Transporting tying materials to England

[Jim Degnan]

I am going to be spending about 6 weeks in England and would like to take some flytying materials along. I'm fairly sure synthetics won't pose a problem, but deer, muskrat and feathers might. I'll be packing them in checked luggage in a sealed box along with my tools.
Any suggestions?
Jim Degnan

[mikenewman]

Restrictions generally apply to foodstuffs and products derived from endangered species. However feathers could be particularly sensitive 'cos of avian bird flu. There is a customs advice line that you could contact for definitive advice:011 44 208 929 0152
If you aim on doing some fishing as well as tying I'd be happy to offer advice on venues, according to where you are staying.

Mike

[Jim Degnan]

Mike-
Thanks for your info. I am staying Bath for about 6 wks. (Daughter is having a baby, so we will be pretty much staying in the area.) I fished Chew Lake last year with a guide, Martin Cottis, and we had a great time. I want to go back there.
Sounds like the Avon has a lot of carp-type fish, but I don't see anything on fly approaches (yet).
Again,
Thanks
JJD

[mikenewman]

Hi Jim

I fished Blagdon Lake for about 10 years (Sister lake to Chew and the place where reservoir trout fishing started) So if you fancied a change from Chew give it a go. John Horsey is a well known British guide who works out of Blagdon and specialises in dry fly:- http://www.johnhorsey.co.uk/index.htm
Not a good area for river fishing I'm afraid, unless you want to pay exorbitant prices to fish recently stocked rainbows on the Test. Although I understand this is a pretty little river in Gloucestershire and worth a look:- River Coln, Fairford = Bull Hotel, Fairford 01285 712535
Another firm favourite of mine is:-
Barnes Lakes, Witney = 01865 300343. John Barnes is a great bloke who runs 3 lakes on a catch and release basis with dry fly and small nymphs only allowed. I have had some fantastic days there in spring and early summer and mid week could see you having the whole place to yourself.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Mike

[Jim Degnan]

Mike-
Thanks for the tips. I will contact those places once I figure out our schedule. Barnes Lakes sounds really interesting.
Meanwhile, I 'm tying some buzzers for Chew. The ones I was given are very sparse, but they worked quite well.
Good Luck and Tight Lines,
JJD