Well, after all the insightful help and tips, I thought it would be polite to show how I got on during my three weeks leave:
Spent a fair bit of time practising on the ADAA waters, mainly trying to fish upstream Spiders. Due to lack of time for fly tying, I was using Partridge and Orange, Partridge and Green & Stewarts Spiders. Probably had 5 trips of 6 hours from 1000 to 1600.
Caught plenty small trout, but only 1 good fish of a 1.5lb, all released of course. (cannot get picture to upload) Rest were less than 1/3lb.
I have sussed out upstream bite detection providing I do not cast more than, say, 15ft of fly line. Anymore than that I start to strugle to pick up the 'dart' of the line.
Been fishing relatively fast water and avoiding slow deep water
Q1 - Is the deliberate avoidance of deep slow water an incorrect assumption? Spiders look like they should be fished in broken and fast water
Q2 - Would you suggest this approx 25ft range limitation is too small / close for larger fish? This is kind of related to Q1, if the water is not fast and broken, then it must be very difficult to wade so close to a larger fish
This is my first season with the club, first sustained attempt at spider fishing and I think it has been an encouraging start. Bloody exhasting though!!!
Cheers!
James