Wednesday 27 March 2013

New Rods for a new season...

We've just received a huge box of rods from Sweden... Guideline's new Exceed range.
We tried some of the switch rods and smaller double-handers at the end of last year and we were very impressed. The trout and sea trout rods have just arrived. First impressions are very good indeed; not too 'pokerish' like many modern rods. These actually feel like 'proper', honest fishing rods and not just for the distance casting competitions! The 9ft, 9ft 6in and 10ft 7wt models should be spot on for sea trout. Please can we now have some mild weather in which to try them?

As a special introductory offer, we are giving £10 off any Exceed rod.

You can see the whole range, prices and more info here:

Guideline Exceed Fly Rods




Monday 25 March 2013

Spring is coming (apparently!)

Despite the rest of the country being blanketed in snow and ice, the sun is shining in Lifton today. The only hint of harsh weather is a bitterly easterly wind which is freezing the fingers while we fish.
Due to a large dose of rain last week, we have been restricted to tackling Tinhay Lake's trout, but - remarkably - these fish have been rising well to hatches of large black midges.
Earlier last week, Aidan Decadenet managed a brace of fish on a sinking line and Green Pea black lure. One of the fish was most noteworthy - a superbly-conditioned, grown-on brown trout of between five and six pounds. The trout fought like fury, but young Aidan kept his cool and landed the fish in style, which he then returned to the lake.

Aidan Decadanet with a superb Tinhay Lake brown trout.

This weekend saw a group of anglers fishing the lake, and beginner Jan Spendlove showed the boys how it's done, landing three perfect rainbows of around 1 1/2lb on a Black Buzzer. Regular fisher, youngster Dan Barnard celebrated his 11th birthday in style with two lovely rainbows to 3lb on a lure fished deep. Well done that boy!
Amazingly on Sunday 24th March, we saw two sand martins at the lake. They were working hard in the freezing cold for a few adult buzzers, but they must have wished they were still back in Africa. Pussy willow is breaking on the riverbanks, the snowdrops are now all gone, surely Spring must now be just around the corner.