FREE STICKER COMPETITION
Picture this: a very quiet Monday afternoon high on the moors with a hazy blue sky. The gentle wind ruffles the surface and, after a quiet morning, there is a buzzer hatch and the trout are just beginning to feed at and near the surface. I’m the only one on the water. Then I see a car drive into the distant car park and a fellow angler emerges.
I pay him little attention for it is a big reservoir and there is so much room to fish. Over the next few minutes I become increasing aware of him marching inexorably towards me like a He’s even wearing full “camo” clothing and I suddenly have this sinking feeling deep down inside. He approaches to within ten paces of me, stumbling over the uneven ground, and bangs his bag and landing net down at water’s edge looking intently, as if he is going to start lobbing grenades into the water.
“Much doing?” he asks.
“Not Now!” I reply watching the last ripples fade as a legion of rainbows zoom out of the area and make for the safety of the deep in the centre of the reservoir.
Happy again
I left my noisy colleague somewhat abruptly and headed to the other end of the water. It did not look so promising here; there was a cold wind just catching the edge of the water coming in over my right arm. Better than having someone scaring the fish away, though there was very little evidence of fish life at the moment.
I was casting into a deep channel over a shallow ledge about twenty yards away. Because of the wind I removed the leader and buzzers and replaced them with a twelve foot leader of Fulling Mill fluorocarbon 6lb breaking strain to a size 14 green and black Montana nymph. I was still annoyed at my boisterous and gregarious friend and not too hopeful of catching.
Second cast and I got a firm enquiry in the form of a ‘pull – pull – pull’ then a release as I tightened. The pulse picks up the pace and hope springs again. Back went the fly into the same area and I let it sink for a good thirty seconds and began a very slow retrieve. I hoped my Montana looked like a lazy but appetising bug ambling around just above the bottom. And so it did ! I was fortunate enough to hook and net three silvery rainbows, all in peak condition with the best going to just under three pounds. I released each one but took the precaution of taking them around a little headland and freeing them, well away from their mates in the channel.
It was the best twenty minutes of the season so far and it really lifts the spirits. One fish may be an accident but three in short time against the odds and you begin to believe that past fifty years have not been a complete waste of time.
Lightening strikes twice
I was replacing my Montana when a voice chirped up just behind me. “I see you’ve been lucky, then.”
I had been outflanked and taken by surprise by the 7th Armoured again. I began to sympathise with the Iraqi militia. “I think I’ll try my luck in this swim,” he stated, nodding to a spot five yards away……….
Reader Competition
You supply the ending to this true account.
A) Did I throw him in the water?
B) Did I throw myself in the water?
Answers to Graham by 1st April 2004 for a free FISHINGmagic sticker.
Hot Spot
There are excellent early season reports coming from Stocks Reservoir in East Lancashire. Boat fishing is first class and there is so much available bank space with the blues, rainbows and brownies spreading to all part of the water. Lures and buzzers are taking and bags of up to 20 fish in a session have been recorded during the last two weeks of this month.
I fish Stocks at irregular intervals mainly because you need to devote a full day to this tremendous venue. It has everything; first class fish, wild life and magnificent scenery, good car parking, excellent lodge and staff. If you have never visited try and get there this year. Ask the fishery staff about locations and fishing method and you will have a day to remember.
CONTACT: 01200 446602
Tight Lines!
Eddie Caldwell
