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!!!