Airflo international final

Hi Guys

Sorry I havent updated recently I have just been so busy. But anyway here is a report of my experiences.

We set of on Friday the 20th in high hopes for the day ahead even though it was 4 in the morning. We arrived at Grafham water to find a gentle ripple and plenty of cloud cover. I was down to fish with Rob Edmund s on practice so we got of to a good start in Valley Creek where I caught a fish on a small buzzer booby before Rob had even set up. It wasn't long before it was 3-0 to me but then Rob started to get fish pulling. we fished all the way round the lake and established the fish holding areas so we left to prepare for the next day.

The conditions on match day were good so I decided to pull early on and them fish buzzers in savages. I was partnered with Graham Watson former England coach and we agreed that Valley Creek was to be our first call. I got two pulling early but it went quite so we moved to sailing club, there was lots of fish being caught here but they were small so we went to savages. We fished buzzers in here all day to have a great day.

The final result was not as I hoped but I was into the top 20 so for a junior in a senior match that was quite good. I had a thoroughly enjoyable day. I would like to say thank you to the Anglian Water staff and to Rob for a great day of practice and Graham for a good competition day.

Casting Day

On Sunday the 15th of May I attended the Stephen J Fawcett casting day where you can go and try all of the latest rods for free. I had a great time casting loads of new rods, and meeting some top casters including Jim Fearn.

after trying several rods it was clear which I thought were the best rods. The first was the new Hardy zenith, this rod was outstanding with quick recovery and stunning looks this would be rod of choice. Second was the Vison GT four, this again cast beautifully and had awesome recovery. I tried a 9ft 5wt and could cast 40 yards no problem. Finally the new Streamflex plus rods. this was a really delicate rod and made for river situations where presentation is paramount, and it certainly did what it was supposed to by casting suburb loops with accuracy and deliciously.

Last weekend

Hi All

Over last weekend I did something very new to fishing. Fly fishing from a kayak. It was a thrilling experience and I would erg all of you out there who would like to try, to go and do it!. We fished on Esthwaite water which is very accessible and has great fishing.

Many people think that they would be unstable. But after a day in one you would never think that again. We fishing in Ocean kayaks and they were so stable you can stand up in them.

Esthwaite pairs

Today me and John Macintosh fished in the Esthwaite pairs qualifier. We knew from practice that 3-5 fish would be enough. We also knew that we were against some of the best anglers in the country including Trout Master ace Richard Landsbury and past winners Ali Tait and Sandy Roberts.

At 2 o'clock we only had one fish and were starting to worry whether we could snatch a win. We then found pods of fish in Strickland bay were we stayed the rest of the day and managed to get to 5 fish. these came to a variety of methods including drys and pulling.

After reaching the dock it was clear that we had done enough with most pairs getting 1 or 2 fish. It was finally announced that we were the winners with 5 fish and Richard Landsbury and Blythe Palmer in second. It was a god day all round and I cant wait till the final. 

EYFA vs Prison Service

On Sunday the 3rd of April we arrived at Grafham Water. We were preparing to fish a very difficult and testing Grafham but after team briefing it was decided that we were going to pull blobs on the North shore. I immediately found that the fish had left G buoy so moved to deep water point which had been a hotspot the day before, but still no luck.

I then got 1 fish 10 seconds down on a DI7. It then went quit again so I moved to Pylon Point. This area had been rested all day so I was quickly into fish on a Denis the menace blob. I carried on fishing here for a few hours and caught 5 fish. So overall it was a good but hard day.

After a tense weigh in, it was confirmed that EYFA team A were the winners with 87 pounds and EYFA team B second with the prison service in third place.

Thanks to all of the guys for a great day.

River Fishing

Today was my first trip on the rivers of 2011. The conditions were not great with a strong north wind and bright sunshine. And even though we have had a lot of rain, the water was crystal clear.

I tried several pools with no success. I also tried many different flies. But after 2 hours no luck. So I went into a deep pool and tied on a small Mary, and sure enough after 10 minutes 2 fish followed in quick succession.

So overall it wasn't a bad first trip.

100 fish haul

Hi Guys

what a day it has been.

Me and my dad went fishing to the local small still water today and it was a day I will never forget.
We started of on intermediates and small mini lures. It wasn't long before I was into fish (first cast).
After this they just kept coming thick and fast, and because i was using two flies I was regularly getting double hook ups. We then mover round the lake only to find an even bigger pod of fish. Except this time there were some bigger ones mixed in.

We kept on fishing till around 4 o'clock when we had to go but we had been consistently catching all day. The final score was 30 fish to my dad and 100+ to me.

Non of this would be possible without my dad taking me or WADAA for supplying some great fishing.

Tight lines James