Now the dust has settled on the return of angling in the united kingdom and we’re now allowed out to fish again, with some great work from the Angling Trust and their help putting proposals forward to get us all back on the water, they deserve a big thank you from all us anglers.
Not being able to fish has really put things into perspective for me, and many others I imagine too! On a recent trip to my local river, it was a warm and sunny evening and I couldn’t help but take a step back and take a moment to appreciate fishing, being out on the water and all the great things it brings to the individual angler. From an escape from the hustle and bustle of every day life for a day’s fishing to a quick hour on the way home from work. Fishing isn’t just a sport for some of us. It really is a way of life and helping many people who struggle with mental health.
After taking my moment of appreciation I was getting into position, poised and ready to present my dry fly to an actively feeding brown trout. Feeding on tiny olives right on the far bank I cast the fly upstream just ahead of the fish so it had plenty of time to see it. With the warm and dry weather of late the rivers around the UK are hard to fish at the moment with low water. Meaning presentation and stealth is absolutely key to upping your catch rate! it was the perfect cast, landing effortlessly on the water the trout took the fly aggressively, not a huge fish by any means but once in the net it was one of those moments where you take a look at the fish in the net and think ‘yeah, that was super cool’
I had set up with the duo method on this particular trip to the river, a method I love using when river fishing and a great way of searching the water for fish. I had caught a few trout on the suspended nymph but noticed more and more fly life and surface activity so I didn’t think twice about switching to all dry fly. There’s no comparison to the excitement of watching and waiting for a trout to come up and take your fly. Its something that will always get the heart pumping!
On some of my recent river adventures I have noticed much more wildlife, whilst setting my rod up I saw a kingfisher flying up and down the river. If you’ve never seen a kingfisher before they are a beautiful bird with vivid blue colours to them, we have a few on my local river. However I have noticed them more since being able to fish the river again and I just wonder if they had got use to little human activity in their habitats! It’s certainly worth a thought!
for me river fishing is magical. In the UK we are blessed with some truly amazing waters, from the chalk streams down south to the freestone rivers in the rolling countryside of the Yorkshire dales. There is some amazing fishing to be had! And being in the midst of the times we find our self in, being able to be on a river surrounded by wildlife is something I for one won’t take for granted again!
I’m blessed to live in Yorkshire, God’s own country as some call it! So its pretty amazing to have some brilliant rivers right on my doorstep.
Next time you’re out on the water, or just out perusing your chosen hobby be sure take a moment to appreciate where you are and your surroundings. Its guaranteed to paint a smile on your face! And remember, keep safe and always follow the rules set out!
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