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Fishing Tackle
Wild trout : Fly fishing for wild brown trout
23 April 2009
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A lot of fly fishing tackle simply looks so damned good that it deserves to be photographed. Fly reels especially tend to be close to works of art in their exterior complexity, but actually most of the good ones are fairly simple inside. The aim is to have fly reels that are exceptionally tough and hard-wearing and also as light as possible for the fly fisherman to hold and fish with all day long. Whilst of course a fly reel is no more than a fishing tool, most of us would admit to being proud of our own fishing tackle. I am a seriously contended photographer if you give me a mix of rivers, fly fishing and good weather.
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The westcountry is a part of the UK that is overflowing with fishable streams and rivers, and many of them hold good stocks of wild brownies and decent grayling. Some offer good salmon and sea trout fishing as well when the conditions are right. It is perfectly possible to fly fish many of them if you source the right contacts to ask for permission and payment. Often surprisingly cheap and underfished, little compares with the joy of fishing a perfect beat all by yourself as the world rushes by a few miles behind you. Just the wildlife you may see makes it more than worthwhile.
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I can’t decide if I prefer the more open stretches of rivers or the parts that are festooned with canopies of trees and greenery. Westcountry fly fishing guide and instructor Nick Hart is quietly wading his local river Mole for some fine wild browns. A late summer day that begins to cool just as the sun dips lower in the sky often brings these perfect little fish on the feed, and with long daylight hours it is perfectly possible to get a couple of hours in after work. Lengthening shadows as you traipse back to your car is always a sign that you have effectively rid yourself of the day’s stresses and strains.
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This small river fly fishing is all about travelling as light as you can and then wading out to fish the runs and pools. What more do you possibly need than a rod, reel, some flies and leader material ? A small net can clip to the back of your chestpack, in which you should be able to carry all that you require. A really good pair of breathable chest waders are needed to wade out like this, and it is vital to wear your wading belt. Nick hit this good wild brownie right at the end of the day, as the sun began to deliver the river into shadow. I like photographing these conditions and I know that Nick really likes these times for his fishing.
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Is there a more perfect fish than a prime conditioned wild brown trout ? Stocked rainbows may well attain massive proportions in some of famous lakes and stillwaters, but they can’t compare to a truly wild fish that spends its life competing with other wild fish for whatever food the river can offer. While our wild English browns may well not grow that big, in my mind this magical style of fishing is all about the unique sense of satisfaction that fishing wild rivers can give you. Combine the fish with the surroundings, their pristine nature and the sense of solitude and you have stumbled upon a formula that is very hard to beat.