If you ever get the chance to become a tenant or even an owner of some nice fishing water, it is highly recommended that you find the money somehow and take it on. Today in Duck Holds Wood, only three furlongs long but big and meandering so you never feel restricted, being alone with Henry was especially joyful.
The dry fly fishing here is very good. Monsters are rare but the numbers of "lesser" fish are such that, now May is with us properly, one couldn't imagine failing to catch a few nice wild brown and wild rainbow trout. Whilst setting up the rod a drake landed on Henry's head for an instant. Your blogger took the hint and put on a
Hair Winged Mayfly (HWM) to begin proceedings.
Seated on a silted gravel bed, peering
contre jour up river at the Bridge Weir Pool it was clear that mayflies were coming off the water and some were being eaten by the trout. First cast proved the fly was a good choice and here was this year's first fish on the mayfly for your faithful correspondent.
Not a monster but perfect nonetheless and a joy to behold. Henry was his usual concerned self that the fish had "escaped" mysteriously after it had clearly been safely trapped in the net. "How and why does this happen every time?" he must wonder...
The only "skills" needed today were stealth, some quiet, contemplative observation and a few careful casts to "where the fish are".
There was one fish, however, that defied all attempts to trick it. Its lair was so well protected by clawing fingers of vegetation that every cast missed completely or was momentarily caught up in the twigs above. Never mind, it was great to see a boss fish in a boss place. Next time I will remember the camera and a polarizing filter. The telephone, although remarkable for a 'phone, is just not as capable as a good camera would have been,
Don't let anything get in the way of your fishing in the next four or five weeks!
Regular Rod
Lovely looking water Rod. I wonder, since a mayfly landed on Henry's head you knew what fly to start with, what fly do I use when a low flying bird flies overhead and deposits a gift on your head?
ReplyDeleteHoward where I come from there's a saying: "Shit for Luck!" Implying that when you find some landing on you, or you find yourself standing in it, Good Luck will follow. Take it as a sign that you are in for a fantastic day of fishing and put your favourite fly on to make a start.
DeleteRR
I just love that water. It reminds me so much of a couple of streams I fish, though the wild rainbows would be replaced by brook trout. The browns are their though, and I'm sure it's the same way on your stream: they are a bit more difficult to tempt!
ReplyDeleteRod
ReplyDeleteYou are truly blessed to have such a place to wet a fly, gorgeous water and colorful rainbow. I will take that size trout all day on the fly. What weight fly rod were you using? Thanks for sharing
I sure am blessed Bill. It is almost the ultimate privilege to be the tenant here. It is a source of joy just to step in there, especially with Henry.
DeleteThe rod is called an Eighty Eight, made of built cane by Sharpes of Aberdeen in the '60s. It's 8ft 8in long (hence the name) and throws a #5 line. I bought it new for the equivalent of a month's wages in 1968. It's cork handle has worn so that it fits my hand. Using it is most satisfying.
RR
That water looks good but it also looks like snag heaven. If you get a nice fish there's a place for them to try and get tangle every direction.
ReplyDeleteSnag Heaven is about right Kevin but I never fish light tippets in such places... :-)
DeleteRR