I started fly fishing Devons' rivers for trout in the early 1980's aged 9 and have been trying to catch them on and off ever since. Most of this time has been spent on the Upper Teign, various Dartmoor rivers and my local river Yeo ( private section) and four years ago I joined the Crediton Fly Fishing Club to explore the seven different rivers that the club has to offer. The main reason for these videos is to show new or prospective members the fishing the club has to offer with perhaps some guidance on the various techniques, tackle and flies that I use to try and catch the wild brown trout therein, plus advice on where to park, what the access/wading is like and any other general advice that comes to mind. Please feel free to ask any questions in the comments section and I will do my best to answer them or ask another member if I can't.
Thank you Chris for another wonderful season of films The quality is unbelievable and the commentary excellent along with a surprise otter up close in this last film some lovely fish but more importantly some beautiful scenes and kingfishers Fingers crossed for what you did last year with the little snippets to keep us going in the close season take care Chris looking forward to next year All the best to everyone
Many thanks for the kind comment Matt 👍 it was a bit special to have the Otter pop up less than a rods length away. As always, I wish I'd fished more now that the seasons over, but there's always next year.
Stonker at the end there Chris! Thanks for the video and all the others this season, I know how much effort it takes to put them together, glad you kept with it. Tight Lines
Hi Davie, another season draws to a close. Keep at the videos mate, it's nice to watch different folks from different parts of the country fishing the same type of waters that I love. See you next year 👍
Thanks, Dave. I suppose time will tell if the Otters stay for next year. Trout and Otters have existed together for millenia, but this is a very different environment now for them to coexist in?
I'm afraid I'm bored with small trout now. Maybe it's the fault of social media? I'm not interested in numbers, just big wild trout. Unfortunately, I live in area like you with little fish. However I've not done that much river fishing this season and managed to catch one of a pound and a half. On mountain lakes, my biggest is 2 and half pounds this season
Cracking video Chris, that take at about 25mins was a classic! Interesting bit of advise I was given by Joe Alexander when I went to Wales-release fish downstream so they don’t dash off up stream and disturb the pool. Also, I’ve read articles about dogs, treated with flea powder then swimming in the rivers. The active ingredients enter the river and can kill larvae and nymphs 😢
Hi Robert, I've thought about that (facing fish downstream), I've seen it done with coarse fish so as not to disturb the shoal. I've always assumed the Trout go straight for their bolt hole and not back to their feeding station? Certainly, my releasing that fish facing downstream wasn't a cunning tactic, but I'll take it😀
The dog flea treatment is often imadicloprid, one of the neonicotinoids that were band because of their harm to honey bees. Apparently, one months treatment is enough to kill 25 million honey bees! These chemicals are now found in all our rivers. No wonder our aquatic invertebrates are struggling. This stuff is a very powerful nerve agent, so even if the levels are non-lethal, there's no telling what effect they have on hatching, breeding, etc. The worst part is that these chemicals are persistent and cumulative, so it is not an easy fix.
Thanks for taking the time and trouble to allow us to come fishing with you Chris. Beautiful scenary, measured commentary and "learning by watching", have been a delight to follow in the 2014 trout season. May there be many more in the years ahead. That's if the sensitive eco systems allow us to continue with our enviromental follies.
I was lucky as a younger angler that there were many good/excellent fly fishers in my club that I could study and learn from. If I can pass a little bit of that on, then that's great. I would never class myself as an expert, but the point of the videos was to show newcomers to our club that fish can be caught from our waters. Sometimes, I succeed 😄
Hi Chris As ever, a thoroughly enjoyable video. Yours are the only videos I regularly look out for now. They are unpretentious, informative and 'real'. You have both inspired me and entertained me for the last three years. I owe you a debt of gratitude for motivating me to go down to Dartmoor this year and have three of the most memorable days fly fishing over my 40+ seasons. Thank you
That is great to hear. Thank you. I've had a few people now tell me that they've joined our club or started fly fishing small streams or just visited a river because of the channel. Makes it all worthwhile 👍
Lovely day and what a great fish to end on? Thanks for sharing your last day with us. Here's wishing you a good off season and looking forward to the opening video (and those couple on Dartmoor you promised, of course). Cheers
Now, the long wait begins, and I'm already dreaming of exploring more of the upper reaches of the East and West Dart. It's going to be a long, closed season.
That was just fabulous! What a splendid conclusion to the galaxy of visual delights your avail us. I empathize with your concern about a decline in fly life. Here in my area in NZ, Marlborough, a rising fish is an exception. It's such a pleasure to see you lay out a beautiful cast 'midst all that greenery. Looking forward to further adventures! Cheers!
Many thanks for watching, and yes, the bio diversity crisis does appear to be universal. It is very sad to think that my children are living in a more nature deprived world that I grew up in, and their children will see even less.
On the question of 'does size matter!': I used to fish Cumbrian becks on fly in the 70/80s, I believe they were stocked maybe once a year. Very very occasionally my pal or me would hook a 'monster' - even now I can picture one entire scene.. partridge & orange upstream while I stood next to a gushing bottle-neck and deep pool.. I hooked maybe a 1lb+ fish upstream which intelligently and lazily took to the main flow hurtling towards me.. through the bottle-neck into the pool.. leapt out almost under my nose.. and was gone! So do you Chris hold out for those occasional, maybe older trout?? May I finally double-check the line weight of your rod, and rod details, as like the previous poster.. I'm planning on returning to the riverbank 👍
Hi there, the rod is a 7' 6" 3 weight, wychwood River and Stream. Alas, they don't make it anymore, but it was replaced, I think, with their RS range? I think next season I really must try and spend more time on the Culm to see if I can catch one of the larger residents. I know that there have been some good fish taken there this year that you just wouldn't find on our other beats.
Chris, thanks for the time and effort you put into making these videos; yours and those of Davey McPhail (the fly tyer) I watch the most because they are devoid of stupid head banging and guitar twanging music; both your videos just let us savour the sounds of the river and nature, despite the odd car, train etc which are outside of your control etc. And something is definitely happening to fly, insect life in the UK, have seen three butterflies this year; a handful of Swifts, but no House Martins or Swallows. Or maybe its just a regional thing I don't know? But this was a great end to 2024 season. I haven't fished now for a year and half nearly for a variety of reasons; the time has just flown by but hopefully back to it next season. Just a suggestion for some out of season video's, maybe you'd show us a selection of the flies that catch you the most fish; wet and dry, perhaps maybe do a few tyings of these and ones you haven't videoed yet etc? But have decided that the Wickhams is definitely going to be in the box for next season. Seeing the otter was great, so streamlined with minimum effort in the water. All the best for Christmas and New Year and most importantly, a new season.
Ah, you're very kind, and I agree I'm not a fan of the music. I'd rather listen to the river. I will suggest that maybe the creators got home with some grest footage but lousy audio, so it's either cover it with music or go down the voice-over route. Either way, I prefer to just film it as it happens (this can lead to you saying something bloody stupid whilst catching a nice fish, and of course you can't then un say it). When we first moved into the village in 1999, the telephone lines had dozens of swifts and house Martins on them, this year three! There's nothing left for them to eat. The Whickhams is a deadly fast water and evening fly, you won't regret having a few in the box👍
Like you Chris i've not seen much in the way of big hatches or any feeding frenzies with the Trout, but having said that i've had one of my best seasons and i've mostly fished dry fly, just walking along picking off Trout that are rising. Maybe i've enjoyed it so much because i've had to work hard for the fish i have caught. The last couple of weeks now it's got cold has brought the Grayling on, and they are rising like champs. Do you not get any grayling or silver tourists in your rivers Chris.
Hi Paul, good to hear you've had such a good sesson👍 we used to have amazing runs of Seatrout here in the South West, infact the Teign I grew up fishing was quite famous for them. Alas, those days are gone. There are some Grayling in the Exe and Tamar systems, but for those of us who can only fish weekends, then the weather gods have to be kind.
Dear Mr Matthews… you have a lot to answer for! I’m 62, haven’t fished rivers for many years, but having discovered your channel, the past weeks have seen me sliding down the banks of my local burn, nettle stings, sliding on rocks, flies stuck up trees, full wellies and even… a single fish! Absolutely marvellous, so many many thanks for your gentle, informative creations. All the best👍
What a way to end the season Chris! Next season, I'm looking forward to taking my grandson on his first wild trout fishing trip up North where there are no arable farms or sewage outlets. Your videos have proved invaluable in his 'training'. Thanks for everything you've produced in 2024!
It was a perfect end to the season Mike, just a shame that one of my best trips was also the last. I bet your grandson is already buzzing for the trip. I've been blessed (apparently 😂) with three girls , and none of them have the fly fishing gene. I'm now waiting for some potential grandchildren fishers👍
Thank you Chris for sharing your final session with us. I, along with my fishing friends, always enjoy your adventures on the rivers in Devon. If you ever feel like heading upstream to Bath in 2025, our club, Avon Tributaries Angling Association wish to invite you as a guest to fish our waters. If you fancy a couple of days on the Brooks, you would be most welcome. This as a thank you for the time you give, that allows others who fish, and for those who are now unable, the opportunity to enjoy the magical moments of a rising fish and the take!!
That's a very kind offer Phillip, thank you. I would very much like to have a cast on some of your streams in 2025 👍 I'll leave it up to you as to when would be most suitable. I'd be happy to come any time.
Cheers, Peter, yep, another odd season weather wise. Hopefully, next year will see a "normal" May with some mild cloudy days, a gentle southwesterly, and some flies hatching.
Keep them coming Chris, very enjoyable, what a way to end your season! Yes that weather came in, I was going to have one last flick for a Sea Trout on the Monday but it was too high. Interested in your rod clip, never seen one before.
Hi Richard, Yes, I'm so glad I went on Saturday as the rivers were washed out by Mknday. The rod clip is really useful for filming when you need both hands free, but also for fly changes, unhooking or tying up leaders mid stream. You can buy a professional one from the US, but the postage was ridiculous. Mine is nothing more than a piece of perspex heated with a hot air gun and bent to fit the rod handle. I can drop one off next time I'm passing if you want to try one?
Many thanks for your videos, they have been a great delight for me. I have been unable to go fishing for the last two years due to my wife’s ill heath. Your videos have helped me cope with not being able to fish and I find myself poised to set the hook on each rise. Take care and all the best.
I will admit that I thought about putting the videos on the back burner this year after I completed all the CFFC beats. However, I've been pleasantly surprised by the number of people who enjoy the content because they are unable to fish atm. I started the channel as a service to new club members, but perhaps they're also a service for those fly fishers on an enforced sabbatical.
Great video Chris and a great way to end the season. Thanks for sharing your season with us, I know how much extra work this involves. Here's to season 2025! PS I don't get rich on YT either! 😂😂
Hi Fred, neither of us are ever going to make it as YT influencers are we🤣🤣 It does appear that if you want more views you need to be in a different genre of angling. Sea fishing or massive carp perhaps. Tiny fish out of tiny streams is very much a niche corner of the fishing world. Will we see a comeback in 2025 from yourself?
@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 I don't know Chris, depends on a few things health wise. As they say old age does not come by itself! We shall see how fine the spring is, the last few have been sunless and very cold up here. II bought a season ticket this year for the loch along the road from me and did not fish it even once. Won't be doing that again😊
@wildfisher here's hoping things improve health wise Fred. It would be nice to visit the "local" again👍 I nearly bought a season ticket for the Duchy this season, but it had gone up to £95 . As it turned out, I only got up there twice, so it was probably a wise decision.
Hello Chris,what a great last day! Thankyou so much for your hard work making & sharing the videos through the season, they have encouraged me to buy a new 7'6" 3 weight after 40 years away from fly fishing! We have 5 lovely rivers/ streams in Sheffield...The Sheaf,Porter, Loxley,Rivelin & The Don( Salmon are slowly coming back to The Don after many years) All of which carry a good head of wild brown trout,2 to 3 lb fish aren't uncommon so the water quality is good. How do you feel about an occasional fly tying video to get us through the winter? I'm just getting sorted out with tools & materials & could use some help, many thanks once again Chris, here's to next season😊
Thanks for the great comment, and I must say I'm just a bit jealous of the size of fish in those northern rivers. Paul Proctors facebook page should come with a health warning 🤔 I have thought about doing some more fly tying videos, but whenever I get a pattern in mind, I find Davie McPhail has already done a great version of it. If you're getting into fly tying and haven't watched his stuff, then I can highly recommend his channel. All that you need to know and more.
I thankfully have premium shared to me from my mate, so no blummin adverts! But some 8 year old tuber makes 26 million 😮 It's all so wrong. I so love otters! See them occasionally at my river spot. Insects... A combination of all the above I reckon. Weakening magnetosphere and pole shift affects all biological life. Many papers and studies regarding. Some good trout caught though Chris! You need to get into Gran Turismo 7 for winter. I'm in a manufacturer cup race today, driving for Posche 😂. Cheers Mr!
26 million!! Just a little way to go then🤣🤣 Fly life decline does seem to be a perfect storm of factors, nothing that can't be tackled but as ever the question is "who pays".
What a fantastic end to the season Chris. Your videos really helped me fish the Taw as a new member. Thank you so much and looking forward to next season. Best wishes, Andrew.
Great to hear Andrew. The whole point of the videos was to help people out who are either new to the club waters or just starting out with this type of fishing. I'm no expert, and it certainly helped me when I visited the East Dart to watch a bit of youtube footage from there.👍 Hopefully, I will see you at one of the bank clearing sessions or the AGM if you can make it.
Hello matey. Thanks again for another amazing video - That Otter!!!! wow, it pays to have the camera hey. On a personal note, thanks for all your help and guidance this year! Tight lines. Speak soon
You're most welcome mate, it's obvious to me that you just "get it" when it comes to this small stream stuff. Plans are definitely afoot for next year👍
Thank you for taking us through the fishing season in your part of the world. I did not get in much fishing myself this season here in the mid-Atlantic region of the US. Best wishes until next season!
You're most welcome, Brian. I promised myself I would get out more this season, but looking at my notebook, I actually fished a little less than last year? Life does have a habit of getting in the way of the important stuff. All the best from across the pond here in Devon. Maybe one day I'll get my dream ticket to the USA and fish some of the rivers I've read so much about.👍
@@chrismatthewsflyfishing7724 I can’t really complain about this year because I was able to go play golf in Scotland in August. That was spectacular. I hope you get to fish here in the USA and Canada, especially out west.
Nice way to end the season Chris always enjoy your videos, brilliant that you got footage of the otter. Its not every day you see or get that close to one, and of course save the best till last 🐟
I'll admit Joe, it's one of the few times I stopped fishing to check the camera footage to be sure I'd got it. Normally, for me, I've either just turned the camera off, or it freezes, or the battery runs out. Not this time👍
It certainly wasn't what I was expecting Tom, I thought maybe a few fish on the nymph turned out to be one of my best dry fly days of the year. A tip of the hat back to you, sir, for getting to the end of the video👍
I have a couple of Grayling days booked, but as ever, it's fingers crossed for a dry week leading to a dry weekend. Not a very common occurrence for a south west winter.
hi Chris, huge well done for that session! Agree with the weather and it affecting the butterflies and things. I’ve definitely seen more hatches than you up here in Scotland. I could put a fly on at the house and I could guarantee that it was going to be hatching, just judging by the month and weather. I had 2 brownies out of ‘my’ small stream a couple weeks ago which were both 2lb+ and a huge one about 3lb snap me off 😮 these bigger fish travel up these burns to get ready for spawning, so September is the time to go for the bigger ones here. Can’t believe the season is over! What a quick summer. Hopefully some grayling and stockies will help me from going crazy 😂
Yep, the season seems to be over all too soon. I think the cold, drawn-out spring has made it feel shorter than normal. I've just been filling out my returns form for the club, and I definitely fished a lot less early season this year. Sounds like some good fish there to finish the season. I keep getting asked if I get bored catching such small trout, and honestly, I don't, but..........
