Wednesday 28 January 2015

Tried trotting for grayling

Oops, and there I am wading! Not quite got the swing of the casting on a centre pin reel to launch it across the river from the bank. Partly complicated by the fact that the centre pin reel of my long dead father, was left handed! It is an old Avon Crown and not convertible to right hand. Strange really as my father was right handed. There is, I guess a story there, but not one I am going to discover.
I now hope my left handed son might at some point take up fishing!
Now I started off casting with the rod in my left hand - which worked reasonably well. Except having borrowed a 13' rod, it made my wrist ache quite quickly. Using the rod in my right hand resulted in a number of tangles as I failed to slow the reel. The instinct to use my thumb proved useless as it was touching the non moving part of the reel.
The maggots were as un-alluring as maggots have always been, but the fish liked them. Having at one point wandered off from my mentor, Mr Worthy, I did try a bead head red tag, but failed to tempt a fish.

Indeed had I ventured out on my own to try this sport I am sure I would not have caught the number of fish that came to the net – plus the one lost when I lifted into the fish and tangled with a tree.
Back to the drawing board on trotting then. Only a month to fish using this method now, so, hmmm, do I buy a right handed centre pin and a rod or do I think about a silk reel for my fly fishing?

Sunday 11 January 2015

To trot or not to trot?

Generally I take a couple of months off fishing at this time of year. Last weekend in the deep hard frost we took a walk which brought us down the river Bradford.
We bought the book 'A River in Time' written by Christine Gregory, at a talk presented by the Wildlife Trust, Wye and Upper Derwent Group last Autumn. The book gives a deep and thorough picture of this beautiful river and its history.
We watched the river as we walked. Plenty of water, birdsong and a good flow of water. Lunch on the bench just up from the swimming area, sitting in the sunshine. Delightful.
Later that evening opening my emails I read a newsletter from GAIC. Going through the articles I read Louis Noble's description of trotting for grayling. Apart from his suggestion to use a worm, it intrigued me. I have an old Avon Crown centre pin reel of my father's. But I would need to buy a rod, braid, nylon, float and shot. Will it be worth it? I think I would prefer to use tied nymphs or shrimps rather than maggot or worm.  Do they work?
Priced up a J W Young 13' rod. But will it feel heavy?
Checked out on YouTube the Wallis cast required to launch float, shot, line and bait - seems reasonably easy from the comfort of my armchair! Would no doubt be creating a few birds’ nests at the river?
Can anyone advise? I dislike wading to any depth in the cold, cold water - besides, my wader’s leek at a point above my knee. So could I use this technique to fish further across the river?
Your tips and opinions please.
To trot or not to trot?

Sunday 4 January 2015

December 31st Last day of fishing for 2014


The sun was shining. Not too windy. But I blanked. I saw only one fish which swam off rapidly as I approached. Ah well, better luck next year. Happy new year!