Monday 13 June 2011

HookPoint - Multi-Tool

OK, it has to be said that when I see something that catches my eye then I generally have to take a closer look, and when I first glanced at the 'HookPoint' I knew I had to find out more as to what this fly fishing/tying aid was all about.







Upon purchasing the HookPoint it became clear that this was a well thought out and designed bit of kit.

It was developed and is now marketed and sold by Microvista Products Ltd where inventor Dr Andrew Worthington felt that there was a use for a pocket magnifying tool which enabled anglers on the bank to identify any issues with the sharpness of their hook point (a common problem that we are often not aware of until its too late). It was also developed to aid with other 'in situ' problems that we can sometimes encounter whilst out fishing.

Ceramic hook sharpener and picking tool
After several weeks trying out this product I would say that one of the areas of interest for me has to be the crystal clear x6 magnification you get which when used with the integral LED light enables close detailed viewing of any nymphs or flies you may wish to inspect for positive identification.

Photo taken by placing the lens of my camera on the Hookpoint eyepiece
If you are a budding entomologist or like me someone who has a fascination with the life our rivers contain then you will no doubt find the 'HookPoint' a worthwhile tool to carry around with you.

The HookPoint has been recently reviewed in both 'The Trout & Salmon' and 'Fly Fishing & Fly Tying' magazines and if you happen to be attending the BFFI (British Fly Fair International) this coming weekend (18th/19th June) then you can check it out yourself at The Microvista Products Ltd stand and see what you think.

To find out exactly what the HookPoint is all about head over to the website where there is all the information you need,

http://www.microvistaproducts.com/

Friday 10 June 2011

Environment Agency - River and sea levels

With most of the UK rivers levels running severely low at the moment its always useful to detect any change that localised rain may have in raising them up a little.

Also on the flip side of the coin when we start to get some of the deluges we are more accustomed to its worth a quick check on this site to make sure the river you've got lined up to fish is not going to be bank high and unfishable..it may well save you a wasted journey!



This is a site I use quite a bit for up to the minute river levels for England and Wales.

Environment Agency - River and sea levels

Friday 3 June 2011

New Stream To Explore

Last weekend was quite an intensive fishing weekend due to the bank holiday, I concentrated on the smaller rivers due to the severe high winds which were whipping across the UK.

I got the chance to try out a Shropshire stream that I had not fished before and was very impressed with the quality of this little gem. Its one of those streams that you wouldn't even know was their when driving past it.

I had also planned a trip back to the River Edw which runs close to Builth Wells but when I arrived it was apparent that the rain that had fallen during the night had not found its way into this river and it was barely a trickle in parts. Fortunately in this area there are quite a few back up locations.