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| This Brown devoured a Waddington |
First of all I have to own up to the fact that I left the UK for warmer climes for 10 days in June, so I did miss a bit of the action on the river, however there were still plenty of salmon being caught whilst I was away, at least before the water dropped down to summer level that is. That said, although we are still getting persistent winds (albeit warmer ones) these lower levels are certainly not discouraging some good Sea Trout from entering the system, which is not unusual, as those Sea Trout anglers amongst you will know, as these enigmatic fish are certainly not discouraged by low water and will run the river regardless, especially in the twilight hours.
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| Youngsters on a Borderlines Day |
Since my return from holiday I have only taken people out for Sea Trout (through the night) a couple of times, but during these sessions we have made contact with some very powerful fish, but unfortunately we haven't landed any yet. That said, it is very comforting and exciting to know that we are most certainly fishing productive water and that any minute now your fly is about to be stopped in it's tracks, "a great feeling". We have however encountered some large Brown Trout in the dark too, and although most have been returned, the one in the picture (above right) took a Waddington that hard and deep that we had to kill it, but it certainly did not go to waste (very appetising).
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| Small but Beautiful |
In the interim, there has been plenty of tuition sessions and a whole range of youth days with the Borderlines team, mainly fly fishing days, but we did incorporate a coarse fishing day into the programme with youngsters from a local school, some of these youngsters catching their first ever fish, "Brilliant".
With my Borderlines cap on it is worth mentioning that we have now introduced around 15,000 youngsters to angling and protecting the environment, these days all require funding, which is becoming more and more difficult to secure, so if anyone wishes to assist with this, all donations are welcome, whether it's financial assistance or simply tackle donations, every little helps. "Pitch over"!
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| Returning an Eden Grayling |
Whilst fishing for Trout and Grayling, several other tuition and fishing sessions on the river have produced mixed results, providing us with both difficult and productive days, but like the Sea Trout fishing, when the wind lulls, the fishing has improved, especially when dry fly fishing has been the order of the day. It has to be said though, "there has been very few days in Cumbria this year when we haven't encountered wind of some sort". At least now it is warmer though!
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| A late evening trout on the Dry |
Whilst the river has been low, (apart from when the wind lulls) the nymphs have proven more productive, especially when employing a variety of goldheads fished subsurface, with spiders and dries not performing as well, although when we do manage to get a calm spell, the dry fly has come into it's own, especially the last hour before dark. We have had a few nice fish during this period prior to the Sea Trout fishing taking place.
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| CAA Members |
Our annual Guide Fly Fishing day took place again on Saturday the 27th June for Carlisle Angling Association members. This event offers an opportunity for CAA members to come along and try out some of the products available on the market today. These products are kindly brought along by fellow AAPGAI instructor Jim Fearn, (from Guide Fly Fishing) and as usual everyone enjoyed the day and gave the rods and lines a good work out. Free tuition was also available from myself and Jim for those attending.
Tuesday evening (30th June) also saw the third in a series of five monthly sessions for members of Carlisle Angling Association, the sessions being designed to address the whole range of Spey casts for both single handed and double handed rods.
The sessions are arranged by the CAA committee free of charge for members wishing to come along and improve their skills. All sessions include demonstrations and free tuition from myself and fellow AAPGAI instructor Geoff Johnston. The remaining two evening sessions will be held on the 30th July and the 27th August.
Tuesday evening (30th June) also saw the third in a series of five monthly sessions for members of Carlisle Angling Association, the sessions being designed to address the whole range of Spey casts for both single handed and double handed rods.
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| Monthly CAA Casting Sessions |
Plenty going on next month again, I will keep you informed!
