Good to be back in Goa again. I meet a new fishing buddy Nigel also from the UK the other day who very kindly took me to one of his fishing marks. We set off 6.30 am next morning so as to reach this mark on the rising tide. As you can see this is very rocky shore line. I soon discovered the sea swells run 15 to 20ft up the rocks which washes off crabs and anglers if ones not careful . Casting into these swells takes a lot of care when you only have one set of fly lines which can easily get snagged,sucked into rocks or get slashed on shells which cling to them. However this where the predators lie in wait for the crabs as I soon discovered when hooking and landing a nice Red Snapper and losing 2 more fish. Nigel loves his lure fishing and landed a yellow fin Travally. Which got released. and also lost a couple of fish. The morning before he told and showed me pictures of a 6+kg Barramudi and 2.8 kg snapper which he landed. 

 

This river trip on the river Saleri at Agonda,Goa was mid day plus full sun and so did not expect much in the way of fishing action but managed to catch a small red snapper while sitting back and taking in the beauty of this place. Must come back and check out  this river estuary at dawn or dusk. Or maybe just leave the tackle behind, sit back and enjoy?

 

 

For a special and original gift this Christmas why not by a friend or loved one a fly fishing gift voucher usable from spring 2014. Choose from either a beginners or improvers session or a day out at a local trout fishery accompanied and organised by myself.  More information, details and how to pay can be found on the  booking page of this website or simply contact me by email howie@flyfishingsussex.com to arrange an e-voucher to be sent out for you to print off.
Wishing you all a peaceful and happy Christmas. “Tight Lines” Howie

My new rod arrived today from http://www.worldseafishing.com . They have a sale on at the moment and I could not resist buying one of these as a spare or an extra client rod. At £24 it is great value and  very nicely finished.

 http://store.worldseafishing.com/cgi-bin/sh000001.pl?WD=atlantis%20shakespeare&PN=Saltwater%2dFly%2dRods%2ehtml#aSKP_2e1155385

I had a free day today and as the fridge required topping up with trout I decided to visit Chalk Springs fishery. On arrival I was pleasantly  surprised to find they have dropped their prices and now a 4 fish ticket costs £36. However they are now stocking with smaller fish. The morning started with thick cloud overhead and managed to bag 3 nice rainbows by lunch. Then bright sun in the afternoon and the trout became shy to the fly. I did eventually find a lucky fly (a large Minky) and nice 3.5lb brown trout engulfed it right under the rod then tore off across the lake and put up a fine scrap.

 

The south east’s only fly fishing event. This will be a great day and well worth a visit. There will be casting and fly tying demonstrations, free clinics and much more. For full info and what’s on check out http://www.iFish.org.uk and http://www.sussexflydressers.org.uk

Yesterday was the start of the Shoreham airshow. I was fly fishing near the railway bridge and so had a great view of the aerial display. With all the noise from the planes I did not really expect to catch but despite the incredible power and noise displayed by the Eurofighter Typhoon I was able to land a couple of schoolies and several more had a snatch at the fly. Gonna have to get down there again today. Afterall it’s not everyday you get the chance to watch and remember the Battle of Britain and fly fish at the same time. 

The Summer goes on and the river Adur is running really clear. I’ve lived in Shoreham now for 17 years and have never seen the river so clear. Along with the really bright weather I’m sure this is making the fishing more difficult. But I just love fly fishing in a clear running river and It’s great to see the mullet and young bait fish cruising around. In turn the fish can also see us waving our rods around too so they are easily spooked so stealth is paramount. At low tide this is a great time to walk the river with a good pair of polarized sun glasses and study the river’s structure as holes,rocks and potential ambushing lies for bass are clearly visible. To say nothing of shopping trolleys and bicycles lying under the norfolk bridge.

On my last trip to India I purchased a traditional cast net. The fisherman who sold me the net gave me a few throwing lessons and tips. Today all my practicing paid off when I caught a 6.5 lb mullet from the river Adur. Which I have now converted into 7 steaks and 2 lovely fillets. Far from fly fishing tactics I know but hey!?