The Eden, May 2012

An early spring trip to the Eden valley allowed me a day away on the Eden in search of some of the very wary and wild brown trout! A day ticket, along with some killer flies and some advice, was supplied by John Pape in Appelby. I started early in Ormside by a tree with steps.





The river section runs by the railway line...sadly only diesel engine passed as the aqua duct with a steam loco would have topped off the great day.

 

After exploring many a pool with a nymph finally a perfect little brownie came to hand. The late morning action was all on the PTN with a great fight put up by all the fish. They just kept coming.

 

 

 

 

Eventually the fish started to rise and all came to an iron blue dun. Had a few hours of classic and perfect dry fly action.

 

 

 

The water temperature was low....so low I was actually cold to the core by 3pm.....as ever though the last cast lasted for another hour. It was well worth it!!!

 A great day with 18 fish to hand and countless missed and a few lost.......the twist of the Eden trout. This was a return trip to the Eden after two years ago venturing out for my first ever fishing trip on a river in search of trout. That day I caught nothing and had no idea. It was good to return and have such a great day. Roll on next year!

 

River Dove Easter fun in the rain.....

Bank holiday Monday and we were staying in Nottingham with Sue and Alan. Sarah and Oliver were begin well looked after so I grabbed the chance to fish the river Dove on the day ticket water which belongs to the Isaac Walton hotel. I arrived early and it was rain all the way. When the opportunities are few and far between you have to rely on the gear you have and get out there....after all fish don't mind the rain!!

Spot the difference between the path and the river......

 I worked my way up the hotel beat. It was tough wading at times and the casts were tricky due to the trees. With no fish rising at all I started with the the Klinkhammer and the RNPTN. After fishing some of the faster runs with no luck I fished in some deeper slower water and the fist wild brown trout came to hand.

This was the story of the day with fish coming out of most selected pools and runs.

A great stretch of historic river with varied sections. At about 11am fish started to rise to the Klink and when the did the hit the fly with great speed! Great sport!!

To finish the day and just up from the famous stepping stones a fantastic Grayling came to the net. It was a long and slender powerhouse which gave my 3 wt rod a really good workout. Watched by a growing crowd I received a round of applause when the net slipped under the fish.

What a great day and another location on my UK wish list ticked off! Looking forward to getting back there and hope to be there when there are some good hatches happening.