The years first trout on a dry fly is always a hopeful sign. It's also nice to be reminded what a sunny day in spring feels like. The going has proved steadier on still water rather than the rivers this week. At Bratton, a day session provided an encouraging start with a good fish to my dad on a hopper, whilst I got early bites on a buzzer fished just under the surface. Strangley though, the fish then seemed to switch off the naturals and head deeper, although it was a beautifully sunny day to be on the bank. It's hard to be a purist when it's not working and thankfully a switch to lures soon had a procession of rainbows on the attack, an orange fritz or cats whisker the most effective method short of a stick of dynamite.
The fish at Bratton really are mint- full tailed and well marked creatures. Seems almost a shame to keep applying the priest, although with the water getting warmer catch and release is no longer permitted. Someone also got carried away with the priest as you can see from the shot below- one you are unlikely to see in a fishing magazine at any time soon:
A morning on the River Culm was surprisingly slow however on saturday. Strange really: the river had fined down, plenty of dark olives were appearing by mid morning and yet there was not a single rise. Most odd- although I did manage a cheeky little brownie on a hare's ear. Otherwise though, the frustration level was probably on a par with watching Exeter City draw 0-0 with Leighton Orient later in the day, two teams with all the cutting edge of a rusty pair of safety scissors. Never mind though- more sunny, settled days and things are sure to improve and I can't wait to try some of the new water on the Westcountry Angling Passport scheme, including some lovely water on Dartmoor.
No comments:
Post a Comment