CJ

Pugs, Ive been playing around for some years trying to get to terms with fly in the salt, seems you started a lot of interest with your querie, I bought a series of cheap rods, all of which I broke,( usually by treating them like boat rods), so I treated myself this year to a more expensive salt/pike 8/9wt rod, and I reckon the expense was worth it , the action, weight and power are better than any cheap rod I had tried, and what is more, the expense was worthwhile if only for the tube it came in. I also picked up an outstanding economical reel the other day , and having read your original querie I did some checking and found that Mike Thrussell also gave it a rave review. so if you havent got a reel yet, get yourself an Okuma airframe check out this site. http://www.worldseafishing.com/reviews/oku...a_flyreel.shtml The reel is available for less than 30quid here: http://www.tackleshop.co.uk/ProductsList/m.../CatName/Fly/v/ I live in the same area as you, have you tried the mouth of the Cuckmere at Hope gap, at low tide for schoolies, and Seaford Beach for Mackeral, Splash point, and Tidemills for schoolies. As for ready tied flies, they are thin on the ground in this area, although I was recently in the Cornwall where the shops I checked out all had ready tied bass flies. I have tried tieing my own , but they never seem to catch fish. Ive just ordered a load Ill let you know what they are like when they arrive. If anyone knows a good fly catalogue on line I would appreciate their recommendation . Good luck, maybe Ill see you fishing round here sometime , youll recognise me Im the bloke standing behind a heap of yellow fly line on Seaford Beach.