Deer and Two Kingfishers

I started in the lower stretch at 11.00. Very few fish were rising so I decided to fish a pheasant tail nymph. Nothing came to my fly but the low clear water and the bright conditions did not help.

However, it was a fine September day and the the river bank looked quite beautiful tinged with the purple of the Himalayan Mountain Balsam. I saw quite a few good sized trout and grayling sulking on the bottom after the previous days electric shock treatment.

After lunch I moved to the upper stretch. Not much was moving here either, although I did catch a plucky little salmon parr at Whitfield Hatches and further up a couple of larger fish chased my nymph with a characteristic bow wave. I did see a deer and two kingfishers.

Despite no real fishing action it was a very agreeable last day of my trout season.

Jim Chalmers

September 26, 2006 by Filed under: Trout Fishing 

Electrofishing Day

Misty Morning

The morning was still but very misty as we all met at Lower Bockhampton and the expectation was that the sun would burn through later in the morning.

The kit and boat were unloaded and we were ready to go. As in the past few years we were joined by Anton Ibbotson and his team from the CEH. They were tagging salmon parr to monitor the parr leaving the Frome and hopefully returning in future years.

The Gang in Full Flow

How to tell the difference between a salmon parr and a trout parr

Here is Anton tagging a small salmon parr

We continued up the Lower Water encountering good numbers of trout, some amazing grayling and plenty of salmon parr for Anton’s team. When we reached Loud’s Mill it was time for lunch and John fired up his stove to reheat a chilli con carne to go with wraps, cheese & salad. Everyone else donated corn crisps, home made HOT Salsa and Guacamole dip – we ate like kings.

Mexican Time

Above Loud’s Mill the trout numbers were equally as good and the sun was beating down roasting them in their dry suits.

At the end of a very hot day 35 pike were removed and will be sold on and a huge number of trout and grayling were counted – best trout was 3lb+

Many thanks to the guys from Kingcombe Aquacare Ltd for all their excellent work and Andrea for the scrumptious chilli con carne 🙂

This is why we do it – a grayling tail!

September 25, 2006 by Filed under: Electro Fishing, River Work 

Skunked!

Looking Good

Parked up along the causeway to fish under Poundbury. Walked down to Giffords Pool and in just below the trees. The water was so, so clear and you could see fish on the fin so easily. Unfortunately they could also see me! Fished on up trying a spider pattern, then a small nymph and a dry, but as soon as the line came into view the fish were off.

Up round the corner and I think these willows will need a trim over the winter months.

Poundbury Straights

The straight was so still I got out to walk up to the Withy Bed; found a shoal of grayling with several 2lb+ fish.

Grayling Shoal

A trickle of pale wateries coming off now and fish moving; on went a small GRHE and a fish rose to my first cast with it, but missed it. Up around the bend to the deeps and there are some BIG grayling up there. Fish rising under the trees and I had two on but both wriggled off, tried to edge my round a deep run and over my waders the water went 🙁 That was it, time for home – first blank for ages —- I was SKUNKED!

September 24, 2006 by Filed under: Trout Fishing 

Lower Water Works

The river improvement works will be starting on the 2nd October. There will be a digger on site, so fishing on the Lower Water will be effected. But please do pop along to see the work, I’m sure they will find you something to do….

September 22, 2006 by Filed under: River Work 

Blustery Day

A second day of dreadful weather for the Dorchester Show.

Parked up at Loder’s Garage – wind very strong and a very damp feel in the air. Started with a small gold head size 16 and on my second cast I had a lively trout. Wind making casting very difficult and I caught a couple more as I emerged from the tree cover. Up around the bend and now in the full force of the wind – time to move!

First Fish

Drove up to Whitfield Hatches where is was a lot more sheltered. Fish were rising to a small hatch of pale wateries, so I switched to a small GRHE. Caught fish all the way up through, although the big fish in the long pool where as awkward as ever.

The clarity of water was amazing and you could see the huge numbers of small trout, which I guess is the product of the instream hatchery. There are one or two rather nice grayling as well, maybe we will have to change the grayling fishing bounderies to include all the Club’s water.

Up to Whitfield Hatches and a good fish rolled on the edge of the pool. I switched my fly to an elk hair sedge, not that I thought the fish was taking larger flies, I just wanted a large HOOK!

Cast into the area and immediate drag on the fly, but as I started to lift off to cast again the fish moved towards it…. I cast again and the fish took the fly, it was BIG, I struck and nothing — yes I struck too soon!

Whitfield Hatches

Fished on up to above the railway bridge, but the wind above here was too strong and time to head home for a cup of tea.. A good few hours fishing, plenty of fish caught and one that got-away!

September 3, 2006 by Filed under: Trout Fishing