An Evening with Ed

Winter is definitely here in terms of the short days - temperatures however dictate otherwise. I find it kind of disturbing wondering outside feeling comfortable in a t-shirt in late November. Could this be the calm before the storm I ask ...
Anyway - frantic preparation for GAIA assessment aside it's time to get back to actually fishing and tying which has been sadly lacking over the last few months. I bought Ed Engle's "Tying Small Flies" last year and have really just glossed over it's pages - picking it up again a few days ago I'd forgotten what a gem of a book this is. I've poured over the pages building inspiration which I've finally got around to putting into some practice. That's winter wrapped up then !

GAIA Pre-Assessment Day

With only six weeks to go until the November GAIA assessment, a mentoring/pre-assessment day was run by Rob Doyle and Tony King at Holbury Lakes Fishery on Sunday 3rd October along with group of top guys. A great day under an unseasonably warm October sun was had by all. Huge thanks to Rob and Tony for all their expertise and coaching (as well as a gastronomic supply of bacon butties - cheers Rob !).

Next stop, Riverdale Hall, Northumberland on the 11th November...

Thank You and Good Night ...

All good things come to an end as the saying goes and sadly the 2011 trout season draws to a close - but what a send off ! We had to choose one final stream on which to bid the season farewell and no more fitting a stretch of water than our little "Improbable" gem (See "Fishing the Improbable" 16 July 2011).
The day kicked off just before mid-day - the water seemed a little more coloured than usual and definitely colder through the waders. Initially not a rise to be seen ... and then a small splash to the right of Matt. Instantly the nymph was removed from our trusty New Zealand rigs and the rest as they say was history.
You sometimes just hit it right and today was no excepetion. No sooner had Matt's Klink hit the water when it was eagerly sipped off the surface by a stunning brownie - touching the 12 inch mark.

First to Matt

This set the tone for the rest of the day - each little pool revealing its resident in the way of brown trout.

Final to me

The autumnal sun finally dipped below the horizon signalling the end of the day and season. The river stretched on, undiscovered by us as yet but already we've wished the next six months of our lives away and are looking with eager anticipation to uncovering her hidden treasure.

The Inevitable Return

Benjamin Franklin is famously quoted as saying "...in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." Having had two weeks fishing the Duchy Of Cornwall Estate in Dartmoor earlier this summer, a further certainty was my imminent return before the winter nights draw in spelling the end of the 2011 trout season. My brother-in-law (Matt) had walked the area on a previous trip and had expressed in no uncertain terms the potential the place held. Having seen my earlier posting (see “West Country Gold” August 2011) he began to display the facial twitch so common in us fly fishermen followed by a frantic rush for the calendar. August Bank Holiday weekend was the obvious choice – so it was set. We met at Langstone Manor campsite just outside Tavistock after having sat in the usual Bank Holiday weekend mayhem that is the traffic and enough rain to impress Noah himself. Several pints of quality Devonshire Ale in the campsite pub saw us formulate a plan of attack for our three day foray into the hidden Dartmoor valleys where crystal waters run.

Favourite outfit - Hardy Flyweight 6ft 2wt

After my success/failure on the Lower Cherrybrook during my previous visit I had to start on this spectacular stretch of river. Occasional showers and a fierce head wind upped the challenge somewhat resulting in a good outing but not one the scale I experienced back end of last month. Several fin perfect brownies came to hand though so overall a success confirmed by the ever widening grin on Matt's face.

Matt starting out on the Cherrybrook

Searching out fish amongst the boulders

... a just reward

Saturday was concluded reliving each fish missed and landed over a curry and several more pints of Devonshire's finest. A quick glance at the BBC weather on the pub TV suggested a better day on Sunday but you can never tell up on the Moor - come rain or shine however the Upper East Dart above Postbridge was top of the agenda.

We arrived in Postbridge bathed in glorious sunshine but a stiff wind was blowing directly down the valley - both armed with only 6ft 2wt wands we were in for a testing day. We got straight into it as I lost a sizeable fish, Matt however had more luck when a fin perfect brownie around the eight inch mark sipped the dry off the surface - it was going to be a good day.

Upper East Dart - First of the day

The stretch of the East Dart above Postbridge is in a word spectacular - the river altered her mood around each corner, amplified by the ever changing weather. No visible signs of fish rising belied the fact that there were several brown trout ever willing to take a well presented dry.

Gin clear waters

Close quarters casting ...

Result !

The higher we got up the valley, the more sheltered conditions became, the wind abated and sun shone with a lot more enthusiasm than what we'd seen of late. It was one of those days you wish would never come to an end. We eventually called it a day and strolled back to the car discussing Monday's potential - our final day was almost upon us. Several more pints of Devonshire Ale and a Sunday roast at the Bearslake Inn seemed a fitting end to what was to be the best day of the weekend.

Monday morning arrived along with a mild yet definite hangover - this was handled as all hangovers should be with coffee registering 6 on the Richter Scale. The final outing was to be the Cherrybrook below the Higher Cherrybrook Bridge. According to the 2011 Dartmoor Fishery Guide the 600m below the bridge offers some good fishing which seemed as good a reason as any to conclude our visit by fishing it.
The Cherrybrook in this location is true small stream fishing in all it's confined, overgrown glory - this small fact combined with the ubiquitous headwind that was determined to test our casting prowess to the max almost made me reconsider. Matt at this point was already tooled up and marching with purpose down towards the river stream. About 1000m downstream of the bridge we got down to the business of fooling small brown trout into thinking bits of fluff and feathers really are an insect worth eating. And fool them we managed to do. Several of Dartmoor's watery residents made their way to hand and were carefully released back to swim another day.

Small stream trouting ...

Last of the 2011 Dartmoor season

All too quickly the beat, and visit, came to an end. A hint of melancholy crept its way over us as the knowledge that this was the last visit to this fly fishers paradise for the 2011 season. I mentioned in my previous post that the fishing in Dartmoor exceeded my expectations on all levels, I wasn't sure if it was possible for it to get any better - it did. The weather may not have been as forgiving as my earlier trip but this certainly did not detract from the magical beauty Dartmoor has to offer. The 2012 season already has a visit planned - I'm certain that this is now an annual inevitability.

GAIA Mentoring Session

Another great afternoon prepping for the GAIA assessment - mentor Scott Simmonds (fly caster extraordinaire) during a well earned tea break.

Scott getting into the zone ...

West Country Gold

This year's family summer break arrived as quickly as the latest global financial meltdown - the destination of which was decided six months previously. In order to prevent two weeks of sulking (childish I know but desperate situations call for desperate measures!) I'm prepared to go anywhere so long as there is an abundance of brown trout inhabiting several miles of small stream. I surreptitiously put forward the idea of Dartmoor in Devon which also happens to contain in excess of 15 miles of river on the Duchy of Cornwall estate of which fishing is available through the Westcountry Angling Passport scheme - West Country Angling.

True to form we arrived on Dartmoor in atrocious conditions - I almost expected to see the Hound of the Baskervilles running through the cloak of mist and rain that shrouded the moor. What with the infamous Dartmoor Prison as the backdrop I'd started to question my choice of venue for this summer's getaway.

In a bid to fish as much of the waters on offer I bought a week permit from the Post Office in Princetown for £30 - this would entitle me to fish all of the waters on offer on the Estate. First on the list was Upper West Dart above the Two Bridges Hotel.

Dartmoor Fishing Map

Upon arriving the water was alive with small brown trout sipping tiny emergers off the surface of the gin clear water. I tackled up my 6ft 2wt Hardy Lightweight - on the business end a 7ft 6in Orvis Superstrong leader tapered down to 6x and a foot of 8x Orvis Superstrong tippet to which a #30 Chironomid Emerger was tied. Stealth when small streaming is crucial to a successful day out, on Dartmoor however the crystal clear water and  moorland environment devoid of trees and other foliage in which to conceal your intentions make the stealth factor even more crucial. This was highlighted on my first attempt when the previously active water became devoid of anything trout related as I entered the stream - this is by no means going to be a walk in the park - but then I like a challenge ...

#30 Chironomid Emerger

A tactical rethink and SAS style approach was rewarded with the first fish of the holiday - small, perfectly formed and full of attitude.

Upper West Dart reward

Dartmoor offers a diverse trouting experience from trickling moorland streams such as the Blackabrook, Cherrybrook to the other end of the spectrum where larger waters such as the lower stretches of the East and West Dart present a bigger river style challenge. The permit allows great flexibility in that if conditions on the upper stretches of a river deteriorate (as can happen quickly on Dartmoor) a short trip in the car takes you to a different catchment where a more favourable environment makes the day that bit more enjoyable.

Blackabrook

Blackabrook

The variety of fishing each river has to offer, from smooth glides to deep pools and small pockets of water between rocks and boulders, is guaranteed to ensure you keep your tactical trout hat on.

Middle East Dart (Bellever)

Smooth Glides and fine tippets (Middle East Dart at Bellever)

Ancient Clapper Bridger (Middle East Dart at Bellever)

Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea)

Amongst family duties I managed to fish a wide cross section of the waters on offer on our 10 ten day break. It has to be said though that if I had to choose a favourite river it would be the Cherrybrook from the confluence with the West Dart up to the Lower Cherrybrook Bridge.

I'd walked a section of the Cherrybrook the first week of the trip and it seriously captured my imagination. On a brief visit with the family I could not but help myself and cast a few tentative lines into the peaty coloured water which revealed half a dozen small brownies. I had to get back before the trip was over - no matter what. Our last day was preceded by a night of torrential rain which had me conjuring up visions of a washed out boggy moor and river. Being the eternal optimist I convinced my wife to pack her camera and bring a shower cap in case/when the next deluge hits.

Hostile weather trying to break us - never ...

 
The river wasn't nearly as bad as expected - we made our way to the confluence with the West Dart spotting the occasional rise on the way down from the car park. It didn't take long - the small black Klink disappeared in a frothy swirl and a golden brownie made its way to my hand.

Cherrybrook gold

My spirit soared - all doubts from the previous evening washed away in the light Dartmoor rain - you simply don't get better than this.

The river led me through hidden treasure troves ...

Picking a Cherrybrook pocket ...

 Occasionally revealing it's golden bounty by way of small brown trout.

Cherrybrook brownie

The day was sadly coming to an end - I'd entered the usual "just one more cast" phase that just never seems to come when a small recess behind a rock mid-stream exploded in a maelstrom of brown and white foam. A sizeable fish came tailing out of the water about 10 ft in front of me - my 6ft6 3wt bent over into an obscure angle. This was the fish of the trip I was thinking - without a doubt! Fighting for its life it took off downstream - gently I eased it back until it was a rod length away when the line went slack. I stood there in utter disbelief! The brief glimpse I got as the tailing display unfurled in front of me is all I had to take away - the brief disapointment though was eclipsed by an enormous sense of satisfaction of having had the privilege of fishing some of the most picturesque, rich waters in the UK.

I'd read  magazine articles written by Mike Weaver and John Stephens (Trout & Salmon and Fly Fishing & Fly Tying) which fueled my desire to fish these waters. My expectations were high but they were met and exceeded on all levels. Dartmoor is a stunningly beautiful place - a stark, silent beauty which you can immerse yourself in and totally escape the pressures and anxieties of modern day life. Global financial meltdown - I know where the real gold lies ...

Fishing the Improbable

Living in the most troutiest of UK counties Hampshire, puts me in the crucible of fly fishing and although this may sound nothing less than idyllic there is a downside - cost. Almost everything in the south of England is expensive so there's no reason why fly fishing should be any different. Obviously there's the historical significance of fishing such giants as the Test or Itchen which can command stratospheric prices eliciting nosebleeds. Local fly fishing clubs with waiting lists as long as the Itchen itself have acquired the rights to almost all waters and again the requirement to re-mortgage the house to cover the club fees.  

Almost all waters ...

Scratch below the proverbial surface and you will find some damn fine fly fishing right under your nose. Small stretches of river running through villages, along public rights of way and other council owned land offer a surprising amount of quality fly fishing, wait for it ... for free !


I find these stretches of water nothing short of a miracle in many respects - look back at the history of the area and more often than not the pollution levels were that to rival the likes of the Ganges in years gone by. Over time however, we've become more aware of our local environment and the need to preserve this resource for our kids - a direct result of this is a healthy brown trout population in many of these rivers.

Up until the back end of the 2010 season, I'd pretty much explored/fished most of the local streams on offer and was on a mission to find further sources to quench my insatiable fly fishing thirst. My wish was granted in the form of an article in Trout & Salmon magazine regarding a small stretch of river running through council owned land tucked away in Hampshire of all places.

After arriving and parking the car I made my way down to the river taking care to avoid the ubiquitous canine deposits and head high swaths of stinging nettles - no wonder this place is never fished ! Like Livingstone looking onto Victoria Falls for the first time I eventually found the mother lode - although it was anything but Victoria Falls.

It was at this point that my enthusiasm drained - chocolate brown water, tyres and all other manner of debris littered the river bank and bed. Mustering up some courage I pushed on upstream through the nettles, brambles and other horticultural tools of torture in the vain hope that things would improve. They didn't. After about an hour of thrashing around the riverbank, peering down into the water I decided to admit defeat and head for the comfort of home and several pints of Pressed Rat & Warthog. It was at this point that I heard the unmistakable splash of a fish devouring some unsuspecting insect of sorts - get in there !! Looking into the murk I saw the periodic rise of a superbly formed brown trout approximately eight to ten inches long sipping emergers off the surface.

The following weekend involved one times brother-in-law, two 6ft 2wt fly rods and both armed with a boxes of sub #20 flies.

We tackled up a New Zealand style rig - 7ft 6 inch tapered leaders down to 6x tippet onto which was attached a #20 Klinkhammer and #22 nymph. To start with, the fishing was difficult in that overhanging vegetation limited us to very close quarters casting and not being able to fish pools that I was certain held fish. Our efforts were soon rewarded though - we watched the Klink disappear as a small brownie took the nymph.

The remainder of the day was spent fishing some surprisingly deep pools and pocket water, all of which produced awesome fish the biggest of which was a respectable eight inches.

I've since fished this small gem of  stream on several occassions and have been surprised on each visit - early summer afternoons can offer some of the best dry fly action I've experienced. Local dog walkers after asking, "And just what are you expecting to catch in there?" walk away tutting at yet another fisherman's tale in utter disbelief that nothing could survive in this most improbable of small streams.

Early season foray