Tuition & Ghillies
Fly fishing is absorbing. For some it’s the scenery and solitude of the wild surroundings. For others it’s the anticipation of what that the next cast will bring. Hours of tranquility are punctuated by heart-racing excitement. It’s addictive, challenging, rewarding and no two days are the same – everyone should try it.
We have two full-time instructors, David Pilkington and Tim Smith. They hold the prestigious Association of Advanced Professional Game Angling Instructors (AAPGAI) qualifications in both single and double-handed disciplines. You will find one or both of them in the Cockpit, the ancient former cock-fighting pit, in the hotel garden every morning at nine o’clock and they are also available every evening at 6.30 p.m. They issue Environment Agency licences, beat-books, maps of the salmon pools, and give freely of their advice on tactics, flies and water conditions. If you do not have your own tackle you can hire everything you need from them, including waders. We also have a well-stocked tackle shop with the latest fishing equipment and a comprehensive selection of local flies. If you fall in or get drenched we also have a very efficient drying room.
Tuition and Ghillie Services
Over the past 60 years thousands of men and women, boys and girls have learned to fish at The Arundell Arms. It is a long tradition of the hotel and one that gives us particular pleasure. Each year we run a number of beginners’ fly-fishing courses on river and still water (please see 'Fishing Courses'), and also give individual and group tuition from beginner to advanced level. In addition, we specialise in modern Spey casting techniques, sea trout night fishing and saltwater fly fishing. Lessons are tailored to suit your needs and requirements and will take place on one of our seven rivers, the lake or on the coast. All tackle can be provided at no extra cost. It is essential to book tuition and ghillies in advance.
Please note:
A ghillie acts as a guide on the river. He will explain where to find the fish and which methods and flies to use. Suited to experienced anglers.
Tuition involves in-depth help on the techniques of casting, fish behaviour, tying knots, choosing flies and much more. Suited to anglers of all abilities.
Guided Night Fishing
Fly fishing at night for sea trout is arguably the cream of westcountry angling. There is nothing quite like the electrifying surge of power as these fish take off into the darkness on a balmy mid-summer night. Best-suited to those who can cast competently, let one of our instructors introduce you to a sublime fishing experience.
Saltwater Fly Fishing
Fly fishing is not just about the pursuit of trout and salmon in rivers or lakes and, by taking to the coast, a whole new world is opened up to the angler. Being just 30 minutes from the north Cornwall and Devon coastline, we regularly take individuals and groups saltwater fly fishing. The hard-fighting bass is the usual target, but pollack, mackerel and garfish also regularly feature in catches, all set under the stunning backdrop of the atlantic coast. Guided days saltwater fly fishing are best suited to people who can cast competently and walk a mile.
The Arundell Arms Fly Rod McNab
Do you like catching wild fish on the fly? Why not try the Arundell Arms Fly Rod Macnab - a wild brown trout, bass and sea trout... on the same day. On the spring tides of July and August, sea trout run the River Tamar system and school bass swarm in the estuaries. Seize the opportunity to enjoy a full day's guided fly fishing for these truly wild fish, in spectacular surroundings. Our resident instructors will lead you on the Macnab, fishing for wild browns in the morning, bass on the coast in the afternoon and then sea trout at night. If you think this is for you, if you can cast competently and walk a mile, then contact us for details. Limited to six anglers per day between two instructors. Tackle supplied at no extra cost.
Loch-Style Boat Fishing
The 700-acre Roadford Lake is just a ten-minute drive from the hotel and offers rewarding fishing for brown trout using traditional wet flies, dry flies and nymphs. From 2012 we are please to offer a day's guided boat fishing, drifting this hugely picturesque lake with the chance of encountering some of its superb quality brown trout. An ideal day on the water for two anglers with one ghillie, the price (please see Fishing Tariff page) includes fishing permits, boat hire, ghillie charges and use of our electric outboard motor. Tackle supplied at no extra cost.
