Are anglers really such creatures of set habits? I’m starting to wonder. Carpers are rigging up with bug and insect copies, pike flies are a common sight on our trout reservoirs, while catches of chub, roach and dace are no longer an ‘accident’ on game tackle. But most exciting of all is the truth so far we’ve only scratched the surface.
For anyone tired of the same old methods every season, a new fishing landscape is opening up. Things change. In the same way that responses to lures or hair rigs switched from “What the xxxx is that?” to widespread acceptance, fly fishing for coarse species is no longer the domain of the occasional, pipe-smoking lunatic.
When I wrote ‘Flyfishing for Coarse Fish’, part of me feared that it would appeal only to existing fly flingers. My angling pals kindly painted a picture of me in a vague rerun of the J.R.Hartley adverts, blowing cobwebs off forgotten editions. I’m delighted to report that the buggers were wrong on a monumental scale. The response has been fantastic and the book is already set for a reprint. But best of all has been the feedback from stacks of coarse anglers crossing over and finding new kicks with a fly rod (I’m one of those, and it is indeed marvellous! Ed)
Should that be such a surprise? Beyond the relentless big fish focus of the angling media there runs a very different undercurrent. Despite the fact that the term ‘pleasure angler’ has become almost an insult, for most of us the primary draw is enjoyment. We like the challenge and variety of fishing beyond pounds and ounces. Few of us fit into any one box and it is about the ‘how’ as well as the end result. This is where fly fishing really scores. It’s refreshingly simple, intimate and you don’t need to track down record shattering fish to find it endlessly satisfying.
‘Fly for Coarse’ seemed the logical next step. The idea was an accessible competition where entries would be rewarded for adventure, ingenuity and sense of fun, beyond mere size. And why indeed not? Why do we never see a contest for ‘Most Beautiful Fish’ or ‘Most Intriguing Method’?
Along with co-organiser Charlie Hancock, we devised a simple set of rules and a new site, aiming to include all kinds of fish and all levels of angler. We agreed that the experience of fishing is king; stand out entries could be anything from a dace or gudgeon taken on a tiny fly, right through to a net busting carp, pike or barbel.
All fish have their place. Just ask Matt Hayes and John Bailey, who we’re thrilled to have on our competition panel. Both have branched out well beyond the usual categories to discover great fishing possibilities. Matt sums up the feel of ‘Fly for Coarse perfectly in fact:
“I really love this competition,” he enthuses. “It shows just how far fly fishing has come since those early days when it was the exclusive province of salmon and trout anglers. Over the years, I have caught lots of coarse fish on the fly and thoroughly enjoyed doing it. It’s a fascinating challenge. This is the true spirit of angling and a far cry from the usual big fish competitions that are won either by luck or bloody-minded persistence. This is about skill!”
We agree. And as well as skill, the focus will be on friendship and seeking new fishing avenues. A community is growing, ideas are spreading. Perhaps what I love best about the whole area is that it is wide open- this is about creativity and sharing discoveries. With a huge variety of waters and bug life, the possibilities are vast and there is no sense of ‘my way is the only way.’
Our favourite catches won’t be rewarded with just a pat on the back however. The overall winner for 2013 will receive a special leather bound collector’s edition of ‘Flyfishing for Coarse Fish’ (Merlin Unwin Books) worth a cool £150 as first prize, while ten highly-commended entries will receive the companion DVD and a beautifully-crafted split cane fly box from Turrall.
Everyone is invited, and in fact all we stipulate is that you use a fly rod and artificial fly. Newcomers and the converted alike are also welcome to join us on Facebook (Try the ‘Flyfishing for Coarse Fish’ group), where conversations about last night’s telly are replaced with talk of flies, fish and great new ideas to try. The field is open, and while we can’t fish the rivers for a few weeks yet, lakes and canals all over the country are ripe for adventure with a fly rod in hand. New thrills await and whether it’s big or small, make sure you share your catches with us.
Take a look at the site HERE for handy tips and full details on how to enter the competition and check out Dom’s site HERE for more on the subject, as well as the book and exclusive footage from his DVD.
