Fish You Were Here! … 30th March

March 30, 2021

Even though the guiding diary is filling up, I am currently ill prepared for the coming season.
During lockdown, I’d purposely not tortured myself by ignoring the jobs that usually get me all fired up for the start of the Trout season. Tying flies, cleaning reels and lines, refilling fly boxes etc. were all too painful when we were deep in lockdown with the Grayling season ebbing away. Then suddenly, it’s Trout season… and we can go fishing!

 

I couldn’t believe the contrast in weather between yesterday and today. Yesterday’s wind and rain had given way to a glorious spring day that had everyone scrambling for their shorts and barbecues.

The A roads were bumper to bumper with convertibles containing shaded poseurs who seemed desperate to prove that they had the loudest in car entertainment system.

 

Today’s venue was a tributary of the Goyt and I chose it specifically because it was out of the way. With only tiny Trout on offer, very few club members can be bothered to make the mile or so trek past the lake, across the field and up to the one or two pools that might produce a fish.

As predicted, I had the place to myself but I was disappointed to see that this little haven was being attacked from all sides by development. Diggers and lorries rumbled and beeped their way up and down a newly built track that wasn’t there on my last visit.

The river though was defiant. Still not fully awakened from its slumbers but gin clear and ice cold in the glorious sunshine. It was much lower than I’d anticipated despite the main river being swollen from the recent rains.

 

Absolutely no sign of any fish, though! I didn’t even see any fry and whilst the air was thick with midges, I only saw 2 olives. I’m not aware of any pollution incidents so perhaps it’s still just too cold, low and clear to be overly concerned…or maybe my clumsy approach sent the fish scattering.

It would have been nice to start the season with a little Trout but I was more than happy just to be able to sit on the bank and listen to the river again.

The machines are closing in!
…from both sides!

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