Derwent.

[mick dunn]

Hello lads
Had a look up the Derwent Resevoir yesterday.First look out of 2008. Thought my fresh water licence covered me until 20th April. As i took it out a year ago on this date when i began fresh water fishing. But no read the small print says the fella in the shop. expires on the 31/03/2008.
Being a bit short of readies i got a one day licence for £3.50.
Bought some worm and power bait and a mars bar and the day came to just over £30.
Now being used to paying nowt when sea fishing this hurt.(£20 for the days fishing).
Went to Pow Hill and put on the waders. They are a good bit of tackle until one of the Northumbria guys shouted i was to deep. Thigh hieght is the limit. So its not unfare to the thigh wader guys.
Started 10 am and used fly rod most of the morning. When i had my dinner put out a ledger but there was nowt doing.
I could see the lads on the other side of the resevoir where fly fishing is only allowed so the guy from the water board said have a go.
Drove round and i was very impressed. No kids,crossed lines,a lovely peaceful grass bank with bags of room.
Fish were being caught either side and black fritz was the killer of the day.
I quicky learned that the fish were feeding on the bottom and intermediate line was the real catcher. One lad next to me had his 8 bag. I was still blanking. I stuck with it and was rewarded with a rainbow of about two pounds. Also had quite a few knocks but no more takes. I left at 8pm-back aching but a really enjoyable day-and my face got sunburnt

Mick.

[seddo]

Well done for sticking with it Mick, it makes the waiting that bit sweeter when you get that elusive bend in the rod.

[mick dunn]

I still do not undertand about the nymphs and stuff but will keep on experimenting. I,m bidding on e-bay for an aluminium reel with spare spool. I,ll be loading the spools with backing and new intermediate and new floating. The old floating is looking a bit worn.
One of the guys yesterday was a bit upset his Hardys Grey fly rod snapped after about an hour. It has a lifetime guarantee but he had to watch his son most of the day. The rod cost him £500.

[Beachlover]

Mick

I used to be a season ticket holder up the Derwent years ago, when it was a proper fly fishery with proper rules, if you ask me I would tell you to forget the intermediate line, in my experience you can do exactly the same with a floating line as you can with an intermediate. Get yourself a medium sinker for the start of the year and a floater for the rest.

The only time an intermediate has a benifit is if the water is like a mill pond then you can still fish at the surface without creating a wake, but on occasions like this all I do is turn around and go back home again.

[cod basher]

Patience is a virtue... I'm learning that one the hard way!

[mick dunn]

Craig funny you should mention that because i put a heavy gold head frizz on. Cast out. Had a pee, and when i brought the line in i had fastened on the bottom. I had a long leader of about 12-15 feet on. Most of the knocks was when the fritz was sinking on its own.

Bought my licence on line yesterday £25.

All seems a lot of money but seeing as though i have,nt had a drink for nearly 3 months it would have only gone up the the toilet wall.

Mick.

[AndyJames83]

whats derwent like bait fishing lads?? any particualr area i want to be in? what baits/techniques work well for this time of the year? Only ever been once and not to fish, fancy heading up on saturday for a change of scenery

[mick dunn]

You can fish from PowHill with power bait,worm,spinner or fly. No groundbaiting is allowed but you can use a feeder.
Took the lad up today and the dog. You might as well have been sitting on the end of a pier. Water rough, Windy,cold and raining.

[AndyJames83]

cheers mick, probs gonna give it a miss. i don't mind been battered by the weather on the boat or on the shore but i like to enjoy the trout fishing if its gonna cost me the thick end of £40. I'll wait till the weather picks up a bit.

[dicky mint]

cheap fly lines

if ya after a budget fly line that fishes real well mate have a look at either qualityefishing or northeastanglingsupplies on ebay. they do them for about 7 quid and they are really quite impressive. you could even call in as their premises (ultimate fishing tackle) is only down the road at chopwell, next to the fire station. and you,ll save ya postage

[bazw]

i like high altitude fishing so go to cow green
cheaper and i prefer the taste of brownies to rainbow as well

[mick dunn]

Cheers guys.
I,m getting some more stuff. Ordered a shakespear fly reel with spare spool. Also ordered some new floating line and am chasing some intermediate at the moment.
Was down Hartlepool today so popped in NE Tackle.
Some rods were nearly £600 and i saw a reel for £400.
Anyway bought a few flies and some Fish Pimp strike indicaters.
I really fancy a Hardy GRX reel and spotted one on e-bay with 3 spools fitted with different line. Looks a good deal but could be pricey.

Trying to work out when i get back out fishing now what with work and minding my young un.

[mick dunn]

Got back up today. Lost three or four and caught one 2-1/4 pound.Tried intermediate line but prefer floating line with long leader.