River Dee (Wales)

[leckie]

From the photos and the report it looks like you all had a good time anyway...catching fish isn't the most important part of the trip...it hasn't put Martin off...he's still smiling and the kids are enjoying themselves what more can you ask for...fish aside

Alex

[pedros]

Nice pics Simon.

The Grayling caught on video was taken when I was trialing one of Cust's level lines that Simon had just bought. I have been using Tenkara USA's level lines for some time now so it would be good to try and compare.
In nutshell the line cast beautifully and was extremely easy to hold off the water, especially when tracking a dry. The fish video'd actually took approx 12' downstream at the end of an up and across cast. With the 14' leader on Simon's T this was a very long, drag free, drift from upstream to downstream.
When Simon took the rod back he waded a tad further out than I did. What was immediately apparent was how easy Simon would have reached the tree line on the far bank. The tree line was approx 60' from the near bank here, if the river was lower Simon would have easily cast a dry against the tree line from only half way across the river and with a modicum of control. 14' leader, 6' tippet, 12' Tenkara = a relative long way. Obviously it must be remembered that the flatter your cast the less control and drag sets in a great deal earlier as you cannot hold the leader off the water.
So a very informative gathering and including Martin's speared parr, 5 fish were caught in very tricky conditions.
Special thanks to Simon and Sonia. Can't wait for Louis' Tenkara Soiree at the end of the month, wind, weather and water releases permitting...

P

[Simon]

Monday 6th.
Well at last it's an unofficial UK Tenkara meet on the river Dee at Llangollen. Daniel, Louis, Glyn and myself meet up at the Hand hotel in stunning weather! For the first time in many months very sunny, hot and no wind! It's decided to fish the lower section below the Sun pub,a section that I have never fished before. It's a good steep walk down to the river but you are rewarded with a stunning view a large long bend in the river some riffles and then a long straight plenty of water for the 4 of us. I started with a LDO dry and immediately caught a lady which was quickly returned, Glyn fishing below me with nymphs stared catching small par, Daniel headed upstream finding out later many Ladies had come to the net. Louis also started landing the Ladies, where were the trout? Swarms of Grannom sedge floated over the surface flying upstream but none were seen hatching, I then changed to a Grannom emerger which seemed to get the Ladies really interested bringing many good fish to the net. We were all starting to melt in the midday sun, this was turning into a very good bank holiday. Louis and I left mid afternoon leaving Glyn and Daniel to carry on fishing. I know the Ladies are out of season, but if it wasn't for them we would have had a very bad trout day! I did at the end hook into something very big, the take where you think you have hooked bottom and the rod bends in half, then you start to feel the head shaking from side to side and the bottom move. Then the hook pings out of the water and the fish is off! Another one of those I wonder how big and what was it?
I also took an aerial video of the action which I'm in the process of editing, check back soon.

Simon.

[flatsghost]

Simon
A really enjoyable day if not a little too warm for good fishing but great to meet up with everyone and fish together. Thanks to Louis and Daniel for their company also
Yes, it was not 'trouty' weather at all really and the ladies did save the day.
Thanks for the pictures and looking forward to seeing the video footage in due course.
Got to christen the new 7:3 from Daniel and very pleased with it I might add.
Hope that Ladybower fished well for you.
All the best
Glyn

[custheyder]

Fantastic to meet you all again and Glyn for the first time. What a nice chap!

I caught plenty of fish the majority were trout and par but all the better fish were grayling. The new 410cm 7:3 prototype behaved beautifully and had no problem with the larger fish as well as being delicate enough to detect the takes of even the 4 inch trout.

I've fished this section a few times in the past but this is the lowest I've seen it in many years. Very useful because now I know where the channels are and where to cross in heavier water.

[adric]

you seem to have had a good time. I was sorry I could not make it but could not be awaay from home too long because I am dog sitting. My wife is away. perhapce next time.

Richard

[Simon]

This is the video of the Tenkara meet,as before the original is very high quality which has been compressed to upload to Utube. Every flight gives me more confidence. Thanks to the stars of the show, Glyn and Louis.
Simon.

[flatsghost]

Simon
You are getting really proficient with the 'copter. What great views of the Dee valley and river -superb.
Sorry I could find a fish while you were filming - stage fright probably on my part!
As the fly said whilst walking up a mirror " I've never looked at it this way before." This really does bring another dimension to the world of film and pictures.
Well done mate and thanks for your company.
Tight lines
Glyn

[custheyder]

Fabulous video. I guess I was too far upstream.

[mspaddler]

On the Dee on Saturday with 2 other anglers. Mostly fished western style the river was high and coloured. Did try Tenkara when I got bored with not catching on the Western but no joy. Hard day's fishing I caught 1 nice grayling on the Klink but I doubt we had 6 fish between us. Pretty river. We fished a farm field (can't remember the name) and also where the cool video was shot. Worth another day perhaps Grayling season, it's about 2 1/2 hours from York.

[Simon]

Sorry for the lack of posts work conditions and over the last few weeks I have been grounded with very bad hay fever! Hoping to get out on our very low river soon, fishing reports on it are not good at the moment. But any fishing will be a bonus.

Simon

[marcouns]

Hi Simon
It is very high p count here in Somerset . Into 7th day with no fishing & no work! River too low to make Fishing viable!
Shame as new tenkara tip on way from USA !
He ho

[marcouns]

Hi Simon
Don't know if this Iis of use. Went out today for 1st time since high pollen laid me low! Took Boots 1 a day antihistamine . Shown as best non drowsy medication on google+ surgical face mask + Polaroids ! Scared the hell out of two jack Russells & their owner. Fished for 1 1/2 hrs with no hay fever & no fish! He ho
Now hiding darkened room till early evening!
tite lines
M

[orangeotter]

sorry I can't contribute about pollen but the Dee is fishing it's beautiful head off lately, but only from say, 7.00 - 10.00. Masses of sedges and some decent spinner fall some evenings.

Normally it's wall to wall grayling but catching plenty of respectable trout as well.

A long way to travel for some I know but anyone within reach should get out there !

Cheers,

[Simon]

We decided to rejoin the Llangollen club now that they have merged with the Maelor club, not knowing the waters or the parking I arranged with "Orange Otter" Louis to meet up to be shown around, this was on the Friday this report and pictures are from the Saturday. After a bad Friday night, Sonia's dad died, not unexpected. What better than to go fishing and forget about everything that has happened. We decided to fish a run that Louis pointed out yesterday before moving on. Being Saturday in a very tourist area the area proved to be very busy!



The river after the high water last week was clear with a good flow, problem being the strong wind downstream. Sonia decided to stick with Western gear





I only had my T rod. The water screamed fish, there were plenty of par taking Sonia's hares ear, I managed the only decent Grayling right at my feet.







There were fly everywhere but no rising fish? After an hour and being photographed many times we moved on to another section upstream. The river was all ours no other anglers, Sonia started at the lower end of a long run making her way very slowly upstream catching lots of par and also a couple of good Grayling, I failed with the T as the wind was becoming stronger and with little shelter made the fishing very difficult. After a good afternoon on the river a cold white wine now enticed us back home with all the troubles put behind us for now.

Simon.