It’s a cliche, but isn’t the year flying in?

We’re looking forward to welcoming our troutmasters entrants this Sunday for the fish-off, with the winner going on to represent the fishery in the national final later next month.

I’ve been up over the week a couple of times and although conditions have been dreadful (and the nagging woeful from my wife with all of my wet kit dripping all over the house), oh how it has been worth it!

“It’s fishing it’s head aff!” to quote one happy angler; and he wasn’t wrong.

On Wednesday I arrived at luchtime to see a pretty empty fishery, only to be told that the bait pond had been busy, just that limits had been reached within an hour.

One guy even paid for another ticket and caught his limit half-an-hour later!

It just goes to show how conditions can make all the difference. The previous week, albeit wonderfully sunny yet with a cold harsh wind, guys on the bait pond really struggled.

The fly pond has remained consistent throughout and as mentioned in earlier posts I defy anyone to say that they’ve hooked into better fighting fish in a long time.

The only real factor has been the wind, making it tough to cast a line, but if you fish a short line into the wind – even at an angle – you’ll not go far wrong.

Wear a hat and glasses just in case!

You can't tell from the picture but the fish is drier than Alan!

 Alan Thompson, seen on the left here, certainly needed the bunnet and goggles on Wednesday, although a mask and snorkel might have been more handy!

 He caught a cracking 6lb 2oz rainbow using a yellow dancer, amidst torrential rain and howling gales.

Not having had enough punishment he  returned a day later only to catch a fish over 8lb.

The last week titbit of info is to let you know that Graeme and Wendy have stocked the fly pond with some really nice brown trout!

Now this is purely a personal opinion, so feel free to add your comments; but I wish we could see it in ourselves to return these fish.

They cope well with a properly handled return and will grow on with all of the natural food in the water.

They could leave a really good legacy in the fishery, and take if from me, the rainbow trout are far tastier!

All the best

Paul

“May I wish you tight lines, and no’ up a tree!”