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Ask The Panel

Q. Do you have any tips for detecting takes when using an intermediate line? More...

Q. Can you help locate information and tying instructions on the Huffnagel Knot? More...

Q. Could you advise where I can get the season start and finish dates for all types of fishing in the UK? More...

Q. What are the fishing seasons in USA and Canada More...

Q. What products can be used to clean/renew fly lines More...

Q. Could you explain some of the rules in river fishing? More...

Q. What is the most popular fly rod length? More...

Q. What is a braided loop, where is it tied, and what use is it? More...

Q. I live near Guildford and am interested in finding some trout fishing within my area More...

Q. Will my trout fishing outfit handle the bigger flies required for sea-trout? More...

Q. What is the best line to use when fishing on lakes/ponds? More...

Q. Is there a flaw in my fly rod? More...

Q. Can you explain the difference between wet and dry flies? More...

Q. I would like to know how to tie a leader on to a fly line using a Cortland slip-on leader loop More...

I have bought an intermediate line for use during the winter months. However I have been struggling with take detection: missed four fish on my first outing! Do you have any tips on how to spot (feel) the take? I must admit that a lot of my methods involve ultra slow retrieves with small nymphs and buzzers. Mark Boyle

When using an intermediate line, takes can be hard to detect. We suggest that you try a very slight increase in the speed of your retrieve. The extra speed can sometimes change fish's responses from gentle takes to something more confident that will be easier to spot. When using an ultra slow retrieve, concentrate on the spot where your line goes into the water and if anything changes, lift your rod to set your hook.

If the fish are taking so gently, you may like to consider changing to a floating line and a long leader, 15 to 20 or more feet in length. The longer leader will allow your nymphs or buzzers to fish and move in the same way as they would when using an intermediate line. The long leader will also allow you to fish a greater variety of depths and takes will be easier to see and detect by watching the end of the line.

Concentration is always important as is experience of how your line feels and how fish react to the way you are fishing.Terry Lawton

I'm trying to locate information and tying instructions on the Huffnagel Knot. Could you help? Andy Chelini

We found the Huffnagel Knot here. Terry Lawton

Please could you advise where I can get the season start and finish dates for all types of fishing in the UK? Does it vary from area to area? James Penrose

The closed season dates for coarse fish in the UK and Wales are 15 March to 15 June, inclusive. The closed season for brown trout is 30 October to 31 March, inclusive; for rainbow trout in rivers and streams, 30 October to 31 March, inclusive; and for migratory fish ie salmon and sea trout, 20 September to the last day of February, inclusive. All these dates are for England and Wales. You can fish for rainbow trout in stillwaters and ponds etc during the closed season. There are regional variations in that some rivers will not open on the first day of the trout fishing season and others will close earlier than 29 October. There is some information on the Environment Agency's website.

For Scotland the closed season for brown and rainbow trout is 6 October to 15 March. For salmon and sea trout things are not so clear. The closed season depends on area of the country, the rivers and the amount of water in these rivers. Generally speaking you are looking at the season starting sometime in January or February and closing in October or November. You would need to take advice if you plan to fish a particular river. Advice may be available from www.sana.org.uk or by 'phone: +44 (0)1577-861116. This is the office of the Salmon & Trout Association, Scotland, and the Scottish Angling Association. Terry Lawton

What about the USA and Canada - are they the same? Ruth Shippobotham

If you look here this should take you to "Links to State Fishing Information". Here you will find an alphabetical list of states and you should be able to find the information that you want for each and every state.

For Canada the best we could find is http://www.ofah.org/fishing which is the Ontario Fishing and Hunting Association. There is a link to Fishing Regulations which list regulations for each species by area within the province. You may be able to find similar organisations for the different Canadian provinces. Terry Lawton

What products can be used to clean/renew fly lines without causing damage to them? I have seen contradictory advice on this subject so am concerned that I do not ruin my lines. Also which floatants/sinkants can also harm fly lines due to their chemical composition? Dilwyn Thomas

The only products that come to mind immediately as being harmful to fly lines are some insect repellents - particularly those with a high concentration of DEET - and sun creams.

We would think that products made by reputable companies such as 3Ms and Cortland, which both manufacture fly lines, to name but two, should be OK. As should products made by other reputable companies such as Loon, Lee Wulff etc. Permaplas is a well-established line replasticiser.

If in doubt. keep anything well away from your lines. Leader sinkants obviously go on leaders, not fly lines. If washing a line, use mild soap and not strong washing powder and dish washing detergents. Terry Lawton

Could you please explain some of the rules in river fishing, eg if you are fishing from the left bank only may you cast to the opposite bank, and wade past mid stream?

The first thing to do is to ask the owner of the fishing, or a member of the club where you are fishing, what the accepted practice is. At one time, the limit to how far across a river you could fish would have been the middle. Today, things are often less clearly defined. One point that is certain is that if your are fishing a stretch of river at the same time as another angler on the opposite bank, then you should not wade over the centre line. If there is another angler on the other bank when you arrive, it will never do any harm to ask where they have fished already and what they plan to do, so that you can then fish without getting in each other's way.

Could you tell me what is the most popular fly rod length and stiffness and also the most popular fly line, to fish with a dry fly on small rivers average 25 to 30 feet wide, for trout? Roger Fisher Boudreau

From what you say, we suggest that a rod of between 8 and 9 feet for a 4# or 5# line would be about right. For dry fly fishing you will need only a floating line, probably a forward taper. The amount of bankside vegetation will have an effect on rod length: if there are lots of trees a shorter rod can be better, but if you have to cast over reed beds etc, then a longer rod is helpful. As regards rod action, depending on your level of experience, you will find that a fast action rod is great for a competent caster who gets his timing right for every cast. It will be a challenging rod to fish. For the less experienced, a mid action, or one with a more "through" or progressive action, is likely to be a better rod to cast and thus nicer to fish. The advice is: try before you buy. A good tackle shop should be able to show you a selection of rods and lines to try. You might also like to read Ally Gowan's article on buying rods.

I am a complete novice at fly fishing, and seeking advice. Firstly, what is a braided loop, where is it tied, and what use is it? Secondly, is a sink tip line used on running water, or can it be used on lakes etc? Stephen Coleman

1. A braided loop is a loop made out of a short length of hollow braided nylon that is attached permanently to the business end of a fly line. You can then attach you leader to the loop, either by a knot or, if your leader has a loop on the end, the loop-to-loop connection (you can find this in the Knots directory). You can buy them ready-made, or make them from a length of hollow braid - both should be available from tackle shops.

2. A sink tip line is more likely to by used by a trout fisherman on a lake than a river. They are also used by salmon fishermen when they are wanting to get their fly down deep but don't want to fish with a full sinking line. Stillwater anglers use sink-tips when they want to get their flies down quickly and then adjust them to the depth at which the fish are feeding.

I live near Guildford and am interested in finding some trout fishing within my area for day trips on catch and release fisheries. I have fished some of the C&R beats on the chalkstreams but would like to know if there are any stillwater possibilities. I know of at least one stillwater that has C&R fishing but it is somewhat artificial since the stock is rotated every couple of months. This is done as the fish get too hard to catch! But is that not the point of C&R fishing? Michael Buthe

Two suggestions: Have a look at John Bailey's recently published "Where to Fly Fish in Britain & Ireland", published by New Holland at £9.99. We are about to publish a review of it. It is a "thinking man's" guide to places to fish - not comprehensive - but lists quite a number of fisheries within reasonable range of Guildford. Second, post your request on the Forum messageboard. This is not a cop-out on our part, but I am sure that you will get some helpful suggestions. A final thought: local tackle shops often produce lists of places to fish. Try these on your travels.

I am new to fly-fishing, I recently bought an 8'6" Greyflex 4/5 fitted with a wf 5 line. I will be doing the bulk of my fishing this year on small rivers in the weald of Kent / Sussex where I find that this outfit is just fine. However, in August I will be staying at Bantham, south Devon, right on the River Avon. I am sure that my current outfit will be fine for the river, but I also would like to have a go for sea-trout. I have two questions: 1. Can my little outfit handle the bigger flies required for sea-trout? and less vitally: 2. Does anyone know what the best type of waders is for this river? Jason Jones

If you catch a fresh-run, lively sea trout on your 4/5# rod, you will have a fight on your hands. Although not ideal. you should be able to manage for a holiday. In general, the bigger the fly the thicker the tippet. This is true if you are fishing size 10 Mayflies or sea trout flies. I would suggest that you consider using a 6 or 8lb tippet which will keep everything balanced and help the leader to turn-over properly, as well as being strong enough for a 3lb+ sea trout.

As to waders, if you can afford it and anticipate using them fairly frequently, invest in a pair of breathable chest waders - they are so much nicer to wear than anything else. If you buy stocking feet waders, you can use felt-soled wading boots when fishing rivers with rocky bottoms and a cheap pair of walking boots on rivers where the bottom is gravel or silt or mud. Felt soles, with or without studs, are essential for rocky, fast flowing rivers - rubber and rocks DO NOT mix! If you are buying waders for a one-off trip, buy something cheap with felt soles. Waist waders will get you that bit deeper than thigh boots.

What is the best line to use when fishing on lakes/ponds? David Franklin, age 13.

The first thing to do is to make sure that you are using a line that is the right weight for your rod. If you look on your rod, just above the handle, there should be some information about its length and the right weight of line. It may say that you should use a 7# line or perhaps a 4/5# line. Buy a line of the correct weight. We would suggest that you buy a weight forward floating line which you will find easier to cast than a double taper line whether floating or sinking. There are plenty of sensibly-priced budget fly lines which will fit the bill nicely and save you money too.

Around eight weeks ago I purchased a rod as part of a starter fly kit from an advert in 'Trout Fisherman'. When on my second ever fishing trip, the top section of the rod snapped during a forward cast (my flies having snagged on a tree during the previous backcast). The very experienced 'tutor' who was with me was convinced that there must have been a flaw in the rod and said that this should never happen unless you were abusing the rod in some way (by causing undue / inappropriate strain etc) and he said that while a 'snag' on a tree is considered normal/every day bad luck, it should never be the reason for a rod to snap. So he suggested that I certainly make some effort to highlight the problem and seek a replacement top section for my rod. I hope you might be able to give me some 'objective' advice on what I should do. Des Cummings

You should contact the supplier immediately and tell tham that you want the rod replacing. Tell them what happened and that your tutor "witness" can confirm that you did not abuse the rod and that it should be replaced under guarantee. Even the best rodmakers produce faulty rods. Inexpensive rods should be no more prone to breakage than expensive ones. As a new fly fisherman the company should be anxious to look after you and keep you as a long-term customer. They have an opportunity to look after you now and make you a regular customer. If they don't, well you can take your business to any number of other suppliers.

I am new to fly fishing and wonder if you can explain the difference between wet and dry flies and how to tell the difference when they are mixed up. Michael Beckett

Essentially, dry flies are designed to be fished dry so that they float on the surface of the water, whereas wet flies are fished wet and under the surface ie in the water. Dry flies are fished to immitate flies that have hatched and are floating on the surface. Wet flies represent flies that are on the way to the surface to hatch, known as nymphs, or even small fish, shrimps, snails and other forms of underwater food.

The following points will help you to tell the two sorts apart:

1. Traditionally dry flies were always tied on up-eyed hooks and wet flies with down-eyed hooks. But this is not always the case as today more and more dry flies are tied on hooks with down eyes.

2. Because the are designed to float, dry flies are usually lightly dressed, have longer tails than wet flies and stiff, bushy hackles. Dry flies are tied using feathers from cock birds which are stiffer than the hackles from hen birds normally used for wet flies. Wet flies have short tails, less hackle, swept-back wings and often have bodies made from tinsel or with tinsel or wire ribbings. Note that some dry flies may also have fine, light wire ribs. Weighted wet flies will also feel heavier than dry flies.

I would like to know how to tie a leader on to a fly line using a Cortland slip-on leader loop. I also would like to know what backing is and what it does. And also what line is good for fishing for large mouth bass. One more thing, do leaders have loops on the ends of them for tying it to the line? Eric

1. At www.fishandfly.co.uk/knots/index.html you will find most of the knots that you will ever need when fishing, including the loop-to-loop connection and how to tie loops on the ends of leaders. You can use it whenever you want to connect two lengths of line that have loops on the end.

2. Backing is usually thin woven line - or can be high-tech material - that is used to bulk-up the spool on your reel which increases the diameter so that the fly line is stored on the reel in slightly bigger coils. Also, because fly lines are relatively short (between 30 and 45 yards at the most), big, powerful fish and even some small fish, can take you down and into the backing. In other words, a fly line is often not long enough so the backing increases the length of line that you have available when a fish decides to take off up river, or wherever.

3. There are specialist bass lines on the market, made by Orvis and Rio and other line makers. You will want a line that is designed to turn-over big, wind-resistant flies such as poppers and deer hair divers etc. Check what your local tackle shop or mail order company has available and recommends.

4. Some leaders do come with loops. The Surgeon's Loop is a good way of making a loop in the end of a leader that has not got a loop, as is the Perfection Loop.