Membership Portal
Well, what a season it has been!
We began the year with a CGUK trout fishing day at Testside in Hampshire, ran another 3 sold out events during the season for salmon and trout, and finished with a day’s stillwater fishing at Raygill in Yorkshire. I feel incredibly honoured to be asked to organise some fishing events for CGUK members and friends.
What I’m most excited about is that something seems to have really clicked this year. The girls, many of whom started their fishing journeys together, are now truly hooked! Their enthusiasm is growing fast, and I think we’ve created a few lifelong anglers.
As we close the season, I wanted to share a few helpful thoughts about what to do next. It’s wonderful to see so many already buying their own kit (your passport to more fishing opportunities!) and others joining local club waters. Becoming a member of a club is a great way to learn about your local fisheries, build confidence, and enjoy an affordable way to get out on the water. In fact, an annual club ticket often costs about the same as a single day on a commercial fishery!
So, let’s keep things simple. The big question is: What do I need to buy to get started and be ready for next season?
Waders
I get a lot of questions about waders, so here’s a quick explanation. There are two main types of waders: stocking foot and boot foot.
Stocking Foot Waders have thick, waterproof neoprene socks permanently attached to the wader legs. You wear separate wading boots over the neoprene socks for grip and ankle support. The wader body is breathable fabric, but the “foot” section is always neoprene.
Boot Foot Waders have rubber or PVC boots permanently attached to the wader body. There’s no need for separate wading boots, making them quick and easy to put on.
The neoprene “sock” section in stocking foot waders is completely waterproof, just like a wetsuit, but thicker and sealed. The seams are sealed to ensure no leaks. Neoprene is a closed cell material, meaning water can’t pass through it. When you step into the river, water may surround the outside of the neoprene sock, but it can’t get in. Your feet stay dry because the neoprene acts as a waterproof barrier. If this is your newfound hobby, I would strongly recommend waders + boots as the boots will provide you with more ankle support, and protection.
Your choice depends on budget and comfort. You can find affordable all-in-one waders online (Amazon), second hand high-end brands (Ebay), or try a variety of them in store.
Rod, reel, and line
This is your essential setup. If you’re just getting started, I would recommend buying a balanced beginner’s kit to practice your casting. You will also need a tapered leader and a spool of tippet to connect your fly line to your fly.
Essentials
You’ll also need a few basic tools: a lanyard, nippers, monomaster, forceps and net. These make life on the water much easier and tidier.
A Box of Flies.
You can never have too many flies! To start, keep things simple:
- Dry flies (float on the surface – fish still)
- Nymphs (fish just below the surface – fish slow)
- Lures/streamers (fish deeper – fish medium to fast)
To begin, we recommend the following selection:
- Damsels (green) and Black Montana – Great all-rounder streamers for stillwaters.
- Hare’s Ear Nymphs – A classic, “buggy” pattern that works well in a wide range of water conditions.
- Pheasant Tail Nymphs – A versatile favourite that imitates mayfly nymphs; effective almost anywhere.
- Elk Hair Caddis – A dry fly that mimics adult caddisflies and offers great surface action.
We offer an affordable NFS Beginner’s Kit that includes everything you need to get started, and you can easily expand it later as your skills grow. The NFS shop also stocks Patagonia and Redington waders, along with all the essential gear. Our beginner’s starter pack (rod, reel, line, tapered leader and box of flies) is just £85, and CGUK members receive an exclusive 10% discount.
Last, but not least, to end on a very important word: practice!
Between fishing sessions and events, keep practicing, you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes. Find a patch of grass, your garden, a park, or a stillwater, and work on your overhead and roll casts, retrieves, and trout hook set (trout fishing is the most accessible type of fishing for most). Practice your quiet lift off the water, delivery, and accuracy. Set up some targets and challenge yourself.
The more you practice, the more confident and proud you’ll feel when you’re on the water. You’ll catch more fish, enjoy more action, and get even more from the sport.
Tight lines, keep in touch, and I hope to see you at some of our CGUK events next season!
