Sunday 29 May 2016

Late May..hatching flies..sunshine...even a salmon!


A small spate last weekend moved a few salmon, our first fish of the season is now on the books. Fly hatches are really improving. Mayflies, Black Gnats, Yellow Sallies and a variety of olives are hatching by day, with the first of the evening Caddis hatches now under way. The very best time to be trout fishing is at last upon us.



David putting a line across the tail of Quarry Pool in search of a salmon. 

A long-winged salmon tube fly.

The tail of Oak Tree Pool.

Success! A very fresh 30-inch ten-pounder. The single-hooked Black Pennell (visible in the fish's jaw) came out very easily. Measured in the net, this fish never left the water.



Olive and Mayfly spinner dancing beside Quarry in the evening light.

A fine example of a nicely strimmed bank.



Monday 9 May 2016



A dry Grannom Emerger

A selection of deadly nymphs

David casting on the Lyd

The river wearing her springtime cloak of wild flowers

The romantically named Factory Pool, always full of trout 

A brownie falls for the nymph

...and one on the dry fly

A perfect salmon smolt, unnaturally late in leaving the river - a product of the late cold spring?

A 10 inch trout on the Grannom Emerger

Best trout of the morning - hence the smug grin



A few days of warmth and sunshine have lifted spirits, but so far struggled to raise water temperatures to where they should be. Fly hatches are still sparse, although the black gnats are starting to swarm over the stickles. Unbelievably, a mayfly spinner was seen today on the Lyd, and we have great hopes for the next few weeks,which should see the peak trout season. Salmon and sea trout are also expected soon.