11 April 2012

As many of you know, I was on holiday last week. You can see a quick run down of what I did last week by reading my Woodturning blog, but what I didn’t mention was that I also went fishing – fly fishing to be exact. Now, many people know that I love fishing. I used to do competition coarse and sea fishing, but now only occasionally do I coarse and when I have time I prefer to go sea fishing. That was until a fellow turner of mine took me fly fishing late last year to see if I liked it. Well, I have to say that I am completely hooked. Forgive the pun, I couldn’t resist. Now, as with all things new I am reading up like mad to find out what is used, when and of course why and how. I must admit that it is all a tad overwhelming, no different to when I first learned about carving, turning and other woodworking disciplines. So much to learn and like then, I asked as many questions as I could from as many friends and knowledgeable people so I can avoid costly pitfalls. But oh how my head aches trying to assemble all the information.

I went and started buying my own kit, and like carving, one can start off spending a little bit or a lot of money very fast. Fly rods, start at about £40 and go up to £1,000 plus, reels £15–600, fly lines £10–100 plus and then you have to decide what weight of line you need, whether it is a sinker, intermediate or a floater and then you have to decide whether this is to be tapered, weight forward, shooting head and then there are the flies and so on. We say there is the lure of shiny tools, well that is nothing in comparison to flies. I think some look so pretty (some are real works of art) that they are designed to catch the fisherman not fish. So I am learning fast and building up some basic essentials and the rest can be Christmas and Birthday presents – the same as I have done for many years for my workshop kit. I shall be ordering a rod today. But I know what is going to happen, the same as I can’t resist a tools shop or show I will now be looking out for fishing shops and shows too.

It has caused me to think afresh how we can tackle some of the beginner projects and technical articles so we can make things a little clearer and easier to follow. Nothing ever stands still. I look forward to seeing some of you at Yandles show this weekend. I can see, just like when starting to carve, how I am going to get so frustrated while I learn the basics of fly fishing. Now, what is a roll cast as opposed to a double haul, oh and how will this work with a tip action rod loaded with WF #7 line and should I use a yellow dancer, bead head zonker, Synergy Fritz Diawl Bachs or a hot head damsel on my tippet? Argghhh! I think I will have to go back to carving for a mental rest.

Have fun,

Mark

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