Saturday 28 March 2015

First fish of the season and small signs of spring



Setting out on the first trout fishing trip of the season my local scalby beck looked bright , clear and very low. In these parts we have had virtually no rain for the last few months and the season is starting with water levels below normal summer levels.



 The cold instantly striking through my waders as I entered the beck reminded me its still only March.  This is the view that started my season .  I paused and just enjoyed watching the stream in front of me . Rod in hand a quick check behind and the first cast was formed .  This  moment  had been in my mind for a good few months now .   Evenings at my desk tying flies and more recently checking lines and cleaning reels all with a common purpose of preparation for the seasons start.  



The first signs of spring are everywhere now.  Tiny pockets of colour hidden along the banks give hints to warmer times .



Somehow the wild snowdrops are so much more graceful than the cultivated ones.


Further downstream the big weir pools showed no signs of life ,  Soon the fish that are there will take to the fin and  give themselves away taking surface flies .  The fish pass boxes are empty now the sea trout that ascended them just a few months previously have all either fed the otters or dropped back to the sea. The only evidence of their passing are the big redds still visible in the gravel beds. 


So here it is my opening day trophy that most important of captures, the first fish of the season.  Not big in fact not even average but a small fish that was ever so welcome .


A few more fish followed it all bigger but none had any significance no more would be the first fish . Below was the last view of the stream today the banks starting to flush with green with the thick beds of ramson or wild garlic .  In another month a shower of rain will fill the valley with the heavy perfume of garlic.



2 comments:

Brk Trt said...

A fine opening Andy. It is good to see those signs of Spring.
Here's to a new season.

Peter said...

The beck looks in lovely condition and the pictures of wild snowdrops and celandines are a sure sign that spring has sprung. Here's hoping you a great season
tight lines

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