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Saturday, July 16, 2011

Fly fishing gets new meaning... from hot air balloon


Catching fish on the fly: Pub landlord uses hot air balloon to float 10ft above river... but fails to get a single bite

Last updated at 11:30 AM on 16th July 2011
    Taking extreme fishing to new heights one man decided to do a spot of angling from his hot air balloon.
Landlord, Dave Newman, amused regulars as he launched from the garden of his White Lion pub in Wilton, Herefordshire.
The 50-year-old hoped to catch larger salmon in the middle of the River Wye which are normally unreachable.
Fly fishing: Pub landlord Dave Newman took to the skies with his rod using a hot air balloon
Fly fishing: Pub landlord Dave Newman took to the skies with his rod using a hot air balloon
But after 30 minutes of casting his rod 10ft above the river Mr Newman failed to get a single bite.
He said: 'It was a bit of a lark really, I normally wade in so far and fly-fish but can't get to the larger ones in the middle.

    'I thought a hot air balloon would help me reach the places other fishermen can't get to but, alas, it wasn't to be.'
    The balloon, which was provided by Wye Valley Aviation Ltd proprietor Ian Ashpole, is more commonly used for carrying TV reporters and cameramen.
    Up, up and away: Mr Newman amused regulars as he launched from the grounds of his 16th century pub
    Up, up and away: Mr Newman amused regulars as he launched from the grounds of his 16th century pub
    Mr Ashpole, told local reporters: 'The customers at the White Lion thought it was all very amazing, so it was just a bit of fun on a nice summer evening.' 
    One blogger, hookedforver responded to the news: 'Absolute wacko, how did he expect to land the fish... or should I say sky it as he has no net. Good effort though.'
    The River Wye is the fifth-longest river in the UK and for parts of its length forms part of the border between England and Wales.
    It has been considered one of the best rivers for salmon fishing in the UK, outside of Scotland but in recent years numbers have drastically declined.
    Mr Newman added: 'It was my first attempt at ‘fly fishing’ and it was great fun but I didn’t catch anything on that flight – but I’ll certainly consider giving it another shot!'


    Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2015400/Catching-fish-fly-Pub-landlord-uses-hot-air-balloon-float-10ft-river--fails-single-bite.html#ixzz1SH3v2nZT

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