Fishing Tuition & Courses
Fly fishing is absorbing. For some it's the scenery and solitude of the wild surroundings. For others it's the anticipation of what 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 fishing instructors, David Pilkington and Tim Smith. They both hold the prestigious AAPGAI advanced qualifications. Over the past 60 years thousands of men and women, boys and girls have learned to fish at The Arundell Arms. Each year we run a number of beginners’ fly-fishing courses on river and still water, and also give individual and group tuition from beginner to advanced level.
The prices below include all fishing charges and tackle hire, but not an EA rod licence (available from the hotel from £3.75 per day) or any accommodation.
A 'full day' covers a minimum of four hours with an instructor; plus fishing on the beat for the day. A 'half day' covers a minimum of two hours with an instructor; plus fishing for the remainder of the morning or afternoon session.
The tuition, guiding and fishing courses are all available to non-residents of the hotel.
One-to-One, Group Tuition and Guiding
Whether you have never picked up a fishing rod before or are an experienced angler looking to brush up your casting or fishing skills, our instructors are here to help.
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 guides in advance.
Price:
£185 per person, full day.
£200 for 2-3 persons, full day.
£260 for 4-5 persons, full day.
£120 per person (under 17), full day.
£100 per person, half day.
£140 for 2-3 persons, half day.
£160 for 4-5 persons, half day.
£70 per person (under 17), half day.
Four-Day Beginners' Course
A four-day course in trout fishing for beginners from age 11 upwards. Our most popular course. Complete beginners, handling a fly rod for the first time, can come on one of these courses and be led gradually, stage by stage, to the point where after four days they will be able to fish for river and lake trout reasonably well by themselves.
The course involves a day's casting instruction followed by a day's stillwater fishing at Tinhay Lake, leading to two days' fishing on the rivers. This in-depth, practical instruction is combined with workshops and lectures on tackle, safety, fly-tying, entomology, rivercraft, fish behaviour and much more.
This course - while continually updated - has been run at The Arundell Arms for over 60 years and has been the starting point for thousands of fly fishers.
Price:
£465 per person.
£290 per person (under 17).
2013 Dates:
Friday 5th – Monday 8th April
Friday 3rd – Monday 6th May
Friday 26th – Monday 29th July
Friday 16th – Monday 19th August
Two-Day Beginners' Course
A condensed version of our four-day course, the weekend two-day course involves a day on the lake followed by a day on our beautiful rivers. Practical instruction in trout fishing is combined with workshops and lectures to give a comprehensive grounding in the sport. You will be taught basic fly casting, fly choice, knots, the habits of fish and the techniques with which to catch them.
Price:
£275 per person.
£195 per person (under 17).
2013 Dates:
Saturday 13th – Sunday 14th April
Saturday 18th – Sunday 19th May
Saturday 15th – Sunday 16th June
Saturday 6th – Sunday 7th July
Saturday 31st August – Sunday 1st September
One-Day Beginners' Course
A one-day taster course in stillwater fly fishing for trout. A great entry to the art of angling, this course is based at Tinhay Lake. Spend the morning learning the basics of fly casting and the afternoon in pursuit of your first trout.
Price:
£99 per person.
2013 Dates:
Thursday 18th April
Thursday 16th May
Thursday 13th June
Thursday 15th August
Thursday 12th September
Salmon Fishing Beginners' Course
A weekend course in practical instruction on fishing for atlantic salmon. Suited to trout fishermen and women looking to branch out and learn to fish for the 'king of fish'. The course covers modern spey casting techniques, rivercraft, fly selection, the salmon lifecycle, spinning and much more. Hundreds of people have caught their first salmon with us at The Arundell Arms - this course is the perfect step to try for yours.
Price:
£275 per person.
£195 per person (under 17).
2013 dates:
Saturday 5th –Sunday 6th October
Wild Trout Festival
Join us this summer at The Arundell Arms for the Westcountry Wild Trout Festival. Fish four days during the peak of the season and enjoy casting to free-rising wild brownies in beautiful surroundings.
Price:
£130 per person per day, inclusive of B&B accommodation.
£495 per person for four days, inclusive of B&B accommodation.
2013 dates:
Sunday 2nd - Wednesday 5th June
Sea Trout Weekend
Fishing at night for sea trout is the most exciting fishing the UK has to offer the sporting angler. During the middle of July, the sea trout run on the Tamar system is near its peak and some truly electrifying fishing can be had on the beautiful rivers Lyd and Tamar.
Price:
£130 per person per day, inclusive of B&B accommodation.
£250 per person for both days, inclusive of B&B accommodation.
2013 dates:
Saturday 13th - Sunday 14th July
Guided Sea Trout 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 have some fly fishing experience and can cast competently, let one of our instructors introduce you to a sublime fishing experience.
Price:
£110 per person.
£140 for 2 persons.
£170 for 3 persons.
£200 for 4 persons.
Guided 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.
Price:
£150 for 1-3 persons, full day.
Guided 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 that grow to over 7lb. 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 fish. An ideal day on the water for two anglers with one ghillie, the price includes fishing permits, boat hire, guide charges and use of our electric outboard motor. Tackle can be supplied at no extra cost.
Price:
£185 per person, full day.
£200 for 2 persons, full day.
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 the summer, 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.
Price:
£185 per person.
£200 for 2-3 persons.
£375 for 4-6 persons.
2013 dates:
Tuesday 9th July
Thursday 11th July
Tuesday 3rd September
