I first got involved with this arm of the sport four seasons ago since which time I have met with varying degrees of success. Many early, exploratory outings met with complete and utter failure, with the temptation to call it a day almost too compelling. Only the sheer beauty of the surroundings, the peaceful isolation and the challenge presented in catching something worthwhile spurred me on.

As we all know, the more you do it, the better you get at it ... or that's the theory anyway! And so it is with salt-water fly-fishing. Over time, I have learnt what tides to fish, what gear to use, what flies work, and when to call it a day and seek solace in a local brew or two.

The main reason for writing this article now is that at last I think I might be getting it right!

It is time to pass on a few hints and tips to any of you who have considered giving it a go yourselves but never got round to it for whatever reason and probably most importantly, to put you in touch with a mark that I reckon has massive potential for the coming season. Interested? .... Read on!!

I live within striking distance of Hillhead on the Solent and have over the years consistently fished the area immediately in front of Hillhead sailing club.

The area just screams fish!

The waters of the river Meon flow out from Titchfield haven, under the road bridge and out into the sea providing a wonderful feeding ground. On occasions the sheer numbers of mullet and bass has been breathtaking. Catching them has been a different matter of course but when you do hook up .... look out! A 2lb mullet will give you an unbelievable scrap. No wonder people often refer to them as the British bone-fish! ....and my personal best of a 6lb bass, taken on a very small blue and red thingy, will live in my memory for ever!

In addition, every year produces a good run of 'spotted cod', if that's your bag; and the sight of fish, often pushing double figures, leaping clear of the water just yards from where you are standing, waist deep in the 'briny', is just marvellous.

Until now however, my successes have been very rare. The fishable area has been vast. The options of where to throw a line, numerous; and the combinations of line, fly and depth all too many. Yes I've taken bass, yes I've taken mullet; but one of each, spread over a dozen or so visits .... hardly prolific sport I'm sure you will agree.

So why the cause for optimism in the coming season? Well for one I now know that:

1. A good 8/9 wt rod is all you need.
2. A complimentary WF floating line will do the trick.
3. A large arbour reel, preferably made from a compound plastic and therefore resistant to the effects of saltwater will be fine.

I currently tool up with a Shakespeare Nexave 12 wt, loaded with a budget WF F8 loaded on an Okuma large arbour (£12.99 complete with spare spool)

1. Large unwieldy flies are not necessary. In fact small patterns (size 10/12) work just great. Colours tend to be predominantly dark - black , black/green, with 'Coal Tar', 'Thunder 'n Lightning', 'Midnight Magic' proving to be good 'uns. But I've also had some success on Bloodworm patterns with marabou tails and ordinary PTN's.
2. Chest waders are recommended but I've seen people manage in thigh waders. In fact when the weather warms up I'll be there in my deck shoes/sandals and my Bermuda shorts - not a pretty sight.
3. Line trays can be useful, especially if you don't like cleaning weed off your line but I don't mind.
4. The Osborne View does a cracking pint (Badgers best bitter)!

But the biggest thing this year is the change to the topography of the area itself. Changes to the shore line and harbour entrance, presumably instigated by the sailing club now see the flow of the Meon diverted to the fisherman's undoubted benefit.

No longer does the flow run parallel to the sea wall for half a mile or so curving slowly round and out to sea giving such a vast playground. Now, on leaving the harbour, the flow turns sharp right and straight out to sea, forming a wonderful fish holding delta, with our piscatorial friends feasting on Meon-borne goodies as they flow out from the harbour.

You no longer have to trek a good quarter of a mile out before getting to the fish, or wait until the tide has sufficiently advanced on the flood to make the fishing accessible. It is there right before you, only thirty to fifty yards out from shore! Yes you can still wander afar to search out the deeper areas between the shingle bars if you want, after all - each to his own!

My first session of the season was the first Thursday in May. As usual, I went out on the evening low water and got out to the shingle bars where I proceeded to thrash the water to a foam to no avail.

It was only as I returned to shore that I spotted a fellow fluff-chucker standing knee-deep in the Meon, just as it met the sea, not forty yards out in the spot already described.

A short conversation later, punctuated with the splash of leaping fish, and I was tooled up on a small black pattern (local knowledge) a size 10/12 home-tied Montana type pattern; and third chuck, into the first mullet of the season. Both myself and my newly found fishing friend had hit after hit, but that's the thing with mullet, they are so quick to spit the hook. We were sure there were bass in amongst them but none were taken.

The session proved only too short. By the time I started fishing, the tide was fairly well on the flood and the sun was dipping low in the sky. Not normally a problem if correctly armed with a head lamp as my partner was, but the temperature at this time of year plummets quicker than a plummeting thing, and I was not best dressed to withstand the chill.

So there we are - saltwater fly-fishing, well worth a go. And if I've whetted your appetite, why not go and wet a line! And whatever your success rate, pop into the Osborne to wet yer whistle. I may well be there!

Tight, 'salt-water' lines

Colin Mould

Oh and by the way, leave room for me!!