French Nymphing is the fifth DVD from the Fish On team. This latest release is well timed with the upsurge in interest of fishing long leader methods.
If you haven't seen any of the previous DVDs they are presented by well known professional guide and multi winning competition angler John Tyzack and actor Dean Andrews who amongst his many acting credits is probably best recognised as DC Ray Carling from Ashes to Ashes and Life on Mars.
The format is a simple one. Two friends fishing a river, having some fun and of course discussing their tactics. Dean fishes under JTs tutelage and asks the sort of questions that anglers would be asking if they were in his shoes. I have to say though having fished with Dean he is a very fine angler himself!
There is 3 hours of viewing spread over 2 DVD's. The first has fishing on the Clyde in Scotland and the Wye in Derbyshire. The DVD starts on the Clyde. I don't want to spoil things too much but the Clyde has been on my list of must fish places and having watched the fishing the guys had it is now near the very top.
The filming is first class and well thought out and there are some great fishing and fish shots. I wondered a little why there was little mention of the techniques on the Clyde but as the Derbyshire section started JT talked about casting long leaders and set ups. In hindsight I suspect the guys wanted to show the techniques in action and how effective they are before moving into things a little more.
So, we've had an early season Scottish trout stream and we move down to Derbyshire to fish a river in summer on its bones (shot last summer). It gives a good mix and shows how long leader fishing works in a variety of situations but the key to its effectiveness essentially puts distance between you and the fish, minimises disturbance on the water and allows you to get spectacular drag free drifts.
The second DVD includes tying the patterns used, equipment, leader set ups, a beginners guide and a short history of nymphing techniques. The leader set ups, beginners guide are real gems and the short history of nymphing techniques is really good. If you are new to French nymphing then I would watch these sections first, watch disc 1 and then go tie the patterns.
The thing I really like is the honesty. There is no clever editing that makes the shots of getting caught in trees magically disapear. Let's face it, we all get hung up in trees and I respect the guys for leaving that in.
If I were looking to try fishing with long leaders for the first time or wanted to take my French nymphing on a step then I would look no further.
Watch a trailer for the DVD HERE and visit the Fish On website HERE