Date Added: October 07, 2025 08:42:07 AM

In the UK, fly fishing is not just a hobby — it’s a deeply rooted tradition and cultural pastime, especially associated with the countryside, rivers, and classic angling heritage. Fly fishing in the UK involves using artificial flies to catch trout, salmon, and grayling, primarily in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. The UK is considered one of the birthplaces of modern fly fishing, with centuries of history, literature, and distinct regional styles.

Key Species Targetted

• Brown Trout – Native to British rivers and lakes; often the most prized target.
• Rainbow Trout – Commonly stocked in reservoirs and fisheries.
• Atlantic Salmon – Iconic and highly sought after, especially in Scotland.
• Grayling – Known as the “lady of the stream”; a popular winter fly-fishing species.
• Pike - superb freshwater predator
• Bass, mackerel and mullet - fantastic saltwater sport

Where It’s Done

• Rivers: We fish rivers, primarily for Brown Trout in The River Test and River Itchen in Hampshire are world-famous chalk streams. But we can fish many rivers from the River Don in the Heart of Sheffield to River Wharfe in Yorkshire
• Lakes & Reservoirs: Such as Rutland Water, Grafham Water, and Chew Valley Lake which stock Rainbow Trout and other trout variants like Blue and Golden Trout
• Scotland: Renowned for wild salmon rivers like the Tay, Spey, and Tweed.
• Wales & Northern Ireland: Excellent trout and salmon waters amid beautiful landscapes however Sewin or Sea Trout are renown in Wales

Types of Fly Fishing in the UK

• River Fly Fishing (Dry Fly & Nymphing) – Casting delicate flies to rising fish in moving water.
• Stillwater Fly Fishing – Using larger flies and longer casts in lakes and reservoirs.
• Salmon Fly Fishing – Often uses double-handed “Spey rods” and swinging flies across large rivers.

History & Tradition

The UK has a rich fly-fishing heritage, dating back to the 15th century. The famous book “The Compleat Angler” (1653) by Izaak Walton is a classic of English literature and fishing culture. The chalk streams of southern England are often called the birthplace of modern fly fishing, where anglers perfected techniques of imitation and presentation. To go fly fishing, you’ll need a specific set of gear, clothing, and accessories designed for the technique — it’s a bit different from regular bait or spin fishing.

Here’s a breakdown of the fly fishing tackle you will need:

The Essential Fly Fishing Gear

1. Fly Rod 

• Long and flexible, usually 7–10 feet.
• Choose based on where you’ll fish:
  
  • Rivers/streams → 3–5 weight rod (lighter)
  • Lakes/reservoirs → 6–8 weight rod (heavier)
  • Salmon or saltwater → 8–10 weight rod (stronger)

The “weight” refers to the rod’s power and the line size it’s designed for.

2. Fly Reel

Holds the line and provides drag when playing fish. For trout and general UK fishing, a light reel with smooth drag is ideal.  Usually matched to the same “weight” as your rod and line.

3. Fly Line

Unlike normal fishing line, fly line is thick and weighted so it can cast the nearly weightless fly.

Fly lines come in different types:

• Floating line (most common — stays on the surface)
• Sinking line (for deeper water or lakes)
• Intermediate line (slow-sinking, in-between)
• Backed by backing line (thin line that fills the reel) and attached to a leader (tapered clear line) and tippet (fine clear tip for the fly).

4. Fishing Flies

Fishing flies are tiny, hand-tied imitations of insects or baitfish. Common types of flies are:

• Dry flies – Float on the surface (imitate adult insects)
• Nymphs – Drift below the surface (imitate larvae)
• Wet flies – Sink and move in the water
• Streamers – Look like small fish or leeches

You’ll want a small fly box with different patterns depending on season and water type.

Clothing & Accessories

There are specialist clothing and accessories which can be useful including:

• Waders which are waterproof trousers (hip or chest height) for standing in rivers
• Wading boots that provide grip and ankle support on slippery rocks
• Fishing vest or pack that will holds flies, tools, and tippet spools
• Polarised sunglasses that reduce glare and help spot fish
• Hat or cap to protect from sun and hooks
• Landing net that helps safely catch and release fish
• Forceps & nippers for removing hooks and trimming line