Saturday 28 August 2021

Out For Trout


I tend to neglect the local(ish) chalk stream - then when winter rolls around I think 'must fish it next season' - not this year - a break from the barbel and an afternoon targeting wild brown trout...


I was in two minds; stick 'n' pin or fly gear - but it's really overgrown and I didn't fancy an afternoon climbing trees to retrieve my fly - the pin it was. As it happens I did end up wading out to rescue a float!


The stream is gin-clear, the deep bits are less than a foot 'deep' and you can jump across it - I did - I jumped across to prove you can jump across - no half measures on this blog!


The trout are surprisingly difficult to spot in the shallow water, using any bit of weed or overhanging trees for cover. And often they see you long before you've seen them - once they've spotted you they bolt!


But despite spooking more than I fished for, about a dozen hard fighting trout to about 4lb found the net - the biggest jumping up a waterfall mid-fight! Brilliant afternoon in the sunshine!

8 comments:

  1. Excellent. You certainly are blessed with the waters you can fish Brian. There are men would give their left nut for a chance at trout like that.
    The last stream I decided I could jump across was actually about a foot farther than I could jump and at least a foot deeper than expected. Self assessment alters along with the aging process - you have been warned.

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    1. I really should fish it more often, I can get there in just over an hour - might head back with the fly gear before the season ends. Beautiful little stream and wild brown trout.

      Picked a very safe spot to jump across - still a daft thing to do - but we all end up in the water occasionally!!

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    2. Cracking stuff again Brian, I love these small rivers and you caught some crackers. Nothing like that in this neck of the woods.

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    3. Cheers. Not many people know the stream is there, and only a handful know there are trout in it - really should spend more time exploring it.

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  2. It certainly is a gem that small region, plenty of little hold ups and lots of little riffles and pools to work etc, make the most of it, never know when it'll be wiped out...

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    1. Beautiful little stream - I really should spend more time exploring it. Looks completely devoid of fish until you start finding those little features - then it comes to life! Let’s hope it’s around for plenty of years to come...

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    1. Fantastic afternoon. Makes me wonder about all the other hidden gems out there...

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