The river

After yesterday's session to Ellerdine, where we all caught but had to pay to catch stupid fish; Mick, Jon and me visited a private stretch of the River Manifold today.
Now... last time we went we hadn't got a clue. In the meantime I have had a lesson from John Tyzack and since caught a couple of lovely Tean trout so maybe I could put some more of what I learned into practice. BUT!
On arriving, the owner said, "Needs a bit of water, lads. It is low."
Never mind, we wandered down to the river to tackle up. Sh.t! It was low. I looked and thought, "This is nothing like the Dove, so shallow . We havn't got a chance!" (I have to stop talking to myself!)
I could not do exactly what JT taught me so I needed to adapt.
I was determined to fish the duo, because that is what I wanted to show my mates, so put a JT nymph two foot under a JT sedge. I was hoping that stealth would be the order of the day and with a weed free bottom (not mine) I could nudge the nymph over the stones.
To cut a long story short, I had nine, yes I was counting! nine beautiful wild brownies all caught within 20 yards! They loved the nymph. Further down, I lost a good fish that came to the caddis.
Then the mayfly arrived. A sporadic hatch. We sat and watched the odd fish splash at them and even better, the birds taking them on the wing. How do birds do that? What skill!
Walked down the river, passing a couple of lads who had found the fishing difficult but had had some success on emerger patterns and I decided to have a put in at a superb looking pool. After losing one and cobbling another take on the nymph, I decided, after watching the rises, to tie on a single cdc. Miss, miss, miss, miss.
Some fish were taking mayfly, others smaller flies. I need to practise my striking!
Anyhow. A brilliant day. I now need to tie some decent mayflies as the ones I tried were totally ignored even by the birds!
We also know where the big one lies!

Another blank

Well it wouldn't be fishing if all you reported were excellent days. Well this wasn't one of them and I'm not ashamed of posting this.
We booked a boat and began fishing at 8.30. After half an hour we moved. Nothing. This went on all morning until we packed up. Can't get my head around this. We have never had a day when we never had a tug apart from the rescue day. It just didn't feel right. A North East wind may have had something to do with it.
I did catch another nice perch on my holo buzzer but I can't count it.
Oh well, Ellerdine Saturday with lots of mates if they are up for it. Can't wait! Then the rivers the week after. Yes! I have a week off for the mayfly hatch. Bet it is late this year. Oh bugger...

fly tying

Just putting a few flies together for Blithfield on Saturday. I have tied a beaut which I will try out. If we find the fish, God help them! 'Tis not a lure either. Can't wait!

The Tean...last cast. 2

Been this morning. Lost two. Got one on last cast. Totally different markings, just as superb. This one leapt a good 4 foot out of the water.

The Tean...last cast.

Went to the Tean this morning. The river was still very low and clear. Spooked just about everything as I moved upstream. You don't cast much here, just flick in when you can. I had tied some small tungten nymphs. You really need a different depth in every swim which makes the fishing very tough so did not use the duo, just the single fly and feeling for a take. Absolutely nothing showing as I reached the top of the stretch.

Feeling a bit fed up and cursing my poor skills, I had lost quite a few flies, both to trees and underwater snags, I wandered back to the car. One last go I thought, and flicked the nymph under a nearside bush. Thump! and all hell broke loose. After a nail biting scrap and having to scamper up the bank to get my net, I finally landed my first Tean Trout. Is that not a superb looking fish!

International Rescue Blithfield

Well not quite.
Had a bad experience on the reservior. Very big wave and we couldn't fish where we wanted to. Heading for a more sheltered area, the engine stopped.
Had to drift to shore and be rescued by the bailif. Reason? Bone's line wrapped around the prop. How we laughed. As our boots were full of water and feeling decidedly embarressed we called it a day.