The Complete Fisher Forum

[mike rowe]

Hi.
As a total newcomer to fly fishing, could anyone tell me how the tanks are fishing at the moment ? and if possible what tactics I should use, ie leader length, fly choice etc etc.
Am hoping to go there on Saturday, would be glad to meet up with others if your going .
many thanks in advance
regards mike

[Chris]

Hi Mike,
Welcome to the forum. There is a large forum contingent that fish the waters in your area - this is the thread where the latest info can be found - http://www.completefisher.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18875

Chris
_________________

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[Bovver]

Hi Mike and welcome The Tanks are a difficult place to fish this time of the year. Tactics change dependant on weather and time of day etc.
If you fish during the day you will need to find a weed free area and try a deep, slow retrieved gold head buzzzer and a diawl bach on a dropper. A long leader around 10-15ft if fish are showing then a washing line with a booby on the point and diawl bachs and buzzers on the droppers. leader about 8-12 ft

Later on in the day(evening time) there is sometimes a good rise and this can start very late on(street lighting up time) then a small dry fly or hopper can work.

I am not sure if I can get out this weekend or even if I am confident fishing the Tanks this time of year?

Others on here will hopefully give you different ideas to try there and do not worry about asking for advice from people fishing up there as the vast majority are very helpful
Good luck
Ian

[mike rowe]

Thanks Chris, will have a read through it all, 73 pages I see !!! Was hoping for something a bit specific for Barrow, at this time of year. Or to meet up with others, to politely pick there brains, show me the ropes, so to speak.
But do thank you for the link.
mike

[MarkS]

Hi Mike,
welcome along. Sound words from Ian (Bov). You may find it weeded up in a lot of areas at the moment dependant on the levels. I would fish early and or late in the day for the best chance. Slim, sparse nymphs and buzzers, small dry flies.

May be a better option to fish Chew from Woodford Bank or Nunnery Stones. You can do this without needing to wade.

I have sent you a PM with my phone number, feel free to call me on Tanks tactics specifically if you are set on going there Saturday, happy to pass on what I can.

Cheers,
Mark

[Allrounder]

[BristolFlyer]

Good advice from the Tanks Mafia

The only things I would add is that you shouldn't stay in one place too long if you aren't catching. Also, don’t always fish with the wind behind you. Fishing across the wind can be very successful and sometimes the fish are very close in to the bank that the wind is blowing into.

[arkle]

Hi Mike, glad you found it here after my suggestion on fff. As you see there's plenty of guys here who know BWW's very well indeed & are more than willing to help out, after all we've all been at that stage sometime.
_________________
Hi there, I have around 40 yrs exp. of tying flies, incl. some semi-pro work. I've taught at adult evening classes, written for and supplied photos for most U.K. fly magazines. Given talks/slide shows/lectures/demonstrations etc. Am founder and life pres. of local Fly Dressers Guild (27years), our members have won more prizes for tying than any other similar club, we've also won several national flyfishing comps. I look forward to both learning from and contributing to this highly respected forum.

[tenet]

Welcome on board Mike - best tip I can give, if you are new to fly fishing, is to take some Professional Lessons. It will repay you countless times over and help you to enjoy the sport immeasurably. Bristol Water organize lessons regularly throughout the year; http://www.bristol-water.co.uk/fishing/lessons/index.asp so just give them a call.

Good luck

Doug

[blondie]

Welcome Mike .All sound advice from the guys .Best of luck and tight lines.Try on the Bristol water web site or facebook for up todate info on the barrows and the other lakes also.You will find very helpfull advice on here.Steve

[mike rowe]

Thanks for all the help and advice guys, will give it a go over the weekend, let you know how I get on !!! Bagged up by 9am !!??
I dont think !!
regards
mike

[arkle]

Take it easy & it might be 9.30a.m.
_________________
Hi there, I have around 40 yrs exp. of tying flies, incl. some semi-pro work. I've taught at adult evening classes, written for and supplied photos for most U.K. fly magazines. Given talks/slide shows/lectures/demonstrations etc. Am founder and life pres. of local Fly Dressers Guild (27years), our members have won more prizes for tying than any other similar club, we've also won several national flyfishing comps. I look forward to both learning from and contributing to this highly respected forum.

[Bod]

Good luck with the tanks Mike, it can be frustrating at times but other times they are quality, one thing to be wary of is if you are fishing early morning then be careful on the banks they are very slippery I have taken a tumble or 2 over the years

[swampydick]

Hi Mike good luck Think its all been said hope you manage to get some action.

cheers mike

[mike rowe]

Well an update as promised. Firstly thanks to all of you who gave your advice, it was much appriciated.
got to the tanks befor dawn, on Sunday, the weather forcast was more cloud cover than the Saturday which I thought would be better, there was more wind than I expected so firstly tried an area where the wind would be behind me, 1 d/b on the point, tried short casts then longer , to the left then the right, no luck. changed fly to a weighted buzzer, repeated casts, still no luck, moved position, etc etc
Eventually had covered 1/2 the tank, with less of a wind by now coming over my left shoulder. still nothing, hadnt even seen a fish break the sufface.
By now 10am ish had seen 2 others fishing, but I decided to try the other tank, so repeated the above here, this time occaisionly trying a lure as well, fast retrieve, stop start, slow, etc etc still nothing, so thought ide go and see how the others 2 guys were doing, both fishing the mouse near the small car park, they had nothing.and one was packing up. I went back to near where I had started, tried again, still nothing, Looked at my watch, couldnt believe 13.30 Very hungary !!
So Having heard theres a cafe at woodford lodge thought i would pop over there, Only doing Sunday lunches !! oh well just be hungry..
Asked in the tackle shop about my fishing and fly selection, The man there not impressed with my flys so bought a £5 worth and was told the tanks very hard fishing at the moment, better to try blagdon, Which rang a bell as some one had suggested to me on here Blagdon may be better.
then met Malcolm Fisher in the car park, Who gave me a couple of his flys, very nice chap and suggested where I should go on Blagdon,
thanks Malcolm.
So tried there from 2.30ish till dusk useing the new flys, ( and some old ones) still nothing not even a pull !! is it ME. my wife wants to know, do I need a bigger rod !!
Have to say not many people fishing the banks, a few boats out, but I saw nothing caught. Is that usual for this time of year ? or am I doing something compleatly wrong? Could do with a fishing Buddy to show me how it should be done !! any offers ? I can pay for the days fishing ! but cant afford for a pro gilly at this time, maybe in the future !!
mike