The last 12 months or so have been so busy! Flying the nest, trying to find time to go fishing, moving back home, blah blah blah… Unfortunately my blog has taken a back seat but rest assured I’ll be looking to get back into the swing of bringing you guys some content!

So for those of you who have been wondering what’s been happening while I’ve not been updating my blog.. I have managed to get some decent fishing in the past year, you’ll be glad to hear! Mostly on my local river, the Calder, which one trip saw me catch my biggest river trout to date!

It was one evening after work and I thought I’ll head off down to the river for a couple of hours, decided not to take my waders as at this spot you can fish from the banks. So I set up, fished a sedge and a size 18 nymph. I was picking off typical Calder sized trout until I was just about to pack up and make my way home, when the sedge popped under the surface and I struck into what I actually thought was a snag. That was, untill it started to move. It was at that point I instantly regretted not wearing my waders. The fish went airborne twice giving me a glance of what a truly stunning fish I’d caught. At this point I had an audience watching on from the bridge overlooking the river. No pressure! It went up the river, it went down the river, it went all over. To gain some form of controll I had no choice. I had to get my feet wet. Finally the fish slid over my net and I took a huge sigh of relief. Followed by clapping from the bridge, to say i was over the moon is an understatement!

It somehow seems months since the end of the trout season but the recent weather has made it difficult for many anglers to get out after the grayling. Let’s all hope for a break in the weather so we can get some fishing in!

Me and my dad have had a number of trips this year to local still waters. We made a visit to helwith bridge in the summer for the first time, I’m looking forward to going back, a truly stunning fishery with beautiful surroundings. I enjoy fishing with my dad, eventhough I have to do everything we always have fun and it all gets rather competitive!

Onto the fly tying I’ve recently become a member of the Semperfli pro team which is great! They have an amazing range of threads and tying materials. I’m excited to be working with such a wonderful company and amazing pro team! .

I’ve been a guest tyer at a couple of fly tying clubs, the Leeds and Beverley branches of the Fly Dressers guild and most recently The Bolton Fly Tying Club. I love demonstrating my flies ay theses events! Next year I can look forward to returning to fly tyers row at the british fly fair for the 3rd time, a show not to be missed by any keen anglers. I’ll also be at the Great Yorkshire Show in harrogate in the summer! A lot to look forward too and I hope to see some of you at the events!

I’m not sure if it’s too early to say I hope you all have a great Christmas and new year but I’ll roll with it and say it anyway!

Tight lines!