I’m grateful for a number of rivers within easy reach able to survive the most dismal of weather and thus provide some exceptional fishing amongst the free fall that is Autumn, one such river is the Test. After yesterdays biblical downpour I was pretty confident that although a little more height would be expected, clarity and abundance of fish could be as much assured as I would dare to wish. 

Meeting up with trio, Nick, Matt and Gareth who’d fished rivers on only but as few occasions, oh! how we were not to be disappointed. In a warming sun and with little or no wind to be of concern we were greeted with some incredible hatches of BWO’s, I needed to look no further than a cdc emerger imitation from my good friend Tony Riley for top ‘o’ the water stuff, and…

… Warren McCarthy’s Copperhead Olive Quill nymph.

Given their casting prowess the guys were into fish almost immediately, carnage ensued.

At times they just didn’t know where to cast for rises and scurrying fish.

From top to bottom, there was not a jot of disappointment

Targeting visible fish where possible in only but the slightest of tinged water

We hit upon some stunning fish, those in season and very welcome…

…and those perhaps not so.

How contort can a man be to grab a fish… Nick finds out.

Gareth in the lower reaches putting the residents under yet more pressure.

A sequence of events, we stand and watch just prior to lunch.

Cast at the fishy type shape on a gravel lie…

The shape moves and nails your fly…

Take control of said fishy shape…

Bag said shape and grin like the proverbial…

Realise this fishy shape was not what you were otherwise after… but be no less disappointed.

Lunch… loads to talk about, the biggest, the strongest, the heaviest and the smallest – who’s?

Afterwards and although with temperatures dropping… the carnage continued.

Looking out upon what was just an incredible session of fishing, personal bests in one way or another set by each. Guys it was an absolute blast, days like these could only be bettered if I’d actually had a rod in my hand. Terrific fun – look forward to the next.

Subscribe to this blog

Learning the finer art of fly fishing… Holy mother where the hell did all that just come from?

and yet a silver lining… the sun doth shine briefly and there seems a glimmer of hope…

An awesome afternoons fishing with newcomer Nigel, an introduction to long rod light line fishing on the river… although loosing many a speedy fish he did manage to pluck some absolute beauties…

In high, pushing yet gin clear water this spade tail stunner took some time to bring in… ‘knocking knees Nigel’ however was more than up to the task. The best fish I’ve seen on this river all season falling to the ever reliable Red Neck Pheasant Tail Nymph

Really pleased, I’ve never done so much fishing… both with clients and friends there never seems to be a spare day or dull moment, looking forward to some trips up North and across to the Irfon with some great guys for an annual pilgrimage… enjoy your fishing all.