re: simon's sinking tippet
Are coplymer lines not better suited for dry flies (?)
I'm sure the b/s and diameter of your tippet needs to be matched to the size of fly or amount of hackle or floatyness it has. I've got some flies in my box I can never get to float at distance with the set up I use but when I strip them in and drag them back to the surface they'll sit there pretty as a picture, looking coyly over there shoulders and flicking their hair at me - some have even stood up on two legs and done a little Michael Flattley number whilst wearing tiny rucksacks full of rocks. I'll give them a couple of false casts to dry them off, hoy them out again - they'll be out there at distance, lying on their backs smoking cigars. One hint of a twitch or thought of retrieve and the theme tune from Das Boot fires up - Klaxons, polo neck jumpers the lot.
A line I've used a lot is a Snowbee XS floater which is very popular and good at most things, It is known however for the end bit sinking which means you can potentially have a problem with it dragging the rest of your stuff under.
It's a good idea I think to sink a length of your tippet anyway, from very close to fly to a bit further along by using these fullers earth mixes, to improve presentation. That can cause problems as well.
I'd be up for a meet up for a bit fish and help with things as well - I'm magazine and ears open in the bailiffs hut taught but would love to get some info from experienced lads.
I am definetly going to pay for a ghillie soon on one of my scotland trips - it feels a bit odd though because of the history and that and feels like your employing a servant for the day (i know this is miles from the truth) I have deja vu , I've posted this before. The prices seem great for the invaluable and unique advice you'd get from a good one. It's very easy to get good recommendations as well on the fly fishing forums - I'm scared if I hired one from a certain establishment in Perthshire it would cost me a fortune and he'd turn up wearing a baseball cap with his trackies tucked into his socks "Naar m8 these are traditional highland breeks, and the caps on back to front to stop the spate gannin doon the back of me gregory" All said in a Polish accent.
I do not expect all ghillies to have eyebrows on their cheeks but it would be a bonus.
