Spring Salmonfishing on the river Tay
- At March 26, 2017
- By silja
- In Blog
0
We have started our salmon season early this year and took advantage of the early opening of the salmon season in Scotland. We fished the river Tay and the river Dee. Two very different rivers in fishing and character. On the river Tay we have been fishing 2 beats: The Dalmarnock Beat and the Kercock Beat and on the river Dee we have been fishing The Dess Beat. We would like to take the chance in presenting all 3 beats one at a time. To give you an impression of the water and how a daily routine fishing for salmon in Scotland looks like – it is quite different than how we fish for salmon in Scandinavia.
The salmon season on the Tay opens on 15th January and a few fresh fish enter the system, but come March rising water temperatures encourage the Springers (10kg’ish with an occasional 15kg monster) to enter the system and run upstream in larger numbers. Like many other rivers the Tay is beginning to notice a change in cycles; “traditionally” a late season river, statistics show that the spring proportion of the total catch on the Tay is increasing year on year with last year’s catch being 30 % of the total!
To catch one of those Springers we fished the Dalmarnock Beat. A beautiful stretch of water. The river meandering through the picturesque Tay valley surrounded by fields and forest. The water of the Tay is clear, “gurgling” by and having the colour of a nice and tasty “dram”. The current flows even and makes it ever so easy to fish the fly like it should- hence you just have to stand in the water and let the river do the job for you 😉
The beat is 3 miles long, double bank fishing and has 15 named pools. Easy wading through out. A good number of the pools can be fished with the fly in early spring high-water. You don’t have to be an expert distance caster to fish Dalmarnock. Some of the hottest pools are lying right underneath the bank. Others can be actively fished in comfortable casting distance. It varies of course all on the pool and water level. However, the Tay is one of the Big 4 salmon rivers in Scotland and at Dalmarnock the river is approx. between 40-50m wide. So a mediocre long distance cast would be most handy.
What tackle did I use? Well I used nothing else than an ECHO King 13’#10, an ECHO F.I.S.T Skagit Shooting Head 660gr and an OPST Tip 132gr sink 2/3 Riffle. The Float-Intermediate-Sink Skagit Shootinghead in combination with the OPST Tip 132gr Run is a fabulous set up, lying solid in the water and easy to cast.
To sum it all up: Dalmarnock is a superb beat with exciting pools, easy casting, easy wading and definitely worth a” fishing” if you want to fish the Tay. Not to forget ghillie Colin Mcfadyen, the soul of the beat and making you feel ever so welcome. Cheers for a lovely day Colin and Sandy and Sam.
If you are interested in going with us onto a Scottish Salmon-fishing Adventure in Spring 2018 where we are going to fish the Dalmarnock Beat drop us a mailto: silja@balticflyfisher.dk
Everything you need to know about OPST Commando Heads – The Film
- At March 13, 2017
- By bff
- In Blog, Hints and Tips, skagit, spey
- 0
We get quite a few questions regarding OPST commando heads and we were even considering compiling a really exciting article to answer them (a sort of OPST-Commando FAQ) when we bumped across this very informative and humorous film about OPST Commando Heads.
The film has been made by Oliver Sutro, we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
If you still have any questions regarding OPST commando heads after watching the film then please just drop us a message.
One for All – The ECHO OHS
- At March 06, 2017
- By bff
- In Blog, Hints and Tips, News, skagit, spey
- 0
Tim Rajeff sent me a sample OHS (One Hand Spey) back last summer, and I used it for salmon in the spate streams of western Ireland last Autumn. I liked it, sure, but it wasn’t until a recent “boy’s trip” to the coast that the versatility of this rod really sunk in.
On the first day we had an off-land wind so casting was a no brainer. I just spent the day enjoying 1hand and 2hand micro-skagiting along the coast looking for a sea trout willing enough to take one of my coastal intruder’s. The next day, however, was totally different with a strong wind blowing over the left shoulder, a nasty little 50cm wave and loads of dead eel grass floating around making it a pain in the ++** to cast Skagit style. So I switched to casting 1hand overhead (same line, same tip, same fly, nothing changed, just the cast) and it went like a bomb – lift, back-cast (slowly does it) 1haul and OUT! Tick in the box for that so I thought I’d give 2hand overhead a go and after a short “power-adjustment-period” (I was casting tailing loops because I was applying to much power with the lower hand) ‘got that sorted and I was away. Moving along the coast just out of the wind, the wave wasn’t so high, allowing me to set an anchor and skagit cast. I did a 2hand poke, 1hand poke, 1hand overhead, 2hand overhead and finally a perry off-the wrong shoulder in 5 consecutive casts – all with the same rod, same line, same tip, same fly. Nothing absolutely nothing was changed on the setup, just the cast!
Now that’s what I call versatility! Awesome!
Boys trip coastal OHS set up:
- ECHO OHS 10’4” #7
- ECHO 7/9 ION Reel
- OPST Commando 300gr
- OPST Micro-Tip 5ft S2
- OPST Lazar 30lb
I get my hands on a lot of rods during a year and I try and use all of the ECHO models at some time during the season but it’s been a long time since I have been so enthusiastic about a set up; for me the ECHO OHS combined with a Commando head is the essence of versatility, a perfect combination! Put another way its brilliant, absolutely f’ing brilliant!
All pictures by Simon Barg
Exclusive Salmon Adventure
- At November 22, 2016
- By silja
- In Blog, News
- 0
We are happy to announce that under our partnership with Scottish Salmon Fishing Surgery (SSFS) BalticFlyfisher is able to offer you the unique opportunity to experience some excellent guided early season spring salmon fishing on the world-famous River Tay in March 2017.
The River Tay is Scotland’s longest salmon river and from its source way up on the slopes of Ben Lui it makes its way East through the Highlands before entering the sea close to Dundee. At 188km (117miles) the River Tay is only the seventh longest in the UK but measured by discharge (m³) it is by far the largest river.
The salmon season on the Tay opens on 15th January and even as early as this a few fresh fish enter the system, but come March rising water temperatures encourage the Springers to enter the system and run upstream in larger numbers many of them at and around the 10kg mark, with an occasional 15kg monster. Like many other rivers Tay is beginning to notice a change in cycles; “traditionally” a late season river, statistics show that the spring proportion of the total catch on the Tay is increasing year on year with this year’s catch being 30 % of the total!
Your trip will encompass six days salmon fishing as well as seven nights accommodation. You will have the chance to fish exclusively on three of the most productive beats on the river maximizing your chance of connecting with that hard fighting early season… bar of silver.
The Trip will be hosted by Flyfishing Woman Silja Longhurst; World Championships Competition Speycaster, Certified Angling Guide and IFFF Certified Flycasting Instructor. You will also have the services of an experienced Ghillie whose local knowledge of the water and conditions will be invaluable.
The Tay is a superb destination to catch spring salmon as it has the strongest run of any river in Scotland. Why not start your 2017 salmon season earlier next year and come and join us on the Tay in March?
Interested? Then please contact me (silja@balticflyfisher.com) for detailed information and a copy of our brochure.
Rethinking Flyfishing – Skagit
- At November 21, 2016
- By bff
- In Blog
- 0
We just have to admit it, leaving politics aside, there is a lot of funky stuff coming over from the USA. Pulsing over the big ocean a rather new “flyfishing- movement” has hit the shores of Europe. An alternative movement which is in the midst of “reinventing” flyfishing or at least how we have perceived flyfishing over the last few decades. Rethinking flytackle and it’s practical use: a never-ending-story 🙂
We are of course talking about SKAGIT.
Skagit has it’s origin in steelhead fishing; chucking big flies and heavy sink tips into the deep holding places of the winter steelhead.
Conventional tackle consisting of a 15ft rod and a long speyline or scandi head would of course do the job but for the occasional fishermen it is extremely hard work if not frustrating or even impossible to master.
The Skagit journey and its development started in the early 1990’s when the likes of Mike Kinney, Scott O’Donnell, Scott Howell, Jerry French, Mike McCune and last but not least Ed Ward were busy chopping and splicing, hard at work developing what would eventually evolve into today’s Skagit Lines. These guides new that time had come to optimise spey casting, in winter conditions, with large outsized flies, not for experts like themselves but for Mr Joe Average caster. The short belly approach was underway, the revolution had begun… these guys were just about to “Skagitize” the world.
Back in the “90’s” standard Skagit kit would be based on a 14ft or even 15ft rod, now a typical Skagit rod is somewhere between 11ft and 13ft, with a head from 3.5m to 6.5m long and weighing between 150gr to 750gr. Skagit has rocketed forward from an “undercover” style to become the most en vogue new 2 Handed fishing style on the globe. In less than 25 years! But its not just a fashion or a flash in the pan. Its much much more – its a motor too, a motor driving the industry to develop cutting edge products. Its probably the biggest revolution that Spey fishing has seen since the introduction of “underhand” casting in the 1980’s!
Skagit is a style which can be easily adapted to other kinds of flyfishing. Ever thought of rethinking your fishing for Atlantic Salmon, Huchen, or even your single handed fishing for sea trout, or bass, or pike or (God forbid) even dryfly fishing?
Stay tuned if you are ready to rethink your game and and if you are eager to know more about SkagitCasting or Micro Skagit.
BalticFlyfisher meets Scottish Salmon Adventure
- At November 18, 2016
- By silja
- In Blog, News
- 0
BalticFlyfisher is happy to announce that from season 2017 we are starting a new business relationship with Scottish Salmon Fishing Surgery- better known as “SSFS”. SSFS offers tailored made salmon fishing holidays on many of Scotland’s finest and most exclusive salmon rivers.
The same as we are at BalticFlyfisher, SSFS is a family run business and was founded by husband and wife team Sandy and Samantha Datta, two ultimate salmon fishing nerds. SSFS started out as being a solely dedicated online salmon fishing magazine – Scotland’s only dedicate salmon fishing magazine. Soon the magazine became so popular and is now read in over 61 countries worldwide. Sandy and Samantha’s knowledge about fishing for salmon in Scotland as well as their network soon made them a sought-after contact: Where to fish for salmon? Which river was fishing well? How to get in contact to fish a certain Beat? The path was given and since 2015 the couple are offering bespoke tailored salmon fishing holidays.
We at BalticFlyfisher love the passion which lies behind Sandy’ and Samantha’s concept and our collaboration with SSFS will underline the notion of BalticFlyfisher being Europe’s #1 Skagit and Speycentre. Our goal is to make your fishing experience a better one and being professional about fly fishing and fly casting has just been enriched by SSFS.
We are looking forward to the next Salmon season. Did you know, it already starts in January- well at least in Scotland it does 😉 We will be back with some updates shortly. Until then, you can dream of the” Ultimate Scottish Salmon Fishing Experience” by SSFS and BalticFlyfisher – 2 fishing families.
ECHO Bad Ass Glass
- At October 21, 2016
- By silja
- In Blog, News
- 4
The Echo BAG
Wow…the colour is just awesome. Even though its not pink I would buy this rod just because of its oh so 😎 cosmetics:
- It is blue, sky blue with a translucent milky touch which underlines it’s characteristic of a glass fibre rod.
- The handle is kept in the background and classic…you want to see the blue!
- Stainless guide rings with a low-friction ceramic stripper…to enhance the cold/freshness of the blue.
This is a rod for serious fishing… Serious (serious with a big S) saltwater fishing. The action is well… I don’t quite know what …fast and simultaneously ever so responsive. A great rod for chasing Tarpon from a boat or wading the “flats” of the Baltic Sea for BIG Mammas (that’s what we call BIG Pike up here). One cast and you chuck your big fly right there where you need it. End of story!
I NEED one so badly …
The ECHO BAG comes as a 4 piece 9 footer for #8, 9, 10 and 12 weight lines. The retail price is 319.99€ and it will be available very soon.
If you need any more information about this rod or would like to pre-order one then please visit your local ECHO dealer or alternatively contact us.
Hallo(ween) in Austria
- At October 12, 2016
- By silja
- In Blog, News
- 0
Magical things happen around Samhain/Halloween, people say… Well people are right we think, as BalticFlyfisher is bringing magic down to our partners in Austria.
Meet the witch (aka Silja) and the pumpkin (aka Stuart) at Armin Pijawetz´s info-day on 22.10.16. We will bring a selected range of ECHO’s and OPST’s magical flyfishing equipment as well as the new hot shots for 2017. We will be at the casting pool where we will show you how to fish with a Micro/ Skagit set-up and how easy it is to adapt it to your personal fishing water.
If you want to know all the magic behind the Skagit technique then you should meet us at Active Fishing´s “Skagit-Day” on 24.10.2016 on the Enns at Krippau. Here we show you how the potions are being mixed together 😉 We will give you deep knowledge of Skagit and Micro Skagit and how it is being applied on single-, switch-, and two- handed flyrods. We will show how it is done right there at the water. In the afternoon there is time for a casting clinic and a wiggle with OPST and ECHO gear.
Happy Halloween
OPST MKII Ostrich Drabs
- At October 07, 2016
- By bff
- In Blog
- 0
Olympic Peninsular Skagit Tactics (OPST) MKII Ostrich Drabs
With the salmon and trout season drawing to a close here in Europe we thought you might be interested in a series of articles about our favourite winter pastime – fly tying. This the first is about feathers – or OPST Drabs.
Finding the quality materials for tying intruder style steelhead or salmon flies can be a big problem and Ostrich herl in particular can vary immensely in quality and cause the fly tyer a LOT of frustration. The guys over at OPST new that, so a while back they decided to bring out out their own Drabs onto the market. Now roughly three and half years later they have announced the MKII Signature Intruder Drabs.
The original OPST signature drabs were more-or-less the bees knees for intruder style flies but the new drabs are definitely a notch or two above the previous ones. In addition to the improved quality they have also added five new colours (Shrimp Pink, Tan, Dark Olive, Yellow and Lavender) and they have improved the barring dramatically, making them thinner and more consistent. Gone also are the fat black tips.
If like us you like to tie intruder style flies for salmon, sea trout and trout (well more or less anything really) then we highly recommend giving the OPST Intruder Drabs a try. Each packet contains two feathers (Drabs) and they retail in Europe for 12.95 €. If you’d like some more information then please call in to your local OPST dealer or contact us.
Get spinning those intruders …
ECHO Skagit F.I.S.T
- At September 28, 2016
- By silja
- In Blog
- 0
Some months ago ECHO introduced a new triple density Skagit line. Called the F.I.S.T. for Floating, Intermediate, Sink-tip this Skagit head was co-designed by Brian Silvey (a guide on the Deschutes and Sandy Rivers of Oregon) and Tim Rajeff. When the first batch of FIST’s arrived in the office I had a quick look at them and thought “who the hell needs another Skagit head 😐“after that I forgot completely about them until a few weeks ago when my Dad asked me to give them a trail run.
Despite my initial misgivings I found the FIST was very easy to cast and control. The FIST isn’t really about getting down deep, no its all about control, controlling the fly in fast water and if necessary getting the fly down a bit deeper when the water temperature is low and the fish aren’t so active. In other words perfect for our Spring and Autumn Salmon or Sea Trout fishing 😎.
The FIST has a bright green hi-floating section which makes it very easy to see in either low or reflected light conditions but the real benefit comes as the sinking section(s) dig in and slow down the drift of your fly across the current; I had the feeling that I could just hang the fly on the seam for ages and ages. I cast the FIST with a 10ft FLO-7, and a number of different 10ft polyleaders. I’m sure they will also work fine with the OPST sink tips, but they weren’t available when I was testing the FIST on a recent trip to Ireland.
With the sink-tip season just around the corner you might find the ECHO F.I.S.T a useful addition to your Skagit armoury. Sizes run from 450 grains to 720 grains in 30 grain increments and the retail price is 44.99€. If you need any more information about this line then please visit your local ECHO dealer or alternatively contact us.
