Up until a fortnight ago I viewed fly fishing with a certain awe, something akin
to basket weaving or sign writing. A skill I would love to learn but would just
watch instead, as it seemed such an exacting art. However a strange sequence of
events has changed all this. After a long drive back to the Fishing Republic
near Barnsley in the UK I had arranged to meet up with John Gross to buy lots of
freshwater fishing equipment for our new angling holiday venture and new online
tackle shop. John is a director of the Fishing Republic, Yorkshire Game Angling
and fishing equipment manufacturers Lureflash. He is also a national accredited
fly fishing instructor - certainly a man with a wealth of knowledge, and someone
who I found fascinating to listen to. A full day of buying with Matt, Kirsty and
Tara at the Fishing Republic in Darfield and fly fishing specialists Yorkshire
Game Angling down the road at Kilnhurst meant a very full vehicle and lots of
equipment. As well as mountains of carp gear, rig kits, specialist baits, poles
and elastics from Darfield down at Yorkshire Game Angling I had bought several
fly rods, reels, backing, lines and flies and deep down was frustrated I really
knew little about this area of fishing. Richard Turtle the manager had been very
informative and kitted me up with all I required for holidaying anglers plus a
starter outfit for me I now know! The next morning John Gross rang me early
to find out if everything was alright and I was satisfied with what I had
bought. Before I could tell him of my frustrations regarding fly fishing he
asked me to meet him at the shop in Kilnhurst and offered to take me over the
road to the canal and show me the basics. What an opportunity! John went through
the basic principles and the dangers. Then we ventured out into the rain on the
canal side and I was amazed at how he demonstrated this fascinating fishing art.
Seeing the line shooting back and forth above his head then being landed gently
on the water twenty or so metres from us fired up a new passion in me. This was
something I had to master. John had tied a piece of wool to the end of the
leader to prevent me from having my ears pierced by a proper fly hook! After an
hour and a half I was again very frustrated, I could not get the rhythm right. I
had the rod butt tucked in my sleeve but I was using too much force. A legacy of
surfcasting and distance carping I suppose. A finer technique was required.
John's theory was that I should eat less steak. As time ran out I left pleased
that I had at least tried but angry with myself that I had achieved little.
All the way back home to Spain I went over and over what I had been doing wrong
and could not wait to have another practice.
After the three day trip home I opened my e-mails to find an invite to a trout
fly fishing competition from Jan Keijsers of Hondontrucha at Hondon de las
Nieves on the 4th January. This was one week away. The Old Fish Wife told me I
would be stupid to attempt to do it so after a phone call to Jan I was
enrolled to do the competition! Nothing like a little pressure to focus the
mind. I decided that the next day I would go up to Embalse De Alfonso to
practice with my new fly gear. I had totally forgotten about loading backing and
fly line plus a leader to my reel. After a fraught night learning yet more new
skills I was starting to wonder if I had made a big mistake in accepting Jan's
kind invitation.
The episode at Alfonso only served to confirm my thoughts especially when the
OFW took hold of the rod and did better than me at her first ever attempt at
fishing of any kind!
I rang Peter Hampshire whom had been in contact to buy my DVD on shore fishing
as he wanted to learn the basics. Peter had also asked me if I could bring him a
fly rod and some new line back from the UK as he was an accomplished fly
fisherman but was struggling to find what he required here in Spain. Peter
kindly offered to come over the next day and did a deal with me that if I showed
him the ropes of shore fishing then he would give me further tuition with my fly
rod.
Offer accepted. Next time I will tell you how I faired in this skilful area of
angling.
New Mercury Reel loaded and ready
In a right kerfuffle at Alfonso!
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