Events in July

Setting Up at Killyleagh Castle

July started with the annual pilgrimage over the water to the Irish International Fly Fair held in Killyleagh, N. Ireland. This is a very friendly event held in the grounds of Killyleagh Castle, where fly dressers and casting instructors alike, from both sides of the water, and further afield, congregate, to both socialise, and offer demonstrations and tuition to those attending the show. A great event for everyone and one I have been attending for almost 10 years now, in fact next year is the events 10 year anniversary.

Allan Spain in full Flow

Back home on the Eden salmon have continued to enter the system on a regular basis, with fish showing in most of the pools, but not always obliging, as several of the people I have been out with will testify to. However, as many of you will know, it's a great inspiration in itself to see a fish or two opposite you as your fly traverses the pool, as apposed to seeing nothing at all. That said, there are still fish being caught every week and in addition to this we are now seeing (since the middle of July) runs of Grilse entering the system too, always a good sign!

Borderlines (Entomology Session)

Once again, when water conditions have been right, we have had some very good trout fishing sessions on the dry fly, although I must admit, I have not been involved in as many fishing sessions this month, mainly due to the fact that I have either been helping to run alternative fishing related events, or I have been involved in a variety of casting tuition sessions (like the one pictured below). That said, I do enjoy these sessions very much, and you do meet some very interesting people too.

Carlisle Angler Tuition Event

There is no better feeling (from my point of view) than being able to help someone out with their casting problems and then watch them improve as they put it into practice, now having the ability to identify their own individual faults and a better understanding of how to rectify them in a fishing situation, after all that's the main reason I got into this game.

A Borderlines first Brown Trout

Borderlines sessions have also kept us very busy this month at a variety of venues, both home and away, covering a multitude of fishing related activities, and the youngsters and parents involved have also caught their fair share of fish at times too. Plenty more youth day sessions planned for the rest of the season too, so watch this space!

Jeff Jones (in at the deep end)

Towards the end of this month I have been back on the river again, involved in a mix of tuition and guided fishing sessions, and just recently (although somewhat unsettled) we have had some good salmon waters, mainly higher up the system, as the recent rain we have had lifted the lower river a little too much for good sport, however, although we are still seeing salmon in the pools, they have become a little frustrating, but I am personally hoping that when the river stops rising and falling like a yo yo, (due to the intermittent heavy showers we have recently been experiencing) and settles a little more, that the salmon fishing will improve again. After all, we know they are there because we are seeing them. "Tight Lines".