Why the Wye? … 14th June

June 15, 2017

The Derbyshire river Wye is remarkable for a few different reasons. First and foremost, it is absolutely brim full of fish… they’re everywhere! It also has a rich and diverse invertebrate population that gives rise to some spectacular hatches. The water is chalk stream clear and the well tendered vegetation provides cover and food for all of the rivers inhabitants. This all makes for fit, healthy and strong fighting fish. But perhaps its most remarkable feature is its population of truly wild Rainbow Trout.

 

These wild Rainbows have been there since the early 1900’s and are reputedly the result of a flood washing fish from a lake in the grounds of nearby Ashford Hall.
The Wye was perfectly suited to this particular strain of Rainbow trout and they quickly became established and continue to thrive today.

 

One would think that with so many positives, this would be an easy river to fish. Incorrect! It remains one of the toughest rivers I’ve ever fished and its fishy inhabitants are very, very wily.
With such an abundance of natural food these fish will totally ignore a fly which is poorly chosen or presented in favour of a perfect natural, which is never far behind.
When you do get it right though, there are some fantastic fish to be had. The one pictured was rising steadily just above us and after a little guidance, Steve placed his IOBO Humpy right in the zone and the fish slurped it down. It was a thing of beauty.

 

Loads of other fish made it into the net today but few as majestic as that perfectly finned, wild Rainbow Trout. Well done Steve!

Fish on!
Look out for the weeds…
A perfectly executed ‘grip & grin’
IOBO Humpy

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