Pastures new

It's been a little too long since I updated this page.  The usual excuse of lack of time and also there was not a great deal worth writing about in terms of experiences and catches.  I didn't see the point in repeating content I'd already posted.  Yes I caught a good few trout to the dry fly, which was exciting and equally frustrating.  I dabbled briefly with tench, but struggled on the big pit and my heart wasn't really in it, as camping isn't my chosen pastime.  However I was confident once the rivers opened that my passion would be reignited, whilst targeting my beloved river fish and in particular barbel during the summer and autumn months.

Over the past 6 or 7 years the river Loddon has held my affection.  For the night time fisher it brings an atmosphere difficult to describe, and impossible to appreciate unless you're spending time there, sitting under the stars. With darkness, a stillness descends, occasionally broken by the cry from a nearby fox, or disturbance from a deer foraging in the undergrowth.  Or the rise and subsequent splash of a chub as it takes a sedge, the roll of barbel over the slow meandering streamer weed - all adding to the anticipation that something might happen.  Willing the isotopes to give an indication, after hours of swaying with the slow flowing water and submerged cabbages.  I love this little river and am now completely at ease in the gloom.

                                                                Old haunts, but stunning.

This season I decided to try and emulate the success I'd experienced a few seasons back, by adopting a tried and trusted approach learnt from a good friend some years before.  To achieve this was going to be a tall order, but it was important that I removed some of the distractions from my fishing, to give it every chance. Those distractions were in the form of other rivers, like the Kennet and Thames and familiar stretches of the Loddon.  It was all too easy to retreat back to more prolific and familiar venues when times get tough.  Most serious, or should I say obsessed barbel anglers need a fresh challenge, and recapturing the same fish season after season might be okay for some, but it's not for me at this time, as I've had my fair share of recaptures.  I have every respect for those that do and wish them well. Of course not to return would be a lie, as the urge to reacquaint myself with old friends will come I'm sure, but not at this moment.

                                                      An old friend with an eating disorder

My chosen home has no particular history in terms of huge barbel and remains fairly quiet, which is mostly down to it's low and probably dwindling barbel population, or perhaps it's untapped potential, which only time spent learning will realise.  I fished here during the floods at the tail end of last season and happened to discover a few of it's resident whiskery inhabitants, so knew from experience it wouldn't be a completely lost cause.

                                                                        Pastures new

June through to July on this pretty river, has always been challenging on stretches with low stock.  Not knowing if the barbel have returned from their spawning gravel beds, up to their holding areas is difficult to determine, and is usually based on fellow anglers results.  Not being familiar with their holding areas also puts me at a disadvantage, but this will come over time, and every hour spent here is not wasted as a subconscious picture is built.  So with a couple of swims carefully chosen, well away from the already disturbed vegetation, I was ready for my journey of discovery.

True to form the Loddon is no pushover.

Blank, blank, chub, blank, blank, blank, blank, chub. Jackpot! Approximately 30hrs in total, but the prize is worth every single minute.

                                                             A pristine 12lber and a start.

From bait to fly

In a way I'm glad we have a closed season on our rivers, as from a purely selfish perspective it allows me time to refocus, get rid of the bags under my eyes and angle for other species.  Admittedly those last two weeks of March leading into the first week of April were a struggle.   With little time to play I just couldn't muster up the energy to sort my gear and target tench or a last gasp pike, knowing full well I'd probably be wasting my time on my local big pits.  Not a lot of point of fishing if I'm not going to enjoy the experience. My tench campaign can wait until until the weather warms up and the evenings draw out.

To stop me teetering on the end edge of depression (all fisherman exaggerate), I needed a pick me up so decided it was time to start considering casting a fly again.   My 8 year old daughter Tahlia has been showing an interest in some of the fly imitations I've been tying, so was keen to get involved with tying some of her own flies.  I have to say she has a talent and the patience of an angel and its great to spend some quality time with her.

               Tahlia getting creative

We have chalk streams in the south east, but I don't have pockets full of cash, meaning many are not accessible to the average angler, unless you're fortunate enough to be invited (still waiting for mine ;) ). However not far from home there's a trout fishery in Oxfordshire which upon appearance you wouldn't give it a second glance.  Two man made concrete bowls forming Farmoor 1 and the larger Farmoor 2 run by Thames Water. Having fished both for over twenty years I look past the concrete now and see their inner beauty.  Bird watchers, walkers, sailors and anglers all flock here and are at ease with each, and show the respect we all deserve.  Both sections contain a good stock of rainbow and brown trout, with many over wintered fish ready to take the fly line down to the backing if you're lucky enough to fool one.  There is one quality that stands out on Farmoor and that is it produces excellent fly hatches, which lends itself well to the nymph and dry fly fisher using floating lines.  It's no push over though, and takes some figuring out with lots of patience. Here's the website containing up to date information; Note; Angling Trust members get a 10% discount.

Official site  http://www.thameswater.co.uk/fishing

or

http://www.farmoor-reservoir.com/

Anyway,  with fly fishing dominating my every thought and the fly boxes replenished with some great help from Tahlia.  It was time to dust off the casting cobwebs and book a couple of days and afternoon sessions with my better half.  I've found over the years that full days are best booked up front well in advance.  Four sessions in all over April, but I'll keep my session experiences brief  rather than divulge the readers with too much information.

                            Banana anyone?

5th April  1500-1900hrs

My first session of the year and I opted for the bank on Farmoor 1, which is catch and release and offers a larger stamp of fish.   A strong gusting south westerly greeted me and no other bank anglers trying their luck, which was not surprising as the rod average I recall was 0.8 fish per angler during the few days before.  I headed for the corner with the wind on my back to allow a full cast.  There were no sign of rising fish so they could be anywhere in 30 feet of water.   When conditions are like this ringing the changes with the line sink rates is the wisest move.  However being stubborn and a little lazy I fished the floater, but connected a very long leader to get the flies down deep (25 feet).  I love my nymphing so a team of buzzers on the two droppers and a heaver bloodworm was tied to the point.  Letting them sink and hang, but moving them ever so slowly.  Fifth cast a smaller than average rainbow took the point fly on the drop while I wasn't concentrating.  After a short fight the dreaded blank was no more.  After that encouraging start the next hour went by quickly while I battled with my casting in the gusts. With little sign of movement a change of location was in order rather than changing to a sinking line, as I was convinced trout would be moving against the wind up the westerly bank.  Sure enough the first cast after the move produced an unexpected specimen and my first pike on a fly.  A pretty fish which I was absolutely made up by.  A little tainted as it wasn't caught by design, but hey I don't care and the temptation to switch to the dark-side of fly fishing seems more and more appealing.  I worked the west bank for the remainder of the session to allow the nymphs to move more naturally in the cross wind, and was lucky enough to add a couple more trout before it was time to head home, but still buzzing from my unexpected encounter.

              Beautifully marked pike

12th April 0830 - 1900hrs

The notorious Barbel Fishing World fly fishing away days, from reading previous trip updates from days gone by. All happened before I joined BFW , so I was hoping we'd get similar numbers attending again some 10 years later.  Unfortunately this was not to be this time, but no doubt with Graham organising as he did so generously in the past, and a good few other well respected gents attending, we'd have a good craic and enjoy the day.  Three of which had never cast a fly.  After the introductions at the lodge I sensed we were all going to get along just fine.  The beginner fly anglers were paired up with the experienced with kit provided as we set off to westerly bank on number one, with the wind on our backs.

                             Looking the part

There's a knack to teaching fly casting, which is something I hope to improve upon sooner rather than later. Nevertheless my fishing partner Howard was very patient with me while I tried to put into words the technique, with 10 O'clock, 2 O'clock ringing in his ears mostly all day.  However as those who are not so new to the art will realise there's a lot more to casting, and it's not something which can be learned overnight. Howard persisted which was important, without too many mishaps and both ears staying in-tacked.

                            Any second now!

With very few trout showing, apart from the odd riser far out, we persisted with floating lines and nymphs during the morning till lunch, with not so much as a sniff.  However, as the party headed to the cars for a bite to eat and natter, Richard had a big smile on his face after hooking and landing his first fly caught trout I believe.  With spirits high and stomachs full the afternoon session began with a bang as the trout switched on to naturals.  One very big problem though, they were way out of range for the novice casters, and were taking nymphs deep, meaning long leaders were essential.  With some assistance towards the end of the day my rod was cast and handed over. I felt it was important for Howard to first land a trout and feel the power, but more importantly feel the take! Well we achieved both with the final few casts, and what a savage take it was.  Luckily the leader didn't part and a fine couple of rainbows were skilfully landed by him.  By far this was the highlight of the day for me personally, and more so than my own good fortune.

                        Effort equals reward

As the day draw to a close, collectively we managed to double the rod average given the difficult conditions, with approaching 20 fish caught and returned between us.  I'm really hopeful the guys new to fly fishing will return for another try someday.

                      4lb over wintered rainbow 

Well a couple more eventful days on Farmoor followed in April, but I'll leave that till the next update.