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.

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Hectic is my excuse for the lack of blog entries over the last 2 weeks, prior to going on holiday I met up with Ian May to do some filming on the river whilst nymphing. The very man below with more guts than I to expose nigh on six grands worth of kit to the river.

The aforementioned holiday saw Sarah, Holly and I take to a cottage in Barbrook (Exmoor) for some much needed peace & quite. The downside however was the trout season had ended and the cottage had access to a lovely stream… tut!

Are we there yet?… a rather disgruntled Holly.

Luckily the weather stayed mild and mostly dry so days were spent either visiting the glorious beach at Woolacombe or exploring the moors. Ahhh the fresh air…

…oh! and lots of sheep, cow and horse s##t which holly found ideal as a snack in between meals.

Although the peace and quiet were welcome, I couldn’t venture out without the just in case, you never know fishing stuff. I managed to tie up with good friend Pete Tyjas in the hope of some fishing. Unfortunately an early morning deluge put pay to any hopes we had of tucking into a few target grayling… high and stained is probably a polite way to describe the rivers appearance.

Never mind, we enjoyed one of our far too infrequent get togethers and talked about developing the ESF ezine over coffee for a few hours at a local pit stop.

Having returned home subsequently with an unfortunate 8 hour trek on the back of an AA truck due to a breakdown (What a calamity of biblical proportions that was), it’s been back on to the river with Warren… we’re looking at shot patterns and fly weight for nymphs. The recent rainy weather has given the river some height so plenty for us to work on. Yesterday afternoon was superb with Warrens setup coming up trumps to steal the days best numbers and catch.

Although olives were abound we saw no more than 2 rises throughout the afternoon, regardless… they were to be ignored today for the sake of the nymph.

Shallow stretches that were no more. It was good to know the river well and where the pockets and hazards potentially exist. Not for safety I might add, I just didn’t want dunking.

Fishing into the wee small hours, I say ‘wee’ & ‘small’ but meant about 6pm… I was almost blind as a bat from there on in, the only downside to October onwards – your fishing days get shorter.

Now it’s prepping for the AAPGAI meet up this week. I’m assessing candidates and doing demos… the highlight is meeting up with guys ‘n’ gals I’ve not seen as a result of the country fair cancellations that have dogged us throughout the year. If you’re up for a day out we have an open day on Saturday the 20th… more details.

Here’s looking forward to many grayling days from here forthwith… until then, enjoy your fishing.

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