9 foot #5...........

[Traditionalist]

Not necessarily! I think Harrison blanks are are good as anything out there. There are some very good British rodmakers out there who build on Harrison blanks (but some Harrison blanks are now made in the far east) one of these is this chap; http://www.burnsbuiltrods.co.uk/spec.html

I agree.

TL
MC

[emc]

I'm leaning towards the Shakey at the moment - gives me more time think about what I would buy if and when that breaks,I break it or I can justify having an alpha rod :roll: ....strikes me that the money I save might be put to better use having some casting lessons

Now, please don't laugh, but my reels are Leeda Rimfly Regulars form the eighties. They were fine when a reel was just for holding line but I have been wondering for some time whether I ought to upgrade, ( or just fork out for an extra lesson or two)

So, a reel to go with my new Shakey ............?

[Traditionalist]

I'm leaning towards the Shakey at the moment - gives me more time think about what I would buy if and when that breaks,I break it or I can justify having an alpha rod :roll: ....strikes me that the money I save might be put to better use having some casting lessons

Now, please don't laugh, but my reels are Leeda Rimfly Regulars form the eighties. They were fine when a reel was just for holding line but I have been wondering for some time whether I ought to upgrade, ( or just fork out for an extra lesson or two)

So, a reel to go with my new Shakey ............?

In your place I would go for the shakespeare  and get the lessons.  For a reel, this should do you fine;  http://www.mullarkeys.co.uk/fishing/reels/trout-fly-fishing-reels/1/shakespeare/7839/

or if you want a really good one; http://www.mullarkeys.co.uk/fishing/reels/trout-fly-fishing-reels/1/okuma/8220/

EDIT:  The reason is simple, the best rod in the world wont do you any good if you can't cast very well, and once you can cast reasonably you can use any rod!   This also provides you with the knowledge you need to choose another rod later if you wish. Without the knowledge and casting capability you can't do much at all! This is the single greatest problem for beginners and many others.  They end up wasting lots of time and money trying to find better "magical" gear that will cast better, further, etc. It is pointless, because if you can't cast it makes no difference at all what you use.

TL
MC

[emc]

In your place I would go for the shakespeare  and get the lessons.  For a reel, this should do you fine;  http://www.mullarkeys.co.uk/fishing/reels/trout-fly-fishing-reels/1/shakespeare/7839/

or if you want a really good one; http://www.mullarkeys.co.uk/fishing/reels/trout-fly-fishing-reels/1/okuma/8220/

EDIT:  The reason is simple, the best rod in the world wont do you any good if you can't cast very well, and once you can cast reasonably you can use any rod!   This also provides you with the knowledge you need to choose another rod later if you wish. Without the knowledge and casting capability you can't do much at all! This is the single greatest problem for beginners and many others.  They end up wasting lots of time and money trying to find better "magical" gear that will cast better, further, etc. It is pointless, because if you can't cast it makes no difference at all what you use.

TL
MC

That is the conclusion I was gradually coming to. I will probably spend as much time retrieving my flies from the heather as casting so decreasing one variable must be a good option. I assume the best way to go is the APGAI - there seems to be one in Norfolk.

[Traditionalist]

That is the conclusion I was gradually coming to. I will probably spend as much time retrieving my flies from the heather as casting so decreasing one variable must be a good option. I assume the best way to go is the APGAI - there seems to be one in Norfolk.

It's better to ask people who they can recommend. You can use an APGAI bloke, indeed that would be better, but ONLY if you have other recommendations for him.  Some of them are very very good casters and lousy teachers ( and right arseholes to boot!   ).

EDIT:  http://www.aapgai.co.uk/home.html

Norfolk    http://www.aapgai.co.uk/instructors/tim_gaunt_baker.html    This is NOT a  recommendation I don't know anything at all about him. Ask around to see if others recommend him.

TL
MC

[Wildfisher]

( and right arseholes to boot!   ).

Amen brother!   :lol:

[Traditionalist]

More info;
http://www.norfolkflyfishing.com/

http://www.norfolkflyfishing.com/About-Tim-Gaunt-Baker.html

TL
MC

[emc]

Thanks Mike.

It's better to ask people who they can recommend. You can use an APGAI bloke, indeed that would be better, but ONLY if you have other recommendations for him.  Some of them are very very good casters and lousy teachers ( and right arseholes to boot!   ).

EDIT:  http://www.aapgai.co.uk/home.html

Norfolk    http://www.aapgai.co.uk/instructors/tim_gaunt_baker.html    This is NOT a  recommendation I don't know anything at all about him. Ask around to see if others recommend him.

TL
MC

That's always the problem - got the bit of paper but that means nothing and I haven't found anyone who actually knows this guy.

Trip to Glasgow casting club needed methinks.

[scotty9]

Trip to Glasgow casting club needed methinks.

You could be the visitor that resparks life into the casting club scene!  Stick a post up or drop one of us a message when you plan to come as like I posted somewhere else, attendance rates have varied, hovering around zero according to Alan the past couple times!

[Traditionalist]

You will find a multitude of opinions on this. There are some people who are "natural" casters, they can use a rod and line more or less instinctively, just as some people are very good at throwing stones, or aiming guns. Unfortunately, this is not very common, and most people have to learn how to do it.  You CAN teach yourself, but it is not really advisable because what happens is that you teach yourself the wrong things, and once you have done that it is extremely difficult to change such habits. This is also why huge numbers of people are poor to mediocre casters.  It is not that difficult if you learn properly from somebody who can do it well and is able to impart what he can do to you.

But if you are not a "natural" caster  and you teach yourself a lot of bad habits, you will often be frustrated and unsatisfied, and you will merely end up as one of the legions of poor casters who are continually looking for "magical" fixes, ( and using a  lot of excuses and rationalisation),  for their piss poor casting.

It is as well to bear in mind that you are not doing this to impress anybody, or to be "better than somebody else". You are doing it to ensure that you have the tools which will enable you to catch fish in an enjoyable fashion.

TL
MC