Author: Oliver Edwards
Publisher: DGP PRODUCTIONS, Mar 2003
Binding: DVD
ISBN: 0-DGP-00045-0
Synopsis
Two programs on one DVD. SEARCH AND SIGHT FISHING: In this video we go search fishing for trout and grayling on a stretch of the Upper Avon which Frank Sawyer keepered and sight fishing on the crystal clear waters of the Lambourn. THE DEEP DIVING SHRIMP: The Oliver Edwards Deep Diving Shrimp is a first class fish deceiver, particularly for those deep swirling hatch pools and basic entomology is an Essential Skill. DVD, 120 min.
More Information
Theres a saying - 90% of the fish are caught by 10% of the anglers. Entomology, tying and fishing imitative patterns are not just for advanced anglers. They are the Essential Skills you will need to become one of those anglers who catch 90% of the fish. They are simple practical skills that you can learn easily from watching these videos.
Search and Sight Fishing
Frank Sawyer occupies a unique place in fly fishing history. He is, in my opinion one of the greatest nymph fishermen of all time. He used no bobber, yarn indicator or any other device, which would set depth and support the nymph. Nor did he nip a split shot to the leader, he relied solely on the built in ballast of his artificials to achieve depth. To detect takes he greased up his leader to within a yard or so of the nymph. This floating part of the leader was his only strike indicator when he search fished. For us lesser mortals the greased up minicon or braided sleeve does a similar job.
However, Frank Sawyer is probably more famed for his sight fishing. This technique calls upon eyesight to a far greater degree than merely detecting the slight movement of his greased up leader. It requires a skill, which he said - "surpasses the high art of dry fly".
If Frank Sawyer was an expert and intuitive nymph fisher he was no less an expert at the vice. It is the construction of Sawyers Nymphs which makes them totally unique in fly tying - he used no tying thread whatsoever, using instead fine copper transformer wire. This wire serves four functions, ballast, foundation shape, under colour, and tying medium. To this only one other material was added long herls from tail or quill feathers or in the case of The Killer Bug a short length of sock darning wool - pure genius. In this video we start by search fishing for trout and grayling on a stretch of the Upper Avon which Frank Sawyer keepered. We then go to the crystal clear waters of the Lambourn sight fishing for trout and grayling using his famous
---Oliver Edwards
THE DEEP DIVING SHRIMP AND CHALK STREAM ENTOMOLOGY
Entomology
You can obviously catch fish without any knowledge of entomology whatsoever, but to be consistently successful, particularly when after wild brown trout and grayling, having some understanding of aquatic insects is a definite advantage an Essential Skill.
You dont have to take a degree course in entomology, all you need is an interest, an enquiring mind, a good pair of eyes and a few good books or videos. Then spend some time stone turning or kick sampling.
It is not necessary to delve down to Species level, I dont. Just concern yourself with Orders and Families. That will give you a body shape, a silhouette - the very thing which fish recognise and key onto.
The Deep Diving Shrimp
Freshwater shrimps are a preferred food for trout and grayling, and in alkaline waters, such as our English chalk streams, they can be found in truly biblical numbers, which is why my Masterclass Leaded Shrimp pattern works so well.
But for those deep hatch pools with powerful swirling currents something much heavier is required. So the trick here is to ballast the hook with a tungsten sleeve. Tungsten is twice as dense as lead, so you get all the weight you need without spoiling the outline of the Shrimp. In this video, you see in detail, every step of tying this heavyweight- and I demonstrate how to fish it, in the fast complex currents of a hatchpool.
---Oliver Edwards
THE OLIVER EDWARDS APPROACH TO IMITATIVE FLY FISHING
Trout and Grayling 'learn' from an early age what is edible and what is not. They make this identification in a flash by the outline or silhouette of the food items. These silhouettes are a combination of the shape of the abdomen, thorax and head - the body of the insect - and I have christened this the 'Primary Trigger'. It is the foundation of all my artificials.
"Fish have very acute vision, even in fast broken water they can snap up minute organisms."
There are however other bits and pieces attached to aquatic creatures. How important are legs for instance? Do these also play a part in confirming edibility? Fish have very acute vision, even in fast broken water they can snap up minute organisms such as very early instar nymphs that are less than 1mm long.
"I am convinced these add considerable fish deceiving qualities to my artificials."
These are not accidentally sucked in but are picked off one by one. So it is reasonable to assume that fish see legs, tails and wing pads very easily indeed. These details I call the 'Secondary Triggers'. I am convinced these add considerable fish deceiving qualities to my artificials.Copying the primary and secondary triggers are the cornerstones of imitative, or as I prefer to call it, superimpressionistic fly tying.
"It is the only way to match the insects on your local rivers."
This video covers entomology, tying and fishing. You don't have to go the whole nine yards from the beginning and tie the patterns before you start to fish. But don't skip the fly tying. Watch how I design and tie the flies and you will acquire the knowledge to make the correct choices with shop bought flies. However, I would urge you to tie your own, it is the only way to match the insects on your local rivers but more importantly, nothing comes close to the pleasure you get from tying your own flies and catching fish with them - it's your choice!
-----Oliver Edwards
WHAT THE EXPERTS ARE SAYING:
Fly Tyer Winter 2001 - David Klausmeyer
"...These tapes are well produced with clear photography and well planned tying sequences; learning from these videos is a pleasure."
Fly Fishing and Fly Tying
November / December 2000
"It's quite simply the best and most complete fly-fishing / fly tying tapes I have ever seen."
Trout and Salmon
October 2000
"If mastering the intricacies of the Czech Nymph style or North Country Spiders is your target, then who better to ask than Oliver Edwards?"
"The Daily Star (Scottish edition)
20th January 2001
"Hand on heart - this is the BEST instructional video I have ever seen."
