The Wild Fishing Forum

No snow here but hard frost. -8'C on the car thermometer at 10.30 this morning in bright sun.

I had indented flying longer and shooting some video but it was just too uncomfortable.

Looking out at a snowy landscape is very nice, as long as you aren't in it

The local this morning. Baltic.

been there many times!

Quote from: johnny boy on December 01, 2023, 11:51:26 PMI try to get what I need in a tackle shop.  Locally that's No 10 (it's had a few names over the last few years).  If you don't use them you lose them.

What I can't get there I try to get in Graham's in Inverness or at GAC (I'm away often enough as my kids live in Inverness and Glasgow).

Unfortunately a lot of my tying materials are purchased on line, more to do with needing said material quite quickly and the local shop only carries a modest sprinkling of the most commonly used materials.

Love looking round a new tackle shop and always try to dig one out when somewhere new.

Been in there once in the last three years. Much like most of the people I fish with. Once bitten, etc

I tested the water when the new test strips came. Both sides look pretty stable.

I was fortunate to fish the San River in Poland a few years back and there was a small tackle shop in the town of Sanok. The type of shop that was tiny on the outside but once inside it was like the tardis - absolute wall to wall of gear and various tying materials etc.

Anyways, with the help of our guide, we were soon stocking up on the the tiniest of flies that were dressed much neater and slimmer than what we'd normally have. Size 20-24 emergers for the spookiest of grayling but the most important bit of advice imparted to us was the use of a nylon called trabucco. We were assured that our usual stroft equivalent was too stiff and this new stuff in 0.06-0.08mm diameter would lead to fewer refusals. The guy was spot on and after the first day we were all using it.

I fear that in a few years we will lose places like this along with wee nuggets of advice like the above.

Good outdoor shops are the same Richard. One guy in Craigdon Sports in Inverurie spent an hour with me getting exactly the right hiking boot. He had me walking up and down slopes, on the flat the lot. Not cheap, but service = time = cost. Never had a blister, no breaking-in required.

Fishing tackle shops are so much more than retail outlets, all my large items have been purchased from one, an example of service...................
I went into the shop on the Kingsway in Dundee, I wanted a "floatie suit" for sea fishing, Robbie the owner got me to put one on, I have a two piece one, chesties and a coat separate. He got me to pick up a rod but and simulate casting in slow motion, " the bottoms are spot on, but the jackets too tight" he said, so he fitted me out with half of one suit and half of another and a tip of where to go and catch some Cod when using it, can't get that online. I went back the following year and bought a rough ground beach caster and reel, always reward good service.