Hello, my name is Stewart Yates and first of all, thank you for taking the time to have a look at my RU-vid Channel! I am passionate about all things Assynt and all things Fly Fishing, so becoming a fly fishing guide and qualified coach here was wonderfully inevitable! Although the fly fishing is the ‘excuse’ for heading out and exploring Assynt, there is so much more to be discovered about this place. Its geology, history, flora and fauna, stories, legends - it can all combines to create a wonderfully rich and intoxicating experience. I want you to have that experience, to feel immersed in it all and take a part of Assynt away with you in your heart to guarantee your return for generations. I will always be “A Guide who takes you Fishing” and never simply “A Fishing Guide”. I will try and post something as often as I can, in the meantime, please be sure to check out my other Social Media channels!
Hi Terry, Geo is a fine example of a male English Shepherd,,still not a common breed in Britain. They are an amazing breed, great as both working and family dogs.
Thanks for the reply , he really is a beautiful dog …… loved those eyes staring up at you … i was watching your video as I am planning a few trips up into Assynt as you cant beat the NW for scenery and the lochs…..relatively short hop up from Inverness where i am …. Looking forward to it … Cheers
@@syates-fl5dg I’ve just spent an hour or so reading about them …. Great story and very interesting ……I think if I were giving in to family pressure to actually get a dog , then this would be the one I would go for …..beautiful in Geo’s colouring and that’s the colouring for me …out of interest ….where did you get him from ? Finding a good breeders is always a welcome start ….
There's a good community on Social Media, Geo came to us from Jackie at Eden Village English Shepherds. Geo is 'black and tan', one of the common color varieties. There are at least four different recognised colours in the breed, possibly more (ask Jackie!) I cannot recommend getting one to become a family member, the females are often more driven and 'zoomy' and the males more laid back - but do not take that as fact, each one is a wonderful, individual character. If you do come up and would like to bring the family along to meet both Geo and his 'wife' Trix, you will be most welcome!
What a lovely river to take care of, and place to fly fish...all your maintenance work is very helpful ...thanks for introducing us to your favorite local Assynt spot...hope to fish with you at some stage
Definitively activity Stewart...those browns look like whales feeding :)...never realized hill lochs could sustain such fish ..great video, well done...thought I was watching a BBC Scotland wild nature program
What a target fish indeed !..absolutely amazing to watch...hope to come up to visit you and your local waters in Assynt at some stage...thanks for sharing
Really soory I missed your question @MrBluoct I actually like a reel with a little bit of weight to it, to balance the rod better. I really like the Orvis Battenkill reels but tend to go one weight heavier than the reel rating. Sorry again for missing this almost a year ago!😵💫
Heading out this evening fly fishing for Pollock in Co Clare Ireland, I'll bring my GoPro I'm new to using the GoPro the last time I ended up catching a fish but I had the GoPro on my head arched too downwards, so you could only see half the fish 😂
You failed to mention the most important aspect of each of these rods. What are they made of? I know the Reddington and Orvis Superfine are made with fiberglass. I’m pretty sure the Orvis Clearwater is Carbon/Graphite. Not sure what the first rod was made of. I’m waiting for Orvis to reintroduce their Superfine rods in graphite similar to their Superfine Carbon and Superfine Touch and Trout Bum. I understand they are in development because many find the fiberglass rods are a bit too heavy for a small stream rod.
Whoops, you are absolutele right! The Butter Stick and Superfine Glass are glass rods and the rest are carbon. I have not heard from Orvis on the reintroduction on the Superfine Graphite but I would very much look forward to seeing them back in the range, maybe even more exciting would be modern Graphene technology - Orvis prides itself on being at the cutting edge of current tech, whilst maintaining a connection with their traditional following. I know what you mean about the glass rods often feeling a little heavy but I like the balance I have with the Superfine Glass with the Battenkill, as this is a rel with a bit of weight to it and this definitely helps a lot for me - of course much of that is a down to personal preference. Thanks for watching and the feedback, very much appreciated. Watch this space for a special review of an incredible rod from Sandy Johnston - instagram.com/sandyscustomflyrods/?hl=en - There are few words that adequately describe this incredible stick... But I will give it a go after using it for a few weeks!
What a beauty! Not been quite that North but I fish the hill lochs in the Aultbea area every year, something special about being up there lochside on your own.
For sure Andy! There are so many lochs, having one completely to yourself is not unusual. Would definitely recommend that you explore Assynt when you get the chance, it is rightfully regarded as the jewel in the crown of the Northwest Highlands fly fishing scene.
All through this stressful time I have been thinking of people stuck in cities around the world and can't imagine how awful it has been and how lucky we are to be here in Assynt. "Haste ye Back" as they say!
@@assyntflyfishing thankfully fishing hasn’t been a problem in Austria with lockdown regulations but as much as I love the river fishing over here nothing competes with the north west for me. The isolation, peace and sheer choice of wonderful lochs is something that never fails to cleanse my soul. If I do make it over this year I’ll definitely try and catch up with you. Cheers!
Good review thanks man, I have a clearwater 8' 6" in a #4 weight, its super light super fast and crisp (which is weird in its self its like it bends smooth and recovers lightning) and i absolutely love it, i would add to that, that the rod is also bulletproof, as in bushwhacking proof as well........ Great rod. I use it almost exclusively on the river Lyn in North Devon, so quite Burn like in some areas not too disimilar from some of your ground, i think, you need a tough rod as its gonna get whacked.
Have to say, I was absolutely astounded by it! And yes, it manages to feel really 'sturdy' yet at the same time as light as a feather! Some of the kit that Orvis produce really is worth the money and then some - and I'm not just saying that as an Endorsed Guide! ;-)
@@assyntflyfishing I completely agree. Another thing I found is that the Clearwater range seems under rated by around 1 size, my 4 weight is pokier ( how do you spell pokier?) than most other all round 5 weight rods? So that’s something to consider but I can only vouch for the 8 6 4weight here.
I landed my PB sea trout on my Clearwater, it was only around 5lb and I can say that when the proverbial hit the fan that rod did not let me down, the fish was jumping like it was showing off, as if to say I’m throwing this hook pal and I’ll see you never again. Funnily enough the reel I was using was a Battenkill 2 disc, which I accidentally found balanced my rod perfectly. Point I suppose, is that in that 2 mins of mayhem everything worked. Barbless fly as well. Yes I’ve had a beer.
@@marklamude2355 "Only" round 5lb? Where are you fishing? Iceland? Patagonia? Ha-ha! Beer helps the fishing stories flow... Or a decent bottle of Single Malt by a campfire on the shore of a quiet Highland loch... Oh how I miss those days! Seems like a lifetime ago!
@@assyntflyfishing it has grown over the years in my mind but the picture stays true,ha ha !! but it was on the Bray in Devon. Little landmark fish for me that one. Not bettered it.
If you had to choose between an 8 foot 4 weight and a 6 foot 3 weight for your small burn work, which would you go for? I've got both but being a skinflint I'm reluctant to buy another rod sitting somewhere in the middle! Must get up to Assynt one day. We've got some good stuff here in Argyll but it looks like another world up there.
Not wanting to give a 'politicians answer' Eric, but it would really depend on the streams you fish most! Are they tight, technical, tree-lined burns or wider open meandering streams where the wind might be more of a factor? My personal preference would be for the 6' #3 but that's probably down to the fact that most of the burns here are well suited to that.
Hi sorry to butt in, but ive been here where you are, my humble advise would be to ask yourself "what is your dream fish from your most frequented river, then picture yourself playing it and it drashing straight off into some thick cover or boulders.......which rod have you got in your hand?
@@marklamude2355 True.. But then I would also ask myself - "Do you want to fish only that location/those conditions, or would I like to be able to 'comfortably' fish in many other (almost as good) locations in often challenging weather conditions? I would say right now, in your scenario, my Vision Glassic is my choice - but that rod is next to useless in blustery conditions on a very exposed high hill burn, where the Orvis Superfine Glass or the Clearwater would come into their own.
Great video guys, couldn’t help but notice lagg fishery, I take an annual trip up there from fife each year, great place... and wild fishing rainbows too!
Lagg is a superb place, I take many clients there throughout the season and it's great to have the opportunity to take people there through the winter months as well.
Lagg fishery is a wonderful place, took my 60old ish sister for a dabble while my on my mums 85 birthday holiday in September. We both caught blues ... so much fun while my ma watched from car !! The old chap who runs it is a proper gent. We wish him the best and his pellet eating black lab. There again this September. Great video many thanks.
@@davidroby8493 Yeah, been tough on everyone. Some got nice, fat payouts and have decided to stay closed... Which means my prospective clients have nowhere to stay, so don't come! :(
Thanks Terry. Would never keep a wild fish that size - too scarce and important to the balance of these tiny waters. There used to be a lot more of them but they are slowly making a comeback as catch and release gains popularity.
assyntflyfishing Thats very true ...Im planning a few trips myself this year as i get some time back in my life ... been away from the rod for too long ... hence the watching of the vids ! I remember my old man hooking one that size over on Sionascaig back in the eighties ... great fight from Wild Brown trout ... its the only way to fish for me .. NW highlands is such a great place Thats coming from an Easter Ross man whi spent every summer holiday fishing up there with my old fella.. Keep the vids up !!
Thanks for vlog. Nice to see someone looking after a small river like that. I was thinking I would have thrown cut branches on to bank to avoid fouling of your flies further down stream? But understand you want to keep it the way you chose to. I and my brothers spent much of growing up looking after similar river, so brought it back good memories.
The way I see it Iain is that the tree fell naturally into the river, its rotting branches would have provided food and shelter for invertebrates and fry. This is simply minimising my impact on the ecosystem.
Hi I'm going to Lochinvar end of August. Just wondering if you could tell me where I could catch some Pollock . Any help would be much appreciated thanks 👍
Around Achmelvich Point and Stoer Lighthouse is very popular Chris, but be warned - it can be VERY dangerous ground and I would absolutely stay away if the rocks are the least bit damp - stick to the harbour in Lochinver in such conditions. Take care.
@@assyntflyfishing I've had issues with the quality of vids depending on what editor I've used. I currently use a free app (on my mobile!) which seems to do the job. Something to do with bit rates??
Well done - nice that you point out the safety rope and life jacket - both make this kind of adventure eminently do-able. You really worked out how to deal with depth and weed. Cracking fish.
Hey Stephen, good to hear from you, thanks! Yeah, I have spent quite a bit of effort on fishing vids but thought I would give a tying one a go! Quite pleased with the result and support, so hopefully a few more in the future, including 'going public' with my innovative AFF Weed Guard which has impressed a few well-seasoned fly fishers! Yes, still hitting the salt whenever I can, has not really lined up for me this winter - when the conditions were good there was always something else in the way! Hoping that this storm clears before they have started spawning and I can get a few fillets in the freezer and some footage for more movies! Thanks again, your materials are still seeing me well and are absolutely brilliant for the tying aspect of the Assynt Fishing Feis.
Really nice! Never fished one before but I’ll take a few up with me in August and let you know how I get on with it. I can imagine it will do just fine!
Hi Steve, thanks for the kind words! I guess you could tie them in before forming the 'bubble', or even before dubbing the body. Whichever you find easiest! One thing I would caution against is that if they were tied in earlier they might get moved out of position when tying in/securing other materials? Just a thought, as I said - whatever works for you!
I'll have a play. There's lake I fish a midge hatch at sunset using a sighter fly with a midge hanging off a dropper. They often monster the sighter if leaves a good wake. Looking forward to you taking me for a fish one day. I'm a 4th gen Aussie Macleod and the family folklore says we came from Skye, but my head says we probably were from Assynt. One day... Slàinte mhath!
@@FishinDBA Welcoming you to your ancestral home would be awesome! I had a couple of clients who were descendants of people who sailed to Nova Scotia aboard the 'Hector' - quite a story and a real honor to meet them. This is indeed an awesome sighter fly but will also fish very well in its own right. The wee CDC thing I shake off the hook holder is made from the CDC feathers that come out of the packet when I am digging for the bigger ones to make the Bubbles - just get a light grub hook four or five small CDCs, tie them in, thread down the hook and back up, whip-finish and varnish the whole length of the shank. Awesome wee 'sighting blobs'!
Not to your personal taste then? Ah well, never mind, there's plenty of variety on the interweb - that's one of the great things about it! It's probably best if you avoided watching any other clips I post, you probably wouldn't enjoy them either!
Thanks for your views Richard. As it says in the description - feel free to turn it down and watch it silently or play your own preferred type of music. Yes, I'm sure you would have been annoyed if a guide coached you so intensively on landing that fish of a lifetime... But then you might be quite grateful for the calm assistance and encouragement if you had only picked up a fly rod for the first time less than two weeks previously! Shame you didn't enjoy it, but I apologise for nothing.
Thanks Paul, I reckon it's a little long, could have been a part two and three. Each to their own taste for the music I guess, turn it down and play your own track if you like! ;-)
