tobers
May-18-2007, 03:24 PM
Due to the goodwill of one of my major vendors, I was rather priviledged today to attempt fly fishing for the first time. Not just any fly fishing, but fly fishing on the River Test in Hampshire (UK). This is one of the world's premier fly fishing rivers. Here's some blurb...
The River Test is regarded as one of the most famous chalk streams in the world. As well as being famous for its high quality fly-fishing sites, the river water is so clean that its waters are used to wash the paper used for British bank notes.
The best time to be on the Test is the 2 to 3 week period in late May/early June when the river's greatest mayfly hatches occur. This period has been dubbed the "Duffer's Holiday", presumably because even the most casual angler can find success at this time because of reckless trout behavior brought on by the profusion of insects.
We were allowed to catch 4 fish each. After about an hour of practice casting, with large trout leaping about waving at us, we were let off on our own. It is a truly special place, peaceful, with clear cool fast moving water which is full of fish. What a superb place to spend a day. I learnt a huge amount and now dont really want to fish anywhere else. Our teacher for the day did warn us though that not all fly fishing is like this - this is something extraordinary.
Of course, I took my camera...
#1 finding a spot - not much of a problem with about 1.5 miles of bank for 12 rods:
http://Tobers.smugmug.com/photos/153898213-L.jpg
#2 first fish in - that'll be a 4lb brown trout thanks very much:
http://Tobers.smugmug.com/photos/153898324-L.jpg
#3 major anti-poaching measures in action:
http://Tobers.smugmug.com/photos/153898492-L.jpg
#4 mean looking mofo - armed to the teeth:
http://Tobers.smugmug.com/photos/153897903-L.jpg
#5 yours truly - that'll be another 4lb brown trout. Mad buggers - you cant not catch a fish at this place.
http://Tobers.smugmug.com/photos/153897551-L.jpg
#6 obligatory silky water shot. This area was full of fish. I caught two smaller ones (about 10" long) accidentally when pulling the fly out to re-cast.
http://Tobers.smugmug.com/photos/153898678-L.jpg
#7 some people who actually know what they are doing:
http://Tobers.smugmug.com/photos/153897801-L.jpg
#8 oooohhh nooooo it's all gone horribly wrong...
http://Tobers.smugmug.com/photos/153897451-L.jpg
#9 this chap was 4.25 pounds:
http://Tobers.smugmug.com/photos/153897349-L.jpg
#10 got this on the way home. Sunset over a barley field. Lovely light, slow shutter. Sweet!
http://Tobers.smugmug.com/photos/153898016-L.jpg
Before anyone gets uppity about fishing, my 4 fish (largest 4.75 pounds, smallest 4 pounds!!) were gutted and filleted and will be eaten tomorrow for lunch, and the remaining 3 pairs of fillets frozen for later. Yummmm!
Top day out - difficult to beat.
Tobers
The River Test is regarded as one of the most famous chalk streams in the world. As well as being famous for its high quality fly-fishing sites, the river water is so clean that its waters are used to wash the paper used for British bank notes.
The best time to be on the Test is the 2 to 3 week period in late May/early June when the river's greatest mayfly hatches occur. This period has been dubbed the "Duffer's Holiday", presumably because even the most casual angler can find success at this time because of reckless trout behavior brought on by the profusion of insects.
We were allowed to catch 4 fish each. After about an hour of practice casting, with large trout leaping about waving at us, we were let off on our own. It is a truly special place, peaceful, with clear cool fast moving water which is full of fish. What a superb place to spend a day. I learnt a huge amount and now dont really want to fish anywhere else. Our teacher for the day did warn us though that not all fly fishing is like this - this is something extraordinary.
Of course, I took my camera...
#1 finding a spot - not much of a problem with about 1.5 miles of bank for 12 rods:
http://Tobers.smugmug.com/photos/153898213-L.jpg
#2 first fish in - that'll be a 4lb brown trout thanks very much:
http://Tobers.smugmug.com/photos/153898324-L.jpg
#3 major anti-poaching measures in action:
http://Tobers.smugmug.com/photos/153898492-L.jpg
#4 mean looking mofo - armed to the teeth:
http://Tobers.smugmug.com/photos/153897903-L.jpg
#5 yours truly - that'll be another 4lb brown trout. Mad buggers - you cant not catch a fish at this place.
http://Tobers.smugmug.com/photos/153897551-L.jpg
#6 obligatory silky water shot. This area was full of fish. I caught two smaller ones (about 10" long) accidentally when pulling the fly out to re-cast.
http://Tobers.smugmug.com/photos/153898678-L.jpg
#7 some people who actually know what they are doing:
http://Tobers.smugmug.com/photos/153897801-L.jpg
#8 oooohhh nooooo it's all gone horribly wrong...
http://Tobers.smugmug.com/photos/153897451-L.jpg
#9 this chap was 4.25 pounds:
http://Tobers.smugmug.com/photos/153897349-L.jpg
#10 got this on the way home. Sunset over a barley field. Lovely light, slow shutter. Sweet!
http://Tobers.smugmug.com/photos/153898016-L.jpg
Before anyone gets uppity about fishing, my 4 fish (largest 4.75 pounds, smallest 4 pounds!!) were gutted and filleted and will be eaten tomorrow for lunch, and the remaining 3 pairs of fillets frozen for later. Yummmm!
Top day out - difficult to beat.
Tobers