Anne & Paul Kick Sampling in the Wear

Hi ladies

Sunday I was with cliff Johnston undertaking the first 2010 fly survey on the river wear.

Cliff is leading a group of anglers taking samples across the wear every month and recording the fly life and environmental consequences. Healthy fly life provides a vital component of the aquatic food chain, ensuring the survival and health of insect species is therefore paramount.

Who better to launch the survey then paul procter vice president of the wild trout trust. Paul was keen to start the kick sampling, and it was good to see that he’s fit enough to disco dance on the wear.

Cliff and Paul

Unfortunately, in recent years many UK water bodies have seen declines in their local fly life. The possible causes for the decline are many and varied, including climate change, pollution, water abstraction, and predation. Some of them work together or sequentially to compound their effects.

Cliff who is leading the group on the river wear

The most common findings were

1^st Heptagenia (stone clinger) best known fly the March Brown

2nd   Baetidae (olives) best known fly any of the Olives

We conducted a 3 minute kick sampling which was split according to the water. 90 seconds smooth water that was fast moving. 90 seconds riffle water, moving water with undulating surface. 60 seconds stone washing.

We will be holding a entomology and casting tuitoin day on the Wear May, June date to confirmed with Cliff. This event will be free. please contact annefishing@yahoo.co.uk

Ladies gathered with Jim Fearn

Saturday the ladies held their first beginners salmon day of the year on the river Tyne.

It was a glorious day and who better to teach the art of casting a double handed rod, including river skills than AAPGAI Master Jim Fearn. Jim demonstrated casts with group tuition including one to one. Everything from how to wade, what to do if you fall in, fundamental basic casts, rods, lines, choice of fly and why, river conditions. Even those little things that you may forget such as “take a whistle with you so you can call for assistance”

Marta from Marta Vine

During lunch our newest member Marta from Marta vine bought some Portuguese wine for the ladies to taste to accompany lunch from selected vine yards. Marta has also agreed to give a talk on cork as her family are cork growers in Portugual. Thank you Marta

 Afternoon saw the ladies working in pairs discussing their casts including fault finding and the opportunity to fish the Tyne with flies sent from fly dresser Paul Little.

Chatting over lunch

Jim had taught the ladies the double spey off their left shoulder which was the cast of choice as the wind had gathered momentum. A superb day was rounded off with afternoon tea and the knowledge that the ladies are equipped with the basics to fish for salmon.

Anne chatting to Colin from the Environment Agency

 Huge thanks must go to Sarah for the wonderful food from breakfast, morning coffee and cakes, hot lunch and afternoon tea (yes she even had time to fish) Cliff Johnston as always without your help making the days go smoothly with the campervan etc. Vicky for arranging the day. Jim Fearn for being such a fantastic double handed salmon teacher, your the best Jim. Our guests from the Envirmonment Agency, Angling Development Board and West End Anglers.

Thank you for making this such a memorable event. Lets not forget the ladies who without your help, support and assistance we would not have these days.

Can’t wait for the next salmon day…..

there are more photos on face book, via Anne Woodcock or join the group ladies fishing  on facebook

Marion with Wendy Gibson APGAI Fly Dresser

Hi Ladies

Trish and Marion attended the GAIA weekend in March at Tweedswood. They enjoyed spey casting demonstrations by Peter Anderson, Gary Scott, Andrew Toft and other well known fishing personalities. The weekend was organised by Alberto Laidlaw, chairman of the Scottish branch and the event was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who attended.

Well done Alberto, we look forward to having a ladies day in the future.

If  you would like to read more about the association

www.gameanglinginstructors.co.uk

Thank you to everyone who has supported the 10 events we’ve organised since January. Yes we’ve held 10 events and its only March. Its only through team work and the requests/encouragement from everyone that we’ve organised so many.

And……. the rest of the year is looking pretty busy, here’s a sneak preview

Events booked with Paul Procter, Lee Cummings, Jim Fearn, Hywel Morgan, Jim Curry, Paul Little, Brett O’ Connor and events with some interesting twists  ! 

Hope this has wetted your appetite, as always “trying hard to think out the box”

Regards

Anne

Irish Ladies FlyFishing Association

The Irish Ladies Flyfishing Association was founded in 1990 by Anne Geary of Pontoon Bridge Hotel Foxford Co. Mayo. Anne took this brave step to support ladies who wished to fly fish and represent their country.    

The Association organise fishing and social events throughout the year all over the country. Each year the Association helps to fund a team to compete in the Ladies International, against teams from England, Scotland and Wales.A series of four trials are used to select the team to represent Ireland at the Ladies International Flyfishing Championship. This year the International is being held in Wales.

They also aim to hold a series of ‘open days’ for the complete beginner and ‘training days’ for those wishing to improve their skills. Contact http://www.irishladiesflyfishing.com/contactus.html

The Irish Ladies FlyFishing Association

 2010 Ladies Fundraiser. The ladies are holding a fundraiser competition on 1st May 2010 at Lough Lene, Collinstown, Mullingar All proceeds from this competition will go towards funding the 2010 team representing Ireland in Wales.

Good luck to the Irish Ladies in 2010