Winter Fly Fishing. Amazing Fly Fishing Water. Which Fly NOW ? ...... 

Hi Simon, yes I bet a lot of us have experienced that some time or other. The funny thing is, that on that day it was possibly me that had the better day. I have learnt so much more. Due to the fact that Justin and myself was fishing so close and similar set up, and yet totally different out come. This tells me there is something to learn here. Justin and myself have spent a good hour on the phone this evening going through it. We think we might have something. So its now a matter of many many hours on the water trying this out. Circumstances are going to be different. So I know its going to be difficult, or you get lucky. Very lucky. We know in theory it works and can be explained. But its getting the fish to play ball. Thanks for the comment Simon. Shaun.

Hi Paul, nice to hear from you again. Have been struggling to get footage at the moment as GoPro is playing up. But should get something out in the next few days. Hope you both are doing well. Take care mate. Shaun.

@@shaunfishes101 Hi.Sorry to the camera is faulty. I have a GoPro 8 bought last August that simply wouldn't switch on. I have sent it to Go pro in Holland but it still won't respond. Quite poor service from Go Pro. If you find someone who can fix please let me know. thanks..

@@pauljohnsontwonoviceangler6170 You may have already tried this. but I was having problems a while back. Hold the power button down for ten seconds. This resets it. I have never known such a problematic item as these GoPro's. Other than that it may require a down load or is that up load. Never done this myself. But many people have problems and they do this to fix.

@@shaunfishes101 Thanks I will try that.

I wish it was near to my home Martin. Its a good 3.5 hrs away. But well worth the drive. I will do a lot more there, as you can learn so much there. More about the fish. It was a great day Martin, but went so fast. Anyway looking forward now to the next trip. Take care Martin and thanks for the comment. Shaun.

Its great remembering the first fish on the fly. It never goes away. Its special. Mine was about 48 years ago, and I still remember it in detail. A Brown of about 6". I am glad you enjoy our videos. And promise to keep going and getting better. Thanks for the comment Kristian, keep them coming. Take care mate. Shaun.

Hi Sean, it looked a bit clearer than your ice water. I will go back to that water. And next time get some good underwater shots. Yes I do fish hayscastle quite a bit, OK maybe quite a bit more. But its a great crack with all the boys there. Not sure where our next trip is yet. But I am looking forward to it already. Take care mate and catch up soon on your next video.

This was an amazing day for Justin, and the fish at the end of the day was something else. And in a tricky water. I did manage a good few fish, but the difference was massive. We have never worked this out. And so many what if's. But that's fishing.

@@shaunfishes101 trust me friend I understand that dilemma I remember one time it was right before a lake was going to freeze up we were just a day or two away before it became solid. And we were fishing off the dam the lake trout were spawning and they were running back and forth across the bottom of the dam and I went out there and within minutes dialed in what they were wanting to find and just caught 130 inch fish after another from about 7:00 in the morning till probably 1:00 in the afternoon. And my friend was with me and he stood within a rods length or two away from me all day and was getting frustrated as s*** because I was just winding in one fish as fast as I could take it off and toss my bugs back in the water. And he wasn't even getting a take. And so I eventually set him up with the exact same flies the exact same depth tip it material split shot the whole story and he still just didn't catch anything and I was nailing them non-stop. We finally figured out that I always like to use a piece of yarn as a strike indicator because they're very very sensitive if you have the right one for the situation at hand. And he was using around foam circle and I hate those things I don't think they show you much of anything unless the damn barber goes completely underneath the water. And so what we found. And we were even I would let him stand on my rock and I would move over to his rock and the same thing happened over and over and over. What we eventually found out is the takes were so subtle that he couldn't see him on his round hard foam indicator and you needed a piece of yarn indicator that I make myself. And once I gave him one of those and watched him a little bit to show him how soft the takes were then he started nailing them. But unfortunately that was just not very long before the fish turned off completely.

@@squatchy69 That is amazing, and well done for working that out. I have fished the indicator once. Hated it for a lot of reasons. Have watched a lot of Alex, Tripin on Trout from New Zealand. He uses wool. But it goes to show how such a detail can change things. Oh loved the detailed story. Felt like I was there as I read it. Take care mate. Shaun.

@@shaunfishes101 hey friend. We do a lot of side fishing in Rivers and here in Colorado the fish just get fish from first light till after dark every day their lives and they become incredibly smart to fly fisherman. And so you really just absolutely have to have the very best drift possible you have to be as inconspicuous as you can be which means tiny flies and tiny tippet. And there are times when we're fishing in the blind and sometimes it takes are so so slight that you would never notice them without an indicator. A lot of times when I am fishing to fish I can see I'll take the indicator off and then I'll just watch when I think the fly should be in their face I watch for the white of their lips as they open up their mouth to swallow the fish you can see the white lips and then when they close the mouth the white lips are gone then of course that's when you try to hook them up. However on lakes I almost never use an indicator because I like to just stay connected to the fly and so even if I'm doing something that would work well on an indicator I'll usually not use that and I'll just very very slowly retrieve my fly if that's what they're looking for that day. I love you videos and all your hard work man keep it up

Thanks so much Steven, What I am finding is, as I do more camera work I become more comfortable. This is all still new to me, and it takes getting used too. But I am becoming more myself and finding my way. And most of all hope that the fun of a days fishing comes through. Your comment makes me feel so good, as it appears to be coming across. Thanks so much mate. Shaun.

That's the thing about fishing, keeps us guessing. Never two days the same, unless your into stockies. Mind even they can be tricky at times. Yes I have been looking at this. Don't get many opportunities like this to work things out. Its not much, but it could be important. All I have to do now is work on it and see if it makes any difference. Take care Michael. Shaun.

Well spotted Mark. This is one of the things we have noticed. Its amazing if it comes down to this. We have noticed the distance his rod tip was from the water at times. This also affects the retrieve. And the main one Justin was on intermediate and me on float leader. Such small things could make a big difference. Thanks for the comment Mark and pointing this out. Take care. Shaun.

I cant wait to get back there Chris. I had such little time in that water due to loosing track of time. And the casting is all down to rod and line. Let them do the work. Far too many people get physical. A lot of people make to many false casts. I used to do a lot of sea trout at night. You could not see your feet at times. But that helped the casting as its all about feel. Your senses are heightened. Try blind fold. Not on the water. I don't want you falling in. Take care Chris and thank you for the comment mate.

Thanks bud, Justin will give you tips. But you might forget them bye the time you get to the water.

The day will come when I will be able to say no to work and yes to fishing 😊. That was a nice fish Justin had, any pictures of the food

Thanks David and I really hope you do too. I really need not tell you anything as I know you have been there and done it. And you are so wright. everything you have said is spot on. But I am looking forward to getting back to that water and spend loads of time on the clear water. Yes the challenge is what its about. And a result is so rewarding. Take care mate. Shaun.

David I will always share with you mate. To be honest I was talking with Justin at the end of day. And I think I had the better day. I learnt loads. Some of which I will share with you again soon. Justin always does well. But that was such an interesting day, to have a top angler and average angler side by side with almost the same method and different results. So all I have to do now is work it out and look forward to the next trip. Oh the water was stunning. The regulars are so lucky. Take care David. Shaun.

@@shaunfishes101 cheers shaun tight lines to you and your pals on your next adventure 👍

The days at the moment are to short. Getting time on all the waters there I found difficult. As when I start fishing I forget about time, it just passes bye so quick. At the end of the day when Justin said about fishing the clear waters, I could not believe the time. I will go back soon as I really want to spend proper time in those waters. Thanks for the kind comment mate. Take care. Shaun.

Cracking water Max. Some big fish moving at Hayscastle. One of the boys Gareth had 7/8 lb last week. Roz said you was staying at cottage. See you when you are down. Take care mate. Shaun.

It was a cracker. Justin fishes very hard and gets results. Well deserved. So you can have a bit of a laugh with him. But when Dai or some of the other boys are on the water it can be a blast. I am glad we have no swear jar. Mind the boys can be as bad some times. I forget about the camera at times. Take care mate.

Not so many Fs in there eh. Ye Justin has a knack. Will be going back to this water some time. Thanks for your support mate. Take care. Shaun.

@@shaunfishes101 hahahaha 🤣 that's funny I heard a few in there lol.

We would love a pointer. Its doing my head in on line. Tell you what that is a cracking water you boys have there. I love that clear water. And yes not for every one to fish as I understand it can be tricky. But the opportunity to learn. Wow. Look forward to your pointers. Shaun.

All good here mate. Had booster this morning told them not to put it in my casting arm. Good job as it is a bit soar now. Sat doing your flies. Honestly I had them done and in a box. But the boys also love these little blues. I ended up giving them your flies. Steve lost his last one to a big fish that snapped him off. Hope your getting better. Post should be in the next few days. Oh putting a few Ellerdine Mongerel's in with them.

@@shaunfishes101 thats brilliant mate at least you can still go out fishing, i have been out myself this week first time since november was good to get out and get a few fish. The little blue was brilliant to fish with the takes were hard hitting that is how i lost it myself to a big fish

Confidence is the biggest thing. And I mean really knowing your going to do it. When after a while nothing happens, its believing in your self. Its not easy. If I was to say when fishing a retrieve there is a certain weight on the line, its only a small amount of weight. But if retrieved to fast its gone, to slow its gone. But when on it and maintain it. This is when the feeling of any time now. Its not 100% but for some reason it happens. The amount of consentration required is hard work. For me now I just enjoy a chilled day and go with the flow. I do fish a bit harder at times. But not as I used to. OK we can get amongst the stock fish and have plenty. So thanks for putting a few stockies in. Don't now if any of that made any sense. But what I do know, is we will never fully understand it. But with Justin Allen, who is one of those gifted if you like. Fishing along side me I am going to have a go at trying to understand a bit more, as I know its not just luck. Take care mate. Shaun.

Not sure how deep this water is. But it ain't that deep. May be 9'. But most of the fishing was high and sometimes fast. Bit of colour on the 2 bottom lakes. And like tap water on the top lakes. Stunning water. Was planning on going back. But not happened as of yet. Justin and myself switching and trying various patterns. Same method. But it can show, what ever method you have been told is the method for the time. May not always work, even if it works for them on the day. Nice to hear from you again. Thanks mate. Shaun.

Honestly Mike my fishing has been up and down so much lately. I have had two blanks on Hayscastle in the last 2 months. I have only blanked there once in 25 years. But on this day with Justin was more interesting. As we both had floating lines, similar tippet and similar patterns. Mind I don't think it was anything to do with the fly, as Justin changed loads and still caught. And as the pond was so small the fish were always there. We did find out at end that he was on intermediate leader. I was on floating. So that is a big difference. But I think there is a bit more. Position of rod tip to water. I will explain in a video soon. Love the comment. Take care Mike. Shaun.

It could well be the tippet. However most tippets are visible to the fish. Retrieve very possible. As its sometimes the smallest of movements that can make the difference. But the whole thing is really interesting. We may never work this out. But its good to try. Great comment Mark. Thanks mate. Take care. Shaun.

It was great Tosh. But when some of the other boys are with us, it is even better. Justin fishes hard, hence the results. The boys and myself chill more. Justin likes the idea, but when you have spent all the years doing what you do, its hard to change. Do you know him. Or are you like me, thinks he looks a bit shifty. That clear water does offer a challenge. I will be going back there some time and will spend most of the time in the clear water. Thanks for the comment Tosh. Take care mate. Shaun.

@@shaunfishes101he definately looks dodgy and fancy forgetting that he had a different line on.hes not that old for that excuse to work.

@@toshmccarthy1554 You are a star. looking after my back. Thank you Tosh. Justin and I did talk about it this evening over the phone. It is quite genuine. 90% of the time I fish with intermediate braid and Justin knows this. This is one reason he got him self one. He had no idea that on that day I switched. I could have switched to finish off the day. But I am old and lazy. But happy. Take care Tosh my mate. Shaun.

Jarred you are one lucky man. I love this water. And I will be back, as I want to spend more time in the clear water. Actually I want to spend a lot of time in that water. I could learn so much there about the fish. Thanks for watching and the comment Jarred. Shaun.

@@shaunfishes101 yes it's a great way to learn fish activity for sure. The clear water pool can be real difficult i always found a turquoise weighted lure works great, also if you use something to imitate a snail and put on a intermediate line and let it sink to the bottom they go crazy for it on times . Can often see them feeing on naturals off the bottom. Brilliant content 👌

@@jarredhudd9578 Nice one Jarred. I did get a gut feeling that a weighted pattern could have made the difference. I did mention that to Justin at the time. Looking forward to it even more now. Thanks mate.

@@shaunfishes101 no worries matey Tight lines! Maybe see you there next time 🤞

It is the Hardy CRS Trevor. Still has a bit of memory. But one of the better lines I use. I still use my old Barrio and a trout flies line. I will be getting another two lines in the next week. Both Rio. One is floating, the single spey. A few of the boys have this line and it looks very good. Needs a fast tip rod. Justin had it on his hardy, great. We put it onto the McKenzie even better. Good on the water. And casting. One back cast and its gone. If I am happy with this new line after fishing it for a while, I will put it on a video. Take care Trevor. Shaun.

@@shaunfishes101 hi Shaun I’ve just seen the Rio in touch single Spey at serious fishing for 69.99

@@trevorluft1763 That is well cheap. I will check this out. Not sure if there was an old line, and now the newer one. Thanks for that mate. You could save me a load of money. Star man.

Spot on there Michael, can be a case of to much shine in clear water. Mind my focus at the time was more on movement of the tail. But I am aware of this as I said in a video tying my little red buzzer. I don't use silver wire for clear water. I love the remark of the switched on angler. I was. But over the years I have more problems with short term memory. I can count down a cast, catch a fish, return it. And then forgotten what I just counted. This was the only reason I have a gopro. Hence this channel started. I find it very challenging, but very rewarding when people like your self comment. Thank you so much Michael. Take care. Shaun.

@@shaunfishes101 Oh the joys of no longer being a teenager. Thankfully with the joys of technology. After a days fishing if you can remember where the darn car is parked. Then the sat nav will get you home. I am almost 62 so I know your pain. Lol

@@michaelshaw8370 I see you have nicely avoided the word old. Just a few years between us then. I am 59 in July. And you are doing really well as I am still using my old road Atlas.

I am amazed for someone who does not fly fish, watch and comment and take an interest. With out trying both materials on the day. I would tend to agree that fluorocarbon tippet is the most likely to be best. Thanks for taken the time to comment. Take care. Shaun.

Hi Ian, I was in the moment at the time, thinking fish fish. Did not last long before I was thinking cuppa cuppa. I have these flies and none of them have a name. And the one that did not even get to the water. That has been a good fly, but only had the one in the box. I give so many away that I forget to replace them. It was a great day mind, and will be back there to do more in that clear water. Take care Ian. And thanks for the comment mate.

Sorry Allan, I do normally put more info in on flies. There is probably quite a few things I should be doing to improve a video. Great to get feed back like this. But I hope the rest of the video was OK. Thanks Allan. Shaun.