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
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