Fly fishing tuition in the Derbyshire Dales, Peak District & South Yorkshire has been very brisk in September. Unfortunately the weather spoiled itself in the final week after what had been the best month of the season so far.
I struggle to remember a wetter or more unpredictable season but early & mid September did come up trumps for the Fly fisher. The Rivers & Still Waters fished well with some excellent catches of both Trout & Grayling. Much of the action has been on Nymph & North Country Spider but we have occasionally delighted in a little Dry Fly Fishing.
The people whom I have had the pleasure to teach & guide have fished well and been rewarded with some fine fish to show for their efforts. Looking back over the season there have been some lovely memories, despite the weather:
The youngsters on the Salmon & Trout Association Junior Days as proud a punch holding up their catch.
The Gentleman who had never fished before who could hardly believe his eyes when a Trout swallowed the fly and the rod bent.
The Chap who had Fly fished five times without a catch and suddenly found himself landing five lovely fish.
The client who Fly fished on still waters but wanted to try Fly fishing on a river for the first time. He is now going to buy some waders!
It is always a privilege to witness someone’s first fish on the fly, be it Trout or Grayling. There are those who say it’s all down to luck, but it seems strange to me that the more you know about Fly fishing the luckier you seem to get!
I am hoping that Autumn & Winter go a little more according to plan which will see me guiding, instructing & fishing the still waters for stocked Rainbow Trout & the rivers for “the Lady of the Stream” the beautiful Grayling. There is something about being by the river on a cold sunny autumn day with a backdrop of trees with their autumn tints and the hope of catching a few wild Grayling.
Fly fishing is a bit like that – “you either get it or you don’t” but you will never know if you don’t give it a try!
Tight Lines! – Peter