Total Flyfisher

September 2008

Features:

• TOP TEAMS Paul Shaw says that using teams of lies will improve your catch rate.“By having the right balance you’ll ill yourboots the season through,” he says. We head to Grafham to test his theory. 08
• POSTBAG If you want to tell us something, respond to previous letters or express your feelings that something in the magazine wasn’t quite right,here’s your chance to do so. 14
• NEWS TFF takes a peek at all that’s happening in the world of l y ishing. 16
• TAKE ME ON He’s back! Hywel Morgan is taking on all-comers on their favourite waters – any water. In the irst part of the series he’s challenging his mate SteveSmalley at Bank HouseTrout Fishery. Do you think you’ve got what it takes to beat him? If you do, get in touch. 22 COVER STORY
• ASK THE PANEL Wehave a team of experts on hand to answer all your angling queries, so if you need to know the answer to a ly ishing question,drop us a line. 30
• SECRETS OF SALWATER Simon Cooper heads off to the Cornish coast to sample some of the stunning ly ishing that’s on offer. With the help of Austin Goldsmith he inds plenty of species to keep him occupied. 32 COVER STORY
• FIGHT TO THE FINISH This is possibly the most dificult challenge to date. Loch Leven; one competitor hasn’t ished the place at all and the other hasn’t been for years – can they crack it? 42
• HANNINGFIELD IS HOT The Big Black Buzzers we featured in the April issue have a chance to shine on this popular Essex venue. Steve Carew of Fulling Mill gives them a thorough workout. 48 COVER STORY
• UK AND IRELAND FISHERY ROUNDUP This section of the magazine just gets better. This month we have isheries from England, Scotland,Wales and Ireland. Expect to read about each ishery’s prospects and all the relevant contact details. 54
• A-Z Abrand-new series that takes you through ly ishing ‘alpahabetically’.This month we start with A... 56
• £1,000 HARDY MARKSMAN COMPETITION Wehave three stunningly beautiful Marksman lyrods to give away.Enter this great competition to be in with a chance of winning one. 61
• GAME FOR CARP Fancya20-pounder without having to pay afortune for the privilege? Big carp are a challenge and an adversary that will keep you coming back for more,so why leave them to coarse fishers? 66 COVER STORY
• SNOWBEE CHALLENGE Check out the pick of this month’scatches from all over the UK! If you’ve caught a ish that meets the challenge,send us apicture and you’ll receive a coveted badge! 76
• FLY-TYING MASTERS This truly unique ly-tying league gives you the chance to win some serious prizes, and we have a £10,000 prize fund,so come on,get tying. 80
• MY SEASON Eyebrook Reservoir – the Scottish water in the heart of England – allows Charles Jardine to indulge in a bit of Irish wet-lyaction. 92
• 38 THIS MONTH WE’VE FISHED. . Pick up hot tips for great days out and avoid disappointing sessions at grim venues! TFF contributors and readers give the lowdown on their recent trips.
• RATED OR SLATED? Lyn Davis heads off to Swiss Valley in west Wales to see what’s on offer at this club- cum-day-ticket trout ishery. 72
• MODERN WATERS In the irst part of a new series highlighting venues that are making an impact on the modern angler, we look at Wales’premier big-i sh water – Shimano Felindre. 98
• 18 THE BOOBY SEDGE Alexander Wilkie, an up-and-coming lytyer, tells us all about his deadly surface pattern for wild brown trout.. the Booby Sedge. COVER STORY
• 82 DEADLY KILLERS The Hare’s Ear Nymph is simple, effective and has a whole host of variants, so it’s no wonder that this thing is one of the best lies out there. TFF takes a closer look at it.
• TYER’S TACKLE SHOP Amonthly look at what’s going to make difference at the tying bench, such as a deadly new material that will give your patterns a helping hand. 84
• USED AND ABUSED Members of the TFF team manage to get their hands on some of the kit that floats their boats, and tell you why you should be trying to get hold of it. 59
• GAME GEAR We’vegot our hands on all the best that’s available to buy at your local tackle shop now, and some stuff that’s not even out there yet. 85