As expected my favourite fly fishing spot already had a resident out-of-season coarse angler in situ. As I arrived he was setting up. I say setting up, but that mainly consisted of propping up a rod against a railing on the riverbank, and retreating into his car to smoke weed for the next couple of hours.
The water level was a little lower than my last visit, and the trout not quite so numerous, but there were certainly enough specimens to target. A couple of large carp and a white Koi were also resident in this pool.
From my vantage point, high on the man-made bank, I could see one large brown trout. The fish – at least twelve inches – was holding position in the fast water flowing over a sill. I cast a variety of flies towards this trout. In the clear water, I could see each fly as it passed close to the fish’s nose. It rejected all my offerings. It also thankfully ignored any clumsy casts which would have scattered most fish. It was so close – I could have poked it with my rod – but I just couldn’t do anything to entice it.
In this same pool, in some deeper water, I finally managed to bag a fish of almost a foot long, my largest Wandle trout to date.
The stoner finally started fishing with a float and bait which was impeding my casting. He and a couple of friends had set up lawn chairs and and looked like they were settling in for a night of carp fishing. I moved further downstream.
At sunset, I took another smaller specimen. In netting the fish, I slid into the river. Wet feet certainly make one rethink one’s approach. Next time, I’ll wear my waders.
Total Catch:
- 2 Brown Trout
A Fishing Diary 