Wheelyboat Trust

Our Aims

Our national Wheelyboats For All project is a major initiative which aims to broaden the appeal of the Wheelyboat, provide them to a greater range of venues, widen the scope of their usage and increase the numbers of disabled people using them. Funding received for this project has enabled us to recruit a Field Officer and the project is beginning to make an impact, especially now we have the brand new Mk III Wheelyboat model.

Shallows

WESTLOW MERE

GENERAL FISHERY RULES

Fly-fishing only using conventional rod, reels, lines, flies etc.

One rod only in use at any one time. Others may be set up ready.

Rod in use to be "in hand" whenever line in water.

Barbless or De-barbed hooks must be used for Catch and Release.

Click for other pages

The following methods are Not allowed: static lures including boobies; spoons with swivels; wagglers; silicone/synthetic worms;
Floats or Sight Bobs; ground-baiting; keep nets.

Fish to be returned should not be handled unless absolutely necessary and then only in the water. Landing nets by law must be knot free mesh.

Fish to be taken should be killed immediately and swiftly.

Deeply hooked or otherwise damaged fish, or fish unlikely to recover because of excessive fatigue, should be killed.

These may be purchased or left at the Lodge for charity.

Brown trout are not to be killed out of season.

All anglers and visitors should check in at the lodge before visiting the waters. Catch returns should be recorded at the lodge before leaving.

Normal fishing hours are 8am till dusk for day-ticket holders and dawn till dusk for Permit Holders.

Permits and day-tickets must be carried at all times. Permits are not transferable and are renewable annually by the end of January.

Anglers must carry a current Environment Agency Licence.

Be environment aware- no litter; no discarded line; no feeding the wildlife.

Juvenile fishers are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult experienced in fly-fishing, or a permit holder.

Family members and friends can accompany anglers but not so as to be a nuisance to other anglers.

Dogs must be under control at all times, and any fouling must be cleared up so as not to be a nuisance to others.

All boat fishing is from fixed buoys
Automatic life-jackets are provided free of charge and must be worn. No alcohol. 2 people per boat only

Parking is in areas around the lodge. Limited parking is available nearer the waters for anglers with physical access problems. This involves access through a gateway with a locked gate. Ask at the lodge for further details.

Show respect for others at all times; be careful with mobile phones; do not crowd another's swim; no shouting or other unruly behaviour.

We have tried to keep the rules as few and simple as possible. They are for the benefit of the anglers and the fish.
All Directors and the Warden of the day are Bailiffs and are empowered to require anyone breaching the rules to leave immediately.
Whilst a polite reminder from one fisher to another is often all that is needed, in case of doubt about the wisdom of doing so, please bring the matter to the attention of the Warden or a Director.

THE DIRECTORS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO BAN FOR WHATEVER PERIOD THEY DEEM APPROPRIATE, ANYBODY WHO PERSISTENTLY BREACHES THESE RULES.

"Calling fly-fishing a hobby is like calling brain surgery a job." - Paul Schullery

What side of a fish has the most scales? The outside.

facilities

FACILITIES

Centrally heated wooden lodge with free
tea and coffee making area (tea, coffee milk and sugar supplied free) and microwave. Tuition.
Toilets (incl. disabled), limited tackle and flies for sale.

Boats, limited disabled access.

STOCKING LEVEL
STOCKED EVERY MONTH WITH THREE QUARTERS OF A TON OF PRIME QUALITY RAINBOWS

lake

Whatever your appetite in trout fishing there is something for you at Westlow, from specimen hunting to purist fishing.
Monthly stockings ensure catchable fish for the novice and good bags for the lure fisherman. With catch and release, fish mature to become natural feeders and take the dry fly, buzzer or nymph.
Spectacular evening rises are a feature from April till late autumn, with fish, including double figure fish, being taken on small nymphs, buzzers or dry flies - whilst not easy to catch, well worth the challenge and a good way to rear fine brown trout and classic rainbows for future years.

Competitions

MATCHES

Matches are held every first Sunday of the month.
Entry Fee: £20.00 for Five Fish

Book your permit in advance (demand can outstip available space)

LINKS

I have tried with the links to find web sites that can help both the beginner and experienced Fly Fisher, just click the images.

Welcome to the Flytier’s Page
3281 illustrated & described patterns.

Fly fishing techniques: casting tips

Fly Tying Classes

Fly Tying classes are held throughout the year and are for those people who have never tied before however, all levels of proficiency are included . For total novices, one-to-one tuition with members who are incredibly knowledgeable fly tyers can be given. It's not a difficult skill to learn, and even those who have not attempted to tie flies before will find it relatively easy to learn, and there is a great sense of satisfaction when a pattern that has been self-tied catches fish!
As a novice tying for the first time, all materials and tools are provided, so you don't have to invest before you find out if you like it or not! There is no charge to attend each class.
During the fly tying classes, a range of (mainly trout) patterns are tied, many of which are suitable for Westlow Mere and surrounding area..

Caddis

FLY TYING WORLD

Fly Fishing Resources

FLY FISHING&FLY TYING

Hi and welcome !! Lesson 1 for beginners is tying a ‘buzzer’. This is a basic fly and great for getting started. I hope to post another video within the next few weeks, so watch this space. Just shows some of the great information available on the Internet.

Good Luck, David Cammiss < Click here for You Tube presentations

Learn Fly Tying with David Cammiss on You Tube.

Ian Almond Says:

Dear Dave

I have fished for over a year now and wondered about tying my own flies. Your video has given me the confidence to try. Thank you. May you produce many more. Kind Wishes. Ian

FlyDressers Guild

Casting

Casting Lessons

Fly fishing is a fast growing sport. And the reasons for the popularity of fly fishing are obvious. Fly fishing is enjoyable, relaxing and rewarding - often times conducted in some of the most beautiful country side and scenery in the UK and the rest of the world. Unfortunately, for beginner anglers, learning fly fishing can at times be difficult, which is where our enthusiastic members come in. they will give the basic essentials an angler needs to begin fly fishing. Ideal for those who wish to try the sport for the first time.

They will teach the following:

How to start the pickup position to the back cast, to the forward cast and everything in-between. Learning how to load the rod and where to unload the rod. Learning how to accelerate the pick up. Then learning how to shoot line through acceleration. The importance of a high back cast. Understanding why you have to accelerate to achieve a good cast. Five simple steps to becoming proficient and comfortable at fly casting.

All lessons are Free.

Fly Fishing Knots.

TroutMasters

Troutmasters Competition 2008
This is a competition run by Trout Fisherman magazine in the UK. Certain high profile stillwater fisheries are chosen as suitable venues, and each month a 'Troutmaster' is chosen for that water. This is normally based on the largest fish caught. Each successful applicant receives a cloth badge (as shown) and is eligible to enter a competition at the fishery at the end of the season to choose an entrant to the National Finals.

Troutmasters is the largest trout fishing competition of its type in the UK.
Westlow Mere has been involved in the competition now for many years.
Anyone catching a large trout at Westlow should ask one of our bailiffs for a form so they can enter the competition. At the end of every month, the three entrants who have caught the top three fish at any participating water will receive a Trout Masters cloth badge. At the end of the year, all badge holders will be eligible to enter the fish-off at their qualifying water to determine who will represent each water in the final.

If you catch a big fish and want to enter the competition please ask our bailiff for a form. All completed Troutmaster forms must be completed and witnessed by one of our bailiffs. Two separate witnesses are required - one for the catch and one to the weighing. Forms should then be forwarded to Trout Fishermen within five days. After the closing date of 20th December 2007, Troutmasters will contact Westlow Mere and invite all the badge holders for the period to meet for a fish off. Once a day is agreed the badge holders enjoy a fish off at Westlow Mere and the winner is put forward to a grand final fish off.
Fish off 20th April 2008 at Westlow, please contact the lodge if you have received a letter and want to take part. Tel: (01260) 270012

FLY TYING THE NORTH COUNTRY WAY

The materials used for tying NORTH COUNTRY SPIDER PATTERNS (also known in North America as SOFT HACKLE FLIES)

The Flydressers Guild exists to promote an interest in fly tying and bring together fly-tyers worldwide.
Anyone can join. New members are most welcome - this especially
includes those new to fly dressing.

Local Branch Membership

Typically a Branch will hold regular flytying classes for all standards, organise talks and demonstrations on all aspects of flytying and flyfishing, and run regular flyfishing outings.

More importantly local Branches offer their members friendship among like minded individuals and provide a happy, congenial, expert environment in which to learn and enjoy flytying and flyfishing.

Each Branch of The Flydressers’ Guild is different, as the Branch membership decides on the activities that their Branch will offer.

Fly-fisherman's wife: "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and you get rid of him for the whole weekend"

What do you call a fish with no eye?
(FSH)

Animated Fishing Knots by Grog

10% discount Westlow Mere members.

The Knots

Matching the Hatch

Fly Fishing - For Beginners

Casting for recovery

Casting for Recovery – UK & Ireland organises weekend fly fishing retreats for small groups of women with breast cancer with a view to providing a life-enhancing, experience by way of emotional and psychological support, education and relaxation. For information on Casting for Recovery UK & Ireland visit www.castingforrecovery.org.uk

Description

FlySim is a full 3D, physics-based fly fishing game featuring accurate fly casting dynamics, multiple destinations, different types of fish, and realistic fish behavior. Practice overhead casting, roll casting, mending, dry and nymph fishing, and other fly fishing techniques. And if you catch the biggest fish, you will get your name on our trophy page.

A FREE DEMO is available for download. When you're ready for larger fish and a greater challenge, you can unlock the full version in minutes without any additional downloads.

>>> CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE DEMO <<<

This game is absolutely brilliant and the full version is only $25

Review from River and Reef. Read the full review

Simply put...you guys rock. I have a smile from ear to ear. I look forward to the new river!

-Stephen Francomano

Wow, this game is the real thing!!! I have hoped for a sim with this much reality to it for years. . . AWESOME sim!

-Chuck Sweet

absolutely great game, incredible casting mechanism... my only complaint - I spent so much time fishing, that I didn't finish my paper for grad school on time... but an 11 lb rainbow makes it worth it!

-rgray

Congratulations great game, brillant casting mechanics and fish behaviour. I hope more is on the way. Thanks.

-Green, Australia

I just downloaded Flysim yesterday. I bought the full meal deal right after landing my first fish. I LOVE this simulator. GREAT JOB!

-matokuwapi, Canada

I have purchased FlySim & it is quite a game. Very realistic & I love the fish behavior. I have finished the second river & I like seeing the rocks on the bottom & the fish swimming around. You guys did a great job.

-Jim Kraus, USA

For a novice like myself, it's a fantastic game. I have finally been able to memorize what each of these commonly used flies looks like and to a large extent I'm learning how and when to use each. So far I've found this to be the best learning resource apart from actually being on the water and testing casts and various fly patterns in a real-life situation. . . Being able to detect shadows in the water and watching the way the fish react to flies landing in different proximities has been fascinating, even though it is just a simulation of reality. I grew up with the Atari 2600/5200/Colecovision/Intellivision consoles and even today I spend a few hours each week with my PS2. But I've only ever enountered one game that has me so thoroughly engrossed (and that's the Championship Manager series of soccer sims). The only bad thing I can say about FlySim is that there's not enough of it! . . .

-Clint Barnes, USA

Accurate Fly Casting Dynamics

Physics-based models allow the rod and line to accurately simulate real world casting. Effects of wind, water, current, gravity, air resistance, and rod motion are all integrated into the calculations resulting in casting so realistic it can be used as a training tool.

Learn Fly Fishing Techniques

Practice different fly fishing techniques including overhead casting, roll casting, side casting, shooting line, and mending. Learn to cast in different wind conditions, when to shoot line for maximum distance, and how current affects mending.

Nine Unique US Destinations

FlySim includes nine scenic US destinations from Oregon to Maine. Some destinations are unlocked as you complete the goals.

Ten Different Species of Fish

Ten unique 3D fish models, including rainbow, brown, brook, cutthroat, and golden trout. Fish are stored in your daily and complete logs, along with information such as length, weight, tippet, and fly.

Intelligent Fish Behavior

The fish swim, feed, strike, and fight just like their real counterparts. A sophisticated strike engine determines when the fish will strike based on many factors including the fish's vision cone, fly selection, fly presentation, and fish spook factor.

Water Modeling

3D water modeling includes current, stream beds, rocks, and rapids that vary from one destination to another. Look for fish near the rocks and rapids as you would in your favorite fishing destination.

Flies

You start each day with 25 different flies including dry flies, nymphs, and attractors. 6 Tippet sizes and 3 weight choices will help you optimize your setup for a trophy catch.

Integrated Help

Whether you're an expert or first-time fly fisher, the integrated help will get you started in minutes. The detailed user guide will teach you everything from casting for the first time to landing a trophy fish

Match the Hatch

FlySim features a rotating hatch schedule and destination-specific hatch charts modeled after real-world locations. Match the insects you see on the water to the pictures on the hatch chart to figure out which fly to use.

Fish Log and Statistics

A complete fish log stores information about all the fish you've caught, and allows sorting by date, length, weight, or type of fish. Additional statistics show you how many pounds of fish you've caught, average weight, strike to catch ratio, and other information.

Online Trophy Page

When you catch a trophy sized fish, check out our online trophy page to see if you deserve to have your name posted with the best virtual fly fishermen in the world.

This Fly Fishing simulator is addictive and a whole lot of fun for all the family and like one reviewer says, if you are a beginner it will teach you about the different Flies. Jim Kenny

GUEST BOOK

God give me the strength to catch a fish, so big that even I, When telling of it afterwards, Have no need to lie.