BOB CHURCH 8-PAGE TRIBUTE FIRST FOR TACTICS, TACKLE & WHERE TO FISH
THE MASTER 1935 - 2019
HIS ACHIEVEMENTS INCREDIBLE STORIES YOUR MEMORIES
www.troutfisherman.co.uk
TOP 100
All the action . .. from the day
SE N IOR F I N
AL
2018/19
VENUES TO FISH IN 2020 FEATURING...
Best stocking Value for money Top facilities & much more!
6 NOV - 3 DEC, 2019 | £3.70
ISSUE 529
RESERVOIR TACTICS
MEDIUM WATERS
FLY-TYING ADVICE
TACKLE REVIEWS
Steve Cullen's approach
Iain Barr's 'back end' flies
Follow our step-by-step
Fast action, good recovery!
DIGITAL EDITIONS AVAILABLE
Contents I SS U E 529
Cover image by Jeffrey Prest
BE INSPIRED
8
6 Your first
Readers share stories of their fly-fishing firsts
61 Fly-tying products
Get creative with Mirror Flash mylar piping and new barbless hooks
WHERE TO FISH
TRIBUTE
63 UK waters
A special tribute to the great man who made such a massive contribution to angling
66 Spotlight on...
8 Bob Church
Four top trout fisheries to visit this month
COVER STORY
Winter hotspots and tactics on Pitsford Water
TACTICS
68 Wish you were here
16 Total carnage
Ex-Grafham fishery manager John Mees has set up a fishing holiday retreat in Spain
Steve Cullen tells you how to target grown-on resident trout in late season COVER STORY
72 Alaskan salmon
22 Enjoy the adventure
Iain Barr goes for a Daddy Longlegs and Snake approach at Elinor Trout Fishery COVER STORY
28 Bowden Springs
92
Fastmail highlights six flies that will serve us well this month
34 Simply Garnffrwd
OPINION & NEWS
Peter Cockwill visits a Welsh water that’s gaining a reputation as one of the best in the UK
80 News
All the latest news on the trout scene plus Ian Muckle’s Scottish column
ADVICE
38 Advice squad
82 Cockwill
TF’s experts answer your questions on Buzzer imitations, line treatments and take detection
Peter picks up on a few topics after reading an old book about stocking lakes
41 How to...
Understand grayling - part one
OFFERS
FLY-TYING
45 The Holo Back Bug
Follow Peter Gathercole’s step-bystep to a deadly all-round bug COVER STORY
48 Flybox fillers
Russ Symons ties a variant of the Amber Nymph Peter Gathercole judges your roach, stickleback and perch fry patterns and sets a new challenge
TACKLE
57 Gear on test
Robbie Winram puts rods, reels, luggage and clothing through its paces COVER STORY
FOCUS ON...
78 Winter flies
Jeff Prest accompanies a local angler at this wellmanaged Scottish venue
52 Flymasters
Chris Tarrant catches plenty of salmon while also having close encounters with brown bears
56 Subscription offer
Get 13 issues of Trout Fisherman magazine for just £3.30 a month - a saving of
62 Reader offer
Your chance to buy some Diawa Wilderness Clothing
FREE GUIDE
AT THE BACK OF THIS MAGAZINE
84 Letters
TF readers have their say...
86 Book reviews
Two publications get the Jeff Prest treatment
87 Troutmasters
Are you among this month’s badge winners?
92 Troutmasters Final
COVER STORY How champion Peter Crowe finally won after many attempts
97 Iain Barr
Latest opinions on reservoirs from our former world champion
100 Wading in
Jeff Prest has a go at those claiming that fly fishing is the new “surfing”
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY www.t ro u t f i s h e r m a n .co.u k
troutfishermanmag TroutFishMag troutfisherman troutfishmag troutfisherman troutfisherman troutfisherman-online @troutfisherman
THIS MONTH’S WINNER A lovely wild borders brown trout. Sent in by Conan Turnbull
HOW TO ENTER
Shot of the
MONTH
If you have a fly-fishing image that you would like to see here, please send it to us. Images must be: original size • high resolution. Email them to leigh.johnson@bauermedia.co.uk If the image is too large to go over email, send via the free service wetransfer.com (for help see wetransfer.com/howitworks). Published photographers will receive a landing net from Sharpes of Aberdeen. Browse their products at www.sharpes.net or call 01466 794415.
Enter our competition now for your chance to win a Sharpe’s landing net
Words Russell Hill, Jeff Prest Picture selection Leigh Johnson
The man's contribution to angling and in particular stillwater trout fishing, is legion.
BOB CHURCH
TRIBUTE
He will never be forgotten
Bob Church's massive contribution to stillwater trout fishing will live forever, says Trout Fisherman
B
OB Church MBE. Angler. Innovator. Football fan. Gentleman. The list could continue. The man’s contributions to angling and, in particular stillwater trout fishing, are legion. Many readers will have grown up reading Bob’s Angling Times column, his huge number of articles in Trout Fisherman or his many incredible books. He achieved so much on the match scene too, despite his deemed 'professional' status (due to roles in fishing media and the tackle trade) denying him what he said were 12 years in international matches. He soon made up for lost time: winning team gold and individual bronze for England - in England - in the 1987 World Championships, then confounding dismissive whispers of 'home advantage', as part of the England team that successfully defended its gold medal in Tasmania in 1988. He also won European Team Gold in 1990. During a glittering competition career, he created the Bob Church Classic; often referred to as the FA Cup of fly-fishing. His fishing tackle innovations and fly patterns had a massive influence in shaping our sport – ranging from the first large arbour reel to the creation of many ground-breaking fly patterns. The Appetiser was the first to involve marabou while other notable patterns include the Black Chenille and the Goldie. His great many achievements have been listed in detail in other publications. Although we've mentioned many here, the main
aim of this tribute is to focus on Bob Church the man. Born in 1935 and reaching his 83rd birthday he enjoyed a full life and one that should be celebrated. We asked many people for their testimonies.
Generosity
Many responses spoke of a kindhearted man. We’ve been inundated with testimonials from readers and contributors via email and social media, telling us of their days fishing with the great man. They highlighted how willing he was to speak to absolutely anyone, despite his fame and status within our great sport. He’d spend time talking and sharing flies with experienced anglers and beginners alike, chatting as if he’d known them for years. No-one could accuse Bob of snobbery, he was the very opposite.
Humour
His sense of humour was as infectious as his laugh and on occasions he made you chuckle with his antics, sometimes inadvertently. Editor Russell Hill recalls a Hardy match final at Rutland in the late 1990s, when Guido Vinck’s Belgian team were suffering with bad stomachs. Typically English when dealing with people from another country, Bob approached Guido and spoke slowly, emphasising his words so that Guido would understand him. “G-u-i-d-o…t-h-e…t-o-i-l-e-t-s… a-r-e… u-p-s-t-a-i-r-s.” This effort of communication met a puzzled expression from Guido whom, after Bob had departed, carried on speaking to those November 6 - December 3 Trout Fisherman 9
TACTICS R E S E R V O I R S Words Steve Cullen Pictures Peter Gathercole
Steve enjoys great action at Pitsford.
TOTAL CARNAGE There’s no better time than late season to actively target grown-on resident trout. Steve Cullen shows you how…
TACTICS M E D I U M W A T E R S Words Iain Barr Pictures Peter Gathercole
Iain with a quality Elinor rainbow.
Enjoy the ADVENTURE Late season can see a huge range of flies from Daddies to Snakes working at various parts of a lake, says Iain Barr
TACTICS S M A L L W A T E R S Words & pictures Jeffrey Prest
Ian Jardine brings in a fish on fly-only Bowden Loch.
Haven by the hill
Whether it’s the wind or the rat-race you’re escaping, one Scottish fishery has you covered, high on its West Lothian perch…
TACTICS S M A L L W A T E R S Words Peter Cockwill Pictures Sue Cockwill
Well managed, with great stock and facilities - that's Garnffrwd.
Simply Garnffrwd
Peter Cockwill visits a Welsh small water that's gaining a reputation as one of the best in the UK
Fly-Tying In association with Veniard
The Holo Back Bug Peter Gathercole ties an all-round bug for river or lake www.troutfisherman.co.uk
Visit our website www.veniard.com
READER OFFER SAV E U P TO
33% FR EE P&P
DAIWA WILDERNESS CLOTHING
DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS GREAT OFFER
M
AKE sure you stay dry and comfortable com whatever the weather throws at you by taking advantage adv of this month’s great reader offer from Glasgow Glasgo Angling Centre. On offer are three key items of clothing from fr the Daiwa Wilderness range – a three-quarter jacket, jacke wading jacket and overtrousers – with great savings of up to 33%!
3 | DAIWA WILDERNESS OVERTROUSERS RRP £62.99 OFFER PRICE £40 ■ Made from 320D Taslon fabric ■ Elasticated waistband and zippered forelegs ■ Two front pockets ■ One velcro fastened pocket on the back Size codes: M - DW4138; L - DW4139; XL - DW4140; XXL - DW4141
1 | DAIWA WILDERNESS WADING JACKET RRP £99.99 OFFER PRICE £66 ■ Harder wearing higher denier fabric across the shoulders and along the top of the arms ■ Two large velcro fastened front pockets for fly boxes or accessories ■ Two side pockets ■ Large storage pocket on the back ■ Two zinger spring clips Size codes: M - DW4134; L - DW4135; XL - DW4136; XXL - DW4137
2 | DAIWA WILDERNESS 3/4 JACKET RRP £99.99 OFFER PRICE £66 ■ Two large front pockets with Velcro fastening ■ Two large waist front pockets with stud fastening ■ One zip closing pocket on the front of the chest pocket ■ One internal pocket behind zip cover ■ Fixed hood with elasticated draw cord ■ Velcro fastening when you want to roll up the hood ■ Velcro adjustable neoprene cuffs ■ Two way zip ■ Two zinger spring clip Size codes: M - DW4130; L - DW4131; XL - DW4132; XXL - DW4133
How to order
When ordering quote “Trout Fisherman offer” & code “00151”. Please state code/sizes you require when ordering. Offer available while stocks last. Free P+P. Tel: 0141 212 8880 | Fax: 0141 331 6340 Email: sales@fishingmegastore.com | Order online: www.gac.fishing/00151TF Post: Glasgow Angling Centre, Unit 1, The Point, 29 Saracen Street, Glasgow G22 5HT
A lifetime's flies in one beautifully illustrated book – from the publishers of Trout Fisherman and Trout & Salmon magazines
ONLY £ 1 2 . 99 PL U S £2.9 9
P& P
AVAILABLE TO BUY FROM www.greatmagazines.co.uk/248flies ORDER FORM | 248 MODERN FLIES & HOW TO TIE THEM To order your book by post complete the form and send it with your cheque/postal order (payable to Trout Fisherman) to Mary-Ann Payne, H Bauer Publishing, Media House, Lynchwood, Peterborough PE2 6EA. Please write in CAPITAL LETTERS.
Please send me (insert number required).....………… copy/copies of 248 MODERN FLIES & HOW TO TIE THEM at £12.99 +£2.99 per book (making a total of £15.98 per book). Name ......................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................... Total to pay: £....................................... Address .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...............................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................... Postcode ........................................................ .............................................................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................... Email*............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ....................................................................................... Tel..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Tel ...............................................................................................................................
VIEW THE TRAILER AT www.youtube.com/troutfisherman
Yes please, keep me up to date via email [ ] post [ ] phone [ ] with the latest news and special offers from Trout Fisherman. Please do let us keep in contact so we make sure you don’t miss out. *You can unsubscribe at any time from any email we send you via the unsubscribe link or by emailing dataprotectionofficer@bauermedia.co.uk For our privacy policy go to www.bauerdatapromise.co.uk
2019
Our experts reveal
THE UK’S TOP FISHERIES Value for money Best quality fish Facilities Uniqueness Fishing experience Friendliest staff Efforts to meet angler needs
PRINT | DIGITAL | ONLINE
Print & Digital Subscriptions www.greatmagazines.co.uk/troutfisherman
www.troutfisherman.co.uk OFFICIAL HOME OF
TROUTMASTERS Europe’s largest flyfishing competition Available from
Connect with us