Your most welcome, Rick. I know this stuff is always going to be a bit niche, but the few people who have watched them seem to like the idea of some winter videos.
Greetings from the East Coast of the US (Maryland). I appreciate your videos and the beautiful scenery. I once had the opportunity to spend a summer at Oxford while at university. England in summertime is a beautiful place. I can’t wait to come back.
Nice one Chris well done for persevering through the rain and getting a couple Nice fish. Enjoying the off season content much appreciated. Tight lines 🎣
Cheers, Darren, I nearly gave up when the rain really set in, but just as I was thinking, that's that it stopped. It was your classic cloudburst brought on by the muggy weather. One advantage for me of these videos has been the editing process over the Christmas break. Something to do in all this bloody wind and rain !
Thanks Chris that was a tonic much needed! Now we have the festive stuff behind us the new season will be here in no time. Lovely day up here today sunny, frosty and no wind. I was down to the river with the drone this morning, it's still roaring down with more rain forecast for the rest of the week. It was great just to be out there thinking about all the New Year hangovers I no longer have to bother about! 😄😄
Sounds great, Fred. I've had two weeks off (enforced leave as we're so quiet this time of year), and it's been nothing but wind and rain the whole time!! Glad to have a bit of editing to do👍
Sounds great, Fred. I've had two weeks off (enforced leave as we're so quiet this time of year), and it's been nothing but wind and rain the whole time!! Glad to have a bit of editing to do👍
Wonderful! Thank you so much for these 'winter-warmer' vids, Chris, and for all your others.... As a teenager living by the river at Fordton Mill in the 1960s I forsook my studies for a fly rod and the river Yeo, so maybe you can imagine how much I appreciate your sharing your knowledge of and enthusiasm for these Devon streams. I'm inspired to return, on a visitor ticket, from Austria where such small-stream fishing sadly eludes me.
Wow, Fordton Mill, in the 1960s I bet Crediton has changed a bit since then? That would have been before the golf course wouldn't it? One of my biggest regrets is that I didn't join the club back in the 90s when apparently the fly life was more numerous than today, what are your recollections of the hatches when you fished the Yeo? Thanks for watching and I'm glad it brought back happy memories 👍
Chris, of little relevance to todays fishers, but yes, as an uninstructed but hugely enthusiastic youth in the 1960s I fished the Yeo intensively from its confluence with the Creedy way, way upstream, taking in the Culvery and even the Troney. Dad was the local vet and through him I had access to fishing pretty much all the way up to Yeoford from Uton Bridge, and beyond, though not always on the fly in the very restricted upper reaches, where a Mepps was the only practical way at the time. That said, almost all fish were returned. Below that, down to the Creedy junction, I paid a few pounds a year to solicitors in Market Street, Crediton, who represented the riparian owners. Creedy Estates? That was already fly-only water, and this was indeed pre-Crediton Golf Club days, when Kersford weir was still intact and provided one of the best pools on the river. As for the hatches, my memory may be rose-tinted, but from April until the summer dog days there was always fly on the water, and fish eager to take a March Brown or a Pheasant Tail, these being the only flies on sale at Vigers toy shop in Crediton which sold some fishing items as a side-line. Mentors, nymphs, wet flies, entomology? All unknown, and all learned by trial and error. A Chinese bamboo rod, a silk line, some grease, and a dry fly coupled with stealth and a quite profound knowledge of and respect for the river produced some very good fish. I have what you may think a tall story, albeit a true one. In the 1960s, in high summer and autumn, there would be a pod of extremely large, uncatchable fish in the then slow, clear, leaf-dappled pool immediately above Codshead Bridge. Far too large to have been trout, I can only surmise that they were seatrout - and not small peal - that had managed to get past the weir at Half Moon on the Creedy in their quest to spawn. They haunt me to this day. Maybe the odd salmon too used to get up into those waters to spawn back in the day. Enough of my rambling, but thanks again Chris for your truly evocative and inspiring videos. We all wish the best for our rivers, and we would do well to recall R. Kipling’s quotation: “Go softly by that river side, or when you would depart, you’ll find its every winding tied and knotted round your heart”.
Very interesting, when I first fished the Yeo, it was by permission of the local farmer. My friend and I spent many hours exploring above and below Yeoford, but we never ventured onto the Troney. The farmer told me that he used to see large fish in shoals in the deeper pools, which I surmised were Sestrout. Talking to Howard, who runs the tackle shop in Crediton (he joined the club in 1976), he tells me he has caught one or two Seatrout from the weir pool at Bullmarsh, so I do believe your story. I expect some salmon also spawned in our streams years ago. There must have been a time when people would have peered over the bridge at Yeoford and seen both Salmon and Seatrout spawning in the shallows. Alas, the years have not been kind to the streams you knew. The change in farming practices has left its mark. What used to be pasture for a few sheep and cows is now ploughed up for winter wheat or oil seed rape or the dreaded maise. So much top soil lost in winter when the fields are bare silting up the rivers and so many chemicals washed into the waterways aswell. Add in the increase in population in the region and its a wonder any invertebrates survive at all! How amazing it would be to take today's tackle and fish these places in the 1960s or 1860s or when the Norman's invaded etc... most people today have no concept of the amount of "stuff" that's disappeared from the countryside. Who knows, maybe this year will see an improvement, it certainly won't stop me going!
Nice work Chris on this one and the one at Christmas! You made my day yesterday. Nothing like starting the year with a wonderful fly fishing moment. Very thoughtful of you mate. Hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday season. Wishing everyone a restful and safe winter season and a great, upcoming trout season. Cheers from PA in the USA!
Many thanks Kevin, glad you enjoyed it. Yet another storm for us today with our little local stream in full maelstrom mode. The spring seems a long way off atm. Happy New Year.
Well.. its 34 degrees F here. Winter storm predicted for Saturday with 6"-8" of snow. Restocking my fly tying kit with the gift cards I received for Christmas. I will be in full blown, cabin fever mode here shortly. I'll be replaying videos from Wildfisher and yourself from the last few years to keep myself sane for the next 2.5 months. Thanks again for doing the work for the rest of us to enjoy. I know it is not easy or top priority over the course of the year. I hope it brings you peace and satisfaction. Cheers!
You win, Kevin! I can't remember the last time we had snow at Christmas, 2010, I think. Yep, 2 1/2 months to get ready for the new season. Hopefully, Wildfisher will have a better time of it this year.
A very good new year to you Chris and thanks for another 'winter warmer'! Lovely indeed and reminds me much there of the R.Monnow tribs that are dear to my heart . No rain for 3 days now up here now and more dry days to come...hurrah!! Might even be able to get out for the Grayling🤞
Cracking video, Chris, and so much better than my feeble efforts! Part 1 & 2 showcase some beautiful rivers. Been re-watching my own videos, keeping the dreams of the river alive until the beginning of April. In the meantime, the still waters have to feed my addiction. Happy New Year 😀
Cheers, Robert, I enjoy your videos and hope you keep posting 👍 certainly don't see them as feeble efforts 👍 The best thing about this youtube lark is watching back some of your triumphs and failures Helps to pass the closed season.
@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 definitely, Chris. I only have a cheap video camera as you can tell from the videos and just do it for fun. If people also enjoy them that’s an added bonus 👍
Gorgeous. Summer here in Australia. I so agree with your views-I fish equally go for the and beauty og the place as well as any fish. I was at a similar stream just last week-but the water ewas very c[very low and catching a trout was beyond me, But clear water,. gorgeous rocks and gentle sounds. Happy new Year. :-):-)
An enjoyable watch while sitting in a rare bit of sunshine down here in Newton A. I think the rivers will look a bit different next season with the scouring they’re having with all the rain this year.
Agreed, Paul, it's one of the interesting things each season how the beats have changed. Some favourite spots will be gone, but new ones are there to be discovered. Just watch out for the new deep holes when wading.👍
Agreed, Paul, it's one of the interesting things each season how the beats have changed. Some favourite spots will be gone, but new ones are there to be discovered. Just watch out for the new deep holes when wading.👍
Cheers, Ben, as usual, my Grayling plans were washed away. The little Yeo up here has nearly been in the fields a few times. Can't see the bank clearing starting this weekend.
No, I think the bank clearing will certainly be cancelled. Only been out on the Grayling once this winter, there was a window for one day which I managed to take, decent day. That evening it pissec down again and senems to have done so ever since! Still time yet!
Cheers, Chris, I'm sure you'll love it on the Dart. Just be ready for things to happen much faster than they do on stillwater. I'm sure you've seen this already, but here's a couple of pros fishing on the Dart czcams.com/video/7cmTKGQA0Ro/video.htmlsi=UCsOnAG2nU3_iK2K
Good to see this stuff on a miserable winter afternoon, Chris! I love the small pennine streams myself, and hope to "collect" a few more this year! Happy new year! 😊👍
Another great video and a nice idea to treat us. Cheers! Happy New Year and I believe I will take up the challenge of filming some of my outings. I would be happy if I managed something half as decent as yours. I can definitely see the attraction and the additional enjoyment of working with the footage after a day's fishing. As Wildfisher Frank always says ... we shall see! 😉
Let me know, Michael, if you release anything, I'll bet the scenery where you fish is spectacular. The best thing is just to go for it and remember that as you have control of the edit, you only have to publish sections you're happy with. An awful lot of the stuff I recorded makes no sense when I watch it back and just gets deleted. Happy New Year.
Go for it with the filming Michael, Chris, David Soul Trader57 and others made me want to try it myself, great fun looking back on your own videos to see for yourself, a hobby I'm glad I took up and great input and feedback from like minded folks, tight lines!!!
@DaviekFlyFishing Thanks Davie, much appreciated. I also draw inspiration from Sould Trader 57 - such a decent guy and the right attitude - so many out there think they need to display their egos and wave a flag about something or other. These mild mannered gentlemen make my sort of viewing. I also thoroughly enjoy Robert L Smith's videos - very understated.
@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 I also wanted to ask some advice. I am returning to Australia (my home, even though I am UK born) in summer, but not before visiting family in the UK en route. My brother lives in Cheltenham and I have been looking online to see if any of the clubs around there would offer a day ticket for someone like me passing through. I would really like to fish an English stream if possible. But I have not managed to find anything. All the general fishing in the Cotswolds sites just describe the rivers but no leads to clubs that might welcome the occasional stray dog. Do you know any clubs up that way that I could try?
Yeah, I really should start filming some days on the water, as you say, nowt to lose. I started fishing spiders on days like that this season, when the rise was poor. Its became my go to method!. All the best for 2024, Greg.
It's definitely worth filming some stuff, Greig. I'm always on the lookout for more uk trout river stuff. There sadly isn't that much of it on youtube. Having watched most of the Robert Smith videos I think I should try some more traditional wet fly, we used to fish them on the Teign early season but a few people like yourself have pointed out their usefulness in the "dog days".
@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 I'm gonna give it a go this year, won't just be trout stuff, hoping to get some sea trout and bass in the kayak, we've loads of decent salty stuff nearby. Yeah, Roberts videos are good, but I think spider fishing would be much better filmed POV style, like you do, rather than from a bank based tripod. Loads of folk frown on doen and across spiders, but it can be a great way to gey your flies into water that's not possible fishing upstream. Pool tails are a great example, I had some cracking fish that way last season.😊
A happy New Year to you Chris. A couple of points, questions. What soles are you using on your waders when climbing over wet rocks and wading? As for identifying small insect rises etc, do you have a good pair of mini binoculars? Just a thought. :)
Happy New Year David! I use felt soled wading boots for Dartmoor (I keep a set just for up there). On the other rivers, I have vibram rubber boots with added studs ( the felt soled ones can be lethal on muddy banks)! I have tried looking at the water with a magnifying lens, but without much success, I know some people do well using tiny size 28 or 30s, but it's never really worked for me. I'll keep trying though 👍
Hi Chris just checking l wish to start making some videos of my sessions. Do you use a go pro? As they are very good quality video. I plan to venture further from the frome this year and fish Dartmoor. Thanks for the great advise
Yes, both gopros one is a 6 black and the other is 10 black. I must admit that if I was starting again, then the dji osmo action 3 is worth serious consideration. Whatever you choose, one tip I would give is getting a windslayer (a cheap foam covering) and changing the sound setting to stereo only. This really improved the audio for me, which can be more/as important as the picture quality.
Hi Ian, I would say that for 95% of the time, I don't treat the nylon at all. If I'm fishing a slow pool and the fish are proving difficult the first thing I do is rub the foot or so of leader by the fly with a fullers earth mixture ( provided I'm happy with the fly choice). It's surprising how often this brings a response from the fish. BUT (there'd always a but) new research seems to show that a floating leader is less visible (The Flies That Trout Prefer with Peter Hayes and Don Stazicker) so perhaps the mud reduces the glare/reflection that the mono produces when it reflects light and the fact it sinks the line doesn't matter? Like a lot of things in fishing we will never really know, which is I suppose the reason it's so addictive. www.buzzsprout.com/402997/13671524-the-flies-that-trout-prefer-with-peter-hayes-and-don-stazicker
Hi Ian, Yes, I do use a fullers earth mixture on the tippet (only on the last 18" or so). Usually, this will be in calm water where I think the fish are seeing the leader. For most of the time, I'm fishing faster water and don't bother. Recent research has shown (apparently) that a sunk leader is more visible to the fish but I've lost count of the number of times where a fish has rejected my fly on the first cast but taken the same fly after an application of sinkant (remember to wet the leader). Perhaps it's not that it sinks the leader that helps but the slight pause between casts, or the confidence it brings, or the removal of shine from the leader who knows? I just know it works for me.
Hi Chris, really enjoyed these two recent videos. I'm looking for a new line for next season, is that a Barrio line your using for your short line casting?
Hi Peter, it's actually one of these in moss green m.maxcatchfishing.com/fly-lines/65-weight-forward-floating-fly-line-2wt-8wt-for-new-starter.html It came free with a rod I purchased, and at £4 I can't fault it. I have used the Barrio smallstream, and it was excellent. I haven't tried the new mk2 version, though .
Great video and just the thing on yet another wet miserable day......whens it going to bleeding stop? Looking back this last year has been the absolute worse weather for both trout and grayling.......its either drought or constant floods. Depressing......Pray for us to be blessed with a normal Spring this year and that I might actually get on the Usk this time! Happy New Year🎉
Happy New Year, Carl, and thanks for all the comments. It helps to keep up the interest 👍 as you say. Just a "normal " season would be nice. Could I also add a few decent fly hatches to the wish list.
Happy New Year, Carl, and thanks for all the comments. It helps to keep up the interest 👍 as you say. Just a "normal " season would be nice. Could I also add a few decent fly hatches to the wish list.
You set for opening day? Its a complete washout in Wales! Weve just had constant rain......what with last years crap season weatherwize, i even thought about giving up.......awful
Hi Carl, we're washed out as well, just have to wait a bit I suppose. Next week looks more promising 👍 fingers crossed for something better this season.
@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 Well weather warning for heavy rain in Wales now and another week of rain and unsettled weather, with northerly winds for next weekend......
I suppose it makes it all the sweeter when it does come perfect.....Christ, just on sheer odds, we've got to get some decent conditions soon.....I always remember the Spring of lockdown. Furloughed but not allowed to fish, and it was one of the nicest springs I can ever remember, with fish on the river rising unseasonably early! 😮😂 Anyway, onwards and upwards and I look forward to your first video. 👍0@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724
Cheers Carl, I spent the weekend sorting out my camera gear and trying to remember where I'd left everything! I must admit to being a bit grumpy, especially when it started raining AGAIN!
How have you found the Koski waders Chris? Mine delaminated into second season. Now I'm on look out for new pair! What ever wader I buy I never seem to beat 2 seasons. They are all overpriced crap
Not leaking yet, Carl, but I do thin down some aquasure and paint the seems which might help? I gave up trying to get the "best" wader years ago, now I only use one criteria, are they in a sale? I've never had £700 Simms, so perhaps they are more robust, but when you're dealing with hidden barbed wire and thornes, etc, perhaps not. I now class them as " disposable" and buy the best deal i can find. One thing about the vision, No hand warmer pocket!! I still wear my old leaky Greys ones for winter bank work (with waterproof socks).
@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 I had to do with that a low leg seam. Despite these being supposedly ideal fit for me, coming from a reliable source......but the waders delaminated! I only use breathables for the River Dee where it's for grip more than anything else, and for very long hikes up to mountain lakes......for my local small river which looks just like yours, there's no way I use breathables and use a Vass studded rubber waist wader. I don't find the lack of breathability such as issue if I wear light hiking trousers. They are bullet proof tough. The bottom of my local is mud and gravel so I don't need felt and to be honest, the river is mostly so shallow that it's not dangerous if I did slip........but on a big slippery river like the Dee breathable felt waders are essential.......they are such a con though! They don't even breath when you're in the water and there breathability is not the best anyway......they ho.
Sleet, snow, hail the lot for us today!! I can't see me starting the season until mid April this year. I don't remember a wetter winter/spring in the westcountry.
Well done Chris …an awesome way of keeping winter at bay reliving the memories made over summer snd autumn …thanks very much 👍
Your most welcome, Rick. I know this stuff is always going to be a bit niche, but the few people who have watched them seem to like the idea of some winter videos.
Beautiful fishing spot and so full of greens on this slow flowing river. The trout are so beautiful and wild.
Thanks so much Chris, for posting these. A really thoughtful thing to do and it’s really welcome as we while away the weeks until the season starts.
Glad you like them!
Thanks Chris from Ireland
Greetings from the East Coast of the US (Maryland). I appreciate your videos and the beautiful scenery. I once had the opportunity to spend a summer at Oxford while at university. England in summertime is a beautiful place. I can’t wait to come back.
Thanks for watching Brian, always nice to hear from people outside the UK who have stumbled across my channel.
Nice one Chris well done for persevering through the rain and getting a couple Nice fish. Enjoying the off season content much appreciated. Tight lines 🎣
Cheers, Darren, I nearly gave up when the rain really set in, but just as I was thinking, that's that it stopped. It was your classic cloudburst brought on by the muggy weather.
One advantage for me of these videos has been the editing process over the Christmas break. Something to do in all this bloody wind and rain !
Thanks Chris that was a tonic much needed! Now we have the festive stuff behind us the new season will be here in no time. Lovely day up here today sunny, frosty and no wind. I was down to the river with the drone this morning, it's still roaring down with more rain forecast for the rest of the week. It was great just to be out there thinking about all the New Year hangovers I no longer have to bother about! 😄😄
Sounds great, Fred. I've had two weeks off (enforced leave as we're so quiet this time of year), and it's been nothing but wind and rain the whole time!! Glad to have a bit of editing to do👍
Sounds great, Fred. I've had two weeks off (enforced leave as we're so quiet this time of year), and it's been nothing but wind and rain the whole time!! Glad to have a bit of editing to do👍
Wonderful! Thank you so much for these 'winter-warmer' vids, Chris, and for all your others.... As a teenager living by the river at Fordton Mill in the 1960s I forsook my studies for a fly rod and the river Yeo, so maybe you can imagine how much I appreciate your sharing your knowledge of and enthusiasm for these Devon streams. I'm inspired to return, on a visitor ticket, from Austria where such small-stream fishing sadly eludes me.
Wow, Fordton Mill, in the 1960s I bet Crediton has changed a bit since then? That would have been before the golf course wouldn't it? One of my biggest regrets is that I didn't join the club back in the 90s when apparently the fly life was more numerous than today, what are your recollections of the hatches when you fished the Yeo?
Thanks for watching and I'm glad it brought back happy memories 👍
Chris, of little relevance to todays fishers, but yes, as an uninstructed but hugely enthusiastic youth in the 1960s I fished the Yeo intensively from its confluence with the Creedy way, way upstream, taking in the Culvery and even the Troney. Dad was the local vet and through him I had access to fishing pretty much all the way up to Yeoford from Uton Bridge, and beyond, though not always on the fly in the very restricted upper reaches, where a Mepps was the only practical way at the time. That said, almost all fish were returned. Below that, down to the Creedy junction, I paid a few pounds a year to solicitors in Market Street, Crediton, who represented the riparian owners. Creedy Estates? That was already fly-only water, and this was indeed pre-Crediton Golf Club days, when Kersford weir was still intact and provided one of the best pools on the river. As for the hatches, my memory may be rose-tinted, but from April until the summer dog days there was always fly on the water, and fish eager to take a March Brown or a Pheasant Tail, these being the only flies on sale at Vigers toy shop in Crediton which sold some fishing items as a side-line. Mentors, nymphs, wet flies, entomology? All unknown, and all learned by trial and error. A Chinese bamboo rod, a silk line, some grease, and a dry fly coupled with stealth and a quite profound knowledge of and respect for the river produced some very good fish. I have what you may think a tall story, albeit a true one. In the 1960s, in high summer and autumn, there would be a pod of extremely large, uncatchable fish in the then slow, clear, leaf-dappled pool immediately above Codshead Bridge. Far too large to have been trout, I can only surmise that they were seatrout - and not small peal - that had managed to get past the weir at Half Moon on the Creedy in their quest to spawn. They haunt me to this day. Maybe the odd salmon too used to get up into those waters to spawn back in the day. Enough of my rambling, but thanks again Chris for your truly evocative and inspiring videos. We all wish the best for our rivers, and we would do well to recall R. Kipling’s quotation: “Go softly by that river side, or when you would depart, you’ll find its every winding tied and knotted round your heart”.
Very interesting, when I first fished the Yeo, it was by permission of the local farmer. My friend and I spent many hours exploring above and below Yeoford, but we never ventured onto the Troney. The farmer told me that he used to see large fish in shoals in the deeper pools, which I surmised were Sestrout. Talking to Howard, who runs the tackle shop in Crediton (he joined the club in 1976), he tells me he has caught one or two Seatrout from the weir pool at Bullmarsh, so I do believe your story. I expect some salmon also spawned in our streams years ago. There must have been a time when people would have peered over the bridge at Yeoford and seen both Salmon and Seatrout spawning in the shallows.
Alas, the years have not been kind to the streams you knew. The change in farming practices has left its mark. What used to be pasture for a few sheep and cows is now ploughed up for winter wheat or oil seed rape or the dreaded maise. So much top soil lost in winter when the fields are bare silting up the rivers and so many chemicals washed into the waterways aswell. Add in the increase in population in the region and its a wonder any invertebrates survive at all!
How amazing it would be to take today's tackle and fish these places in the 1960s or 1860s or when the Norman's invaded etc... most people today have no concept of the amount of "stuff" that's disappeared from the countryside.
Who knows, maybe this year will see an improvement, it certainly won't stop me going!
Nice work Chris on this one and the one at Christmas! You made my day yesterday. Nothing like starting the year with a wonderful fly fishing moment. Very thoughtful of you mate. Hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday season. Wishing everyone a restful and safe winter season and a great, upcoming trout season. Cheers from PA in the USA!
Many thanks Kevin, glad you enjoyed it. Yet another storm for us today with our little local stream in full maelstrom mode. The spring seems a long way off atm.
Happy New Year.
Well.. its 34 degrees F here. Winter storm predicted for Saturday with 6"-8" of snow. Restocking my fly tying kit with the gift cards I received for Christmas. I will be in full blown, cabin fever mode here shortly. I'll be replaying videos from Wildfisher and yourself from the last few years to keep myself sane for the next 2.5 months. Thanks again for doing the work for the rest of us to enjoy. I know it is not easy or top priority over the course of the year. I hope it brings you peace and satisfaction. Cheers!
You win, Kevin! I can't remember the last time we had snow at Christmas, 2010, I think. Yep, 2 1/2 months to get ready for the new season. Hopefully, Wildfisher will have a better time of it this year.
Excellent and much appreciated Happy new year 🎣
Your welcome Matt, happy new year to you also. It looks like it might actually stop raining this week🤞 bank clearing here i come.
Both parts were a nice relaxing watch as usual. I had part 2 on this morning whilst working on my tax return , made the process more bearable 😆
Glad I could help out🙂
A very good new year to you Chris and thanks for another 'winter warmer'! Lovely indeed and reminds me much there of the R.Monnow tribs that are dear to my heart .
No rain for 3 days now up here now and more dry days to come...hurrah!! Might even be able to get out for the Grayling🤞
Thanks Nick my local stream is at least back within it's banks now.
Cracking video, Chris, and so much better than my feeble efforts! Part 1 & 2 showcase some beautiful rivers. Been re-watching my own videos, keeping the dreams of the river alive until the beginning of April. In the meantime, the still waters have to feed my addiction. Happy New Year 😀
Cheers, Robert, I enjoy your videos and hope you keep posting 👍 certainly don't see them as feeble efforts 👍 The best thing about this youtube lark is watching back some of your triumphs and failures Helps to pass the closed season.
@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 definitely, Chris. I only have a cheap video camera as you can tell from the videos and just do it for fun. If people also enjoy them that’s an added bonus 👍
Well done Chris a good idea for this time of year, HNY to you and tight lines for the coming season. ATB mike
Thanks, Mike. I knew putting something out on New Year's Day would be a bit of a long shot, but a few people might want a peaceful recovery video 😀👍
Gorgeous. Summer here in Australia. I so agree with your views-I fish equally go for the and beauty og the place as well as any fish. I was at a similar stream just last week-but the water ewas very c[very low and catching a trout was beyond me, But clear water,. gorgeous rocks and gentle sounds. Happy new Year. :-):-)
That's it exactly Terry, sometimes you just know the chances are practically nill but you still wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
An enjoyable watch while sitting in a rare bit of sunshine down here in Newton A. I think the rivers will look a bit different next season with the scouring they’re having with all the rain this year.
Agreed, Paul, it's one of the interesting things each season how the beats have changed. Some favourite spots will be gone, but new ones are there to be discovered. Just watch out for the new deep holes when wading.👍
Agreed, Paul, it's one of the interesting things each season how the beats have changed. Some favourite spots will be gone, but new ones are there to be discovered. Just watch out for the new deep holes when wading.👍
Thanks Chris and Happy New Year. Let's hope for more normal conditions in the coming season.
Cheers, Laurie. I will certainly second that 👍 Happy New Year.
Nive one, Chris. Weather is indeed gloomy and awful. Hardly done any winter fishing due to bank high water !
Cheers, Ben, as usual, my Grayling plans were washed away. The little Yeo up here has nearly been in the fields a few times. Can't see the bank clearing starting this weekend.
No, I think the bank clearing will certainly be cancelled. Only been out on the Grayling once this winter, there was a window for one day which I managed to take, decent day. That evening it pissec down again and senems to have done so ever since!
Still time yet!
Thankyou for the vids, I always enjoy watching them.
I've only fly fished still waters before but, I'm going to try the river Dart this year.
Cheers, Chris, I'm sure you'll love it on the Dart. Just be ready for things to happen much faster than they do on stillwater.
I'm sure you've seen this already, but here's a couple of pros fishing on the Dart
czcams.com/video/7cmTKGQA0Ro/video.htmlsi=UCsOnAG2nU3_iK2K
@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 I've not watched that video so ta, I'll have look now.
Lots of good info, and if you've missed it, here's my attempt for beginners on the Moor.
czcams.com/video/62thjOtNlsM/video.htmlsi=k2TrvhGXcwTm5oOD
Good to see this stuff on a miserable winter afternoon, Chris! I love the small pennine streams myself, and hope to "collect" a few more this year! Happy new year! 😊👍
Happy New Year, David. I'll look forward to some videos from the pennines, yet another place on the bucket list. It's all those Robert Smith videos👍
Another great video and a nice idea to treat us. Cheers! Happy New Year and I believe I will take up the challenge of filming some of my outings. I would be happy if I managed something half as decent as yours. I can definitely see the attraction and the additional enjoyment of working with the footage after a day's fishing. As Wildfisher Frank always says ... we shall see! 😉
Let me know, Michael, if you release anything, I'll bet the scenery where you fish is spectacular.
The best thing is just to go for it and remember that as you have control of the edit, you only have to publish sections you're happy with. An awful lot of the stuff I recorded makes no sense when I watch it back and just gets deleted.
Happy New Year.
Go for it with the filming Michael, Chris, David Soul Trader57 and others made me want to try it myself, great fun looking back on your own videos to see for yourself, a hobby I'm glad I took up and great input and feedback from like minded folks, tight lines!!!
@DaviekFlyFishing Thanks Davie, much appreciated. I also draw inspiration from Sould Trader 57 - such a decent guy and the right attitude - so many out there think they need to display their egos and wave a flag about something or other. These mild mannered gentlemen make my sort of viewing. I also thoroughly enjoy Robert L Smith's videos - very understated.
@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 I also wanted to ask some advice. I am returning to Australia (my home, even though I am UK born) in summer, but not before visiting family in the UK en route. My brother lives in Cheltenham and I have been looking online to see if any of the clubs around there would offer a day ticket for someone like me passing through. I would really like to fish an English stream if possible. But I have not managed to find anything. All the general fishing in the Cotswolds sites just describe the rivers but no leads to clubs that might welcome the occasional stray dog. Do you know any clubs up that way that I could try?
Totally agree with you Michael, no need to blow you're own trumpet! Just enjoy the fishing and the scenery, some simple advice is always great.
Yeah, I really should start filming some days on the water, as you say, nowt to lose. I started fishing spiders on days like that this season, when the rise was poor. Its became my go to method!.
All the best for 2024,
Greg.
It's definitely worth filming some stuff, Greig. I'm always on the lookout for more uk trout river stuff. There sadly isn't that much of it on youtube. Having watched most of the Robert Smith videos I think I should try some more traditional wet fly, we used to fish them on the Teign early season but a few people like yourself have pointed out their usefulness in the "dog days".
@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 I'm gonna give it a go this year, won't just be trout stuff, hoping to get some sea trout and bass in the kayak, we've loads of decent salty stuff nearby.
Yeah, Roberts videos are good, but I think spider fishing would be much better filmed POV style, like you do, rather than from a bank based tripod.
Loads of folk frown on doen and across spiders, but it can be a great way to gey your flies into water that's not possible fishing upstream. Pool tails are a great example, I had some cracking fish that way last season.😊
Made a start today! Grayling to kick it all off 😎
czcams.com/video/qaQIxLh5Ksc/video.htmlsi=974AnBGsKY1P8Em6
A happy New Year to you Chris. A couple of points, questions. What soles are you using on your waders when climbing over wet rocks and wading? As for identifying small insect rises etc, do you have a good pair of mini binoculars? Just a thought. :)
Happy New Year David! I use felt soled wading boots for Dartmoor (I keep a set just for up there). On the other rivers, I have vibram rubber boots with added studs ( the felt soled ones can be lethal on muddy banks)!
I have tried looking at the water with a magnifying lens, but without much success, I know some people do well using tiny size 28 or 30s, but it's never really worked for me. I'll keep trying though 👍
Hi Chris just checking l wish to start making some videos of my sessions. Do you use a go pro? As they are very good quality video. I plan to venture further from the frome this year and fish Dartmoor. Thanks for the great advise
Yes, both gopros one is a 6 black and the other is 10 black. I must admit that if I was starting again, then the dji osmo action 3 is worth serious consideration. Whatever you choose, one tip I would give is getting a windslayer (a cheap foam covering) and changing the sound setting to stereo only. This really improved the audio for me, which can be more/as important as the picture quality.
Hi Chris can I ask do you use floatant on your leader or do you use mud great vlogs keep them coming
Hi Ian, I would say that for 95% of the time, I don't treat the nylon at all. If I'm fishing a slow pool and the fish are proving difficult the first thing I do is rub the foot or so of leader by the fly with a fullers earth mixture ( provided I'm happy with the fly choice). It's surprising how often this brings a response from the fish. BUT (there'd always a but) new research seems to show that a floating leader is less visible (The Flies That Trout Prefer with Peter Hayes and Don Stazicker) so perhaps the mud reduces the glare/reflection that the mono produces when it reflects light and the fact it sinks the line doesn't matter? Like a lot of things in fishing we will never really know, which is I suppose the reason it's so addictive.
www.buzzsprout.com/402997/13671524-the-flies-that-trout-prefer-with-peter-hayes-and-don-stazicker
Chris can I ask do you use sink mud on the river if so do you use it on the full length of tippetto the fly cheers
Hi Ian, Yes, I do use a fullers earth mixture on the tippet (only on the last 18" or so). Usually, this will be in calm water where I think the fish are seeing the leader. For most of the time, I'm fishing faster water and don't bother. Recent research has shown (apparently) that a sunk leader is more visible to the fish but I've lost count of the number of times where a fish has rejected my fly on the first cast but taken the same fly after an application of sinkant (remember to wet the leader). Perhaps it's not that it sinks the leader that helps but the slight pause between casts, or the confidence it brings, or the removal of shine from the leader who knows? I just know it works for me.
Hi Chris, really enjoyed these two recent videos. I'm looking for a new line for next season, is that a Barrio line your using for your short line casting?
Hi Peter, it's actually one of these in moss green
m.maxcatchfishing.com/fly-lines/65-weight-forward-floating-fly-line-2wt-8wt-for-new-starter.html
It came free with a rod I purchased, and at £4 I can't fault it.
I have used the Barrio smallstream, and it was excellent. I haven't tried the new mk2 version, though .
Great video and just the thing on yet another wet miserable day......whens it going to bleeding stop? Looking back this last year has been the absolute worse weather for both trout and grayling.......its either drought or constant floods. Depressing......Pray for us to be blessed with a normal Spring this year and that I might actually get on the Usk this time! Happy New Year🎉
Happy New Year, Carl, and thanks for all the comments. It helps to keep up the interest 👍 as you say. Just a "normal " season would be nice. Could I also add a few decent fly hatches to the wish list.
Happy New Year, Carl, and thanks for all the comments. It helps to keep up the interest 👍 as you say. Just a "normal " season would be nice. Could I also add a few decent fly hatches to the wish list.
You set for opening day? Its a complete washout in Wales! Weve just had constant rain......what with last years crap season weatherwize, i even thought about giving up.......awful
Hi Carl, we're washed out as well, just have to wait a bit I suppose. Next week looks more promising 👍 fingers crossed for something better this season.
@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 Well weather warning for heavy rain in Wales now and another week of rain and unsettled weather, with northerly winds for next weekend......
Yep looks like our weather has also gone to sh#t for next weekend 😕
I suppose it makes it all the sweeter when it does come perfect.....Christ, just on sheer odds, we've got to get some decent conditions soon.....I always remember the Spring of lockdown. Furloughed but not allowed to fish, and it was one of the nicest springs I can ever remember, with fish on the river rising unseasonably early! 😮😂 Anyway, onwards and upwards and I look forward to your first video. 👍0@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724
Cheers Carl, I spent the weekend sorting out my camera gear and trying to remember where I'd left everything! I must admit to being a bit grumpy, especially when it started raining AGAIN!
How have you found the Koski waders Chris? Mine delaminated into second season. Now I'm on look out for new pair! What ever wader I buy I never seem to beat 2 seasons. They are all overpriced crap
Not leaking yet, Carl, but I do thin down some aquasure and paint the seems which might help?
I gave up trying to get the "best" wader years ago, now I only use one criteria, are they in a sale? I've never had £700 Simms, so perhaps they are more robust, but when you're dealing with hidden barbed wire and thornes, etc, perhaps not. I now class them as " disposable" and buy the best deal i can find. One thing about the vision, No hand warmer pocket!! I still wear my old leaky Greys ones for winter bank work (with waterproof socks).
@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 I had to do with that a low leg seam. Despite these being supposedly ideal fit for me, coming from a reliable source......but the waders delaminated!
I only use breathables for the River Dee where it's for grip more than anything else, and for very long hikes up to mountain lakes......for my local small river which looks just like yours, there's no way I use breathables and use a Vass studded rubber waist wader. I don't find the lack of breathability such as issue if I wear light hiking trousers. They are bullet proof tough. The bottom of my local is mud and gravel so I don't need felt and to be honest, the river is mostly so shallow that it's not dangerous if I did slip........but on a big slippery river like the Dee breathable felt waders are essential.......they are such a con though! They don't even breath when you're in the water and there breathability is not the best anyway......they ho.
Well weather's not getting any better......what a shocker of a spring 😢
Awful weather! It's a repeat of last season ffks 😮
Sleet, snow, hail the lot for us today!! I can't see me starting the season until mid April this year.
I don't remember a wetter winter/spring in the westcountry.