Dave Sadowski

The Partridge IG lines normally retail for £40. They are different to the Carron Jetstream lines though. Ian Gordon was heavily involved with the Carron Jetstream lines in the early days, I believe much of the design is now carried out by James Chalmers. The profiles of the Partridge lines are different to them on the Carron lines. The Partridge lines are available with head lengths of 65 and 75ft. Both of these head lengths have different different front profiles with that of the 65 being slightly more aggressive. The Carron JS floaters are available in 75ft, 85ft and I also think 95ft and 105ft head lengths. Im sure they are also manufactured by different companies. Ian Gordon no longer works for Partridge, he's now working with Hardy/Greys, I had a casting lesson with him up on Speyside a few weeks back. Phil, your welcome to try the Carron line alongside the Partridge if you wish as I have both and will be up on the North Tyne on saturday.

Sportsman They are just the ones on reels ready to go! Just noticed your from Balmoral. I will be up your way this thursday as i'm fishing Crathie for the day.

I don't think you will go far wrong with the Snowbee 2D 10/11. It might be worth considering the sink tip version, keep an eye on ebay for these as they crop up now and again at good prices. Its a fairly slow sinking sink tip (almost intermediate speed) and is a go to line on the South when its got a bit extra water in to get the fly down just a touch or to prevent small light flies from skating on the surface in the faster water.

Personally I think the Snowbee 1D or 2D or Partridge lines would suit you better than the Lee Wulf, it takes a decent amount of Spey casting skill to pick up and cast an 80 ft head line, which is also too long really for your neck of the woods on the South Tyne. The Wulf also has a very fine front taper, worse than that on the Snowbee which is great for fishing small flies somewhere like the Aberdeenshire Dee but will prove to be a pain in Autumn on the STyne when you want to fish a bigger/heavier fly unless you chop the tip back a few feet. Other lines to consider which I have heard good things about but never used are the Bill Drury range of spey lines and the Jock Monteith line. Both of these are supposed to be very good at turning over 10ft polytips which adds to the versatility of the line, especially if its your only one for all conditions.

Phil So your venturing into the land of Spey lines! I presume you will be looking for a floating line? The best of the bunch has to be the Carron Jetstream lines, superb casting but expensive. The Snowbee 2D lines are also very good, cast very well but have a gentle front taper which can struggle if you want to turn over sinking polytips etc. Partridge Ian Gordon lines are good but stick with the short head - 65ft version. Rio Windcutter is a very popular line although I am not a fan. If you would like to try a few lines out give me a shout and next time i'm at Whitfield I can nip over for you to try a few out. I have the following that you can try: Carron Jetstream 75 10/11 Floater Carron Jetstream 75 10/11 Intermediate Snowbee 2d 10/11 Sinktip Snowbee Scandi Spey 10/11 Intermediate Rio AFS Outbound 10/11 Floater Ian Gordon 65ft 11/12 Intermediate Ian Gordon 65ft 11/12 Med Sink Ian Gordon 65ft 11/12 Fast Sink Airflo Delta Multi Tip Rio Windcutter 9/10/11 Floater Also worth having a look at this site http://salmo.proboards74.com/index.cgi? Cheers Dave

Season has started fairly well for myself, I have not been out a great deal but managed three salmon in mid April during a week up on the river Spey plus one lost at the net. This time next week I will be back up on Speyside after the salmon, plus a visit to the Aberdeenshire Dee is also lined up during the week so fingers crossed.

Jim Best method i have found is by using a length of nylon line doubled over the flyline, pull tight and then down the line. This generally strips the plastic coating off the line fairly easily. I then whip a loop on the line by doubling over the braided core of the fly line and whipping it together with fly tying thread and varnishing. This makes for a very tidy and reliable loop and only takes a few minutes.

Yes, I know of three taken at Wylam over the past few days and Bywell are reporting six so far this week so things are starting to pick up a little.

Walcott Did you have any luck finding more Norfolk flyfishers? I'm based in Stalham and have joined the Norfolk & Suffolk Fly Fishers this year so will be fishing the lake at East Tuddenham.

My first outing of the season is planned for this saturday. I will be out with the big fly rod on the lower main Tyne chasing the elusive spring salmon. Chances are poor but it will be nice to get out on the river again.

Thanks Phil, I should soon clock up the 15 posts required. I will send you all my details when I get there!

Season permits for a stretch of the West Allen are available from Whitfield Estates office in Whitfield. I believe Allendale post office still do the permits for the East Allen but not 100%. Both rivers get a run of sea trout and the occasional salmon at the backend of the season. You can often see the sea trout jumping the Weir formed by the bridge footings on the West Allen behind the Elks Head pub in late september/October/November when the river is in spate. Unfortunatly this is just about as far as they have access to due to the big Weir just upstream. The waterfall pool is just downstream from the caravan park above Whitfield and if off limits.

Phil I can't send PM's, is that because I have not made enough posts on here yet? But would like to go down on the waiting list. I think the number of people wanting to fish the Tyne is increasing a lot every year, I believe from talking to a few of the lads that they also had the same problem down on the NAF water on the main river.

Phil Thanks for that. I’m now living down in Norfolk so the salmon fishing has taken a bit of a back seat for the time being. Did you have a good season up at Haltwhistle last year? I have been considering joining Alston & D AA. Don’t suppose you know what there water is like?

I have a holiday home at Whitfield in the West Allen valley and would appreciate any information on salmon / seatrout fishing on the South Tyne. IE Clubs offering day/week permits, contact numbers etc.