Annual guide day

Had my once a year day out with Steve Rhodes of goflyfishinguk.com about a week ago. This is the second time I have been out with Steve and it never disappoints, the vast wealth of knowledge he has, and the fact that (like a true Yorkshire) he tells me I'm casting like an old lady when my line piles in a heap 3ft in front of me always makes for a good day!

Tough conditions for this particular day, but managed 4 fish, including a 1 1/2 pounder on a dry fly which was unbelievable for me! Never forget that full head out of the water rise....

Steve also introduced me to a couple of new techniques. Tried out a tenkara rod, which is tough to get used to but can give the most delicate presentation. Also tried French nymphing, where a 4m nylon leader is used with no fly line out. Again, a different casting technique is needed but the nylon leader means you don't get any disturbance when lifting off.

Because of the success of the day this annual event has now become a bi-annual event, with a day in September already booked. It is worth the money because I get to fish a new stretch of river, learn heaps about entymology, fishing techniques, fly tying and presentation.

Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of the day, this is just a local stream in Meanwood that I didn't know had small brownies in.

Finally...the duck has been broken

And it was broken in style! By style I mean a half decent day then a decent half day, more George by Asda than Mr Porter... but never the less it was a good week!

Buckden (as I found out last week) is a notorious stretch in the Bradford City AA for being a slow starter in the fishing season, picking up around May normally.
After a slow start I managed to hook into a decent fish, which moved about 3ft to take a Mayfly nymph, quite a sight in shallow clear water. This finally gave me the confidence in my methods I was looking for! The rest of the day I was upstream nymphing in riffles and the head and tail of runs and managed 5 in total, including 4 on a home tied GRHE, first wild river brown trout to a home tied fly. Great day!

Another irrelevant photo, but until I can find that damn lead that connects my camera to my computer, phone pictures will have to do...

So, following this boost I went for a half day on the River Aire at Keighly. Only about 300yds of fishable river here, but again picked up a few fish on my home tied GRHE including my first ever grayling, until some kids thought it was a good place to throw rocks into the river (cue grumpy premature old man rant under my breath...)
So all in all a fantastic week.

Without a doubt makes all the frustrations, wading accidents, rock salmon and tree trout worth it.

Here are a few home tied Mayfly nymphs I made after I embedded the only one I had in a root sticking out the bank....