Cast, Catch & Cook
I am all for catch and release, after all our wild stocks of fish are a precious resource which needs protecting. However some anglers argue that commercial fishing, fish farms etc., do so much damage that there is little point in “doing their bit”. In my opinion that is a crazy attitude. The more Salmon, Sea Trout and Bass that we free; the better.
These species receive a great deal of press regarding conservation. But what about Mackerel, persecuted beyond belief, piled up for bait or loaded into a bin liner and left to rot in a freezer? It may seem like there are innumerable individuals within a shoal but a string of feathers does not take long to decimate a community. This is not only bad for the species but also has a knock on effect for the predatory fish. Yeah right, OK, old news Nick we all watched the Fish Fight, we all know what’s going on.
But we are anglers and have a vested interest. What about those people who don’t have any interest in fishing but like eating fish? So long as they can head to the fish counter and get their fix of Omega 3 then everything will be just fine. That is until the time bomb which is ticking finally explodes and there is literally nothing left. Check out “The End of the Line” if you have stumbled upon this blog and wonder quite what I am wittering on about.
Anyway this post all came about because over the last couple of days I have been running a 2 day course for a father and son, Simon and Arthur, visiting from Brighton. The plan was that they would learn how to cast a fly and hopefully catch some fish, prior to heading to the North Devon coast for a spot of surfing. Model pupils both showed some real flare, no doubt assisted by their keen sporting and musical backgrounds. But despite their best efforts conditions were difficult and no fish were landed.
Personally I was not fazed by this and in fact on a two day course I reckon it is quite cool if you are up and running by lunchtime, casting and then spend the rest of the day fishing. If the fish don’t bite then this instantly educates newcomers to the sport that fishing is not only about catching. It’s about watercraft. Hunting if you like!
Arthur with his first ever Trout
Day 2 could not have got off to a better start. Fourteen year old Arthur flipped a stunning little loop out over Exe Valley, nestling his Black Hopper amongst a group of rising fish and instantly received his reward for all the effort of the previous day. It is such a buzz to see anyone get their first fish but when it is the new generation clad in jeans and a hooded top, even better.
Team work! Arthur helps his Dad to land another hard fighting Rainbow Trout.
Prior to this moment Arthur had expressed concern at the requirement to kill any fish caught so I quickly set about dispatching his prize while explaining how to ensure a humane end. I think he was quite surprised at how quickly this came about and went on to deal with all of his own fish and some of his Dads during the course of the day. I explained that our wild stocks need conserving but “put & take” style small stillwaters are a crop to be harvested. And what a fine crop too! OK this is not exactly Ray Mears but it is all part of the process. Take the odd Salmon, Sea Trout or Bass and fish lovers know how good Mackerel are. The point is we really don’t need to obliterate these already pressurised stocks. Yes I know the nets do more damage, that our common fisheries policy sucks and that nobody seems to be listening, but we have to do our bit. If we feel the urge to load up our freezer surely stocked Trout are the way to go?
Success! Arthur and Simon land their lunch
Arthur had never tried Trout, can you believe that? Thanks to his Dads brilliant little BBQ (called a Cobb, you can see them here) that was about to change. Garlic, Lemon, herbs, a little white wine and some herbs were stuffed inside the cavity and while the Cob did its stuff the guys continued fishing. And very successfully! In fact their bag of 6 fish averaged around 4lb per Trout at the weighing scale, which coupled with their weigh in permits amounted to around £55. So had they turned up as regular anglers the whole days sport would have cost just £27.50 per head and of course they can take the fish home. We could add the fuel costs etc., but the point is this. Right now Trout are going for something like £6.99 per kilo in certain supermarkets (we only charge £5/kg at the lake!). These poly wrapped fish are small, look ill and when we buy them do we really know where they came from, how they were dispatched etc?
The Cobb awaits! This nifty little BBQ is portable and ideal for cooking Trout next to the lake.
I am pleased to report that Arthurs first ever Trout went down well. He had cast to it, caught it and cooked it. In fact he was even asking his father if they could do the same for supper and pleading to go fishing again instead of surfing. Just imagine if we could convert more 14 year olds, then perhaps, just perhaps our precious wild resources may have some kind of future.
Cast, Catch and Cook!
Sustainable fish and they taste so good! Fresh Trout caught from and cooked on the shores of Exe Valley Lake.
The Fishing Clinic
On Saturday we ran our first ever fishing clinic here at Exe Valley. The day did not get off to the perfect start as upon my arrival at 6am I found an angler hot footing it towards the lakes, despite several signs explaining that we were closed for the event! The individual was obviously not happy, especially when I mentioned that he could join the day for £50 including tuition and a full day of catch & release. He retorted with “I dont need tuition!” Of course I may seem biased working as a fly fishing instructor, but don’t we all need tuition at some point? Isn’t the whole wonderful point of fishing that we learn all the time? Why go in the first place if we know it all?
Anyway drama over I made a few last minute additions to my fly box (Claret Stealth Buzzers- love them!) and then it was away to the Three Acres Country House for breakfast with Iain Barr who was our special guest for the day. Mulling over our lack of Sea Trout fishing the night before (we stocked the fly tray and then ended up in the Quarrymans Rest, followed by Eds Bar!) the topic of conversation quickly turned to the weather. Dark storm clouds were building and we knew we were in for a soaking, but there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad equipment. With the lake well stocked and 12 guests to entertain there was definitely no going back now!
Iain Barr lands a Trout for one of our junior guests Daniel Tranter
Our guests all arrived for a 10am kick off and we set about offering advice on the likely tactics for the day while also checking out tackle. Quite a few anglers were fishing with short leaders and there were one or two novel connections between the leader and fly line. Offering step by step advice we helped to create small loops, secure knots and therefore achieve better overall presentation … it is surprising how these small changes can make all the difference. What was particularly pleasing was watching one or two of the guests who had already been on one to one tuition days with us. Their leaders looked in good order and I was also really impressed by their fly choice, coupled with an ability to find the best fish holding water. Who said tuition doesn’t work?
Julie Hooper loves her fishing and caught a good bag during the fishing clinic. A two fish limit was followed by catch and release.
While Lewis and I did the rounds, checking retrieves, offering tactical advice and helping out with casting Iain headed straight for the two youngest members of the party, Daniel Tranter and Freddie Kent. We have been watching both these lads carefully over the last couple of seasons because their fishing is superb for their age (under 13) and in fact Iain soon had the boys showing the adults the way as there rods hooped into several hard fighting Exe Valley rainbows.
The new "deep point" at Exe Valley is fishing very well and Duncan Dart put it to good use.
... and after netting the fish I explain how to release it unharmed
And so the day continued with our guests enjoying a full day of fishing with an opportunity to release fish, using barbless hooks of course and so prolific was the action that our 2009 world champion guest could not even resist a cast or 2 …. or maybe that’s 1000! Iain is an infectious angler who still loves to catch fish, even from a small stillwater … using CDC dries to extract a healthy bag of Trout. Before long he had our anglers following his lead and for some this was their first ever experience of dry fly fishing. The smiles said it all and especially for one of our Exe Valley regulars, Trevor Ball who extracted his best ever bag of 11 fish, mainly on a CDC Buzzers.
However the biggest fish did not succumb to such subtle tactics. Fishing a slow figure of eight retrieve coupled with a long leader and a Sunburst Blob, regular guest of Nick Hart Fly Fishing, Rob Pithouse caught steadily throughout the day and then suddenly his rod took on an alarming curve! Seeing this from the other side of the lake I think my sprint may even have impressed Usain Bolt as I dashed to assist Rob with what was obviously a decent specimen. At 10lb 4oz it was by far the largest fish of the day and the perfect end to our first Fishing Clinic. Look out for more news about a similar day that Lewis and I are planning in the not too distant future and if you are a fan of facebook follow at www.facebook.com/nickhartflyfishing for more details coming soon.
Rob Pithouse with Iain Barr and a 10lb 4oz specimen taken during the fishing clinic
Exciting Exe
I am just loving the river fishing at the moment. Yes we do need water, that’s for sure, but the Trout are still willing to feed and it is very pleasing to see how well conditioned many of them are. However on our local stretch of the Exe they are by no means giving themselves up easily and standard Black Klinkhammers on a 10′ leader are meeting with little in the way of results. Instead long fine leaders coupled with tiny emergers have been the way to go.
Well stocked up with the relevant lightweight tackle I started guiding in earnest last week and enjoyed looking after a number of guests, including a party of four which included three generations of the same family. The Innes clan originate from Scotland and John Innes senior is no stranger to fishing, working as a trawler-man for most of his life. Anyone who knows anything about going to sea knows just what a tough (and dangerous) job that is. I marveled at this man who was incredibly agile for his 70+ years and an obvious fishing nut … our mission was to try and get John, his son John and Johns grandsons into their first ever River Trout.
Team Innes, wadered up and ready for their first ever river fishing session
Prior to the session we set up the obligatory team photo and then it was down to business with an hours refresher lesson on the lakes tuning up the casting; such an important part of river fishing. Instantly Lewis and I were impressed by the two sons Keiran and Tom, both teenagers showing some real casting skill and before long the two Johns were improving their loops while learning about those all important side casts. Lesson over we all headed off in earnest for the river with anticipation at fever pitch!
Lewis made a quick getaway for the upper beat with John senior and Keiran while I opted for the lower section. The sun was up which I like but this was the first day of the gusty downstream wind which we have been experiencing recently and an absolute menace when trying to cast long leaders upstream! Its a guides job to overcome these problems which are not solved by changing a fly but by continually offering encouragment and tuition where necessary to improve the cast. Practice tight loops when it is windy, coupled with high line speeds and it is quite possible to enjoy your fishing even on a blustery day.
Keiran with a Wild Trout. Who says we must dress in green to catch Trout?!
This was proving the case for John junior who started to pop some really nice presentations into an inviting looking run, often meeting with an acceptance of his emerger pattern. All we needed to practice now was the strike! We missed a few, hooked one that got off and then the silence was shattered by …. yes of course Lewis! Kieran had hooked a stunning wild Brown of above average size and Mr Calamity himself (I have many loooong stories!) had dropped his mobile phone into the river while trying to photograph it, all because he had forgoten to pack his camera. I can forgive Lewis quite easily because he is a top guide; indeed one of the best with an infectious enthusiasm. He grabbed my camera and ran back for a quick photocall …. well done Keiran, what a superb first ever wild Trout.
We got back to business and meanwhile little did I know that Lewis had hopped out of the River with John senior for a quick visit to Island lake. This is a sediment pool within the Exe Valley complex but fish thrive there on a rich soup of Bloodworm and Buzzer. Just look at the Brown that succumbed to dry fly tactics on a lightweight river outfit, I hear it put up quite a fight before once again being safely released.
John Innes senior gets in on the action with a nice Brown during an Island Lake raid.
Meanwhile we were still after a first fish which came in the form of a 6 incher to John juniors rod. I could see that Tom was desperate to get on the scorecard too as during his short fishing career he had taken part in four sessions and blanked every time! There was no way I was letting that happen again, but I could see Tom needed encouragement … we all know how important it is to bank that first fish. Post lunch we climbed into the back of Bend Pool and started to carefully fish up a smooth glide; the fish were feeding. I was blown away by the quality of Toms presentations considering his lack of experience and felt sure that any moment it would happen. It did!!! It is a privilege (and a huge buzz!) to stand next to someone when they catch their first ever Wild Brown Tout and even more special when it is their first fish ever. Small yes, but perfectly formed, wild and captured while fishing a dry upstream. It doesn’t get much better … Toms smile says it all.
Toms first ever fish!
He was now in the groove, confidence boosted and the sibling rivalry had kicked in. He wanted a bigger fish than his brothers. I reckon I had been gone a maximum of 10 minutes, guiding his father John along Bridge Run when I heard a shout and looked up to see a Trout mid air and Toms rod hooped over. Out of the water and off up the bank I went arriving just in time to net Toms 2nd fish, an absolutely stunning Brown with tons of condition and a definite contender for the best river fish of the day. All good but as I explained to Tom the fact that he had spotted the fish, made the cast and hooked up without any assistance was first class. Once again his smile says it all.
Tom with a cracking Wild Brown which fell to an emerger pattern
Later that day John senior and I hooked up for a quick session fishing emergers and I am pleased to say that he also managed to hook one although it managed to slip the hook, but as I explained river fishing is far more about the experience rather than just landing fish and it is only right that a few manage to get the better of us. Fortunately a quick visit to the lakes resulted in a few Rainbows for the table! All in all a day that both Lewis and I enjoyed organising from start to finish and made all the more special when we received this email from John junior the next day. Many thanks guys, it was pleasure to meet you and we hope to fish with you again someday.
Dear Nick and Lewis,
Sincere thanks for the time you spent with me, my boys and my father yesterday. I had set myself high hopes that the day would be good but you exceeded my expectations with your knowledge, patience, manner, good humour, and extremely professional delivery. You taught us an immense amount during the day, and if we can retain even a fraction of that, we will be richer anglers by far. The expressions on faces, laughter, and enthusiasm around the dinner table as each of us retold episodes from the day was proof of how successful, enjoyable and well received the day had been.
I will most certainly recommend both of you, the shop and the fishery, to any other angler, novice or otherwise, and look forward to visiting you again soon.
Many thanks for making yesterday so memorable for us, for the fish we caught and lost, the fish we caught and kept, and for the fish we caught and released. You covered everything I’d asked for in my original requests, and more. I couldn’t have asked for a more complete day.
It was an absolute pleasure meeting you both, and I wish you every success as you certainly deserve it.
Kind Regards
John
Fly Casting is Fishing Glue
During the weekend the lakes outside our shop were frozen over with just a few gaps here and there, even so it was good to see several hardy anglers had braved the cold to try their luck. In such low temperatures it can be difficult to tempt the fish, but sticking with something simple like a Black Woolly Bugger, Taddy or similar mobile lure will often pick up a Trout or two. The key is to keep the fly in the water.
Observing from our shop door which provides a view across the lake I could see that the anglers were having a tough time of it and it was nothing to do with tactics. It was all about the casting.
Most of the anglers were regularly catching up on their back cast, or enduring the frustration of poor turnover …. a crumpled mess often resulting in tangles and lost fishing time. Just what you dont need if there is limited fishing space and the conditions are tough. All of the anglers had popped in to discuss where the fish would be located, what fly to use and so on, but not one quizzed me on their casting faults. One angler did drop by the shop to discuss his fly line which had lots of memory, a serious problem that hinders good casting no matter how fine tuned. But other than that, not a word about casting.
Knowledge regarding fish location, tactics and fly selection is all wasted if we cant present the fly accurately at the required distance. Fly Casting is our fishing glue …. it sticks our knowledge together and turns it into success. So while the going is tough out there with freezing temperatures rendering many venues unfishable is this not a good time to be tuning up the cast? I can guarantee that a little bit of effort during the low season will pay dividends later this year. During this week I will post a few tips/exercises to help get you going because the season is not so far away!
Casting Tip 1 : Grip – Stance – Comfort
- A comfortable stance coupled with a relaxed grip provides the foundation to good casting technique. If you have never thought about this then next time you go for a practice session look at how you position your feet while casting.
- Traditional style features a closed stance with each foot pointing at the target and positioned so that one foot sits just in front of the other. This is actually an excellent technique for lining up a cast accurately and also helps to ensure a straight rod path. However it is not the most comfortable positioning for everyday stillwater fishing in which case adopt an open stance.
- An open stance allows for freedom of movement and feels natural but be careful not to rotate the hips. Always keep in mind that we are trying to develop a straight rod path ….. get yourself comfortable and you should be well on the way! Check out this image which shows an open stance.
Fly Casting - Open Stance
- Now that we have a good foundation the next crucial element to address is the “grip” or as I prefer to term it “the hold”. Picking up the rod with relaxed hands is imperative to success, golf coaches call it “soft hands” and this most certainly applies to fly casting.
- There are a host of grips available but for general casting try placing the thumb on top of the rod, as per the image below.
A comfortable fly casting grip
- A good way to think about “holding” a fly rod is to imagine the grip you would use to pick up a screwdriver for example.
- Other ways to remember the grip include “a friendly handshake” or “using a tack hammer” …. we are not banging in 6″ nails!
The "screwdriver" fly rod grip
So there we have it, some extremely basic tips but the foundation to good casting nontheless and an all too often over looked element. Next time I will add some information regarding the formation of loops and good timing with a few excercises to help. Even if the playing field or garden doesnt inspire you then why not take 5 minutes out during your next fishing session to start developing your cast …. assuming there is no ice of course! With a little practice the techniques will become second nature and the results will speak for themselves.
Many thanks to Henry Gilbey for images used to illustrate this blog post. Check out more of Henrys work here
Crossing the borders of Fly Fishing
When I first started out with this blog I frequently posted pictures of our guests with their catches, from the lake here at Exe Valley. One such angler is Lester Beckett seen here with his first ever Rainbow Trout taken on a fly. A Buzzer of course!
However as the shop has become busier and busier, my chances to size pictures in photoshop and load them up here have reduced drastically. However Lester got me thinking because although he has only just cast a fly in anger for the first time yesterday he was already keen to see what opportunities lay before him, other than stillwater Trout. This is a recurring theme that I have noticed more and more during the last couple of years as the diversity of fly fishing continues to expand.
Lester comes from Zimbabwe and so the air was soon filled with talk concerning the possibility of Tiger fish on fly. However he would have to try that the next time he visits, as Lester currently resides in the UK. I therefore suggested that Pike or maybe even Zander gave the best opportunity of something toothy to target. But to tackle these fish requires some hefty gear and plenty of line speed so my advice was to practice hard and build a seriously good set of foundation casts before moving into the realms of double haul and other advanced techniques required for distance casts with large flies. It is great to have a goal but I have witnessed many fly anglers attempting to run before they can walk which results in nothing more than frustration and sometimes anger. Whats the point in that, fishing is after all supposed to be fun?
However, there are plenty of fish that Lester can tackle before he becomes a familiar face on his local canal. One such fish is the Grayling. In just a couple of weeks hordes of fly fishers will head to their favourite haunts in search of this beautiful species which appear frequently in our guests catches. See here for some recent Grayling captures. I have several dates booked to guide the species but I have to say more than any other this is a fish that I try to fish for myself as regularly as possible, the winter season providing me with a little extra time to enjoy a few days. So far I am looking forward to a weekend on the Coln and some days on the Itchen & Test.
I look forward to those days but at present all eyes are on the Salmon. I have guests here this week to fish for them and although the water is now low on the Exe, we have had a release of water from Wimbleball Lake that has definitely stirred the fish up. And if the Exe does not produce then I also have the Mole and the Torridge which of course will have a few straggler Sea Trout running them too. The Exe and The Torridge both benefit from season extensions so if we get some rain then good sport can be had as I found out last season, capturing this fish just the before the extension expired.
A winter season enjoying some Grayling (and of course the pike) is an exciting prospect in itself but I must admit that my latest obsession comes in the form of 4 wheels. As many of you who have spent time fishing with me over the years will know I am more than just a little bit of a petrol head. My own weakness being VWs and in particular the Corrado. After 6 years of waiting the right one finally turned up in the form of this Black VR6, finished in Black leather. I came across the car quite by chance while looking for a new truck and still pinch myself regarding how lucky I have been.
It turns out the car had previously belonged to an enthusiast who had spent thousands adding a Quaife differential (could be good for a turbo then) and a quick shift in the process, not to mention a Magnex Exhaust, Koni Filters, GMax suspension kit (this thing rides low!) and all finished off with diamond cut Speedline rims. Putting damn near 3 litres of engine in a coupe like this equals serious fun, close to 200 bhp when standard. But of course, I won’t be able to leave it at that.
