Slightly Wild

Why is it that so many trout fishers are averse to river fishing? Is it the percieved complication and high cost? Hard to say- but lately I've really enjoyed getting out and introducing some other, stillwater anglers to some favourite wild streams.

First up was work mate Pete Thomas, who couldn't believe just how beautiful the Little Dart by Witheridge was, and for just £5 a day! We caught several beautiful little brownies between us and Pete loved the whole experience, real commando stuff. I was almost a little apologetic about the size of the fish- which we had to 10". Pete, who is used to catching stocked browns and rainbows into double figures, couldn't have cared less- these brownies were the "real deal" in his own words! Have I converted someone?

Next week it was the turn of my Dad- who also tends to do the stillwater thing, but was pleasantly surprised by another Angling 2000 beat for the princely total of £5 each. We both had plenty to do, but thought, sod it! there are only so many afternoons this beautiful in an English summer. Again, lots of little brownies- no great rise today, but lots on nymphs, and an 11" stream beast to a PTN. Again, simple fishing- just a rod and a few flies; not scaring the fish perhaps the biggest challenge.

Opening Day at Furzebray

Brand new fisheries are easy pickings aren't they? Not necessarily. All the ingredients were there for a cracking opening weekend at Furzebray- but the carp proved trickier than expected, although a few came out.

I tackled Furzebray with a view to a "making of a fishery" style piece and was impressed with what I saw. This specimen carp fishery looks anything but "new" and is a testement to thoughtful planning and hard work; on arrival I was greeted by a swimming grass snake and diving swallows.

So what about the fish? The carp were not impressed by lots of leads and spods crashing down, having scarcely been bothered by humans. "Uneducated" carp are not necessarily stupid after all. My other half and myself did manage two fish- but perhaps no coincidence that they came from a quiet margin spot that had seen less disturbance. A simply presented pellet bait dropped gently in the edge with minimal loose fed did the trick for two low doubles- and beautiful fish too; Tony has around 100 cracking British carp here, muscular and broad shouldered creatures that are growing at a frightening rate.