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Paul A. Fishlock B.A. B.Sc.
With over thirty-five years of fishing experience
Paul has to be passionate about his sport. Having
been introduced to angling by his Grandfather
who was a water bailiff, Paul has been privileged
to fish in many exotic locations but has found
his real home in the Highlands of Scotland, where
the fishing and surroundings are second to none.
After a successful career in the City, Paul undertook
a course in Fisheries Management as a mature student
and attained a first class Degree. He managed
a beat on the River Tay for five years and is
now a well respected fishing guide. He is both
a member of the Tay Liaison Committee looking
after trout and coarse fishing for the catchment
and a bailiff for the Salmon Fisheries Board.
As an added bonus Paul speaks French and some
German.
Paul has been teaching fly-fishing for over 15
years and many an angler has experienced their
first fish, be they trout or salmon in his enjoyable
company. Whether you want to learn the art for
the first time or just want to improve on existing
skills, he is always willing to oblige. Instruction
is offered in both single and double-handed (Spey
casting) methods as well as spinning, trolling
and bait casting.
Fly-fishing for The King of Fish
The rivers Tummel and Tay are world renowned for
their Atlantic salmon and to this day boast the
UK Record. The Spey cast was developed in Scotland
to suit local conditions where trees often reach
down to the water. By using a long rod (14-18')
the angler can avoid any back cast. The method
also offers the further significant advantage
of exceptional line control, allowing the angler
fine control of the speed and placement of the
fly. The method is often couched in complex terms
and may seem daunting to the inexperienced, but
with a few hours expert instruction with Paul
you will learn quickly how to do it safely, effectively
and with luck you will soon have that thrill of
first fly caught salmon.
Loch Style Drifting for Wild Brown Trout
The local lochs are a particularly well suited
to loch style drifting for wild brown trout. Short
lining with a team of three flies is the traditional
method, learning boat craft to fish the drift,
matching the hatch, effective use of the bob fly
and of course catching fish. The system is best
operated with a pair of anglers at each end of
an open boat, with the ghillie controlling the
boat.
Bank Fishing for Wild Brown Trout
Scotland is one of the last refuges for the really
wild brown trout. Many anglers (including Paul)
have served an apprenticeship learning to catch
rainbows and stocked brownies on the chalk streams
and reservoirs. But, if you really want to test
your skills, there is nothing quite like a wild
brown trout. River craft is absolutely essential
and depending on the time of year you will need
to identify the local fly life and apply one of
the many patterns available. Then comes presentation,
with fine lines and light tackle being the order
of the day. Highland trout are often of the 1
¼ lb stamp and can be abundant, but mixed
in with them you may be lucky to encounter a monster,
with wild brownies over 5lb providing a real challenge
in fast water.
Fly-Dressing & Tying
Paul not only ties his own flies but is happy
to share his skills with guests. An evening demonstration
and instruction can be arranged. Doubles, trebles
and tube flies are very popular today, but Paul
is keen to promote a return to the traditionally
dressed salmon patterns on singles. Not only do
they give aesthetic pleasure, but they are as
effective as ever, and can even out perform modern
styles.
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