Lydia Thomas at 18 is a rising star in the fly fishing firmament. Even at such a comparative young age, she is exuding the sort of confidence and skills of someone much older.
We are proud to have Lydia as one of our ambassadors, along with Jacob Lewis: they offer the sort of youthful vigour which makes Fishing for Schools the positive force it has become for young people and anglers.
Discover more about Lydia as she provides Fishing for Schools an insight into her fishing journey.
Lydia, when did you start fishing?
I started fishing at about the age of eight; that’s when I picked up my first rod at the stone pier in Weymouth. However, when I really got into it was aged 11. That’s when I received my first fly fishing rod for my birthday.
Was fly fishing first or did you, like so many of us, fish for course fish?
I first bait fished for little wrasse and pouting, but really started fishing properly when I picked up a fly rod.
What first attracted me was the casting. It was beautiful watching Dad cast the line while I sat beside him. I wasn’t even thinking about catching a fish - it was all about the casting.
I think it fascinated me because I’d never seen that style of fishing before, where the line is kept up in the air. Rather than just one straight cast.
What were your earliest recollections of the sport?
Some of my earliest memories of the sport include my first casting lesson with John Aplin. This was just after my birthday and how fun it was! I also remember not catching much at first. It took me a while to watch my first wild brown, but when I finally did, it was an amazing feeling.
Can you remember the hardest thing when you started fishing: what did you do to overcome it?
The hardest thing for me was tying knots. I remember struggling with that more than anything else - making sure the knot was secure before casting. I overcame this with practice, repeating it until it became second nature.
I have to ask… what was your first fish?
My first fish was a wrasse or pouting. But the “proper” fish was a rainbow trout from a local set of lakes.
Who has inspired you in your pursuit of fly fishing?
Over the years there have been many people who have inspired me to become a better angler and person. I cannot mention everyone, so here are a few: John Aplin, Gilly Bate, Mike Fulmer, Charles Jardine and of course my family.
What has been most important thing since you started fly fishing?
The most important thing I’ve learned since fly fishing is the perfect cast and patience. Making the perfect cast first time is when you have the highest chance of catching the fish. So, knowing how to do the perfect cast and how the cast works is crucial.
Patience is also very important, because having to wait to see a fish rising can take time, and having the patience just to watch the water means that I’ll be able to see stuff that another angler may have missed. For example, how quickly leaves are moving across the water and how I need to change my cast to make sure there isn’t drag on my fly.
I know a number of people have assisted you with casting and other areas - is this a help or hindrance? What is the best piece of advice in this particular area?
Having people help me has definitely been a benefit. Learning from experienced anglers has improved my casting and overall approach. However, some advice has been counterproductive, or if I don’t understand it then, I may understand it in the future. The best piece of advice I have been given is about line tension. Having control of the line to be able to make the perfect cast.
Do you tie your own flies?
I first started tying flies in the first Covid lockdown with my sister. Since then, I have continued to tie my own flies and try to catch all my fish on my own. I have enjoyed following patterns and designing my own. For example: Lydia's secret fly, the LSF.
Where do you see the sport in 20 years’ time?
Hopefully in the next 20 years there will be many more young people getting into the sport and it is more popular. This is because not only is it good because you get to catch fish, but it's good for mental wellbeing. In addition, I would like to hope that there will be an increase of sustainable fishing and improved water quality.
Do you enjoy other aspects of angling now, or just fly fishing?
I very much also enjoy lure fishing. I’ve done this in both river and sea, catching perch, pike, chub, wrasse, pouting, bass and squid. I work at a tackle shop, and they specialise in Japanese lures, so I’m very lucky to be able to go out fishing with them and catch all these different fish.
How important would a formal qualification in Angling and the Countryside be to people you might know in your age group?
This qualification will be very important for lots of people. It gives young people a chance to get a recognised qualification when they may not get any other one. It is also important because not only does it mean people can get a certificate, but they will have the opportunity to grow their own knowledge and confidence. To help better themselves and help protect the environment.
Favourite place to fish?
Although I’ve fished in many different areas and on different bodies of water, my favourite place to fish is on the Upper Dorset Frome. It's the river I grew up beside and the place I learnt how to fish.
Biggest fish or most memorable capture?
The biggest fish I’ve caught was from Sutton Bingham; it was a wild carp on the fly. It was so fun to catch, and I hope to beat my own record in the new season.
But one of my most memorable captures was taking my aunt out to a couple of lakes and helping her catch her first fish. It was so much fun teaching her to cast then her proceeding to catch. It was amazing!