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Today’s flyfisher Next month’s issue – on sale February 9th

Contents February 2006

8Letters More letters from readers voicing concerns, views and giving praise on all areas of our wonderful sport.

12In The Loop All the information you want and need, fresh from the grapevine.

* COVERSTORY * 16Agent X Our intrepid undercover reporter goes in search of enormous, landlocked salmon – do such fabled leviathans exist?

22The Beast Of Bodmin We delve deep into darkest Cornwall in search of a mythical strain of wild brown that has been isolated for hundreds of years.

28Scierra Competition Do you fancy the chance of winning the latest wading system from Scierra? We have more than £5,000 worth of prizes to give away!

30Casting School There comes a point when certain bankside conditions will not allow you to cast overhead – it’s in these situations when the roll cast comes to the fore.

38Bargain Beats Here’s the lowdown on one of the Aberdeenshire Dee’s best budget salmon fisheries.

42Tackle Monster We take a glimpse at the newest and shiniest kit to hit your tackle shop.

47Reader Review Why not drop us a line and take part in our reader review – and win some free gear!

48Tackle Test We take an in-depth look at 12 rods that can each be bought for under £70.

* COVERSTORY * 54Stopwatch Challenge It’s minus five degrees and the lake is freezing over. But brave man Jim Crawford still reckons he’ll complete our challenge!

60CJ’s Notebook Here’s Charles’ February selection of patterns and tips for fishing the layers for small-water rainbows.

63Conservation Matters Kevin Swinscoe highlights the ongoing issues that can affect our sport.

34Hywel’s 10 Most fair-weather fly fishers would describe true winter anglers as ‘nutters’. Hywel Morgan’s certainly one!

64Life Of A Flyfisher John Bailey and friends discuss why a fishing break should be mandatory, for the sake of your health!

68Competition Scene The man with the ‘Magnum PI’ moustache, Stuart Fraser, delivers all the results from the latest winter matches.

70Q&A What on earth’s a thermocline? What line should you choose for effective roll casting? Our seasoned anglers give you the explanation to help you catch more fish.

73Tackle Awards Here’s your chance to vote for what was hot and what was not in 2005. Let us know and you could win £300!

* COVERSTORY * 76Flies To Catch Fish We take you through the tying steps and advice of how and when to fish four essential, modern patterns.

80Premier Patterns Sit in front of a warm fire, set up the vice and tie some deadly fly patterns described by our four top anglers.

84Tying Tricks A sneak peek at 10 handy hints and tips to make life at the vice easier, quicker and neater.

92Troubleshooter Charles Jardine gives us the essential skills required for tracking down chunky, stillwater rainbows in the deepest depths of winter.

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08 Today’s flyfisher February 2006 16> Agent X Huge, landlocked salmon up to 55lb swimming about in a small stillwater! We’re joking, right? Our man pays a visit to Warrington to see if there is any truth in the myth that such creatures exist. Will he have to go in with big guns blazing, or can these leviathans be tamed on normal trout gear?

COVER STORY

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FULLING MILL WORLD CLASS

TOP QUALITY EYE PROTECTION WITH SUPERIOR VISION. Our mission: To maintain a network of World Class Dealers offering unrivalled choice of highest quality flies and fly fishing products; to ensure that all products offer outstanding value for money; and to give top priority to all customer feedback. CONSISTENTLY VOTED ‘BEST IN TEST’ IN ALL LEADING MAGAZINES.

<48 Tackle Test Thinking of starting fly fishing and looking for an inexpensive rod? We have managed to get our hands on 12 models that can each be bought for under £70. We check them out in an in-depth test to see if they really do offer us anglers good value, or if they should be consigned to kindling.

54> Stopwatch Challenge Eskimos have survived for centuries by drilling holes in the sea ice and winkling out fish. Our challenge is not as severe I’m sure you’ll agree, but when half the water you’re supposed to be fishing is iced over it makes things… well, interesting. Our challenger has six hours to catch four fish in these arctic conditions.

COVER STORY

<75 Tyer’s Guide Including... Flies To Catch Fish:A look at how to tie and fish four modern classics Premier Patterns:The top February patterns from four top anglers Tying Tricks:Trade secrets you need to know to make you more proficient at the vice, from threading a bobbin to mixing different-coloured buck tail

COVER STORY

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FULLING MILL PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM OUR DEALERS OR ON THE WEB - FORDETAILS TEL: +44 (0)1293 778600 WEB:fullingmill.com EMAIL: sales@fullingmill.com FAX: +44 (0)1293 778600

February 2006 Today’s flyfisher

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