Wet & Wild on the Exe
It has been another year of unseasonable weather patterns. One minute we were fearing a drought and the possibility of requiring only slippers to wade, the next our drying room is filled with the smell of damp wading jackets. Where did the summer go? In all honesty bright blue skies and sunshine are not ideal fishing conditions but then neither is the requirement to wear thermals under waders to stay warm in August!
But enough complaining. I have to say that this year has been a great season for big fish and Friday last was no exception. My guests for the day were Jim Pool and JJ from the South East of England, which has witnessed more than its fair share of precipitation in recent weeks. So much so that I received a couple of nervous emails from Jim requesting a plan B if A fell flat on its face. I was keen to stick with plan A as during our correspondence I was surprised to see that the golden orb had decided to put in an appearance. The local web cam also beamed a reasonable river condition back to my laptop, a little high but certainly fishable and the gauges showed that the levels were falling. Even so I went to bed crossing my fingers.
The next morning I wondered if plan A, a trip to the lower Exe, was indeed flawed. The sun was well and truly hidden, masked by a thick grey sky which refused to cease pouring copious amounts of rain across the region. During breakfast I tentatively navigated to the webcam, fearing the worse. Instead I was pleasantly surprised to find that the river levels had in fact dropped some more. Result! At least Jim and JJ would get some fishing today. But for how long?
Fishing is all about preparation, especially when working as a guide and in particular if adverse weather conditions are to be dealt with. Boxes were stocked with heavy bugs and large dry flies the night before the trip and 10′ #5 rods packed just in case. On the way to the venue I collected hot pies from our local butcher, stocked some beer in the cooler and arrived at our meeting point with time to spare. When the guys arrived our first conversations were unsurprisingly weather related.
No going back now, the guys pulled on waders and we set off in haste … the river could blow at any moment. The web cam findings were confirmed and instantly confidence levels were boosted. Were we going to experience some good sport; even in these conditions? I will let the pictures do the talking!
Drenched but very happy. Jim Pool beats the weather and this stunning River Exe Grayling.
Jim had in fact already got off the mark with a couple of 8″ Browns taken on a Baetis pattern which was pleasing considering the conditions. However the good old French Nymph fished New Zealand style accounted for this superb fish around lunchtime … note the rain in the background. We continued fishing, leaving the pies in the truck!
Who cares about the weather?! JJ looks very pleased with his biggest Grayling to date.
That proved to be a good move. I guided JJ into a run just above Jim and before long his French Nymph had been spotted by this superb fish in peak condition.
Bigger again! Another Grayling for Jim.
My picture does not do this fish justice. I think this was down to a mixture of excitement and trying to keep the lens free of water!!! This was seriously fat fish and awesome to see these specimens in such good condition. Heading towards the magical 2lb mark and caught once again on a French Nymph not far from Jim’s first fish.
Wow! Plan A comes together as JJ lands his best ever West Country Wild Brown Trout
I had set JJ up with an extremely long dropper (4′ +) section hanging from his indicator fly and finished it off with one of our secret Orange rubber legs nymphs, a serious killer this season. I had waded JJ into a deep section of water after we had seen a big rise but covering the area with a dry repeatedly produced nothing, so we changed to sub surface tactics. This was the result … and still it rains!
Jim gets in on the Trout action
After a late lunch washed down with a cold beer (should have been soup, or hot chocolate!) we fished the middle to upper section. Fish were caught but nothing to rival the previous specimens, although we did manage to get the dry to work. The river had started to show signs of colour and was definitely cooling, especially after one particular deluge! It was so heavy I could do nothing but giggle uncontrollably! We all looked like drowned rats and questioned our sanity if only for a moment. Perseverance can and will pay off though and Jim finished off the session with this reasonable fish.
So even in such extreme conditions (it did not stop raining all day!!!) our wonderful West Country venues can still produce the results. To be honest I reckon the guys would have been happy with a few palm sized fish for their efforts. Well done to them for facing the weather and sticking with the original plan, it certainly paid off … even if it was a little wet and wild!
Lunchtime Salmon!
It is easy to cover these fish too with a short range Spey Cast, which remember is merely a change of direction Roll Cast. I often find there seems to be some real mystery surrounding the whole Salmon fishing scene and have met many people who presume that learning the Spey’s is difficult, while Salmon are mythical creatures rarely captured. It’s not true!
Granted you do need conditions and we hit it right last week. I say we because I was fishing with Andrew Maund who has spent most of his life chasing down Salmon, especially in the West Country. It was great listening to him as like all forward thinking anglers he is constantly seeking answers, trying new techniques and conjuring up seductive flies. But in all honesty our tactics for the day were pretty simple. Small doubles fished on floaters and sink tips … standard Salmon fishing. The Lenton beat of the Mole is anything but standard and possibly one of the most important sections of the whole Taw system. Last year Head Weir was demolished and a new pool & riffle system created … the first of its kind in the UK, which should encourage more fish into the river. It didn’t seem that way for a while!
Fishing at close range for Salmon on the River Mole
After a fruitless morning fishing over some prime pools in excellent condition we had nothing between us to show for our efforts. The Exeter Inn and a ploughman’s were calling! But after some discussion we decided that this could be a mistake, after all there was Croy Pool and Wood Pool to thrash, not to mention Sandmartin! It turned out to be a good decision and leads me to recall that other old Salmon truism “If your fly is not in the water …. “
On single handed rods these fish are truly awe inspiring; half way down Croy my first fish just tightened up the line and then sat in the flow. For a moment I thought I would have this fish netted in no time … wrong! When it woke up it just went mental, out on its tail, under the trees … this really is heart in mouth stuff. I ended up walking through the pool to maintain contact but this was no time to think about catching other fish. What a relief when it was in the net. After pictures (thanks to Andrew for hot footing it from Wood Pool where he had just caught a Sea Trout) we safely released the fish and I took a breather.
9lbs of Salmon on a single handed rod is a lot of fun!
Andrew suggested I should fish the pool once more, even after all the chaos, meanwhile he headed down stream. I was not brimming with confidence after all the commotion but the water did look fantastic.
The stunning Croy Pool - River Mole
Half way down the pool and the Silver Stoat was slammed again! An exciting fight resulted in a stunning Grilse of 6lb. Happy days! This was followed by a Sea Trout Peal and then right at the back of the pool on the dangle I was into another Salmon … but this one stitched me up and spat the hook.
This fresh Grilse nailed the fly and gave a great account of itself prior to release
I carried on fishing, picking my way through the trees and trying my luck on the various pools until finally clambering out near the bridge where this Sea Trout gave me a run for my money on a previous Mole session. Arriving at Sand Martin I was pleased to find that Andrew was hard and fast into a fish. It had fallen to an Usk Grub fished so high in the water that Andrew had actually seen the fish take the fly!
Chrome Silver - A seriously fresh 10 pounder from the Mole
Mc Lean Net at the ready we soon had a sparkling 10lb fish, sea liced and glittering in the afternoon sun, safely landed. A quick photo, some video and the fish was on its way. Check out a mini video here. What a session. 3 Salmon, 1 lost and 2 Sea Trout and just think we could have been in the pub just when these fish switched on.
After the battle - Andrew releases his 10 pounder
We are now entering the back end of the season so a late run of fish may soon appear, in which case you could be enjoying a similar West Country Salmon experience. Try looking into some of the Angling Passport possibilities or contact us for guided fishing on the River Mole. This is one of our own exclusive beats and as the fish above show … it is pretty special!
Sea Trout Symptoms
Fly Fishing for Sea Trout is a bit like a really good night on the town; but without the headache! There are symptoms. The next morning you feel slightly shaky which is possibly caused by fatigue but more likely a massive dose of adrenalin. Images flash through your mind, ghostly figures airborne, silhouetted trees and trying to remember the best spot to land a fish. And when it finally happens, that almighty unseen tug … well then all hell breaks loose.
So this morning as I write this blog I think I am touching about 4 hrs sleep, feeling shaky and experiencing flashbacks. Yes I was Sea Trouting last night not partying! Meeting up with Wayne Thomas for the second time in as many weeks I am beginning to wonder why I have not been heading out with this all round angler more often having known him for over 20 years. Wayne you are like a good luck charm! And if you wonder what I mean take a look at the Bass which he found for us just recently. Wayne is also a serious fishing junkie, so much so that even an unexpected trip to A&E yesterday could not keep him down; such is the power of the piscatorial narcotic which is night Sea Trout Fishing.
To be honest I had expected to be pounding the rock marks of North Devon for spikeys during the day but to cut a long story short that all went wrong. A text message just half an hour before from a different mate (you know who you are!!!) who I was going fishing with to say he was pulling out (because he was tired!!!) meant that I did what I have done far too often over the last 5 years. I went to work instead. This did nothing for my demeanour, yes I might work in fishing but it is VERY important to actually go fishing. Anyway enough of that, I don’t want to spoil the shaky buzz!
Paperwork completed and a few phone calls later it was decided that a River Mole Sea Trout session was the way to go with an 8.30pm rendezvous. We tackled up, put the world to rights as we did so and then began a brisk walk to the Wood Pool. Our aim was to target a Salmon while there was still some daylight, a warm up before the night’s main event. En route we bumped into a couple of Stags who had been to the river for an evening drink. Suddenly the disappointment of not going Bass fishing was ebbing.
At this point I should be honest; I had not been in the best of moods throughout the day because the night before I had been partying. These days I rarely drink but my brothers 30th birthday was cause enough for celebration, involving some very good Cabernet Sauvignon and a lump of Cheddar. Oh yes, the Hart boys know how to party. None of those Jager thingies for us, come to think of it perhaps we should have gone Sea Trouting instead … it would have saved the headache.
Wayne managed a take to his Stoats Tail and then suddenly the night arrived requiring another brisk journey to a new pool. And what a pool Island Pool is, heavily canopied, dark and mysterious. Wayne graciously gave me first run down with my sunk lure while he followed with a surface fly. At this point the anticipation is at fever pitch, every sinew of our bodies craving a fish fix. A good hour later we are doing cold turkey. Nothing!
The night was perfect, very warm, very dark and very still. “Please Sea Trout, I have had a bad day, give in and take my fly”. This is another symptom, you may begin to hear voices in your head or even begin muttering to yourself. For some instant relief try another pool, so we did. This time Wayne was first down Sandmartin Pool, at any moment I expected to hear that electrifying splash … and then I did! “Are you in Wayne?!”
“No, but that was a big fish”. Prepare to be half scared out of your wits when one jumps right besides you. This happened to me, then I had a take and Wayne rolled a fish. All in split seconds! Sea Trouting is pretty weird like that. Nothing for the whole session, hopelessness sets in and then in split seconds we are alert once more. We tried going down the pool again. Nothing! I was not giving up. Down we went again and then crash, there is a huge commotion below me and I expect to hear Wayne screaming for help. And yes I did mean “screaming”, if you have experienced night Sea Trout fishing you will appreciate what I mean.
Calmly Wayne explained that he thought a decent fish had just entered the tail of the pool which was followed by “chomp, chomp, and chomp!” This noise was not emanating from Wayne, he was not going mad, right opposite me sat on a ledge (well, I think it was sat) was an Otter scoffing the fish which it had just successfully hunted! We had not caught any fish ourselves but at least someone was enjoying success. I should really have put down the rod and got out the camera, but my hand was welded to the cork. Midnight was upon us.
After Wayne’s eventful day I could understand why he was keen to make tracks, walking back to the cars we pondered upon why such a perfect Sea Trout evening had yielded no fish. The answer is that’s Sea Trout fishing, there are no rules! But I was not done; I needed more, so while Wayne broke down his gear I stumbled my way through a hedge row into an unknown pool. The water was not familiar to me but I knew there was a fish there. During our meeting several hours previously Wayne had spotted a decent specimen and we agreed that we should have a crack at it by dark.
My disease and cure - the fish let me grab a quick snap
First cast I had a take! Then a fish jumped to my left, I cast towards the noise and hooked … a tree! Damn! More muttering, a few expletives and then relief, my lure was free. I set back to work the area which I had originally intended to target while Wayne chatted to me from the bridge above. If only that conversation had lasted another 30 seconds! As he began manoeuvring his car for the journey home the fish took! “Wayne, Wayne … WAYNE!!!” I had begun screaming, after all there was now a large and ghostly apparition before me very eyes. But Wayne could not save me.
Heart pounding, heavy breathing and slightly disoriented in an unknown pool I almost wanted to pinch myself to check I wasn’t in fact dreaming. I have this same thought every time I hook Sea Trout. But no, I was very definitely awake and so was the Sea Trout, I guess you would be if you had just munched on some cold sharp steel! I fell about the pool, elated, trying to ready the net and praying that one of the huge leaps did not meet with success for it and despair for me. Chaos had ensued, so much so I just had to switch on the head torch. To hell with more fishing, I just need the one on the end of my line in the net!
And then it was. I cannot explain the feeling, hopefully this garbled and rather shaky video clip will. A fish of at least 5lbs I quickly rattled off a picture, shot some video (check it out on my You Tube channel here) and then slipped my prize back. It was 12.30 am on Wednesday 3rd August 2011, is there a more perfect way to start a new day?! Suddenly I was not tired, in fact I could have carried on quite easily and a fish leaping in the pool below almost tempted me. But I had my fix, the shakes had developed and I was definitely feeling good. God how good is Drum & Bass on a journey home from a Sea Trout session?! Try it for yourself but beware, there is no known cure …
The Lovely Lambourn
Every now and again it is cool to travel away from home and look after clients. Our local spate rivers teem with Wild Brown Trout and make for an energetic days fishing in stunning surroundings, but the Southern Chalkstreams are a little different. Slow moving, crystal clear, frequently stocked and convenient. City workers may find it difficult to head into the South West for a day’s fishing at the drop of a hat but many chalk streams are little more than an hour’s journey from central London.
The door to the fishing hut - ideal for a post fishing cup of tea
Rather than the over manicured razor shaven grass more fitting of a top flight golf course than a Trout fishing beat, the Lambourn is an entirely different proposition. In fact it is about as undomesticated as any chalk stream available, with a reasonable head of wild Trout to its name. And Grayling; BIG Grayling! There are 3lb + specimens that can easily be seen against the sand coloured river bed, but tempting them is another matter. These are clever fish!
Tackle ready for our Lambourn guests
All in all perhaps not the perfect place for a couple of novice anglers! But we like a challenge and so just recently Lewis and I set off for a mid morning meeting with Jim Pool and a couple of his guests. Jim is well known to us through his fishing adventures which he has enjoyed here in the West Country, but Jim was not our priority today. Instead he was hopeful that his guests may enjoy a guided day on a chalk stream (instead of a mundane corporate Golf outing!), with a fish or two to show for their efforts. It was only a few days before the event that Jim let on that one of the guests in question had never fished in his life! The dry weather has made for low flows and the Lambourn can be a tricky river at the best of times so this added a new twist to the day.
An enticing Lambourn hatch pool - home to BIG Grayling
Upon meeting Tom it was obvious that he was very enthusiastic to give fishing a go. We spent the morning getting to grips with the gear and learning how to cast, please note for those that think we are fishing downstream on a chalk stream (god forbid the thought!!!), Tom does not have a fly on. This was merely practice, meanwhile behind us the fish began to wake up and sip the occasional meal from the gin clear surface of one of the Lambourns mouth watering hatch pools. All was going well until we decided to tie on a fly and then Tom’s business associate Richard arrived, who had enjoyed a very successful morning. 4 fish with Lewis!
Teaching Tom to cast on the Lambourn
The heckling began and for 30 minutes Tom fell to pieces, until eventually Richard got bored and left him alone! The flow reappeared, a nice tight loop sailed upstream and in an instant Tom was playing his first ever fish. Phew … pressure off, grip & grin (Tom seemed quite happy!) and then it was time for lunch. The Cowdray Farm Shop provided a fantastic picnic, plus there was wine and champagne. For our guests anyway … while they talked a hefty amount of business Lewis and I watched several huge Grayling and a shoal of well conditioned Trout going about their day. We were both itching to get guiding again!
Tom practices his cast ready for action!
Eventually we got back down to the real business of catching fish. Tom added another fish to his scorecard as did Richard and after a mesmerising hour working on the elusive Grayling Jim popped the perfect cast. A decent specimen succumbed and engulfed an Oliver Edwards Freshwater Shrimp; a proven killer when gold head patterns are refused. And then it was time for the guys to head back into the smoke, although a celebratory pint in the local Pheasant Inn helped them on their way. Don’t let looks deceive, this pub may not seem like a typical English hostelry from the outside but their beer is very well kept and the food is superb. I see they also have accommodation. Maybe I will give it a go the next time I head up to the lovely Lambourn? Here are some memories from the day.
- Fishing and a Feast – certainly beats a day in the office!
Tom seems pretty pleased with his first ever fish!
... and just as happy with his second.
- Richard had fished just a handful of times but ended up with 5 lovely Trout under the guidance of Lewis Hendrie
The Lambourn Trout are stunning
... and this is a small Grayling on the Lambourn! Caught on an Olive Shrimp fished "upstream & induced" by Jim Pool
