CONTENTS

CONTENTS

October ’08

contents

www.totalfl yfi sher.com

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COVER STORY

SCRATCHING THE SURFACE Paul Shaw heads to Ravensthorpe Reservoir in search of some quality dry-fly fishing. Make the most of any top-of-the-water action by reading his blow-by-blow account.

NEWS There’s a lot happening out there so keep up to speed with all things fishy by making sure you check out the TFF news pages.

LETTERS If you want to put your points across, respond to a previous letter or just generally let off steam about flyfishing issues, drop us a line.

COVER STORY

BLOB-A-JOB Gregg White unveils the flythat puts others in the shade,the allnew DH Blob; you’ll never use an ordinary Blob again!

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ASK THE PANEL What’s the difference between cock and hen hackles? Our celebrity panel answersthis and other readers’questions.

COVER STORY

GO WITH THE FLOW River fi shing virgin Pat McInnes goes in search of his first flycaught grayling on the Derbyshire Derwent. Read on to see if he manages it.

FIGHT TO THE FINISH The challenge: who can catch the biggest fish.The venue: Howwood Trout Fishery near Glasgow. Will one of our challengers come up trumps or will the fishery beat them both?

CJ’S SECRETS OF... FLY CHOICE (PART I) Picking the correct flies for your chosen venue is critical. Charles Jardine offers his expert advice.

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Now’s the time to target those grayling,so what are you waiting for? See page 26.for? See page 26.

WE’VE£1,000 WORTHOFGLOOMIS LUGGAGE TOGIVE AWAY IN OUR GREAT COMPETITION

FlyFisherFlyFisherFlyFisherFlyFisher

www.totalflyfisher.com

Scratch The Surface Up your catch ratewith dry fl ies

FREE ROD

WHEN YOU SUBS CRIBE

RiverRaider Catching your first grayling is easier than you think

Magical Menteith Explosive nymph action at Scotland’s number-one venue

Methods FromThe Master Mickey Bewickat Farmoor Reservoirs I andII

Killer New Fly The secret Blob from the Emerald Isle

PLUS – DEADLY KILLERS + FIGHT TOTHE FINISH +SNOWBEE CHALLENGE + SIX OF THE BEST +THIS MONTH WE’VE FISHED +FISHERY ROUNDUP AND PROSPECTS +CJ’S SECRETS +TYING MASTERS

DHP

2008

OCT

£2.80

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COVER STORY

FAR MORE ATFARMOOR With year-round fishing at this Oxfordshire venue improving all the time,Mickey Bewick tells what to do and when to get in on the action.

UK AND IRELAND FISHERY ROUNDUP This month we again feature fisheries from England, Scotland,Wales and Ireland.Expect to read about the prospects at each fishery along with all the relevant contact details you need.

GLOOMIS £1,000 COMPETITION GLoomis is ‘the name’inprestige products, and we have £1,000 worth of the company’s excellent luggage to give away!

SIX OF THE BEST Wecan all name people who haveshaped us as fly fishing individuals.Mickey Bewick, the man who made Booby fi shing what it is today,tells us about the six people who have had the biggest influence on him.

COVER STORY

MAGICAL MENTEITH Take a tour of Scotland’s most popular boat venue with local expert Jim Litster and findout what makes the country’s only lake so special.

SNOWBEE CHALLENGE Here you’ll find the cream of this month’s catches from all over! If you’ve caught one of the species that meets the criteria,send us a good-quality picture of it and you’ll receive your coveted badge!

MY SEASON Charles Jardine decides to try a spot of float tubing. Are there any benefits from it,is the whole thing a doddle or isit more trouble than it’s worth? Find out here. venuesvenuesguideguide

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THIS MONTH WE’VE FISHED. . . This section should help you enjoy some great days out and avoid those dire visits that leaveyou feeling sorry for yourself! TFF contributors and readers give you the lowdown on venues they’ve visited recently.

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RATED OR SLATED? Colliford Lake,a‘serious’piece of water totalling 911 acres, comes into the spotlight.Is it brown trout heaven or brown trout hell?

MODERN WATERS Stocks Reservoir is a well-established and popular venue. We take a closer, more detailed look at this well-known modern water.

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DESERT ISLAND FLIES Simon Robinson,one of the top young fl y fishers in this country, tells you what flies keep him at the top of his game and why.

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TYER’S TACKLE SHOP What’s the ‘killing’new material that will give your patterns a helping hand or the new tool that will make life easier at the vice? Havealook here and see. . .

DEADLY KILLERS The Minkie,in its simplest form,isdevastating and with a host of variants there’s no wonder it’s one of the best back-end flies out there.

FLY-TYING MASTERS This truly unique fl y-tying league gives you the chance to win some serious prizes from amassive £10, 000 prize fund.So what are you waiting for? Start tying...

tackleguide

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USED AND ABUSED With winter just around the corner, Ed Noyes takes a close look at Muck Boots’Esk wellingtons.Isthe Muck Boot Company really the best option when it comes to footwear?

GAME GEAR Wehave some great new products for you to see,all ofwhich are available right now.

www.totalflyfisher.com

Editor Steve Cullen e-mail steve.cullen@dhpub.co.uk

Assistant Editor EdNoyes

Phone 01327 311999;Fax 01327 311190

Chief Sub Editor Dean Kirkman

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