Hi Colin, I have been a conventional sea fisherman (I live near to Portsmouth) for a number of years but got fed up lugging a huge amount of tackle around and then hurling a lump of lead at the horizon.  The received wisdon for conventionla sea fishing is to fish at night, which I don’t want to do.  In frustration, I took up fly fishing for trout, which I enjoyed, particularly the fact the you are mobile and travel so light.

I have assembled some saltwater fly fishing gear (Snowbee deep blus 9#, cheap as chips reel, and Cortland 444SL sink tip line and a number of flies (clousers and deceivers).  I have been twice but without success.  I am thinking of fishing Hayling Island, which as you will know is close to me.  The two times I have tried have been on the East Winner Bank.  I am thinking of trying Sandy Point.  From what I have read this is a good spot.  Can you guide me to the right area?  I guess somewhere south of the lifeboat station is the best spot.

Your articles about SWFF are always interesting and just don’t exist in any of the other fly fishing magazines either at all or with any level of consistency.  I have therefore bitten the bullet and subscribed to FF&FT;, and I look forward to reading future articles.

Regards,
Philip

Hi Philip,

I’m pleased to hear that you have converted to salt water fly fishing.
The mark you have already visited is a good one. I would persevere with the bank as it tends to be more productive than Sandy Point.If you fish the Winnel from low tide up, especially on a spring, then be careful not to get cut off by the incoming tide. Take a fully charged mobile phone with you,containing the harbour master’s contact number. You have roughly an hour out on the bank from low tide before having to vacate.
It is safer to fish the channel which seperates the bank from the shore, especially on a neap tide.Wade out onto the southern side of the channel from the west side of the bank an hour or two before low. You can then fish the channel until the incoming tide pushes you off the bank, roughly 2 to 3 hours after low. A SW wind is ideal for this.An olive/white sparse DNA Clouser normally brings success in the channel. Under conditions of strong sun shine, a black Clouser fits the bill. Deceivers also work well.
If the wind comes from the east, fish the western edge of the bank from a few hours before low tide, following the tide out and then back in. Even slack water produces fish.
Fish both of these areas with confidence.
Try retreiving the fly with three quick strips then a stop, especially when using a Clouser.
A floating line or sink tip are both fine for this mark.
Keep an eye out for Bass breaking the surface in the channel. Cover them if they do,as they are normally quick to take the fly.
Best of luck and keep us posted.
Colin

Hayling island is an island off the south coast of england, in the borough of havant in the county of hampshire. It is completely surrounded by sea. Looking at its north to south orientation, it is shaped like an inverted T, about 6.5 kilometres long and 6.5 kilometres wide.