I was invited to Iver Flyfishing Club’s meeting at Haywards Farm today. They were having a competition, but were happy for me to fish with them. It was a sunny morning with an east wind gusting, making ripples on the surface of the lake. We started at 9 and I was allowed to go to the agreed best spot as a beginner. There were blue damselflies, and sandy brown ones everywhere. Also the occasional dragonfly. I was so absorbed in my fishing that I forgot to take a picture of the venue. Next time…
Reg caught his 4 fish quite quickly. I’m not casting out very far yet, so several people who had already got their 4 fish came over to help me.
I started with an olive nymph, tying it on myself for the first time (and losing it ‘cos I didn’t tie it on properly!). Then my white nymph, which also fell off, but on the bank so I didn’t lose it.
Then one of Reg’s cats whiskers which got inextricably hooked onto my fishing bag when one of my back casts went wrong. It is now permanently on my bag as a decoration!
I tried a bright yellow thing to no effect, then one of the other fishermen (sorry, forgotten names) lent me a glittery damsel and cast for me to get my line further out which got me my first 2 rainbows including one of almost 4lb (my biggest yet).
Then he left with his fly, and I borrowed a similar fly from Reg which attracted 2 more fish. The 4th one I lost because I didn’t keep my rod up, but that turned out well as I then caught a lovely brown trout which I gather is quite rare and tastes delicious.
I found 2 flies on the ground, so I finished 1 fly up.
By 12.30 I had my limit, which was good as everyone had warned me that the fish tend to stop feeding around lunch time. Once home I gutted them all, and the smallest one I filletted. It took me over an hour to fillet it, but it was my first time. We had half of it stir fried in a Chinese-style supper. Yum!
