Spring Trouting - Its Been More Like Winter

The past few days have been tough fishing on the River Ribble with a north westerly wind often gale force gusting to sixty plus miles an hour, not really the ideal conditions for fly fishing. I arrived on the river about eight in the morning. my first job was to check my mink traps which can number between six and a dozen. at the present time I have twelve traps which are baited with either fish or chunks of freshly shot rabbit. On the bottom beat all the traps were untouched, on the top beat I had one mink which was quickly dispatched with a shot to the head. After putting down some peanuts in the top wood I sat back in my hide to see if any grey squirrels would turn up. Within thirty minutes the first grey arrived then quickly started to devour the nuts, it was soon dead with a shot through the head. By getting rid of squirrels and mink, more nesting birds will survive. By culling the mink more fish will survive. Mink are without doubt the biggest killer in the countryside. I must point out that traps must be inspected every twenty four hours. After walking both beats and chatting with two fly fishers, I met a group of ladies out walking and enjoying the countryside. As I was carrying an empty trap they asked what it was used for. I spent a pleasant half an hour explaining why we cull the vermin. I was impressed with their knowledge of the countryside and how they realised that vermin have to be got rid of.

Back in the cabin I had a cup of coffee as I glanced through the Daily Telegraph, it was all doom and gloom. I then made up a Thomas and Thomas Helix 9 foot rod for a five weight line, I must admit now, I am not a great fan of fishing nymphs, my plan was to sit at the waterside watching and waiting for a fish to rise. If it didn't happen I would enjoy just sitting there watching the wildlife. I chose a spot that was sheltered from the gusting wind, downstream a Dipper sat on a mid river rock a few mallard drifted downstream both ducks and drakes. On the opposite bank I spotted a moorhen going about its business. This lovely waterside bird always gives one the idea of peace away from the hustle and bustle of life. where as the quarrelsome coot gives the opposite impression. I then heard the drumming of a woodpecker coming from some nearby beech trees, I quickly spotted the culprit a Great spotted woodpecker, a colourful addition to the countryside at this time of the year. a few feet of where I was sitting were several clumps of Primroses. In the willow bush a few feet upstream a dozen or more Long-tailed tits appeared they are certainly an active and agile bird when feeding, their eyesight must be brilliant as I often try to see the insects they are feeding on but fail every time.

Five minutes later the sun disappeared behind a big bank of black cloud as the wind increased to gale force, then the rain sheeted down, one moment it was spring like, suddenly it seemed I was in the depths of winter. I made a hasty retreat back to the cabin. Looking out of the window I could see sheets of rain being blown virtually horizontal across the field, it was hard to make out the wood on the opposite side of the river. Time for a coffee and sandwich. As I sat listening to the rain hammering on the cabin roof and watching the water stream down the windows. Thirty minutes later the the squall had passed by as the blue sky appeared once more along with the warm sunshine, the wind had also dropped to about ten miles an hour. Once more it was Spring like. time to try and find a rising trout.

Making my way downstream I noticed a few dark olives coming off, I was now getting excited at the thought I might get a hook up. I chose to fish Oak tree pool on the far side of the river, having unfolding my wading staff I gingerly forded the river which was quite tricky in places, one step the wrong side of the narrow gravel crossing and I would find myself in five or six feet of icy cold water. Last week my friend David filled his chest high waders I didn't want the same experience, Arriving at Oak tree pool I sat on the grassy bank watching the water for a rising fish. I suppose I had been there forty five minutes when I spotted a small rise, quickly followed by another slight dimple. Not being able to see what the fish was taking I tied on a size 20 suspended buzzer. Three casts later without any interest being shown by the fish, I decided to change the fly. Choosing a size 20 black gnat, then just upstream near the head of the pool I spotted a slight dimple of a rise. Making a cast of some twenty five feet, the fly landed a few feet upstream of the rise, As it drifted downstream I lifted the rod at the same time taking in slack line with my left hand. Watching the fly I spotted a trout rise up through the gin clear water, take the fly then turn. As the fish felt the hook, it shot off down and across the stream. I was forced to give line, it felt great to have a pulled string and a bent stick. Five minutes later I had a beautiful looking brown trout on the shallow gravel. Stooping down I slid my finger down the leader then slipped out the barbless hook. I watched with great pleasure as the fish estimated at 2lbs plus shot off across the shallow water into the dark depths of the pool. I watched the pool for another hour without seeing any more fish, I then made my way back to the cabin feeling quite satisfied with my result