Paul Procter Fly Fishing

Dreaded Cloud…

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:47:00 +0000

Intermittent cloud often hinders those who prefer stalking river trout as ever changing light prevents your eyes from tuning in. With that, any hope of getting our string pulled today involved lake fishing. A trip to Lake Otamangakau seemed like a plan. Known as the “Big O” this upland water contains a head of truly giant trout. And following a slow start we finally got amongst some serious rod benders that climaxed with me hooking and eventually losing a monstrous specimen. Talk was that it would have dropped the scales beyond that magical 10lb mark, but I for one was not qualified to make such assumptions. However, a string of thumping rainbows as fat as pigs more than made up for any disappointment.

Paul~

~A plump hen fish well over 6lb, not a bad consolation prize~

Our drive to the lake took us through Turangi which has an impressive welcome sign of a fishermen leaning into a fish-this town certainly has its priorities in order.

Cicada City:

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:06:00 +0000

Cicada season ranks as a high point in the Kiwi fishing calendar, yet due to wet weather of late, few if any of these large ungainly terrestrials failed to stretch their wings. Thankfully, my arrival coincided with a much needed warm spell and guess what…the cicadas came out to play…talk about being a clarty so and so! Better still, possessing little aerial deftness they struggle with even a faint breeze which sends them crashing to the water’s surface. And to trout, struggling cicadas represent your five-a-day. Searching the banks of the Tongariro river Gary Lyttle and I dropped onto a nest of hungry brown trout that eagerly scoffed our cicada imitations. Then came the difficult part of steering headstrong fish through a maze of sunken branches. Bar one, amazingly they all stayed on giving us a day to remember. Paul~

~A small head and broad shoulders indicate fast growth for this Tongariro Brown~

~Gary Lyttle displays what’s on offer when cicadas play ball~

Trout Bum Country:

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:19:00 +0000

~Gary pokes his nose over the margins hoping to find dimpling trout~

Many of us would be lying if we didn’t admit to a fishing lifestyle of a Trout Bum made popular by john Geirach’s work. Apparently, such people travel the globe blagging, begging and making ends meet to fund their fly fishing addiction! Given this I didn’t feel so bad turning up on Gary Lyttle’s doorstep in Taupo NZ pretty much unannounced. Gary (bless him) already had a house full of fishing junkies and not wanting to turn me away offered me a comfy sofa in the garage. Full of every imaginable fishing paraphernalia (including a boat) this was pure luxury to yours truly. Following a good night’s kip we were up early to check out a spring creek in search of rising trout.

Paul~

~No prizes for guessing where this road leads to…!~

New Zealand “The Great Outdoors”

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 08:25:00 +0000

~A pristine NZ trout stream-pure wilderness waiting to be explored~

Funny how things turn out, those who know me probably saw it coming a mile away! However, New Zealand wasn’t on my agenda this year, yet a week and a half ago I found myself trawling websites in search of a budget flight. It took a while but eventually I stumbled across one. Of course, friends from down under convinced me to press the “confirm” button (not that difficult). With final plans completed and packing just about done the epic journey to Auckland begins today. They’ve been having some pretty shabby weather down there, so let’s hope things take a turn for the better.

Paul~

Ascension Bay…Oasis:

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:52:00 +0000

Fly fishing in a tropical environment involves interaction with all kind of exotic species and not all of them fish! For me, such sightings only add to the excitement when it’s possible to catch critters bearing teeth without even using rod and line (below). Honestly, some outings unfold amidst the day to day drama of live and death when apex predator like sharks or crocs mercilessly hound unfortunate creatures. Of course, sometimes you might come across more sinister signs, like the tracks of a prowling jaguar on the fringes of a mangrove forest…proper Tarzan stuff! As far as I’m concerned these distractions make flats fishing a rich and varied pastime.

Paul~

~Pugmarks of a large jaguar stretch along the shoreline~

Brightening up a dull day:

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 10:51:00 +0000

Our recent trip to Ascension Bay, Mexico blessed us with plenty of sunny weather, something we’re desperately lacking back home right now! Anyway, our groups enjoyed chasing the usual suspects of bonefish, tarpon, cuda, shark and those enigmatic permit. Naturally, an arsenal of rods allowed you to swap at a moments notice, depending what species decided to swim past the skiff. Though at times it seemed we had enough hardware to sink a battleship! Despite occasionally grabbing the wrong rod for the job things generally worked out OK. Of course there’s more too it than nailing fish after fish. Taking a break from a spell of hard core fishing brings certain rewards and allows you to compose yourself for round two (the afternoon session)! Paul~

NZ Trout Diaries for Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:06:00 +0000

A nasty virus grounded me over the festive season, so wrapping up warm I lost myself in a good book. Full of interest, event and sound information they really don't come any they don’t really come any better than “The Trout Diaries” written by Derek Grzelewski. A former guide, Derek takes you month by month through a fishing season in New Zealand. And to say I became totally consumed would be an understatement. A big fan of the crystal clear streams down under, I found myself wanting to be back there more than ever. What really does it though is how wonderfully crafted this book is. An honest and philosophical account, you actually feel you're pacing a riverbank with the author, step by way. Having digested every page from cover to cover, back to front and inside out, I’m fighting back powerful urges of jumping on a plane to fly some 12,000 miles and sample those huge spotted beauties……A must read even if you have little intention of visiting NZ. Published by Bateman the book is now available from www.amazon.co.uk or www.amazon.com

Paul~

Practice makes Perfect:

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:54:00 +0000

Gearing up for my annual jaunt down to Ascension Bay in Mexico, tying flies for bonefish, tarpon and permit has consumed me of late. And whilst having the killing fly is crucial these are only as good as the knot that secures them. One thing that’s vital out there is being able to tie on a fly (often quickly in a rocking skiff…) using an articulated knot. Time spent practicing is rarely time wasted. The trick is to make sure all turns bed in neatly and little if any kinking affects the leader close to the fly.

Paul~

There’s caddis about too:

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 19:58:00 +0000

~Yours truly disturbing caddis…or something like that~

Although much of our sport centred round upwinged hatches the San boasts an incredible population of caddis too. Admittedly, many of these emerge undercover of darkness before making for bankside safety. Believe it or not, retrieving a snagged fly from overhanging trees has certain advantages. Any adult caddis resting here were easily disturbed and soon scuttling about the surface. In such circumstances it’s hard not to take advantage by flinging a fly into the immediate area.

We all like a photo of a good fish for posterity and Paul Mercer is no different. However, whilst trying to snap a plump grayling, it happened to slip from his hand……that’s what he reckons anyway!

A bumper hatch

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:48:00 +0000

It’s not everyday you have an opportunity to experience Blue-winged olives that run into their thousands. Equally, not every river is capable of producing such an event. Yet, when she’s on song the San yields an astonishing number of fly. A drop in temperature was just the job to spur these on when we were treated to a bumper hatch. Better still the boys managed to connect with some quality fish too.

Paul~

~Mark Whitmarsh…one very happy chappy~

Blue winged-olives bring it on:

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:15:00 +0000

~Brian Garner and Paul Mercer search out a sheltered corner~

Back home weather conditions often dictate our fishing and the same is pretty much true in Poland. Faced with a niggling breeze, we had to search out a quiet corner or two in a bid to find rising fish. Thankfully, parts of the San flow through heavily wooded regions which provide welcome shelter. It was here that Blue Winged-olives hatched in abundance with grayling and trout close on their tails. During lulls in the wind, grayling responded to our carefully presented flies.

Paul~

~Grayling like this were in the offing~

The sun doesn’t shine on the righteous:

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:45:00 +0000

~Pat Naish cradles nearly 50cm of prime San grayling~

Like most of Europe, Poland has been basking in sunshine for weeks on end. However, we arrived just as a rain front came in, covering much of the region in cloud. The upshot being Blue-winged olives streaming off in droves. Of course being on the river at the right time counts for everything and those prepared to forego lunch were rewarded with some belting fish. Using a size 20 CdC emerger, Pat Naish led the charge with Mark Whitmarsh close on his heals.

Paul~

~Smiles all-round...!~

Poland-A time for Grayling:

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 14:13:00 +0000

Autumn is prime time for fly hatches on the San River in south west Poland. Recently though drought conditions have scuppered any Blue-winged olive activity. However, forecasters are predicting a change so fingers crossed, cloud cover and accompanying rain will kick start hatches for our week ahead.

Paul~

A day on the Wye:

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 10:56:00 +0000

Friends of Cressbrook and Litton AA hold an end of season bash on the Derbyshire Wye. I was there spending a day with Kris Kent of the Wild Trout Trust, wearing my WWT Vice-President’s hat of course. True to form the day dawned dank and miserable, making trout or more importantly the insects they care to eat a little lethargic. Though come lunchtime things were in full swing. John Glynn, Kris and myself passed up this slap-up affair in favour of fishing and what fun we had. Using tiny dries on fine tippets afternoon sport was as good as it gets. Though occasionally, both Kris and John turned to the dark side by knotting on a tiny nymph…bah.

Paul~

Known as the “Silver back”, Kris has enormous hands which makes any trout look small! Though one thing you can’t deny is the sheer beauty of Wye rainbows which come into their own during September.

Cumbrian Kent:

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 06:57:00 +0000

The Cumbria Kent ranks as one of England’s fastest flowing rivers. Obviously then, any trout that care to live here are best described as “turbo charged” and when hooked, even the wee ones test your knots. A flying visit to Burneside AA was well worth the effort. Although little in the way of fly hatched, we found fish willing to take dries with small beetle patterns and olive paraduns producing well. This system is arguably the last bastion of our native White-clawed crayfish. Clear evidence that these crustaceans are thriving were their discarded remains left by herons and other predators.

Paul~

~Photos: Rod Calbrade~

Schoolboy Error:

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 07:13:00 +0000

Being well travelled, you’d think by now I’d have the luggage bit down to a fine art. However, Bosnia didn’t quite work like that. Always looking to lighten the load, I trimmed my waistcoat contents to the bare minimum. With dry flies taking precedence, nymph and spider boxes were left behind. All seemed fine until one morning on the Ribink when Kris Kent and I decided a sparse waterhen bloa would be just the job to fool a shoal of stubborn grayling. Yet, fumbling about my vest, I suddenly realized where they were…whoops. Kris embarrassed me further by claiming he habitually carries everything bar the kitchen sink! Ah well…there’s always 2012 for introducing those Balkan grayling to the charms of a North Country fly…

Paul~

Final Fling:

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:47:00 +0000

Our finally day dawned with glorious sunshine once more. And although the hatch was slow to get going, we had some interesting fishing. Clear water certainly helps when it comes to locating trout and believe me, you’d be hard pushed to find more pristine streams than those in Bosnia. Come lunchtime, we retired to the shade before a final fling into darkness. Paul Mercer was the last to call it a day, who was literally dragged kicking and screaming from the Pliva. Plans are already afoot for a return visit next season. Details will be posted on: www.flyodyssey.co.uk

~Clear as a bottle of Gordon’s~

~One of my final grayling from the Ribnik, a good note to finish on~

~Guides and fishermen-a great bunch of guys~

Evening Entertainment:

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 06:23:00 +0000

~Bosnian guide Mita waits for the evening action to get underway~

The Pliva might have a staggering head of fish, but if they’re not intent on feeding, it’s best to play a waiting game. Granted, we managed to tempt a few fish under a relenting sun though once this slipped behind those towering mountains, fly started hatching in earnest. Thankfully both trout and grayling responded, giving us a chance to connect with them using a range of small dry flies.

Paul~

~Trout like this were in the offing for those exercising patience~

Grayling get going:

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 06:01:00 +0000

~This Ribnik beauty pushed towards 3lb~

Judging by recent weather forecasts the UK continues to be battered by gales and rain. However, here in Bosnia we’re being treated to sunny days and temperatures nudging 30oC. Yet, despite this heat, grayling are feeding like no tomorrow. The main reason for this are numerous ants continually tumbling into the Ribnik’s margins, a delicacy relished by grayling shoals. Using stealth and careful presentation it’s possible to winkle out some pretty impressive specimens which have grown fat over the past few months. Of course fly selection makes all the difference in the World!

Paul~

~Jasmin Dvizac displays the golden shades of a Bosnian grayling~

Food & Drink:

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 06:31:00 +0000

Visiting new destinations brings the opportunity to sample local fare. All I can say is traditional Bosnian food stands up with the best of them. And, as for drinks, strong coffee helped kick start us in the morning. Though come lunchtime a plate of freshly prepared vegetables cooked outside provided energy to battle the Ribnik’s spotted inhabitants. As for Plivovica (the local plum brandy) this kept us entertained on many an evening.

Paul~

~Kris Kent (aka The Silverback) enjoying morning coffee~

Claiming it would help give us “maximum concentration”, our host Pedja would insist on supplying us with Plivovica at breakfast for the day a head… Typically English, we decided to stick with strong coffee instead and savour the liquor after a long day by the river.

~Who could say “no” to such freshly prepared food..?~

Beetles buck the trend:

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:34:00 +0000

Whilst the rivers Ribnik and Pliva are reputed for their small, delicate dry flies, occasionally, it can be worth trying something totally different. I’d actually found that Bosnian trout and grayling had a fondness for a large tan Klinkhamer run down fast flowing pools. Kris Kent went one better, by using a large, brash beetle. To his amazement, some large brown trout came looking for a meal when the offending fly “plopped” in the water.

Paul~

~Prime Ribnik brown trout~

First Blood on the Pliva:

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 06:22:00 +0000

~A well earned coffee before battle commences~

Following an early flight out of Gatwick the boys took a much needed coffee break as we neared base camp before preparing for an assault on the river Pliva. Paul Maxwell was the first to score with a plump, golden grayling of a pound plus. Then it was Kris Kent’s (aka the Silverback…) turn, who managed to charm a string of brown trout out using tiny dries.

Paul~

~A spanking trout from the mighty Pliva~

Bosnia Beckons:

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:04:00 +0000

In truth, sometimes it’s with a heavy heart I travel to far flung destinations (for fear of missing action on my local streams…)! However, given our current weather trend, which let’s face it is absolutely pants, there’s a huge degree of excitement about the prospect of exploring new rivers in Bosnia with Fly Odyssey: www.flyodyssey.co.uk

Paul~

A day in the Dales

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:44:00 +0000

~Clouds can never dampen your spirits in the Dales:

Happy Dales:

Every time I visit the neighbouring Dales, I’m left wondering……how come I left it so long? The Yorkshire Ure is an iconic trout & grayling river that should be fished by everyone at some stage. My recent visit might have seen threatening clouds spilling down the dale, but fish responded well to a range of small dry flies. And whilst good numbers of wild trout where encountered, grayling stole the show for once. One fish in particular comes to mind…a hefty lump estimated at some 2lb, which eventually spat the hook…bugger! The consolation came in this fish below. Ok-so it didn’t register as a 2-pounder, but it’s a damn fine specimen nonetheless.

Paul~

~Photos by: Rod Calbrade~

Eden on song:

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Procter Fly Fishing) — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 19:37:00 +0000

~This image speaks for itself~

We can count ourselves lucky up north as periodic rain has kept our rivers replenished for much of the season and the Eden is no exception. Granted, high water plagued us from time to time, but on the whole, sport has been second to none. Along with a handful of other trout, I prised this beauty out of the Eden only yesterday on a small beetle pattern.

Paul~