Fly Fishing and Dressing

July 2003

Having met Stephen and his wife who run their own business, they asked me over to their week-end caravan on the edge of the river, close to the Dales Way. The art of both river fishing, and making your own flies soon became fascinating and absorbing subjects.
Stephen kindly talked me through what this sport means to him...

Fly Types

Fly tying is one of those great pleasures that offers both satisfaction and fun. Now and again the combination of fly fishing and fly tying subject me to all sorts of emotions - desperation, success, calm, optimism, even downright smugness but both are a great way to relax. Both fishing and fly tying are totally absorbing and one can totally forget any worries or problems which might be happening in ones life and "switch off" and enjoy creating something either terrible to behold or very beautiful but which you hope will deceive your quarry the next time you fish. I would add that catching a fish using a fly which you have tied yourself is the ultimate feeling of achievement - smugness even! Tying ones own flies can also help to make the art of fishing more enjoyable in that you learn what the fish is feeding on at any given time of year, and your fly is then designed to emulate this food.

You also learn about the habitats of both the larvae or hatched flies which, in turn, helps to suggest where the fish will be lurking. Being able to cast a line properly is also important, as doing it correctly can save on energy, tackle and also, very importantly, a good caster will be able to cast out his line without causing too much disturbance on the top of the water. Fish are not fools! There is no end to the designs of flies one can tie. It is a passion so strong that I even took courses to enable me to teach others at College and it is very satisfying when I see a pupil improving or when he dashes up to me, excitedly, saying he caught a fish on the fly he learned to tie last week. There are no hard and fast rules in fly tying. If your fly isn't "perfect" then you have to evaluate "perfect" for yourself. I look at the insects, turn over stones on the river bed and examine what is there. It is fascinating. Gone are the days when I would feel as though I was the "new kid on the block". Other anglers would be catching fish and bragging about the size whilst I swore and cursed under my breath wondering why I wasn't getting it right. Now things are different. Other anglers will approach me with an exasperated expression and ask "what the xxxx are you fishing with? I can't catch anything!". To hand over a fly and then watch him catch, maybe half an hour later, or even 5 minutes later, is a satisfying feeling which I will never tire of.

Fishing, like anything in life, has to be learned and it takes time and patience but, believe me, it is worth the effort. There are days when I catch nothing at all but the peace and tranquility which the riverbank or stillwater lake brings are immeasurable. Watching the wildlife and seeing birds and small mammals which were once just pictures in books makes the day race by. If I were asked to recommend a programme for stress relief in this busy, crazy world we now live in, this would be it. Other things matter, of course they do, but for a few hours you can lose yourself in this wonderful pastime and realise that, after all, it really IS a wonderful world.

Fishing With Style

Stephen Cheetham
40 Aire Grove
Yeadon Leeds
LS19 7TY
Tel: 0113 2507 244
Mobile: 0773 427 6746

website:- http://www.fishingwithstyle.co.uk

email:- sales@fishingwithstyle.co.uk

With grateful thanks to Stephen and Christine Cheetham
Page and Pictures by CragFace

For a High Resolution Image click on any thumbnail

Stephen Fly Tying

Fly Dressing

"Both fishing and fly tying are totally absorbing and one can totally forget any worries or problems which might be happening in ones life and "switch off" and enjoy creating something either terrible to behold or very beautiful but which you hope will deceive your quarry the next time you fish."

For a High Resolution Image click on any thumbnail

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