From a recent trip away in the form of a photo expedition with Sarah & dogs… aka Murphy & Holly.
To an active week with Vision evolutioneering… (Some good stuff and comms coming soon),
It was a pleasant return to the river today with father and son duo Bill & Jamie from Gloucester. Early session hours spent understanding the tools for the job, namely that of rod & line and visiting some key casting fundamentals.
Casting sorted, father ‘Bill’ & son ‘Jamie’ address the river (Score 0-0)
Things are looking up, olives in abundance and a moderate hatch of Mayfly…
The only thing not looking up were the fish. With fly life evident, although sparse in areas I grant you… there was not a rise to be seen. It was still quite early however so prudent to get into fish quickly as was our ’want’. With olive plentiful in this river, it was a no brainer to therefor turn to short lining with a small quill imitation (#18)
Within no more than 5 minutes, Jamie’s into and playing a cracking trout… (1-0)
…that was last seen slipping the hook and making it’s way back into the pool from whence it came.
With little time for reflection of his loss, he was soon into another within several casts. (2-0)
This time and with some pace, it was brought to bear in thy net.
Pining for some dry fly activity, it was still not to be… meandering along the river it was to the nymph we sought continued favour.
The lower reaches and Bill is into his first at last (2-1)
Finding a good lie holding several fish, his dutiful son takes care of things for his Lordship. (2-2)
Don’t go anywhere son… this one as well please, another from his next cast. (2-3)
All be it some off season grayling, they were coming thick and fast for Bill.
Dad! you’re having a laugh, No.4 in as many casts and Jamie qualifies as a fully fledged ‘ghillie’.
Another beautiful looking trout (2-5)
Leaving dad to it… Jamie moves upstream into the shallows. Dad downstream has just made it (2-6)
Pulling it back with a wee trout to (3-6), Jamie nails another from tight marginal cover… (4-6)
It’s a stunning trout too, one that takes some controlling as it writhes and splashes to find some purchase in the skinniest of water. Unfortunately it slips the hook and we both cower, head in hands at the loss of such a fish before being able to admire it a bit more closely… and yes! too have taken a photo or two as well. Thankfully Jamie is a GoPro fan and captured it, if all but for its netting.
With the afternoon looking more sullen and in the continued absence of risers, Bill maintains the search for fish with the nymph.
A last combination before we conclude, a chocolate box wild brown trout… (5-6)
…and a winkle of a grayling squared things up a 6 fish each for the day… and a tough one at that.
There’s nowt so competitive than that of family on a sporting front, rules are made up as you go along in favour of seniority. It makes for jocular conversation and much p%@£ taking. A great afternoon guys with much hilarity ~ thanks.
Although I feel we’re catching up, we’re still about 3 weeks out of kilter as to where we should be seasonally here. Interesting comparison listening to those exhibitors at the Chelsea Flower Show this week who’ve needed to force on some of their exhibits artificially, they lay claim to being circa 4 weeks behind.
With temperatures and wind speeds fluctuating on a daily basis, the only consistency is that of inconsistency… here’s looking forward to some settled weather soon.
