SJY

Some great advice from everyone in this topic. If you are looking for some tuition, check our details at: - http://www.midlands-flyfishing.co.uk/tuition.htm Watermark is not that far a drive from you and a good grounding in the basics will soon see you hitting the river after a little practice. Steve

If the trout fishing is crap in hot weather, why not try catching the carp on fly gear? Good sport and a cracking scrap during periods when the trout are off the feed.

Rod is fine for pike and will handle your qowt line fine.

On the grayling front the river Nar had some sizeable fish in last time I fished it (several years ago). Not sure on how good stocks are but the individual size of some fish and water clarity mean it's well worth searching fish out to target, if that floats your boat!

Charley, their are several things you can try. 1) If you are using a double taper line swap to a weight forward. This gets more weight outside the rod tip for a shorter length of fly line. 2) Overline your rod by 1 weight. This again allows you to have more line weight outside the rod tip for a shorter length of line. 3) If your rod is through action or slow swap it for a middle to tip actioned rod. This will cast a short line more accurately. 4) If you are fishing at short range (e.g. stalking fish) consider using the catapult cast (also called the bow and arrow cast). Tight Lines Steve

Great fish James, Chalk Springs seems to be the place for big browns these days in terms of consistent catches. Well, as consistent as brownies get anyway. I must get down there next season! Tight Lines Steve

I find the best overall polarised lense colour for sight fishing to be amber. It both highlights what you see and cuts out surface glare in a broad range of light conditions. The point most anglers find difficult with fish spotting is seeing fish lying deeper than the top 3-4 feet. You need to focus your eyes on the bottom (or as deep as you can see), it does sound strange I know but the number of fish you will spot increases significantly. Tight Lines Steve

Hi Billy, I provide tuition day's at Watermark Trout Fishery, South Cerney, so we are not far for you to travel. Further details of options available at: - http://www.midlands-flyfishing.co.uk/tuition.htm Drop me a line if you have any questions. Steve