A delicate cotton like flurry descends from upon high…
… then a shed load wafts in ‘all horizontal like’ tagged to a 20 mile an hour wind with a biting chill just for good measure. Summer!… is someone having a laugh?
With the rivers almost lifeless and uninspiring, today was spent at the superb Manningford Trout Fishery. It was surprising not to see many anglers out today… oh yes!, perhaps it’s something to do with that global catastrophe known as an ‘Ice Age’ in the making.
Todays returning duo of Ron and son Stuart had previously river fished on a day not too dissimilar, worthy of better conditions this time around, sadly it was not to be… it was far worse.
An hour or so brushing up on casting fundamentals and the double haul which would pay dividends on such a day, lead to the inevitable want of ‘man’ to go hunt and gather… ‘fishing’.
Sorry Jim, did you say go outside?… and do what?… you mean in this?… for how long?
Are you serious?… walk away from this burning hunk of warmth?… come again!
I’m warm and I’m enjoying this… it’s fun, it’s fun, the biting wind is a figment of my imagination.
I am warm, I am warm…
In the meantime, Stuart’s up and running. Don’t fight the elements, work with them… positioning himself just right to be aided by such conditions he’s nailed a fish just inches beneath the surface on a damsel nymph.
A fine fighting fettle of a fish.
Confidence counts… fishing well and with a few plucks here and there, Stuarts in again.
A warmth to cut through the cold just prior to a deserved break… there’s a happy chap!
Having scoffed lunch in the warmth of an ever welcoming lodge, the weather turns for the worse yet again. Moving away from the more open Manor Lake, we opt for a more sheltered location… that of ‘Squires’ Lake.
A fair walk from one to the other, we cadge a lift with the fishery manager… (H&S – ya think!)
Respite at last, slightly more salubrious surroundings with an air of calm.
Free rising Damsels everywhere, this one with a tin helmet feeding on moss?
Calm waters are ruffled as Ron hits into a fish
This one had just swallowed a tennis ball… pucker and plump little fighter…………… and the fish.
Another super fish, all worthy of respect and a decent sauce… nom nom.
The day didn’t let up at all, the later afternoon becoming ever more bitter and with continued flurries of the white stuff, it soon brought the session to a close.
Awesome fishing and perseverance from Ron and Stuart, it just goes to show that with a willingness to wrap up sensibly, and to then venture out on such a barmy day… can turn into a very productive and enjoyable one.
If your huddled at home, go grab a cuppa and get away from it all with a meander through this months edition of Eat, Sleep, Fish.
