with The Scott Fly Fishing School is to keep things light-hearted and have a laugh and a joke with the person. I was a bit worried just in case it was going to be a bit of a sombre affair. How wrong I was.

We were given a briefing when we arrived by Sue Shaw, which highlighted a few points in which we were asked to keep to. These were mainly for medical reasons and for the welfare of the ladies. Each instructor was elected to be with one lady at a ratio of 1:1. The lady I was going to spend the day with was called Linda. We drove down to a nearby lake where we began to set all of the rods up and waited for the arrival of the group. Shortly after, the group appeared and we started to pair up with our elected lady. Whilst I was stringing the last rod and waiting for my turn, I heard someone say, “who’s teaching Linda?” and everyone started laughing and making jokes. I looked down at my name badge- it was me! I hoped that this meant that Linda was a bit of a character and a bit of a laugh.

Our aim was to carry off from the casting tuition that the ladies received the previous day and hopefully catch them a fish or two. I was right about Linda! She was off from the minute we started. Jax fished next to us with her elected lady and we all hit it off from the start. Both ladies were really enjoying the experience and were having a ball. Between the banter from both ladies and Jax and myself, we got them both casting and fishing within a short space of time. Jax always eager as ever was spotting fish at a top rate and managed to hook into a couple, whilst Linda and myself were still going on about the hours sleep that we lost due to the time change. But before long I popped on a weighted tadpole and Linda cast out and hooked her first trout. In a fit of screams and laughter she began to play the fish for a couple of minutes before pulling out. Id got a mouth full of biscuits at the time so couldn’t say anything. Linda was screeching and laughing. I just shook my head and grinned.

By midmorning we were ready for a brew and some more biscuits. So we arrived back at the marquee early, to get the first choice. We stood around chatting and it was nice to meet a few more of the ladies from the group and also the retreat staff who work tirelessly over the weekend. It was also good to meet up with Tim Smith and Dave Pilkington who work at the Arundell Arms as full time guides and instructors. It’s always a pleasure to get together with a couple more AAPGAI lads and have a cast and a chinwag. After the tea break we carried on fishing for a while, until Linda was called to do an interview for a local news programme. After the interview Linda was on good form and was making a few nice casts, in between the laughing and joking. We moved around to a new location and Linda was frantically casting at cruising fish, but failed to hook any.

The time flew by and before we knew it the session was over. It had been arranged that we all stayed for lunch. I expected a few butties and a piece of cake. But I was pleasantly surprised when we were invited into the hotel for a full three-course meal. With starters of salmon, mains of chicken and puddings of clotted cream and some cake stuff, I was in my element. I was originally planning on cracking open a can of beans when I got back home. But this was good.

The day ended with certificates and complimentary thanks to everyone who took part. It was a rewarding and satisfying day for everyone involved and all of the ladies went home very positive about the weekend, I’m sure good friendships will be formed. It would be nice if a few of the ladies decided to carry on with the fishing when they returned back home. I know Linda will. After all she does have a spot of prime river running past her house. So thanks for the invite, I’m sure we’ll take her up on the offer and call in when were passing. Err, I think were passing that way tomorrow, better make sure I’ve got my waders in the car!

For anyone wishing to know more about the casting for recovery program, you can find out the details on www.castingforrecovery.com

I’m glad to see that the weather has started to pick up again. After spending the winter busy teaching and guiding, it’s nice to get a bit of sun on my back again. I’ve just got in after another weekends teaching; teaching how to cast distance with heavy pike-fly outfits. It was good to meet up with a like minded angler who’s love of pike fishing ruled his life. I’m glad im not the only nut!

I met up with Martyn at 9:30 at the Scott Fly Fishing School HQ and we sat drinking coffee and chatted about pike and pike fishing. It was good to hear his stories and about his pike fishing career. Whilst we were sitting around I explained all about the tackle we would be using, I showed him how to make up tapered leaders and the different knots that we use for attaching traces and flies etc. The aim of the lesson was to get Martyn casting large flies to a respectable distance for his conquest on Chew. I know distance isn’t always necessary, but it certainly helps to be able to cover more water at times.

A lot of the fly-pike fishing that I do tends to be with intermediate and sinking lines, so It was important to explain to Martyn about learning the values of the roll cast, overhead cast, shooting line and hauling. Once Martyn had understood the concept of the AFTM system and about rod load etc, it wasn’t long before he was making nice overhead casts and shooting line. As a bit of a loop freak, I got Martyn to understand the importance of loop shapes and sizes. Casting big bushy pike flies often needs all the help they can get, so it wasn’t long before we got onto hauling.

In my opinion hauling is the vital element of the cast to achieve a desired distance. So it was worth spending time making sure that Martyn learnt the fundamentals of the single and double haul. Within a few hours Martyn was double hauling and casting his line to about 60ft. I explained about rod tip paths, casting planes, increased line speed and tip speed etc. All nerdy stuff, but so important to making effortless casts. It was good to see the look on Martyn’s face as he made his cast and watched as the line shot through the guides of his rod. With a few tweaks here and there, he looked like he had been fly-fishing for years. He had got it cracked. By the end of the lesson Martyn was hitting 70-80ft consistently. A good distance for winding up and chucking out large flies.

It was nice to help a fellow piker spread his wings and enter the world of fly-fishing. I warned him about the obsessive dangers that fly-fishing tends to grip you in. And explained how it can get you hooked. I would like to wish Martyn all the best with his fly piking career and hope he does well on Chew.

For those wishing to have a shot at pike on the fly, I’ll explain about the tackle that you will require.

9’ 8-10 weight fast action rod.

Line to match. (Buy a purpose-designed pike line).

Large harbour reel and backing.

Selection of mono, Co-polymer and fluorocarbon leaders.

Spool of wire trace. AFW Surflon® Micro wire.

Selection of Pike flies.

Large landing net.

Un-hooking mat.

Pliers/forceps.

Scales and weigh sling.

Hat/Cap and sunglasses.

I am at the end of the telephone if anyone wishes to talk to me further about

tackle requirements and rod specs etc . I am always glad to help others wishing to get into the sport. For those of you who are interested, Scott Fly Fishing School will be holding a pike fly-fishing course later in the year. For more details check out the dates on the site or give us a ring. Be nice to meet up with you.

I have just returned home covered in mud and blood after an enjoyable day with good friend and local angler Toby Merigan. We’ve just spent the day on the Somerset levels in search of a few pike. It was originally planned that Pete was going to join us, but due to the tight deadline of the printing of our new W&S catalogue, he was busy working away in an office somewhere for twenty-four hours straight with Bob. Ah, the joys of being a boss!

I met up with Toby after the short drive up the M5. He was going to take me on one of the drains that criss-cross the levels. In years gone by, local anglers have caught some good-sized pike from the area. But talking to them today, they say that the numbers of big pike getting caught are fewer and fewer. Never the less, they do hold a lot of pike. So after a short period of settled weather, I was well up for a days fishing.

Typically when we turned up the weather had deteriorated and it was dull, drizzling and windy. But that tends to be pike fishing. I looked across the barren landscape through the grim weather and thought of those lazy summer evenings fishing for rising brownies. I pulled up my hood, grabbed my gear and then thought, here we go! This is the type of fishing that fires me up. It was also an excuse to try out my new toy. I had just got my hands on new a Scott X2S rod and had been dying to try it out.

When we got down to the drain, the level was up and quite coloured. Toby decided to opt for big n bright. I’m sure it would have worked, but due to the wind it was quite a chore to cast, so he down sized to a 6/0. Pink was his choice and a colour that had been doing well in recent visits. I opted for black! Why don’t I listen? I was still busy casting away with the new rod, whilst Toby was bent into his third fish. All to the same fly. Not big fish, but all very nice on a grim February day.

About an hour later, after watching Toby have his fill of fish I changed over to a fluro-pink bunny, and with a slow figure of eight I was soon battling with a Somerset drain monster. Pink was certainly doing the job. I got the fish to the top and slipped it into the landing net. The total weight was about 4lb. Including the net! We spent the morning fishing and walking along the drain, casting into likely looking holding areas. One thing that was apparent was how the pike wanted the flies to be positioned. Casting 45° across the drain certainly seemed to be more productive than when cast straight across the drain. I quickly had a few takes and Toby had a couple more fish.

As we walked along the muddy banks towards the reeds, we soon noticed silver fishing spraying out of the water. For any pike angler this usually gets the heart racing. As we neared I asked Toby for one of the flies that he had been using. He did- but it cost me half a bag of Revels. I tied it onto the trace and I cast it alongside the disturbed bait-fish. Within the second twitch of the fly, I was in. I looked around and spotted that Toby was also into another fish. He was doing well.

By lunch we had managed a total of 10 fish. I’d managed to contribute the least and smallest fish so far. Oh well, the day was still young. We walked back along the drain keeping our eyes open for any movement and we had a few more casts until we reached the van. Did Toby have another fish? I can’t remember now. I know I didn’t. I was more concerned that I had eaten all my food whilst fishing. So Toby was good enough to share his sandwiches with me.

After lunch I was fired up. We decided to cross over to the other side of the drain. The wind had been blowing off the wrong shoulder all morning, so it was nice to get into a bit of easier casting. And it wasn’t long before we were both into a few fish again. This time I managed a few in quick succession. Id fished this stretch a couple of years ago, whilst I was thinking about moving down to the West Country. We did well then. If I remember right we had quite a few pike throughout the day. So I was looking forward to the walk along it.

Toby said he hadn’t done very well along it before, so it was nice to see him striking into a fish. Whilst unhooking the fish we noticed that there were a few silverfish still its mouth. Maybe it’s me. But I find it quite fascinating to see what the pike have been feeding on. I remember unhooking a large pike once and finding a pair of duckling’s feet sticking out of its throat. I changed over to a mirror flash bait pattern that Id tied and straight away I was into another small jack.

By then end of the day we had managed to catch 24 pike between us. Toby had a good day. He managed to catch 15 of them. I was glad to have managed to get a few fish on the new rod and it was another water that I had started to learn. It can be hard moving to a new area and learning all the new waters after fishing your home waters for most of your life. But it’s certainly enjoyable. Thanks to Toby for the good day. And thanks for the pink materials you donated to me. Ill get cracking at tying some of those flies and be prepared for next time.