New Season - New River

Out of fishing hibernation and thoughts go towards the year ahead. Spring is beginning to dawn and I love it.

Not so much a new river I suppose, but a new one for me. I have enquired about membership with BABAA after reading some encouraging posts from fly fishing blogger BloodyFishing.

So the River Blyth it is then?

I had a very disappointing season last year on the Coquet. There was a number of reasons for this.

• the weather was terrible. biblical downpours made fishing difficult to say the least.
• the distance to the Coquet from home and work meant a 45 minute drive to riverbank. now this may not seem like a long time but im a family man and every minute counts when you are trying not to spend too long away from home.
• 2012 was challenging year in other areas of life, nuff said.

I have never fished the Blyth before but the BABAA membership is reasonably cheap so i could still splash out on day tickets for the Derwent if it doesn't suit.

I can reach the Blyth in 20mins which will give me an extra hour on the river with each trip, plus the possibility of 'cheeky' visits after work when time allows.

I have missed fishing and am keen to get out. I need to find out when the river is stocked and plan for an early march trip.

The remainder of February can be given over to replenishing the fly box. I still have a well stocked box of feathers and furs so no spending needed there. Black Spiders, GRHE, PTN, coot wing spider, top of the list.

I own a 7 1/2 ' Shakespeare Trion rod which would seem to be ok for the heavily tree lined blyth. 

Its been a lovely day today, the kind of day that whispers promises of the spring thats around the corner. Sunlight dappled water, the colour green with a azure background, the sound of birdsong and insect drone. the sparkle of broken water as trout feed. Cant wait.

The cost of obsession.

I keep on spending but fishing keeps on giving. Every outing throws up another essential piece of kit that I never knew i needed. Last trip to the Coquet showed me that I needed.... New tippet, water proof fly box and better gravel guards. Three things that I never new existed a few years ago. Now I cant live without them.

Flyfishing keeps on giving though. Im obsessed.

The more time that is spent flyfishing the more new challenges are discovered. My current challenge is to get to grips with downstream wet fly. I know that after a few more sessions I will find some useful downstream skills that will serve me well. I also appreciate that I will never master even this relatively easy area of flyfishing. I will never become an Expert. They dont exist. There are only better flyfishers on different days to different fish in different locations under different weather conditions.

This is the enduring charm of Flyfishing.

I have in the past cultivated other obsessions. I have held on to a few but they have ceased to be obsessions any longer. I still play tennis, but am no longer obsessed. I still run, but no longer obsess over it. I play guitar, but no longer spend hour after hour practicing. I support Newcastle United but my mood no longer depends upon results.

I enjoy the peace and nature and challenge and wildlife and location and event and, and, and..... the gear.

Now where can I get a fluorescent indicator leader....furled of course?

Downstream Wet Fly

Started at the car park just outside Rothbury and fished downstream wets towards Rothbury. Now this is not a technique I am familiar with, in fact I have never tried this for a whole session...thats the plan for today. I get the impression I am making things difficult for myself by being an upstream purist, I am certainly not catching very much recently.  I planned to switch to dry fly only if a substantial hatch of Mayfly presented its self, it didn't.

Started with gold bead rabbit fur nymph on the point and Stewarts spider on the dropper. Took this lovely wild fish after 5 mins... look at the colours... 

Took fish at regular interval on this set up, all were wild and quite small though. Stopped for cheese and tomato sandwich just before town and headed back to the car. 

I'm beginning to wonder where all the stocked fish are going in the Coquet? after speaking to a few other anglers (trotting worms) the consensus is that the stockies are elusive. Are there any in there?

perfect camouflage

The Coquet wild brown trout are a beautiful hard fighting fish but I would like to hook something a little bigger once in a while.

Switched to green tungsten rabbit fur nymph with PTN on dropper and fished some likley looking sections upstream towards Ladys Bridge. Fished a smashing sheltered 'S' bend just off the golf course and hooked a few more WBT. Pink bead rabbit fur nymph proving to be most popular.

Rain stopped play at around 6.00

I plan to tie some more rabbit fur nymphs before my next visit and concentrate on the stretch before Ladys Bridge again. I find the rabbit fur a bit more 'buggy' looking than hares mask and the tungsten bead gets the point fly down to the bottom  lot quicker than a standard bead. Not sure if the colour has an effect or not but its worth a try innit?

Need a new pair of gravel guards before my next session. The cheap Snowbee neoprene jobbies lasted all of 2 sessions before the zips popped... must be my fell runners calf muscles.

Also, need a waterproof flybox for my dries. Oh and a new rod would be nice, 9' for a 4# should help with the wets/nymphs.

Always learning, always spending.

First at Felton

Belta of a day so I blasted up the A1 to Felton after work. Parked at a farm east of Felton village and made my way down to the river. It is an idyllic place, very peaceful.

Anyhows, wallked downstream to a large gravel bank and fished my way back up to 'the way through the woods'. 

Managed a few wild fingerlings to a home-tied coot wing spider pattern. changed to a PTN and Waterhen Bloa set up and snagged a few more. 

Was casting into a pocket of still water under some branches when I felt an 'odd' pull/snag, out pops an otter looking more surprised than me, spies me and rockets off. That could explain the lack of fish?

Next stop upstream of Rothbury I think.

First whole day fishing 2012

May have to wait.

Quack Quack

Second visit to the Coquet, second duck.

Wednesday after work I shot up to Pauperhaugh for my second (rushed) dip of the season. Parked at the bridge and walked downstream a ways to a likely looking pool with lots of overhanging branches and fishy riffles.

Over the past few days Ive been researching replacement rods as a birthday present to myself. So I took out the 7'6" Odyssey 4# as this is the closest to the size rod im considering (vision Cult).

Tied on a olive dry and began prospecting. Managed to catch some salad on a backcast and lost the first fly. Decided to try New Zealand style with a Klinkhamer and gold ribbed hares ear. Caught an overhanging branch after 10 minutes.

The bulls in the adjacent field began to congregate at the waters edge, probably getting a closer look to have a laugh, so decided it was time to move on.

Having lost all self respect I thought I would try a bit of nymphing near the bridge, there had to fish there? I even stooped so low as to try out a 'thingymabob' I know, I know, a kick in the pants from dangling a worm, but i was frustrated. Not a thing. Even managed to turn my tippet into a spring when i tangled around a bit of old fence in the water.

if fish lived in trees...

Back on with a dry and black spider on the dropper and up the river we go.

Next stretch saw fish rising.....fantastic, i can do this. Got a nibble then nowt more. Managed to tangle me tipped though. As i was bankside cutting off the mess a number of rises caught my attention. I was in such a rush to get at the fish I didnt measure out enough tippet and ended up with an adams 600mm from my leader. The sun was setting by now so I decided to try anyway. Of course no fish came near my sorry excuse for a cast which wasn't long enough  to turn over properly.

The end of the session turned into casting practice as it so often does (too late to find another spot, too stubbon to admit complete defeat). In my efforts to get a short leader to turn over I created the mother of all wind knots (too much force knot). This tangle was monumental, a knot of gordian proposions. The furled leader was dead. it was time to trudge back to the car and then home to wine.

A fishing trip best put down to experience. I will not be wasting any money on an expensive rod very soon. That would be folly. I may search out a fishing guide / ghillie though I think that may be money better spent.

The Coquet is a beautiful river though.

First of the 2012 season

Ok the title is a bit misleading. I caught nixy on my first fishing trip of the season this year.
dashed out of work yesterday and drove at breakneck speed to the Coquet just west of Rothbury (Ladys Bridge I presume, but when getting to know a new river I am never fully sure if I am where I think I am).

By the time I stood in the river it was 5:15 so only managed an hour before it began to get dark. I actually had to think twice about which way around to attach reel.....handle to right or left??? it really has been ages since my last fishing trip!

Didnt have a clue what fly to use so tied on a black bodied Klinkhamer as there were no visible rises but a few hatches of dark flies here and there. The Klink brought a couple of tentative nibbles from something on the inside bend just below the car park then nothing else. Persevered for a while moving up stream until just below the bridge to the golf course. Changed fly to a small adams to try an stimulate interest but nowt was either there or interested.

Not the best start to my season, but still it was super just being in the river watching the wildlife and enjoying the sun setting behind the hills. Clocks go forward this weekend so my next trip will at least be an hour longer.

almost there

Not long now. 21st March sees the trout season 2012 begin and lord it has been a loooooooong winter. I wont go into details but I am most pleased to see the first signs of spring and the promise of some blessed trout seeking.

This coming season I will be mostly fishing the Coquet, having just paid for a trout permit with the Northumbrian Anglers Federation. I will also be splashing around the Tyne around Bellingham for fun. Are there trout in that stretch of the Tyne? I will seek to discover.

The fever has returned as I find myself trying to find the next bit of vital tackle that I will need. New rod? always fancied a Hardy. New line? Different Weight? Try for Salmon?

I am OK for Flies for the immediate future, tied up a selection of Klinkhamers, Adams, Beaded Nymphs, and Spiders for 2012 chances are they will be useless on the Coquet. Finding out is the best bit.

So with gathering optimism I sign off till I can reflect upon my first dip in the Coquet.

TTFN

Ah well another blank............... BANG! holy guacamole

My first salmon, a photo by geordietrout@ymail.com on Flickr.

So, I was on/in the river yesterday trying to find some Grayling. I managed an out of season Brooney (oops. sorry bud) about 4" long. I was ready to give in when I heard an almighty splash behind me.... Big fish were jumping in a still pool at 5 minute intervals.

So on one last roll of the dice i retrieved my Greys 7# from the car and tied on an streamer which I had for some reason bought last year and forgotten about. The 7# normally only sees still waters and that is very infrequently.

Second cast...BANG! was that a whale?

After 5 mins fight my arm started to ache... I can remember chanting the eternal mantra of all fishermen " please don't snap, please don't snap"

My best fish yet. Phew.

Divint even think aboot it evil pollutoman.

Just a quick update on the progress towards a cleaner Ouseburn....
With an rush of self-righteous vigour I wrote to Nick Brown MP about the amount of pollutant allowed to flow into the Ouseburn etc etc....
here is the reply I have just received;

Dear Lyle Nicholson,

Thank you for your recent email to Nick Brown MP highlighting your concerns about the large amount of foam in the Ouseburn River recently. I am replying as Nick’s constituency assistant.

You are right that this is a dangerous pollutant in the river and seems to have come from drainage upstream which finds its way into the Ouseburn (which has historically been used for drainage purposes). I hope you will be pleased to hear that Nick has written to the Chief Executive of Newcastle City Council highlighting the matter and enquiring as to what the Council intends to do about it. Please find a copy of this letter attached to this email. I shall of course keep you in touch with any reply we receive.

For info, see below two links showing the coverage the BBC gave the incident, as well as the Environment Agency’s notice appealing for information from the public, if you have yet to come across these.

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/133689.aspx?month=9&year=2011

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-15136332

Thank you for taking the time to contact Nick about this matter and I hope to get back to you soon with a response from the Council.

With best wishes,

Yours sincerely,

David Hickling

Senior Caseworker

On behalf of Rt. Hon. Nick Brown MP

WALLOP! take that.

here is the letter that was sent to Newcastle City Council.....

THWACK! they dont like it up em mr Mannerwring.

oh my god! in steps the BBC......

BOSH! feel my power!

Holy macaroni, here comes the Environment Agency....

Something might just happen.

TBC

Geordie Trout - Eco Warrior

What a strange week it has been. No fishing done though. I've been SAVING THE PLANET. well trying to save the Ouseburn river in Jesmond Dene from pollution.

I did have an ulterior motive though. I wanted the river clean enough so it could be stocked with brown trout for me to cast flies at. I had contacted an organisation called Trout in the Town and exchanged a few emails with a bod called Paul Gaskell. One of his emails suggested I gather interested people to help with the work so this I did via the mighty Fly Fishing Forums (see link to the right there). I posted a new thread (calling all North Eastern Flyfishers) on the Sunday, by the Monday I had arranged to meet Jon a flyfishing scientist from Newcastle Uni. We were to meet in the Dene on Wednesday evening and he would take some water samples to check the river for pollution and oxygen levels etc. I was up early on Wednesday morning to walk the Boo Boo (pet dug) as I am want to do. Say hello Boo Boo...

woof

 I noticed some white foam in the Ouseburn just below the house.....

some white foam in a northern stream.

 Then further downstream I noticed some more.....

a bit more white foam in a northern stream.

Under the bridge at Castle Farm Road there was even more of the stuff. 

more of the flipping stuff

 In fact a whole lot more of the stuff. It was all over the river, frothing up and blowing around. I rang the Environment Agency and reported the pollution. Feeling offended by this stuff invading 'my stream' I rang the BBC local news desk and sent them some of the pictures you can see above. I was building up a righteous head of steam by now.

next to the Fishermans Lodge.

 By the time I got to work an Environmental Agency investigation was taking place and an item was added to BBC radio Newcastle news.

the waterfall at the mill.

That evening I met with Jon and he took some samples. Surprisingly the levels of saturated oxygen were good but unsurprisingly the water was full of nitrates, phosphates and other words I don't understand. He didn't seem to think there was much chance of getting trout into the Ouseburn, and I could tell he was thinking I was a bit of a nutter.

Anyways, not one for 'letting it lie' I started a Facebook page (we love jesmond dene. stop polluting the ouseburn) I sent various emails to lots of people (local politicians, national politicians, commander in chief of the western armies) and generally became a pushy resident.

On Friday I spoke with a nice man at the Environment Agency who explained he had traced the source of the pollution to an outlet pipe in the killingworth area and the detergent (as this is what it turned out to be) was no stranger to the Ouseburn. The EA put out a press release to try and get Joe Public to nitch on the polluter.

Who knows? eventually the Ouseburn may be clean enough to support fishyness. If it is remember....You heard it hear first.

It is a crime that pollution is finding its way into the ouseburn. Over 6 million squids have just been spent on rebuilding cafes, paths, and bridges in Jesmond Dene. At least some of it should have been spent on cleaning up the Stream without which the Dene would not exist. This poem sums up the loveliness of the Dene. Ta Ta.

Sweet Jesmond Dene

O, Jesmond Dene! sweet Jesmond Dene!
Fair art thou in thy dress of green!
Thy flowery banks and walks between
Are sylvan beauties, Jesmond Dene
Thy brook that runs with murmuring sound,
Thy leafy glen so peaceful found, Thy wells, thy ruin, Jesumound,
Win heart to thee, sweet Jesmond Dene,
The bridges that throw o'er thy stream
Their span of rustic arch and beam,
Recall to mind some fairy dream,
It must be thine, sweet Jesmond Dene.

T.J. Warby c.1890

Perfect Day......nearly

Tied some flies and packed the car the night before. Planned the route and even the general tactics. I made the detour to Fraser's angling shop in Gateshead on the way home from work and picked up a day ticket for the upper Derwent. 

Music, Wine, and Fishing

I had the full day to fish, well until 3.00pm anyway (you can guess where I had to be at that time on a Saturday in September??). I left the house at 7.30 and arrived at Allensford at 8.00. Fantastic, only 30mins travel. Geared up, and sussed out a spot and was wetting my line at 8:30...fish were rising to flies! The plan was to fish a beaded hares ear nymph on point and a parachute adams on the dropper. Started next to the caravan park on a very trouty looking run of water. I had misjudged the depth of water and the beaded nymph caught on the bottom, a branch as it turned out. Walked up to where the snag was to see if it would free itself from a different angle and BANG the tip of the rod snapped. This is the third snap in three weeks. The last two happened during a holiday in the lakes and the fantastic people at John Norris replaced them both. We shall see if they replace the third. Luckily I had a spare rod.

A Trouty Run

 Decided to fish nearer the A68 bridge where there is a bit of a wear, again with a GRHE and Adams duo. hooked and lost then caught my first. These little wild Derwent brownies fight hard for their size

Yes. you little dancer!

 The river here has a lot of variety, fast stoney runs, slow fairly deep pools. I decided to change tactics after a bit, I was getting nothing with the GRHE, so I put a spider pattern wet fly on the point. Nowt with the spider so off it came and on went a Copper John......Nowt. The fish were only interested in my Adams so I removed the dropper and fished a straightforward Dry fly. WALLOP! hello my little beauty.

a wild brown number 2 ????

This is much more enjoyable fishing for me as I don't have the worry of tangles and twists and snags as much. I crossed over the A68 to head upstream but couldn't find the path. I tried the other bank but ended up walking through someones back garden / horse paddock. The owner of the paddock came out with her dog (Lexy) and pointed out my error. Lexy wanted to eat me. After helping a driver who had lost her exhaust pipe  I worked my way up river to a smashing little spot just past a waterfall and small stone footbridge.

I spied a very trouty looking spot under an overhanging tree that had to hold a fish. So I crept up and cast sideways under the branches and BANG fishy fight number three, and what a struggle.

yoo hoo! I know you're in there

Time had caught up with me so this was to be my last trout of the 2011 season. A fitting way to sign off for another year. 

You Little Belter! see you later.

 Prior to this trip I had planned to join Northumberland Angling Federation to fish the Coquet next year. Not now. I will be found on the upper stretches of the Derwent in 2012. With a big smile on my face. Best fishing around!

A Straightforward Mind?

Last few times I've gone fishing I have planned to see how things are on the river and select the most appropriate method/fly when I get there. Problem is I can't seem to settle on a method/fly and am constantly farting on with dropper length, Klink and Dink set up, Dry fly only, team of wets, Nymph and Dry......etc etc etc ad nauseum.

When I started fly fishing (only earlier this year mind) I seemed to enjoy it more when I was limited to a single dry fly (adams) rig. I was only limited because I didn't know enough, or to put it another way my mind was concentrating on how to get the most from the method I was using. Now I find I am constantly questioning the choice of method not the way I am fishing the method....hope this is making sense???

If I manage a bit fishing this coming weekend (last of the 2011 season!) I will leave the house with a plan and stick to it for at least an hour.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Christ on a Bike!

I walk the dog every morning through Jesmond Dene through which the Ouseburn runs. Its a small stream which feeds into the Tyne at Byker. I am in the process of trying to reintroduce brown trout into this stream with advice from Paul Gaskill at the Trout in the Town initiative. Anyways, I was a bit suprised to see a cormorant this morning. Bloody big thing it was. I initially thought it was a heron.....

not the actual one with not an Ouseburn Pike

Its a bit worrying to think these birds are frequenting the stream I am hoping to populate with broonies. 

the Ouseburn earlier today

First Proper Grayling

Last week of the summer holidays 2011 and I left my wife with the kids for the day and headed over to the Eden at Kirkby Stephen. Cracking river, really beautiful. Picked up a replacement rod (snapped tip off my 7'6" shaky 4# on the river Brathay the night before) on the way over from the good people at John Norris and got permit from the post office in the town square. Another 15min drive and I was on the river.

Started fishing just below this little bridge. After 2 hrs, a few half hearted takes, and a leg full of river I retired to the bank for sarnies and coffee. I was just beginning to take off the waders to try and dry my feet when the fish started rising. Stepped back into the river where this photo was taken and I hooked this beautiful Grayling on my first cast.

I was fishing a duo with adams on the dropper and GRHE (beaded) on the point. She took the hares ear solidly and i was in. Magical moment. I knew it was special and unlike me managed to play the fish successfully for at least 5minutes. finally taking her to hand and returning after this photo. i estimate 1.5 to 2 lb but felt bigger at the time. 

Spent the rest of the day further up river, met a few bods who told the same sorry story of 'not much happening' and it didn't. not a touch for the rest of the day. Still it was worth it. Must get back soon.