Not Elysian fields by any means, but when the crowds of visitors have gone home the Sport in Bakewell can be a pleasant diversion for the last hour or so of the fishing day. One of the many advantages of living right next to the Derbyshire Wye includes coming across a Brother of the Angle, who might even be glad to see me!
Mick Martin (Trugg) is a familiar sight on the river and as well as being a Brother of the Angle, he is also a
Brother of the Blogosphere. He was pleased to see me tonight as he was attached to a fine rainbow trout, which had decided it wanted to be elsewhere. He was just engaged in negotiations with this fish so far as getting it to come back upstream after it had taken a short trip down river on the wrong side of one of the bridge supports. The rod, a rather lightweight little toothpick in blonde, built-cane, was being sorely tested. Negotiations had reach a standstill. The fish wouldn't come up river anymore and Mick wouldn't let it go back down river. Stalemate? It was a pleasure to pick up Mick's long handled landing net and reach down behind his fish and gently envelop it in the soft meshes.
Mick had come prepared to protect any fish he caught in this hard paved area, his unhooking mat ensured the trout had as comfortable a time as is possible out of water. Whilst he attended to hook removal, I took the opportunity of snatching a couple of pictures for myself and one more for Mick with his own camera. The rainbow was gently lowered back where it lived and in a few moments was back in mid-river.
After exchanging a few pleasantries we parted, each of us with a happy smile and frame of mind. One of the best things I did EVER was move house to the side of this lovely river. One of the best things I did TODAY was pop out of the door for a few minutes and come across Mick...
Regular Rod
Nice story.
ReplyDeleteThat is a hefty fish for such a light rod.
Well done Mick.
Nice fish gents - well done! You're very lucky to have fish & a river of that quality on your door step :)
DeleteRob
You definitely saved me bacon RR, your arrival through the secret garden was timed to perfection. I hope to repay you in the future.
ReplyDeleteMick
Nice fish and an even nicer person.
ReplyDeleteI owe a great deal to Mick with whom i have been very fortunate
to spend some great sunday evenings with on the glorious Derbyshire Wye.
As Glen would say " Nice One Mick"
Look forward to meeting up again.
Paul.
Hello from California, Los Angeles to be specific. Found your blog just roaming around the Internet, very glad too. Spent a few days in Bakewell, summer of 2009 after the Edinburgh Festival, fished the Peacock water and had a fine time. Stayed up the hill in Youlgreaves, fine little old town. Lovely area, many thanks for taking me back.
ReplyDeleteI've forgotten the name of the gent in the small fly shop in Bakewell, 2nd floor, up the stone steps -- do you know his name?
thanks again,
Darrell K.
Hello Darrell
DeleteHis name is Peter and a a very popular chap he is too.
His website is http://bakewellflyfishing.co.uk/
When are you coming back? The fishing is even better than it was in 2009!
Regular Rod
Peter yes, had a nice time at his tiny but cozy shop.
ReplyDeleteWill return for the brown that yanked my Orvis down violently as I was on 4' high bank, had no long net, nettles all around, impossible position and sit -- so I clamped on line and intentionally broke him off. Believe it was a 'him,' so strong and violent was the short fight. You know that terrible yanking when it's a 15"+ brown? Useless, useless.
Will return someday, when the bank lets me!
When you come back remember:
DeleteLong Handled Net
Overtrousers (nettles mean nothing)
Thick shirt (nettles mean nothing again)
Strong tippet
Strong hook
Were you across the river from the Cricket Pavilion?
Regular Rod
Hm, not sure -- parked in the area outside of town, passed the gate with warning sign and that big, swirly area, fished upstream hop-scotching to open casting area. I'm confirmed on the small streams of the American West and used to guerilla casting techniques -- but you fellows over there, my god man, we Yank fly fishers will be glad to arrange a WW II-style lend lease, send you pruning shears, hedge trimmers and machetes to clear the land. Mr. Peter of the shop-up-the-old-stone-stairs directed me; found some nice angling, too. He seemed to like my Red Thread Spinner, which works well on U.S. flat water, picky browns.
ReplyDeleteI go on because I'm reliving that marvelous drive-through, Edingburgh to Glasgow, through the old industrial cities, finally back to Heathrow. With manual shift on the rental. And before I forget, must remember to bring dynamite for your damned roundabouts. But a fine time. Hadrian's Wall country, ahhh.