Shooting - Hampshire

As ever the day started early. I set off at about 6am to pick up Nick and drive down to Hampshire for a day of walked up shooting. I had booked in to meet Mark at 9:30 and after a hot coffee we drove to the centre of the wood which was the shoot. It is a driven shoot 6 times per year but we had the whole place to ourselves.

We were introduced to the dogs and then headed off to the first wooded area. We walked quietly through the wood with only the sound of the dogs scampering through the thicket...oh and the odd broadcast over the radio to keep us all in line.

The walking was tough at times but the dogs did a good job in showing us a number of birds. We also saw a number of good wood pigeon.....all of which we missed.

We got back to the car and gave the Christmas hip flask and little cups a first outing. The port tasted good and we were ready to go. Mark kept reminding us of the shot to bird ratio of the worst shooting party he had ever had........we were getting very close to this!!!

Nick was looking good and ready for action!

The shooters for the day. I know why people by a small game gun now as by 5 hours in arms were getting stiff! The good news was a few birds were now in the bag and with the rain holding off we were covering ground well and seeing some very challenging birds.

This was Nick ready for action. One bird was missed due him talking on the radio too much! Give a man a toy!!

After flushing a bird which cam right over me, and I decided to miss for sporting reasons (yeah right) I rejoined the group for some careful banter from  Steve and Mark and a very big ribbing from Nick. How could you miss was mentioned more than once.

With a few birds in the bag Nick was still to see some action. Mark and Steve were raking their brains to figure out how to present us with some more good birds but light was running out...fast!

Eventually Nick took a great left to right cock bird (the biggest bird in the woods) and was decorated in the age old way.

All in it was a great day with wonderful company and lots of fresh air and stunning scenery. Walked up shooting has a huge amount excitement and a jolly good way to spend a winters day. Will be back next year without a shadow of a doubt.

Shooting - Wiltshire

Was lucky enough to be invited by a friend, I met through work, for a days driven shooting in Wiltshire. The day started with me getting dressed up in my various bits of shooting attire I had been collecting over the past weeks. It was an early start as it was a long drive down. Started the day meeting the other guns and tucking into some bacon sarnies, hot coffee and pink champagne and port (mixed to make a great morning drink). A steady stream of beaters, pickers and dogs arrived to join the guns. It seemed that the guys shoot together lots with tales of great shooting and missed birds (many from the day before!!!)

We selected pegs with a glass of port and headed to the first drive.

First drive was on a lane. The birds were flying fast, in fact they were way faster than I imagined they could be. I managed to shoot at 6 birds but hit nothing. This was pointed out to me by my picker and her dog (Golly).....she seemed very surprised. My excuse is that the window of opportunity to shoot at the birds was small to say the least!!! I took a photo to prove my point!

The second drive was a similar affair despite me moving up two pegs and being assured by Mick the game keeper that I was in the hot spot!! This is harder than I thought!!

The third drive saw me move up to the end of the line. I was placed in the field to shoot birds who did not want to get up over the top of the trees! Mick was beating down the edge of the field which was great as he was around to see me take a hen bird well as it flew over the top of me. 

After stopping to refuel on a mountain of roast sausage and some more port we headed for the the next drive. This saw a little bit more action with a few birds flying high, and still as fast as before. This adds a whole new dimension to lead!!!

 Getting ready for action...

Need to load some shot.....serious stuff!!

Keep calm..............pick up the line and swing the gun.......

Bum......beak.......bang.......miss!!!!

 Look skyward and wonder if you are going to get another chance to shoot into thin air.

 It was a great day and a fantastic introduction to the driven pheasant shooting. the guns, beaters and pickers were all very hospitable as was my host Mark Hempleman-Adams. I learned a huge amount about the way a day like this works and the etiquette which is needed. Had 18 shots for two pheasants which is really bad statistics but who cares when you have such a great day.

The River Test - Wherwell

With a recommendation from Jim Williams I decided to head to the famous river test for some early season grayling fishing. Knowing these places get busy during the weekend I took a Thursday off and headed for the river early. Arriving at about 8am I was exited as the conditions seems just about as perfect as they could be. I headed downstream from the car park and walked along a very long straight section observing many Grayling and the odd trout along the way. In some ways the section was lacking in the features but the many changed in depth made the water look like it was going to result in some great fish!

With no fish rising the Klink and PTN went on and it was only a few cast in that the Klink vanished from sight and a healthy bend was put into the 3wt rod. After a great battle the fist fish came to hand.

I made my way up the section catching fish after fish varying in size but with the best easily struggling to fit in my little pan net. For a relatively featureless section the fishing was amazing.

After a coffee I moved to one of the small streams and walked and watched for a while. As the day warmed up there was a few fish rising. Putting on a small Adams I covered some fish on the bends of the river.

 A number of Grayling came to hand and then a very handsome but out of season brownie was just too tempted by the Adams.

It seemed like nobody had told the brownies about the seasons and this one was just too well marked not to take a photo of.

Many more fish were taken on the dry fly with a stealthy approach (still not that stealthy but getting there) and I was having just the best day on a river since the start of my fishing adventures on a cold day last March.

After lunch I headed down the carrier stream and spotted some very good fish just down from the bridge.

Watching and slowly getting into position after just a couple of cast my reward was a beautiful Grayling. Not the biggest of the day but one I felt I put into practise all element of the river fishing I have developed over the season.

As the afternoon flew by the sun came out slowing the rate of fish coming to the net but this was no issue as the day was stunning and the dry fly was still tempting the fish.

After a great, including getting very lost and being picked up on another beat by a farmer (cross at fist but calmed down) I wondered back choosing from the numerous tempting places to cast a line, most of which produced a fish. Having decided for the last 10 cast, a way to ensure I actually leave the venue, the last fish came to the net. Sadly it was not the huge Grayling which I cast at repeatedly but a very hungry, small and perfectly formed brownie.

What a day! Will be back for a day at the start of the next season. Just wish I had the money to fish this place in the trout season as well. A great day.......my best yet!!!

Thenford Lakes - Carp on the fly

With the summer sun and the rivers having very little water in them I took advantage of a free afternoon (after spending the morning clearing out my Fathers very smelly pond whilst he was sunning himself in the south of France) and headed for Thenford Lakes near Banbury with the intention of catching a carp on the fly. the lake is only a couple of acres and was once a trout fishery but recently it has become a mixed course lake with good sized carp and some good perch and roach.

With no real pegs I fought my way to the lake side through thick undergrowth and started to feed the countless carp which we cruising the surface of the lake. Having fished for carp this way in the past I knew that it was about getting the fish confidently feeding before trying to hook one. I waited and waited and waited until the fish would mop up all the offerings and then start to compete for the next wave of dog biscuits. Using a fulling mill dog biscuit fly, of which I only had one as I thought I would never use it, I finally decided to cast out to the waiting carp.

The fulling mill indicator dog biscuit fly

After missign a number of bites finally the big lips engulfed the fly and waiting I lifted the rod to a huge splash and then a bend in the 8wt rod like nothing I had ever seen! WOW a carp can pull on a fly outfit. After stripping me to the backing twice I finally got the fish to the bank and slipped my net under the fish.

I stayed for another hour and landed another, almost identical fish. What a great way to spend and afternoon in the sunshine. Will get myself back to Thenford as the sun warms up next year!

Dry fly fishing - The Peacock

Decided to have a day on a new stretch of river so went for the long(ish) drive to the river Wye in the heart of Derbyshire, a stretch run by the Peacock at Rowsley. As ever I was keen to get off so crept out  of the house at half past six and hit the road. It is so good to drive when all is asleep!!!

Had a very warm welcome at the hotel where I picked up my map and looked at some of the entries in the returns book. Was no aware that this day ticket allows you to fish in the centre of Bakewell. The tourists feed the hungry trout so they have grown on a little. One report was for a 36 inch trout! Not my idea of the perfect day so I opted for the stretch just after Haddon hall.

This stretch meanders its way through a proper pasture. I started at the bridge as the casting was easy and it always takes me a few the get in the groove. Decided not to fish but just to watch the river and see what was happening. Lots of little rises to very small flies, probably midges.

In between the rannuncular fish were chasing down the smallest of flies. Managed to hook into the first fish of the day. A very welcome little rainbow trout.

Small but perfectly formed!!!

Just after the weir I hooked into another small trout (made the fist one look like a monster!!) but it was just so good to be proper dry fishing and catching!

After a great lunch and a well earned break from the sun (arms getting quite red now!!) I set on up further away from the car park finding more turns riffles and runs....an absolute dream. Spent a frustrating half an hour casting at a number of huge trout all of which did rise to my fly only to turn away at the last minute. I am sure I could see a little smirk on their face. Did not seem to matter what flies I chose they all were tempted to rise only to back of at the last minute. Ah well next time!!

Found more fish and as directed got into position and stayed still for 5 minutes to allow the feeding pattern to start. Second cast and a lovely grayling snapped up the size 18 Adams.

Heading back towards the car park there was time for a few more casts along by the bench with another little rainbow coming to the net. There was no problem in tempting the fish all day long but small flies meant a number missed bites. Off to South Africa so could not stay late but the last hour has seen lots and lots more fly life. Think I will return for an evening before the summer is out.

 

The River Coln, Fairford in the Rain

After a while with no option to get out on the river I took advantage of a free Sunday. I drove down early in the morning and was confident of having a good day. Just after I had set up and paid in the Bull I headed to the river to a few drops of rain started to drop on the low river. The shower lasted only a few minutes before it turned into a deluge.... and it did not stop.....not at all......I was so happy I had invested in all of the good kit as it meant I could fish on. I managed to stick it out for a few hours and caught some good fish.

The swans did not mind the rain..........I don't think!!

With a very soggy arm one final little wild trout came to hand and I decided to call it a day, head home, and dry out!!

The River Koln

 Having just had a couple of chances to put into practice what I had learnt in my lesson. The day was good with lots of cloud cover and a light breeze. I decided to start at the far end of the beat rather than start opposite the Bull .

Where has all the water gone??

 Time for a coffee with no luck so far. Really wishing I had started by the bridge where I have caught fish every time. Still must keep my confidence up or I will have no chance.

 Now a few fish start coming to the net. A few of the resident wild brownies and even a grayling. This one looked as if it had been chomped at a few times but it was a welcome bend in the rod.

Finally a better trout came to the net. A lovely fish...the type that has got me well and truly hooked on the river fishing.

A tough day but about 8 fish to hand in the end. Still only using about 5 of the hundreds of flies I have in my box but never mind, they look good!!!