Birthday Fishing

It was my 40th birthday a couple of days ago and all the fishing gods must have got together to make it special. First the incessant rain we have been having this summer eased for a few days to allow the river to drop and lose the look of stewed tea. Then my wife had some time off which meant I didn’t have to look after the children, so by 11 o’clock on Thursday I was out the door with a spring in my step and my cap at a jaunty angle.

Most of my fishing is done in the evening after baths and bedtimes for the children so it was a treat to get out in the daylight. We have had extremely heavy rain recently and lines of debris along the bankside are at least 5 or 6 feet above the current level, it is amazing how quickly it drops though.

I fished a favourite place, a feeder river to the Sullane at Bealick Mill which has lovely weir and above the bridge a calm stretch where the fish always rise freely. I took a short video of this bit of the river.

I tied on a CDC and Elk which I have only recently started to tie after reading through some old posts on Alistair’s Urban Fly Fisher blog and it worked better than I expected. In the turbulent flow trout were flying up and smashing the fly as it landed and when drifting it through the slack water they were sucking it in gently. I have never been so confident in a fly’s ability to fool fish, they dont last long though after about a dozen or so fish they are pretty threadbare. When I bought the CDC last week I thought they were expensive at 3 Euro for about 10 small feathers but they really do seem to work and it was not a difficult fly to tie. I know that is the kiss of death to say they work so well and next time I will probably not get a touch.

The last time I went fishing was about three weeks ago so it was great to be out and catching fish. I got some money for the big 40 from my parents so I am contemplating giving Ebay a bash for some new waders and maybe a Fishpond chest/backpack as it is cheaper to order from the states than to buy over here. I quite Fancy one of these; I know it won’t help me catch more fish but when I do get go fishing I would like to be able to carry enough gear to be comfortable when investigating the many rivers and streams here. It also breaks down into a separate chest and backpack so it would be okay for just a quick session. Has anybody got any views on fishpond gear, is it all show and no substance or are they as tough and practical as they claim?
I have also been looking at Whychwood breathable waders which come with boots for just over £105 which is about 130 Euro.

The rubber Snowbee ones I have are fine but I do have a problem with welly boots and blistered feet if I have to walk any distance.

It is raining again and there are gale force winds blowing at the moment so it looks like an evening on the river will be replaced by a session on Ebay.