A new direction...

Work (what the chuff else) has once again kept me from the water. Managed two trips since my last post, shameful really. One trip to Lymm Dam saw me tease a 10lbs (ish) Pike from the depths. The next saw me blank, and get soaked.

Like others, I've been keeping a close eye on the posts from our mutual friend , Mike Duddy. His superb Blog, Manchester Fishing Fiend is a must read, especially for the 'urban' fisherman or woman. Anyway, his tales of pulling Brown Trout from local rivers that not so very long ago were little more than open sewers or chemical baths, are inspirational.

I've been tempted to join Mike along the banks of the Irwell, but never quite made it. So, not having much of a clue about river fly fishing I thought I should get some expert tuition.

Cutting a long story short, a little while ago I found myself on the banks of a local river with none other than John Tyzack. An expert in the art of fly fishing, a great guide and generally all-round nice bloke. The only blot in his copy book - he supports City. Ah well, can't have everything.

John took me through everything I needed to know (and more) to get me started - choice of rods, lines, leaders, fly etc. etc. etc. He took his time in explaining how to start to read the river and where I should place myself, and my fly. I lost count of the times he pulled the leaves from my fly or waded into the depths when I got caught up, or got stuck in a tree!

John gave me an awful lot of help and advice, some of which I'm still digesting. Needless to say, I'd recommend his guiding services.

We ended the day with a number of fish, including my first Grayling - about 1lbs (ish). Hooray!

Actually, we really ended the day in the Pub, the best place to end any days fishing. John went over the day with me, gave me even more advice about nymphing for Grayling and left me chomping at the bit to get out there and begin a new chapter in my fishing life.
Cheers John.