Foxhouses three fly comp 3rd June

                                                                                                             

Three Flies Fishing CompetitionTo be fished on Sunday 3^rd June at Foxhouses 

This event is open to all members of BOLTON FLY TYERS

 You will be fishing for a twenty-pound voucher to spend at FlyTek.

The winner will be whichever competitor catches the most fish by number, not weight, in the allotted time.

The competition will be fished between 10.30 am and 2.30pm on Sunday 3^rd June at Foxhouses a private still water, which is near Lancaster and very close to Exit 33 on the M6.

The venue has been chosen to provide good sport at the same time as being fishable by all skill levels.

There is no need to wade or indeed any advantage to be gained from doing so.  However a pair of Wellingtons is probably a good idea.

The entry fee will be £15.00 payable on the day

A free BBQ and refreshments will be provided after the competition.

Anglers may, if they wish take one fish, but any rainbows over four pounds and all brown trout must be returned to the water.

So how does the competition work?

Each entrant should nominate three flies that they have tied personally.  These flies may be of any pattern but must be tied on barbless or debarbed hooks.

On the day of the competition these flies, and only these flies, can be taken to the water and used to fish during the competition.

Any angler unfortunate enough to loose all his flies before the competition closes may report his catch up to that point to the marshal (John Vautier), and then continue to fish for their own satisfaction.

The fishery management asks that where possible any fish caught be released in the water, and will explain their code of practice on the day.  Having said that expect a very relaxed day’s fishing.

All anglers may continue to fish after the competition finishes up until the fishery closes.

We had a great time last year so come on give it a go.  You’ve got to be in it to win it as they say.

Foxhouses is a private club water and does not issue day tickets.

Entrance is via a locked gate, and it is not therefore open to public access.

On our Competition Day

It is proposed that we all meet at 9.45 am, earlier if you want breakfast.

The meeting point will be Forton Services M6 Northbound.

When we leave the services we will travel North on the M6 and leave at exit 33.

At the roundabout where the slip road joins the A6 turn left Direction Preston.

Very Shortly afterwards (less than 15 yd.) turn left again into Hampson Lane, which has Askham Constructon on the corner, and is signposted to Wyreside Fishery.

You will then, again almost immediately, cross over a railway bridge and be on a bridge crossing the Motor Way.

We will meet here on the Bridge over the Motorway at 10.00 am and travel to Foxhouses in “Convoy”

Should you arrive late those with sat-nav may find the following helpful:

There is no Post Code for Foxhouses but PR3 1DB gets you close

As also will Grid references:

North 53deg.   57mins 13   West 2deg 43mins 52

or,

North 53.95260 West 2.73388

John Vautier has a key to the fishery as a member and can be contacted on 07973121448

Just a couple of reminders

Please fish with barbless or debarbed hooks.

Please try to release all fish caught while they are still in the water.

Wellingtons are very strongly recommended at present.

It would be very helpful to confirm attendance to both John and Lloyd to establish  numbers  for buying food for the BBQ.

TIGHTLINES   HAVE A GREAT DAY

Tony Riley Demo - Tuesday 15th May.

As expected, Tony Riley really pulled another fantastic demo out of the hat with this one. The night was enjoyed by everyone I spoke to. A wealth of information for still waters, some great tips and as you can see some great superbly tied flies.

Photographs by Dave Vickery.

The guest tyer for Tuesday May 15th meeting will be Tony Riley. Tony is well known as a Master APGAI instructor, providing fishing / casting instruction and fly tying demonstrations around the country.

Tony Riley last visited us in March last year and provided an excellent first class demo that encapsulated all aspects of river fishing from upstream nymphing to spiders and the dry fly. Advice and tips were given on leader make up, fishing techniques and many more practical down to earth tips on how to fish better. We have asked Tony if he can show us some still water patterns this time round.

Demo starts at 7:30 sharp 

Members £2.50

Non-members £4.00

We will be having a raffle including prizes such as previous demonstrators flys, wine etc.

Barnsfold Comp/Trip Sunday 15th April

Another fantastic day out at Barnsfold was had by all. The cold frost early on and bright sunshine kept the fish down at first but weighted flies such as blobs and heavy nymphs seemed to do the trick. Later in the day the fish were rising everywhere to small emerging midges. The dry fly was employed but with only limited affect. Some great fighting fin perfect fish were the end result though with most taking one or two 1.5 to 2lb fish by day close. For more details about Barnsfold Please see website,

www.barnsfoldwaters.co.uk

The fishery showing constantly changing cloud cover.

My boat partner suitably attired for the cold breeze on the water.

Mike spoons his catch and the result is....

Not really a great surprise, fish were rising for these most of the afternoon.

A close up view of these dark green buzzers/emergers.

THe fly that did it for me. Not a bad imitation - size 16 CDC up winged stripped peacock herl body.

The fishery boss Frank 

A very happy angler 

And theres more!

Stuart Bowden Tying Demo

Stuart Bowden will be tying for us on Tuesday 3rd April. Stuart is a professional tyer and he ties flies for several well know suppliers. This promises to be an educational evening for beginners and more experienced tyers alike in terms of development and perfection of tying techniques for a broad range of fly patterns.

Demo starts at 7pm
£2.50 members
£4.00 non-members.

Flies form the night.

Pheasant tail nymph varient

Klinkhammer

Cat's Whisker

Orange blob

Daddy long legss

Grannom Sedge

Damsel nymph

Winged Quill bodied dry fly

Winged quill bodied wet fly

Karl Humphries Stillwater patterns

Karl Humphries was given the remit to tie some stillwater patterns for us and he certainly rose to our challenge! Karl has a raft of experience being Fishery Manager to many a still water locations from the biggest such as Carsington through to small still waters such as Westlowe Mere. Karl told us that his patterns have been created a result of his thoughts. This has produced patterns that put a different twist on existing patterns in a way that makes them appear better to

Bullet head fry. 

Caddis pattern

CDC puff Suspended Buzzer

Buzzer Variation

Prince Nymph 1

Prince Nymph 2

Pictures by Dave Vickery, BFT.

I am sure I share the same opinion as most on the night that these patterns were fascinating to watch being tied, not quite sure of what to expect as the end result. This was often unexpected and ingenious, as shown by the above pictures of the flies tied on the night.

Curley's Fishery Open Day 17th & 18th March

Bolton Fly Tyers are proud to be invited by Curley's fishery to their open day. Some of our members will be providing info about our fly tying club. Please feel free to come and have a chat.

Curley's Fishery BFT Comp

Bright and cold was the order of the day at Curley's and even gloved hands soon turned to blocks of ice! The best compensation was the on site Cafe offering great coffee and even better grub. We had a good turn out from members despite the cool temperature. Many of us casting our first line for the season techniques were varied to put it politely, and not helped by the bitting breeze. Persistence managed to secure a fish a piece for Dave and Bob. Interestingly these were the only two fisherman that at the start of the day had their photos taken! Pictures are available at the next venue on request at £5 each!!
Author: Lloyd Stephens, BFT.

Fist view of the fishery.

Bob, on form, in the groove.

The dam wall. 

A Kestrel, hovering above the dam wall almost motionless before swooping down on unsuspecting  prey.

Theories were discussed as to reasons for the lack of catches bearing in mind how well the fishery has been fishing lately. We came upon a reasons including the cold snap putting fish off feeding, the bright sun putting them down deep. Amongst these excuses however no consideration was made to our fishing abilities!!

Thanks to Mike Roden, Fishery Manager and his team for looking after us. We will be attending the Curley's open day on the weekend of 17th & 18th March.