yes pete you coil up some line in your hand then throw the pike float with the other...Ever tried casting a Pike Float with a weight 6 fly rod and line?![]()

yes pete you coil up some line in your hand then throw the pike float with the other...Ever tried casting a Pike Float with a weight 6 fly rod and line?![]()

You missed one Mike, 'they aren't stocking this reservoir like they used to, no fish in here'As Arron has said, do not go below 6lb, 8/10lb is ideal, use Flourocarbon.
As a new/novice angler, I hugely recommend you get your excuses right should you blank. I worked in the fly fishing environment for 3 decades, so here is a “I didn’t catch today because.......” list
Its too cold.
It’s too cloudy.
It’s too windy.
Water is to coloured.
It’s to bright.
Rivers too high.
It’s too warm.
Water is too cold
It’s too still.
Water is too clear.
It’s too early.
It’s too late.
Rivers too low.
Water is too warm.
That should keep you going for a while, but don’t forget to tell the angler who has blanked.......”You should have been here yesterday” or “Tomorrow will be better”. That is the way to make new friends.
Tip: Put a larger/heavier Buzzer on the point, then a Diawl Bach, then a small Buzzer, as someone who will probably never meet you, I guarantee you will catch on that.
Good luck.
Mike.

agreed, you won't go wrong with that combo on the cast, and that list of excuses is a must!.As Arron has said, do not go below 6lb, 8/10lb is ideal, use Flourocarbon.
As a new/novice angler, I hugely recommend you get your excuses right should you blank. I worked in the fly fishing environment for 3 decades, so here is a “I didn’t catch today because.......” list
Its too cold.
It’s too cloudy.
It’s too windy.
Water is to coloured.
It’s to bright.
Rivers too high.
It’s too warm.
Water is too cold
It’s too still.
Water is too clear.
It’s too early.
It’s too late.
Rivers too low.
Water is too warm.
That should keep you going for a while, but don’t forget to tell the angler who has blanked.......”You should have been here yesterday” or “Tomorrow will be better”. That is the way to make new friends.
Tip: Put a larger/heavier Buzzer on the point, then a Diawl Bach, then a small Buzzer, as someone who will probably never meet you, I guarantee you will catch on that.
Good luck.
Mike.
agreed, you won't go wrong with that combo on the cast, and that list of excuses is a must!.
Living in Blagdon Id say one of the super glue buzzers on point, with jungle cock Diawl Bachs on droppers (size 14) possibly a cruncher on the top dropper, and if you want to go washing line then a dial bach booby on the point.
I wouldn't go lower than 8lb fluorocarbon here (rio my fave), 3 turn water knots for the droppers.
enjoy, its a fabulous sport!
One or two, more than that list more likeI wonder (If we are going to be TOTALLY HONEST how many of us have used one or two of the excuses Mike has listed at some time in the past?
Remember TOTALLY HONEST!![]()
![]()
![]()

wouldn't dream of going that heavy on a chalk stream! sacrilege!! but on Bristol waters lakes theres some hefty, very fit fish! 6lbers are pretty common, and theres much bigger (along with some epic pike).Jeez!
Using terminal tackle like that would see you all kicked off any half-decent chalkstream
If I go above 3lb tippet it's a rarity, though I made an exception for the Test last season as it's stocked with some big fish. Drennan Double Strength being my preference, and I view flouro as akin to Devil's Spaghetti
If fishing a team of three loch-style then I use the double overhand for the droppers.

That's certainly a fish to rememberwouldn't dream of going that heavy on a chalk stream! sacrilege!! but on Bristol waters lakes theres some hefty, very fit fish! 6lbers are pretty common, and theres much bigger (along with some epic pike).
small nymphs fished on a 6wt floater get you some very exciting takes off the top.
(pic of and from John Horsey)
View attachment 201438

Not if big carp are involved !A really interesting thread... Not because of all the information so helpfully offered, but because it gives a glimpse to this non-fisherman of how our shooting chats may sound to others, i.e. total gobbledegook! (No offence meant to those who have posted on the thread or to the noble brotherhood of fishermen at large.)
On reflection, it also appears rather less angry and adversarial than much of the discourse on here. Are fishermen generally a happier and more courteous fraternity? (And what's the equivalent of calling a bullet a "head"?)
![]()
Not if big carp are involved !![]()
Or your ear!Might be no harm to just fish a single fly initially, one thing less to worry about getting caught in the landing net...
Or eyebrows. As my mate managed, even behind his glasses.Or your ear!