When the coarse fishing season opened, I went to Weare Giffad to see what was about, and there were few signs of mullet, so i switched to a swim feeder and worm catching a bass of around a pound.
i decided it was time that I tried saltwater flyfishing for bass. One of my regular customers told me to try Northam Burrows at low tide, fishing a fly in shallow water over the weed at the water returns.
Armed with a #6 rod, I trekked out through the estuary, a long walk with the tide out, and knowing I would have a maximum of two hours before the tide surged it. It was a 5.9m tide so I would also have to watch out being cut off from the shore. It was also very breezy which hampered my casting being a relatively inexperienced fly fisherman. I really had to work the back cast although shooting the line out was a doddle.
I decided to try a white fly hoping it would be visible in the tinted water. As the tide returned, I thought the fish would head for the channels where the water had flowed out a few minutes earlier, and noticed the odd flash at the lure with no takes. I changed to a longer lure with flecks of silver and decided to increase my retrieve speed and after a few casts, had a quick pluck which I missed. However, I was ready for the next one and played a small bass of about half a pound to my hand. I decided to take a photograph and as I fumbled around, the fish shed the hook and was gone.
I had another sharp take and then caught the fish shown in the photograph. A great little fighter on trout tackle, full of spirit and I managed to get the photograph this time.
By now, my fly was a little worse for wear, and despite changing to others, I couldn't entice another take, so went and joined Sandy and had a picnic watching the tide surge in. A great end to a thoroughly enjoyable day. Every time i go fishing and try something new, I learn something which can only improve my angling skills overall, and I really enjoy trying different techniques for different fish.