David Mateer Casting Tuition

Had a fantastic two days on the lovely upper river Oykel this week, with Hector and Cameron. They worked hard on spey casting using a double handed rod. Covered the Roll, Single/Double Spey and Circle ‘C’ casts. They both improved greatly and covered the pools well, considering we had low water one day and high water the next. One trout caught by Cameron, but no salmon caught. Tight lines for today and tomorrow gents. Special thanks to Clive Robert’s for having me and to the staff at the Oykel Bridge Hotel for looking after us. 🎣

Lunchtime on the river with a fellow casting instructor.

Had a brilliant four days on the lovely River Carron, Sutherland last week. I was with Alex Crowe from the Chester area. Alex worked really hard learning different casts to accommodate either an upstream or downstream wind. We managed all this along with regular fishing sessions, and different tactics as the river dropped each day. Alex caught a lovely brown trout on a Sunray shadow, then, on the last cast on the last day, a 7lb salmon. Thoroughly deserved after two brief encounters with other salmon. Huge thanks to Glencalvie Estate and Jim Gilmour for all his help. Congratulations to Alex for a job well done. 🎣

First fish for Heather !! After learning the Roll and Overhead casts, she caught four fish, three small browns and lovely rainbow trout. Not only that they were caught on dries. Thank you to Achagour Fishery and a huge well done to Heather. 🎣

Just had a very busy, but most enjoyable and productive week on the lovely river Oykel. I had four individuals, Richard, Dave, Alice and Ian on a spey casting course. We were based at the Oykel Bridge Hotel and explored large sections of the upper river. Work covered, how to hold the rod, reading the pools, wading, 180 degree rule, fly tying etc. along with the following casts:-

Roll cast’, Single Spey, Double Spey, Circle ‘C’ and
Snake Roll.

It was great to see all four improving each day, so thank you all for your hard work.

Special thanks to Mike Timmis for making this possible along with his hospitality. To Liz and her staff at the Oykel Bridge Hotel who were exceptional, the food was first class and their attention to detail and helpfulness was second to none. Thank you to you all for making this a great week.

Had a very busy week and now catching up with things. Last Saturday was a day to remember, as I passed my THCI and CI assessments with the Fly Fishers International (FFI). Rods used, Loop Z1 14’ 9 # and Loop 7X 9’ 6 #. This event was held at Ness Castle Lodges on the river Ness. Special thanks to Ness Castle and all the FFI assessors who made this occasion possible. Hope everyone had a safe journey home.

It’s been a busy spell on the vice. A small part of two orders heading to Orkney and Wester Ross. Tight lines. 🎣

Had a great session today with Ian from Achiltibuie, on the River Ness at Ness Castle. We had a very blustery downstream wind to contend with. Ian managed the Roll, Double Spey and Snake Roll casts. Hopefully going to manage some more Spey casts when conditions are more favourable. Well done Ian, sticking at it in extremely difficult conditions. 🎣

Had a most enjoyable three days on the lovely River Oykel last week, in some glorious weather. My charges Andrew and Tony were complete beginners to double handed fly fishing. After a day of hard work they were doing the Roll, Double Spey and Circle ‘C’ casts. Unfortunately no fish which was deserved with their efforts. Thank you to Liz and staff at the Oykel Bridge Hotel along with ghillies Steven, Callum and Joey. 🎣