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garethl
06-06-2010, 04:21 PM
I've not finished writing this report up for my blog yet but figured you guys might like to see the photos anyway :)

The mayfly hatch in this neck of the woods only really lasts for three weeks, or that's the time window in which the trout are really locked onto them anyway. So, to enjoy the last of the mayfly action I made an effort to take in as much of this wonderful and natural spectacle as possible; where mayfly the size of small sparrows happily dance and flutter above the water's surface, and where overly-eager trout sometimes even launch themselves from the water in an attempt at devouring these nutritionally loaded goody-bags.

I took the day off work on Friday and visited a local stream which, for some stupid reason, I've only ever fished a couple of times. This stream is rapidly moving up my 'Favourite Streams' list. I enjoyed an evening filled with mayfly duns and spinners and where plenty of wild trout were oh so happy so oblige in the eating of my artificial mayfly patterns.

When the trout eventually got tired at this deception, the spinners stopped dancing, or when my feet were too tired to continue, I began the hike back to the car and began the drive home; tomorrow was to be another day.

http://www.ffisw.com/images/smallstreams/100604_01.jpg

http://www.ffisw.com/images/smallstreams/100604_02.jpg

http://www.ffisw.com/images/smallstreams/100604_03.jpg

http://www.ffisw.com/images/smallstreams/100604_04.jpg

http://www.ffisw.com/images/smallstreams/100604_05.jpg

The evening's deceptive spinner pattern of choice.
http://www.ffisw.com/images/smallstreams/100604_06.jpg

Saturday saw me fishing within the same catchment area as the day prior, but this time around I was to be joined by two fishing buddies, Mike and Ade, both very accomplished small stream anglers in their own rights.

The day was a relaxed affair and one which spread itself across two different tributaries of the river Monnow as well as a brief encounter with the main-stem Monnow herself. A break during the day's hottest hours saw us three anglers visit a fine local pub which served a fantastic sirloin steak and Wye Valley Brewery's finest Butty Bach beer. Tales of our morning's fishing were joyfully recollected over lunch in the pub's warm and sunny beer garden and, if I'm honest, leaving the pub and it's fine selection of beers wasn't the easiest of decisions I've ever made. Still, there was fishing to be done damn it!

A different stream in the afternoon saw the conditions become a little more difficult, with very low levels, gin clear waters and very spooky fish. Still, a few more fish were enticed and we three anglers each managed one of the larger beasts that this particular stretch is rumoured to hold.

Eventually, and begrudgingly, we drove home; each of us tired but still excitedly discussing all things fishing, as only an addicted and haunted soul can.

To great fishing, to seriously beautiful small wild streams, and all the better to have enjoyed them with some seriously cool fishing buddies. :cool:

http://www.ffisw.com/images/smallstreams/100605_01.jpg

http://www.ffisw.com/images/smallstreams/100605_02.jpg

http://www.ffisw.com/images/smallstreams/100605_03.jpg

http://www.ffisw.com/images/smallstreams/100605_04.jpg

http://www.ffisw.com/images/smallstreams/100605_05.jpg

http://www.ffisw.com/images/smallstreams/100605_06.jpg

http://www.ffisw.com/images/smallstreams/100605_07.jpg

http://www.ffisw.com/images/smallstreams/100605_08.jpg

http://www.ffisw.com/images/smallstreams/100605_09.jpg

http://www.ffisw.com/images/smallstreams/100605_10.jpg

http://www.ffisw.com/images/smallstreams/100605_11.jpg

http://www.ffisw.com/images/smallstreams/100605_12.jpg

http://www.ffisw.com/images/smallstreams/100605_13.jpg

http://www.ffisw.com/images/smallstreams/100605_14.jpg

greyfox
06-06-2010, 06:34 PM
Wow! excellent post and pics. :thumbup:

Apache Trout
06-07-2010, 07:02 AM
Great pics. Love the colors of those browns.

Satoshi
06-07-2010, 07:21 AM
Wonderful!!
I'm always impressed with your photos; photos of fish, close-up photos etc... This time I love the 12th photo, in which one of your friends playing fish. I can see a garden (right?) with a wooden bench and some big trees over an old stone wall. Fishing beautiful trout in such a setting may only be possible in your country, where The Complete Angler was written.

garethl
06-07-2010, 08:22 AM
Thanks for the kind words guys, I'm really glad you like them! :D

Satoshi, you're spot on, it is a garden, well, kind of. Just above the bench is a local (and rather beautifully located) country hotel. The bench you see in the photo sits in the hotel's (and this is from their website) 'Elizabethan Knot Garden'. From the sounds of the cheers and smartly dressed folk who came to look at us fishing from the garden's edge, I think there was a wedding taking place there that day. This sort of manicured look isn't quite the norm' for Welsh streams, however, as just 100 yards upstream we returned to the normality of a 'proper' Welsh freestone stream. Passing the hotel was like stepping into Narnia!

Again guys, really glad you like them, and thank you for the thumbs up!

G

BrkTrt
06-07-2010, 08:35 AM
My good man,

Great post, and lovely photos.

Very well done.


Thank you,

Brk Trt

Mostyn
06-07-2010, 10:50 AM
Brilliant photos Gareth!

Just like you - the Honnddu and Monnow stream systems are becoming one of my favourite fishing venues!

Good to see the American, playing a fish!

see you soon

M

kurt76
06-07-2010, 12:59 PM
Beautifull pics Gareth! thanks for sharing! :cool:

Do you mind if i ask what camera you use?

garethl
06-07-2010, 02:44 PM
Wow guys, really chuffed you like them! :D

Kurt, the camera's an Olympus Mju 850SW I've been using for two years now. It's as tough as a brick. Waterproof, shockproof, temperature proof, it just performs well, and it wasn't too expensive either, just the costs of a regular point-and-shoot. Of course, it's only water/shock/temp-proof to degree, but for fishing, it's perfect and removes all worries when you see a big storm coming in or accidentally drop the thing in the river (I like to keep mine on a lanyard just incase of that one ;))

Before I put any pictures online though I always tune the colours a little or maybe sharpen the odd macro shot, nothing drastic though.

Also, I think Olympus replaced the Mju with the 'Tough' model. Not tried the newer range, but I see that they're quite popular whenever I visit a camera shop here in the UK.

Hope that helps :)

G

Brooktrout
06-08-2010, 11:50 AM
those are some sweet pics, esp the close ups.

toledotimber
06-08-2010, 12:37 PM
Awesome pictures. What a beautiful stream, too.

kurt76
06-08-2010, 04:14 PM
Wow guys, really chuffed you like them! :D

Kurt, the camera's an Olympus Mju 850SW I've been using for two years now. It's as tough as a brick. Waterproof, shockproof, temperature proof, it just performs well, and it wasn't too expensive either, just the costs of a regular point-and-shoot. Of course, it's only water/shock/temp-proof to degree, but for fishing, it's perfect and removes all worries when you see a big storm coming in or accidentally drop the thing in the river (I like to keep mine on a lanyard just incase of that one ;))

Before I put any pictures online though I always tune the colours a little or maybe sharpen the odd macro shot, nothing drastic though.

Also, I think Olympus replaced the Mju with the 'Tough' model. Not tried the newer range, but I see that they're quite popular whenever I visit a camera shop here in the UK.

Hope that helps :)

G

Thanks Gareth!

I'l certainly have to check that model out , a double-bonus to also being water resistant!

Cheers

Kurt.

Doctor
06-14-2010, 11:41 AM
Garett
my bit of the Kennet still has the danica about,fished it yesterday
Posted these on the feather craft
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh63/silkcutshrimp/DSC00886.jpg
and then saw yours , just superb. :mrgreen: with envy !

garethl
06-16-2010, 08:49 AM
Andy, I prefer yours in all honesty! Awesome looking flies and fantastic triggers! Very cool indeed :cool:

Doctor
06-16-2010, 10:41 AM
Andy, I prefer yours in all honesty! Awesome looking flies and fantastic triggers! Very cool indeed :cool:

Gareth ,that pattern I have been tweaking for some 20 years,i dont think you have been fly dressing that long.